Returning home from our holiday trip in Thailand, it was a refreshing surprise that someone sent us a gift.

Wrapped in a tiffany blue box are vanilla and mint cupcakes by Sonja’s and the New flavor from Listerine, Vanilla Mint, Mouthwash has never tasted this good!

I can’t wait to have my hands on the delicious cupcakes. It was different from my comfort load of chocolate flavored cupcakes but still they were the softest and yummiest in town.

I was more surprised trying out the new Listerine flavor. It was a pleasant breakthrough from the usual mouthwash with excessively strong stinging scent and taste .

The new sweet and minty flavor effectively eliminates the causes of bad breath, plaque and gingivitis. It’s cooling sensation leaves your mouth clean and healthy. Now, we always look forward to using mouthwash after brushing, because toothpaste alone isn’t enough.

I was also invited to a backstage pass to watch the rehearsals for Mouthacular, A Symphony of Amazing Mouth Power at the Arts in Fort Bonifacio, Global City. Here’s a sneak peak.

“Be Mouthacular!” Mall Tour is a show that aims to spread the idea of spectacular mouths, as brought about by LISTERINE. Be captivated with the amazing mouth talents,  from singing, to beatboxing and other impromptu acts, the mouthacular show will surely take your breath away.

So celebrate the power of the mouth! Get extraordinary clean with Listerine, and be mouthacular! Catch this symphony of amazing mouth power at the following venues:

• Eastwood Mall Atrium (August 27 – 6:00 PM & 8:30 PM)
• Alabang Town Centre Corte de las Palmas (August 28 – 3:30 PM & 5:30 PM)
• Shangri-la Atrium (August 29 – 3:30 PM & 5:30 PM)
• SM Megamall Atrium (September 4 – 3:00 PM & 5:00 PM)
• SM Mall of Asia Atrium (September 5 – 4:00 PM & 6:30 PM)

It’s a great way to spend a lazy afternoon. Catch any of the show for free!

Be talktastic and mouthacular!

Visit www.mouthacular.com.ph for more details.

Sa-wat-dee ladies and gents!

We just got back from our Thailand Trip and had a wonderful time despite the bad traffic and the rainy weather on our last day.

Can’t wait to share something we bought for our facebook friends. But we can’t afford to gift you all, so as we say thank you for continuously reading and visiting WeekendHaven.com, we brewed some contest for y’all.

Please answer the questions below:

1. What did we lost in Jakarta, Indonesia?

2. Where can we find the stingless jellyfish lake in the Philippines and our next destination on 2011?

3. If you can add another resort from the Top 10 Luxury Resorts listed in WeekendHaven.com, which do you prefer?

Hint: All answers can be found blogged at www.WeekendHaven.com

This Contest is open to Philippine residents and Facebook friends of Weekend Haven. Answers must be submitted as comment to: Weekend Haven Facebook Page.

If you’re not already a Facebook fan of Weekend Haven, go to www.facebook.com/pages/Weekend-Haven/500513780435 and press “like”.

CONTEST RULES:

All participants who got the correct answers to the 3 questions will be raffled off at random.org and the top 2 will be declared the winner.

No purchase necessary to enter this giveaway.

The contest winners will be announced on Tuesday, August 31 through Weekend Haven Facebook page. The deadline to post your answers is Monday, August 30 at 6:00 PM.

Only entries from the Philippines will be accepted.

Prizes will be mailed to the winners.

Much love,

HavenHunter

Earlier today, we ran for a cause – to make a child smile. It does take time, sweat and total commitment to make it to the finish line. I’m supposed to run for 3k but eventually got lost along the way and instead finished a 5k leg. That was an interesting event turn out.

It was nice seeing old faces and meeting new ones. The most rewarding thing of all, is seeing how excited those kids beneficiaries are. Kudos to Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation Philippines, Inc. (NCFPI) for making it possible and reaching out to share the news about free comprehensive cleft care. Now, every children with “bingot” or cleft palates and craniofacial abnormalities can smile for a brighter future.

Little stones make big mountains
Little steps can cover miles
Little acts of loving-kindness
Give the world its biggest smiles

Little words can soothe big troubles
Little hugs can dry big tears
Little candles light the darkness
Little memories last for years

Little dreams can lead to greatness
Little victories to success
It’s the little things in life
That brings the greatest happiness

Click here for Miles for Smiles : Run for Cleft Care Photos

Our official race result isn’t out yet, and I can’t wait to see how I did on my first 5k run.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of NMEDA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Whenever I stroll at the mall or out of the street, I can’t help but notice how some places are inaccessible for the handicapped. I could just imagine how depressing it is for the part of the elderly or disabled to navigate the road. It’s even more frustrating for the caregiver if they can’t help address the situation.

Good thing there is NMEDA or National Mobility Equipment Dealers  Association whose advocacy is to provide safe, reliable vehicles and modifications to enhance accessibility for all people. It is a non-profit trade association of Mobility Dealers, Manufacturers and Rehabilitation Professionals.

NMEDA is a mere association and doesn’t sell anything. It’s members are qualified dealers who provides technology for the elderly or disabled to get back onto the road of independence. This organization promotes vehicle and equipment safety. Members are required to adhere to the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NMEDA qualified dealers sell handicap vans and vehicle modifications for disabled people. They also gives trainings and product refinements. Be sure to get their personalized evaluation as guarantee that the product you are getting is customized according to your specific needs. Most vehicles are fully equipped with safety measures, a handicapped can drive as safe as any other person.

Then there is QAP Dealers. The Quality Assurance Program (QAP) is the only nationally recognized accreditation program for the Adaptive Mobility Equipment Industry. It is based on the principle that in order to satisfy customers consistently, companies must have a systematic and documented approach to quality.

Please be sure to go to nmeda.org and on the homepage, hit the dealers locator and type in your ZIP code and see if there is a qualified dealer near you. You can leave a comment here if you can’t find one near your area.

When Nuffnang sent an invite for another bloggers event last weekend, I didn’t hesitate to confirm my attendance. Got quite intrigue about Laughter Yoga and the blogger’s launch of Nestle Fruit Selection Yogurt with Jelly.

I spent an afternoon at Julius Maggi Kitchen in Nestlè, Rockwell last Saturday. Surprisingly it was Ogilvy peeps welcoming us again.

Mike Unson hosted the Nestle event and kept the mood light, happy and lively. He’s a stand-up comedian that offers a  fresh kind of humor. He entertained us with pure unadulterated humor and new acts ’till the end. Does he look like Vandolph? lol.

I first learned about Laughter Yoga in 2007 while checking out a group of Indians at one of Dubai’s Park having so much fun. They were laughing non-stop. Just watching them, I had my dose of laughter too.

Paolo Martin Trinidad, founder of Laughter Yoga Pilipinas introduced more about Laughter Yoga. He went on training under Laughter Yoga Founder, Dr. Madan Kataria in Bangalore, India.

Laughter Yoga is a revolutionary idea. You simulate laughter and combine it with traditional yoga breathing and postures. You fake it ’till you make it.

We were asked to relax and let go of our mind. The next thing we knew, we are invoking self-triggered laughter until it becomes real.

To get the full benefits, you have to laugh continuously for 15 minutes. After the yoga session, it got a little warmer.

His breathing tip: Exhale longer. It helps prevent cancer.

Mr. Trinidad volunteered to teach the Filipino inmates get the full benefit of laughter yoga in jails. In his own way, he contributes to improve their conditions.

Laughter Yoga also teaches you how to make happiness a choice and not a consequence. It will come in handy to our pretty stressful lives.

After losing some carbo from laughing out loud, Nestle prepared healthy snacks as we witnessed the new Nestlè  Fruit Selection Yogurt + Jelly commercial.

We get to try the Jiggly and Creamy combination of Jellycious Yogurt!

Nestle Fruit Selection Yogurt has over a billion live microorganisms that are good for the tummy! Plus, it has real fruit pieces that makes it a snack that is so deliciously good!

They come in new flavors. Nestle Fruit Selection Yogurt with Jelly is available in Strawberry & Buco Pandan!

So perfect, if you’re like me who can’t finish a whole cup of Yogurt. I like the strawberry one and I like it even more that I get to eat jelly and yogurt in one cup.

Here’s the Ogilvy girls at the BaiCapture photobooth.

I get to bring home yogurts for the mister. He loves it too!

Thanks Nestle & Nuffnang! It was nice to meet fellow bloggers like Kath, Mauie, Shen, Rowena & Jane.

Like NFSY facebook and get a chance to win Nikon D5000 DSLR + Free Photography Lessons!

I pushed my luck last week and joined the facebook promo from Beauty Bar Philippines. Such a blessed week indeed, I was one of the lucky 30 girls to win a slot at Smashbox Masters Class with Robin Flanagan.

Got my makeup on and shoes to don, I headed to Beauty Bar Trinoma for a 3 hours forum and beauty secrets demo.

Robin Flanagan is Smashbox Cosmetics Asia Pacific Regional Trainer. She started her career in New York after meeting Peter Beard. She worked as a makeup artist for MAC and Saks Fifth Avenue and later on joined Benefit Cosmetics in San Francisco.

Smashbox is a renowned top cosmetics brand of Hollywood where Robin mastered quick, practical makeup for everyday beauty. She highlighted the 6 Easy Steps to Creating the Perfect Canvas to correct facial blemishes. Smashbox believes that a perfect make-up should begin with an ultra-smooth facial skin canvas.

Here are the 6 simple steps that Smashbox’s Pro Makeup Artists swear by:

1. Photo Finish Foundation Primer & Anti-Shine – Start by applying Photo Finish Foundation Primer all over the face to create smoother, softer, younger-looking skin. Apply Anti-Shine to the T-zone area.

2. Foundation – Apply the shade of your favorite foundation. Keep it light and sheer.

3. Photo Op Under Eye Brightener  & Concealer - Using a concealer brush, apply Photo Op Under Eye Brightener to instantly brighten, smooth, hydrate, and prepare the eye area for concealer. Cover up imperfections by using Camera Ready Full Coverage Concealer. Conceal fine facial blemishes like dark spots, uneven skin tones, large pores and freckles.

4. Photo Finish Lid Primer – Dab a small amount and blend to smoothen and prep the eyelid for eyeshadow application. It will keep the color in place all day.

5. Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder – Sets the canvas with powder and reduce excess shine. HALO is the first anti-aging powder with the science of skin care built in. It’s advanced formulation of pure gold, 48 minerals, 11 amino acids and a powerful peptide deliver powerful anti-aging benefits while the patented hydration system continuously revitalizes skin for a brighter, more radiant complexion all day.

6. Brow Tech – Define the brows in perfect shape to draw attention to the eyes.

We were allowed to try on the products after the demo while Smashbox Philippine’s Chief Makeup Artist Lourd Ramos did a makeover to one of the participants.

I didn’t want to remove my makeup but I’m dying to have Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder and O-Gloss. Another set to add on my shopping list.

That’s me with Robin Flanagan. I did try the above steps at home, although me thinks I need that under eye magic treatment. But I’m happy coz its the first time I perfected applying liquid eyeliner. Sheeeesh.

Rexona Naturals officially launched a new facebook application that will let us take care of Nature at the comforts of our home and in front of our computer. Cultivate Facebook’s First-Ever Live Garden.

If you’re like me who is addicted to Facebook from day 1, chances are you’ve already played a game or two. If you can associate very well what Playfish and Zynga are or ever hooked on Farmville, Pet Society, Country Story, Restaurant City, Mafia Wars, then welcome to the club!

What you will love about this fresh application? Think about Plants and Zombies. No, not zombies. It’s real plants that we can name our own and see them grow for one whole month.

It’s an interactive Reality TV on Facebook. Okay, I do enjoy watching reality shows but this one is worth the rave. Real Plants in a Garden Setting taken care by real people like you. There are 30 different plants for that green thumb.  You can actually send a special request or a message to the gardeners Ikey and Harold. Be sure to catch them, the whole month of August from 9 AM – 10 PM. Here’s a preview to the garden and meet the multi-talented, hyperactive Ikey. Mind you, this guy is full of energy, he sings, dance, all for good times while taking out earthworms from the plants. Lol.

I’m amused that 36 people have removed caterpillars from Plant Sunshine on Day 3. Too many insects aren’t good for my plant. haha. Thanks so much for taking care of my plant while I’m away. Can you play music for it next time?

Nurture Nature is a project of Rexona Naturals with natural ingredients and 24 hour Bio Protection.

Unilever is generous enough to share with us Rexona Naturals gift packs.  I’ll be giving away 6 packs, each has 40ml roll-on and 20g stick deodorants. Just try the application and Start Gardening! Then come back here, and leave a comment on how you can help save the environment.  Be sure to fill out the right email address so I can contact you if you win. This challenge is up until August 13, 2010, 6 PM and open to all Philippine residents nationwide. I’ll be raffling all names at Random.Org. Top 6 will receive the gift packs by courier.

Its unique blend of antiperspirant and natural ingredients work together to keep your skin dry, odor-free, and healthy. With Rexona Naturals, you can let your skin breathe.

A reason to celebrate! Hubby and I just run our first race together at the Rexona Run 2010. Indeed, a new sport to get us started with losing weight and staying fit.

Words can’t summarize how delighted we were with the event. Although it was a short 3k distance, we feel that it was just right to start off with a little fun run together. No pressure, less stress, no time to beat.

For a backgrounder, I’m not an occasional jogger at all, but I do enjoy walking. I can stand walking for long hours, yet it is a lot different from running. Worse, I have been missing out a cardio program lately. On the other hand, Running  is an excellent cardio exercise and fat burning workout. Undoubtedly, a new challenge for us.

We finished the race in between walking and running. The Race Results for all category showed our official time. A little over 30 minutes for a 3k, not bad for a first timer, yes? Our only aim is to finish the race and enjoy it.

View the Rexona Run 2010 Race Results here.

Rexona Run 2010 was organized by RunRio. Although we were newbies, we regularly read reviews of past running events and most runners’ concerns. I have my eye especially on recent lapses made by race organizers and some pointers for beginners like us.

This event takes home all praises so far. Runners were spoiled with plenty of waters and Powerades. Several marshals and  medics were roving and on stand by. Even Coach Rio monitors the event on the sidelines in his motorbike. Enough Water Stations. Ample running space. Lotsa Freebies!

The P400 registration fee is all worth it. From the singlet, down to the last minute of festive mood at the events area.

Starstrucked at Coach Rio. Hmmm… yummy abs. ;-P

Kudos to the organizers and Unilever! Thanks to the loot bag items! (aka pangkabuhayan showcase)

Now that we have found our motivation, running buddies and a time to beat, it’s time to practice running seriously.

More Rexona Run 2010 Photos here.

Last Weekend, I was invited to attend the Rexona Naturals Bloggers Launch at The Stock Market in Bonifacio High Street. Together with fellow Bloggers, we were spoiled with delightful refreshments and an afternoon of rejuvenating activity.

The welcoming party consists of representatives from Ogilvy and Unilever Philippines. The friendly and light atmosphere started with an informative talk and ended by adorning our own potted plant.

Everyone was having a good time. We contemplate on the basic things in life. Amidst our constant stress and daily grind, we go back to leading a healthy life in a natural way. We ought to change to a healthy diet, live more natural lifestyle, be eco-friendly and use natural products.

The abrupt climate change taught us to be responsible with our environment. In our own little way, show how we care for nature, and let it take care of you.

A new breakthrough in online campaign will be launched  by Rexona Naturals on August.  Watch out for the First Live Garden Application on Facebook and meet the hunky gardeners. You can choose from a wide variety of live plants to take care of, right in front of your computer! The hunky gardeners can sing for them too (sounds good, hmmmm :-).

Just like Rexona Naturals who care for our environment, now, we don’t have to worry about harsh chemicals that we once subject our underarms for. Rexona Naturals, with its natural ingredients and 24 hour Bio Protection is safe to use everyday.

At the bloggers launch, we had to paint and let our creative juices let loose to create something colorful out of our potted plants. Well, there’s mine. I named it Sunshine. It will be included at the garden, be sure to drop by and say Hello to Nurture Nature facebook apps soon.

Edit: {Aug. 2, 2010}

Hey guys! Nurture Nature Facebook Application is live now! Check it out : http://apps.facebook.com/nature_nurture/garden.php and name your own plant. Meet the cute gardeners and ask them to water, trim or play music to any of the plants. Have Fun!

I’m also giving away Rexona gift packs to lucky readers. Find out how you can win here.

Celebrity Weddings are always a girl’s secret dream. From the extravagant details, the fairytale wedding gown, the lush flower arrangements that filled a garden venue and of course a dapper groom in his tuxedo.

Here are some celebrity wedding style and bride’s dresses to inspire you on making your own hollywood glam to life. Celebrity Wedding Dresses are sought after by bride-to-be’s and among those who stand-out are influential designers like Vera Wang, Monique Lhuiller, Carolina Herrera and Oscar De La Renta.

Portia De Rossi Wedding Dress

Portia wore a gorgeous ballerina-inspired soft pink ball gown dripping with tulle by NYC Designer Zac Posen. Ellen DeGeneres was equally dashing in her loose white ensemble, white pants,white vest over a sheer white shirt.

Avril Lavigne Wedding Dress

When Avril Lavigne tied the knot with Sum 41 singer Deryck Whibley, she took everyone by surprise. She was beautiful in her fairytale, romantic wedding and carried on stunning, classic white Vera Wang gown. She live her dream to become a  princess in her wedding day.

Guillana dePandi Wedding Dress

Guillana married “Apprentice” winner Bill Rancic in her white, strapless, beaded Monique Lhuiller dress at the Church of Santa Sofia in Capri, Italy on September 1, 2007. The groom look more handsome in his white tie and black tuxedo.

Christina Aguilera Wedding Dress

Christina married music executive Jordan Bratman in 2005. The bride wore flamenco-style wedding dress by Christian Lacroix as she exchanged vows with her groom.  She changes into two other dresses for a night of celebration, a Les Habitudes gown and a cream satin and velvet halter dress by Simone Harouche.

Tori Spelling Wedding Dress

When Tori Spelling wed her first husband, Charlie Shanian in a lavish $1 million wedding in 2004, she wore a beautiful and sparkly Badgley Mischka Wedding Dress. The flapper-esque wedding gown is intricately hand-sewn and requires a lot of beadwork.

Do I hear wedding bells? When money is no object, brides can easily infuse glamour and elegance of a celebrity wedding. For most who can’t afford these celebrity designers, as they say, dreams are free, so why not walk down the aisle in your Valentino – inspired gown!