The Korean Clothing Saga

Have you ever been to Facebook, Multiply, My Space, Friendster and even on the Google search bar, you typed in the keywords “Korean Clothing” and you’ll see random or voluptuous photos of skinny Asian (mostly Korean women) models in flashing and very sophisticated clothes? This is what I call now the saga of Korean clothing or the invasion of Korean apparel all over Asia and I’d say all over the world! Here in the Philippines the raid of the famous Koreanovelas in television did a great impact on how Filipinos now look, wear, act and even speak and were mostly donned on youths. Korean leading ladies on the said series look simply elegant just wearing plain dresses. They look natural, unfussy, rustic yet modest and the way they dress make them look innocent.

For the gentlemen, everything goes basic and plaid: trousers, button-down jackets or tuxedos, plain polo shirts and long-sleeved polo with matching neckties or just plain sweatshirts and frothing out an anime-look hairstyle.

I didn’t fully understand at first why there’s a massive need of this kind of clothing since Philippines is an open nation and lotsa sorts of clothes are coming in and out of the country. Later did I realize and did entirely understand when I became an online seller, wholesaler and retailer of this Korean apparel, simply because the clothing line speaks for itself. It’s not like the ones sold in boutiques and ‘tianges’ (Filipino term for stalls) that the ratio of their design is 1 is to 1000+ items. So that means, you’ll surely have a ‘kapareha’ (another person wearing the same dress/blouse as you do). Korean clothing a piece ranges from 500 Philippine Peso and above. Some resellers come up with over 1000 Philippine Peso marking to cover the freight charges from their suppliers and sometimes custom’s taxes.

Korean clothing is also like Bangkok’s dresses yet have distinctions in between. Bangkok usually uses spandex, lycra and silk for materials while Korean clothing were made of chiffon cloths and cotton. Bangkok dresses have strong colors, vibrant, flowy and loud while Korean apparel are femme, sexy yet simple. Both extract the outer beauties of women who always want to look good and fashionable every minute of the day.

For photos, inquiries, orders and the like on Korean Clothing for Men especially for Women (blouses, long dress, t-shirts, sandals, wedges, pumps, winter boots, sneakers, winter coats, sweaters) and also for Bangkok Dresses, visit us and add us on Facebook – search for Mashfa’s Lako (mashfass@yahoo.com) and we’ll be very glad to be of service. Or contact 0919-264-4225 for Smart subscribers and 0922-262-7271 for Sun users. We do National (Philippines) and Worldwide transactions and shipping of goods.

Brush Brush, 3x a Day!

We all know that brushing our teeth is extremely important. By doing so regular brushing of teeth establishes good oral habits that last a lifetime. It’s like a cycle, when you’re used to it then you won’t be able to live a day without it. My kids: the twins Maki and Zekai and the youngest Reese learned to brush their teeth on their early stages (1-2 years of age). And gladly even if the twins are now five years old, they still find delight brushing their tootsies.

However, adult toothpastes as we may have noticed contain too much fluoride that is not good for kids when taken internally. Kids don’t have the capacity yet to precisely know the proper way of brushing their teeth using toothpaste. So in order for worried parents to be pacified, here comes the kids’ toothpaste in the market to cater every child’s hygiene profile without harmful effects to their tiny bodies.

Though I’ve seen too many advertisements on tv ramping these kiddie toothpastes in colorful and cute tubes, I still bring home from the grocery Colgate Kiddie Toothpaste (in Spongebob tube) for my little ones. Even for our daily consumption (for the adults at home) I always pick Colgate Total 12 or Colgate Advanced Whitening in their biggest tubes. I’ve consumed too many kinds and brands of toothpaste since the day my mom taught me how to brush my teeth and only one brand coveted my affection – Colgate. One of the leading toothpaste in the world today and also one of the Philippine Dentist Association recommended to be used by consumers – like me.

My favorite picks:

Mashfa on the Ramp

Had already trashed the ambition becoming a model and now here I am because of my sprouting clothing business online I need to be one. I’ve seen clothes on life-sized mannequins, and I’d say the lifeless frames don’t do well on the fabrics they’re wearing. There’s really a big difference on how you’ll see a piece of dress being worn by a living and breathing person and when it’s worn by a very pale, anemic and without an eye-statue. A live person brings aglow and bounce to a thing, even to a simple blouse when worn properly and stylishly. They say, “nasa nagdadala lang ‘yan” to which I strongly and firmly agree.


I had purchased mannequins months ago and had only used those four to six times for my pre-loved (Ukay-Ukay) dresses’ pictorials (anyway, just bought them for a total of 200 Philippine Peso). Now I have stocks and piles of clothes at home ready for selling when I discovered they all look dull and petrified on my photos when I let the plastics wear them. One of my co-sellers online takes time to dress herself up with her stuff, has her buddies to take a photo of her wearing the clothes, some edits and presto! She can immediately upload and transact business with interested buyers online using social networking sites. I also tried to do it myself, using only my camera cellphone, some adjustments, (since I don’t  have an ample space at home) I would just pose wherever the light is favorable wearing my collections, either our house helper or my husband will become the photographer and that’s it, I then have the shots! I chose not to show off my face so what I do is to crop the captures omitting what has to be removed and what would be left will be from the most upper section of my neck down to my toes.


At some point I can now call myself my “own” model since I am anonymous or unknown. I just feel glad that I am somehow giving life to my photos online and may help my prospect buyers to also imagine themselves what if they wear the kind of clothes the “no-head” model is wearing?


Here are some samples of my photos. ^_^

Going Natural, Going Organic on Skin

As many brands of beauty cosmetics, solutions, creams and regimens for skin spurt now and then, it turns out choosing amongst the names and to decide whether to use this one or the other one is becoming a hard task. Like food, the choices are endless. Monday you use this cream, the next day the other one you saw on TV, come Wednesday the bottle of astringent your friend had recommended and Friday you bought the anti-acne whitening cream the saleslady was holding inside the mall. Talking about make-up, honestly I myself am not fond of it. I once tried to use foundation and eyeliner and I ended looking like a newly-black eyed battered wife gone anemic! Wearing make-up needs one’s expertise; one’s face with make-up needs retouch and at most should be done every now and then. That’s a lot of hours in a day and a go-go-no hassle lady like me won’t be able to get into that kind of ‘job’ everyday! I’ve always noticed that (mostly) of the women who use make-up came out to have this cakey-face look. I just can’t stand imagining my own face sulked with – suds!

What you eat is what you get. When you eat good foods, your skin will show it. What you put in and on is what you’ll get on your outside appearance. It is also important to give value to what we intake inside our bodies and we must not also forget to protect and take care of our precious epidermis because without it we’ll look like monsters. I’ve been in drastic ways searching and looking (faithfully) for the skin product that would best suit my skin needs. I was born prone to pimples, acnes, whiteheads, blackheads and facial breakouts, name it! But I don’t want to put much on my outer layer. I don’t want to feel heavy and cakey and sticky on my face, on my hands, legs and feet. I don’t want the sting given by alcohol astringents.

My aunt in-law, tita Dol was the one who introduced to me this Human Heart Nature. I was already familiar about it since I was browsing the worldwide web looking for answers to my pleas to stop my skin breakouts though my condition is being minimized after giving birth. I gave it a try. And after using them, I’d say Human Heart Nature is believable! They offer so many skin concoctions your body will surely love to indulge with without the sting, without the cakey feeling! Ingredients used per product were all on the labels. The founders first tested their products to themselves and to their families not on rats and turtles! I’ve proven it myself by making Human Heart Natures skin essentials part of my body and face regimen and even for my precious ones at home. Experience natural care using their chemical-free skin treats at a very low (friendly), easy on the budget price! Perfect for a mother like me that needs to juggle anything and everything under the sun!

*Balancing Toner

It is a big help to me in keeping my face shine-free all day. I still have to dab on some pressed or loose powder on my temples but the toner really works on my pores miraculously.

*Night Moisturizer

It helps repair and renew the skin on my face and neck the whole night through. Hydrates and gives a soft feeling when I wake up in the morning.

*Sunflower Seed Beauty Oil

I use it to moisturize the skin surrounding my eyes. I noticed my eye bags were a bit minimized and relaxed (since I cannot escape the fact that having big eye bags runs in our blood). Sometimes I use the oil to moisturize at night and use a drop of it to tame my frizzy hair when I go outdoors.

*Eucalyptus Shaving Oil

I don’t shave so my husband is the only one using. Ingrown hairs on his face began disappearing when he started using it. He says there is no ‘hapdi’ effect at times he would accidentally cut himself.

*Citronella Bug Spray

Very very very effective! I intently bought this for the twins and Reese. I want to protect their delicate skin and small bodies from bug and pests bites. It smells like lemongrass but I never bothered to care if it means I am being a ‘sigurista’ mom.

 *Balancing Facial Wash

It has cooling effects once applied onto face. It has bamboo scrubs that feel so good on skin once gently massaged on a circular motion.

*Chamomile Baby Wash

It is my daughter’s daily ritual in the bathroom.  Like leading baby washes and baths in stores, it is also mild and has “no tears” formula so might want to use them for your babies too!

As I come up to think on how much  I’ve spent on all of those products and cosmetics for my dermis in the past, I’m thankful that Human Heart Nature is now on its way to be known. It’s proudly made in the Philippines by women who also desired and wants to come with beauty and care lines that are affordable to all ladies out there without sacrificing quality and effectiveness. Plus, the packaging is simple, trendy and nice-looking. Human Heart Nature is totally world class!

For inquiries and orders of HumanHeartNature Products email me at mashfassb@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Mashfa's Lako (mashfass@yahoo.com). Contact numbers: 0919-264-4225 (Smart) & 0922-267-2721 (Sun).

Baby, Baby, Baby Oh

It’s not only hard and tasking to have babies and kids, it’s also fun! It depends on how a person looks on each side of the coin. Everybody knows these tiny humans are very delicate, more sensitive, require more attention and always in need to be cared for. My twins at home were preemies. The big one weighed 3.6 lbs. at the time of birth and the second at 2.9 lbs. The smallest was even fed using a tiny tube inserted through his nose during his first 5 days because he can't suck milk from my breasts even from the feeding bottle. We even hunted for a blood donor for him those times and God blessed us we found one, only for a 20cc. The twins were incubated for almost two weeks and gladly now they are already big boys at five!

With my daughter Reese, she’s a full month-term baby. She weighed 7.6 lbs. when she was born. I guess my tummy could only carry one fetus at a time until its mature date, LOL. Good thing my husband is a hands on dad. Even if we didn't have our parents and a helper during our daughter’s first few months to help us in tending her, we had managed to go to work at the same time while purring over the tiny creature as we took turns.

Baby lingo and kids’ lingo is a stardom for doting mothers and fathers especially when their offspring begin to utter words and sounds. Here are a few examples I take time to listen, laugh to and even make me hug and kiss the twins and Reese whenever we were together at home:

From the twins: Maki & Zekai:

Roller Coaster – Loller Coasler

Margarine – Maaargaren

Chocolate – Shokolit

Discovery Channel – Diskabri Shanel

National Geographic - Nat Jugrafic

Toblerone - Beron

From Reese:

Love You – Yabuu

Thank You – Tekyu, Tentiu

Bye-bye – Babyu

Excuse – Eshus

Dora – Duda

Spongebob- Bugshbugsh

Uno, Dos, Tres, Kwatro  – Un, du, tre, tro

A, B, C – D, B, C, E

Eggplant – Eeeeplan

Water – Tuter

Milk - Ulk

Malong (a blanket made by Muslims in the Philippines) - Manun

Remote - Memowt

Cat - Tat

Visitors at home would ask, “Do you understand what your kids are talking about?” I’d say, “Of course! Mother’s instinct. “

Coffee, Coffeeholic, Coffee Dreamer, future Café Owner

I am not addicted to caffeine. I just super duper love coffee. Can’t live a day without coffee, sometimes two cups of coffee a day. I say, I’ll always love coffee. Best taken with breads, cakes esp. with rice & dried or smoked fish!

When we visited Tabuk, Kalinga, my husband’s birthplace, I grabbed the chance to buy several boxes & foil packs of the famous Kalinga Brew. It ran out so fast that when we returned to Davao City, I only have 2 boxes left for us at home. Most of it was sent to my parents, friends, church mates & officemates and I so so so so regret my act of not buying loads of it! I consider Kalinga Brew as one of the natural coffees without the tangy and after-taste that leaves no frills in your mouth after gulping down an ample dosage.  And I’ve heard that this known coffee is being served in legendary and eminent coffee shops, cafes and restaurants – worldwide for 90 to almost 500 bucks (2.5$ to 11.7$) a cup! Of course the prices given were reasonable since business persons need to mark up it up to cover their expenses, their crews’ service and etcetera.

Last week, I accompanied my husband to Coffee Dream, located at SM City Davao (Ground Floor, fronting National Bookstore). I got myself indulging with their coffee latte and with the sweetest muffin cake (with cashew nuts, melted chocolates) I’ve first eaten in my whole life! LOL. (I self pity for that, hahahahaha!) I’ve been to several coffee shops before and I’ve never approved of their relishes until I sat down and gave chance to Coffee Dream to savor their good tasting coffees, friendly people in service, yummy desserts and cozy sofas you may even take a nap, just be sure to make an order first before living through with their amenities. ;-)

Relaxing with coffee shops and savoring their various concoctions made me desire to have my own, one day. But, thinking of having millions at first to initiate this kind means a lot for me these days. A giant coffee maker will take one million pesos (23, 255.00$) something from one’s belt.  And thinking about it also made me realize and come up with an idea of why not setting the outbreak of these new techies back to our traditional way of making coffee? Boiling a pot of water over flaming woods or charcoals while stirring in finely grounded coffee beans? When I shared this to my husband he brawled with support and sanction, LOL. Mmmmmm, even I could not wait for this concept to materialize, a few months from now.

I Am Sentimental

Ladies do. Girls do. Some men do or maybe most of them too. Mostly women have the tendency to hover on things which they keep close to their hearts. Being sentimental has something to do with a person’s emotions, feelings and romance (as simply illustrated by most dictionaries) and indeed, very true. Others who are not going through this kind of magnitude would consider sentimental persons as ‘corny’ or sloppy.

I say being sentimental is not senseless; it’s not either being absurd. It’s just that you want to keep a thing that reminds you of someone or a remembrance of an event in your life you don’t want to leave behind. A part of me says I am sentimental. I can’t let go of things that I treasured and cared for so long, things I got used to, things that were given to me by people I love.

I have here four of my things which I have been keeping for years.

My 5-year old Chuck Taylor Hi-Cut (Converse)

I bought this using my allowance during my last year in my Diploma course. Something to reward myself. Cost me 2,300php (54 USD) and during those times that amount is already a large sum for a student like me! This pair also reminds me of my parents who worked hard to be able to send me to school and who gave me an ample amount of allowance.

MARITHÉ+FRANÇOIS GIRBAUD Shoulder Bag

This one was given to me by my Aunt Nel a year before she got married to my seaman uncle at the age of 35. I didn't expect she’d give me this cause I know it’s a pricey thing. A very broad smile was painted on my face the moment she handed it to me. That was three years ago and as far as I know, she purchased this year 2003. Every time I see this bag, I would remember my Aunt who accompanied me at times she went to visit Cagayan de Oro (where I studied in college) and slept at my place; who had given me favors and treats; and who were there with me on days I longed for companion since I were a 3-4-hour away from home.

Books: The Heavenly Man (true story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun with Paul Hattaway) & The Friendship Factor by Alan Loy McGinnis)

Given to me by my once profound and once closest friend now my dearest husband three years ago. He had sent these separately through LBC Express within the years we didn't see each other after we first met. He read these books first before sending them to me. These books would jog back my memory to the place where we first laid our eyes on each other, to the months and years we kept in touch and track and to the memories when he pursued me to which he calls ‘hot pursuit’.(laugh)

See, I just can’t let go. It’s already a part of my life to hold onto things I consider precious and valuable. That’s it, valuable. And I am sentimental.

Tinapay ng Aking Buhay

Aside from rice, bread is also one of the staples Filipinos could not live without with. Mornings won’t be complete without the very famous pandesal (a soft and browned bun) taken with black coffee. Meriendas or afternoon snacks could be sweetened breads like muffins and cakes, slices of loaf breads, big monays and star breads, cookies and chewy ensaymadas. This is just a short list compared to the very broad picture of the famous bread clan.

Growing up, I developed the taste for bread. If I eat bread in the morning, I could survive the whole entire afternoon eating nothing. It’s like rice for me. I could even eat a whole loaf of bread, eat a pack of cupcakes and eat a box of donuts all by myself! But as I age, I realized more of our commercialized breads are now being overdosed with sugar, artificial sweeteners and preservatives, additives and even extenders. Like vegetables and meat, bread also spoils in a few numbers of days after manufacturing/baking. The usual life span of dry breads is for 4-5 days only while the soft ones shorter if not kept inside the fridge. That’s why some bread manufacturers include instructions on their packages advising consumers to store bread in cool temperatures to maintain freshness.

In the past few months I was looking for bread that will suit the healthy lifestyle I would like my family to look forward to. I started with buying those expensive and branded ones that claim to have nutritional value yet they didn’t meet my taste and my family’s. We were like buying bread most of the time but still didn’t get on the right track, until one Saturday I decided to switch stores to do my grocery shopping. As I was almost to the check out counter, I passed by the store’s bread section and I spotted Nature’s Bread’s selections. I chose their wheat bread because I’ve always heard this kind is healthier than the white ones. I started out with two bags. On my next shopping trip I bought four then to six by the following week. Nature’s Bread’s Wheat Bread does not only taste good, it looks good as well and smells good. It’s like being in an oat and barley field where you can smell the aroma of ripening grains. It’s best partnered with some processed or homemade fruit jams and jellies.

Let’s admit the fact that many of us today are hooked in salted chips, fries and junk foods. These gunks won’t give us any better effect, even the slightest. When craving for something to eat for a snack, why not try to gobble a wheat bread sandwich loaded with your favorite fill-ins like those in famous fast food restaurants – some tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese, a slice of ham, some mayo or just with a simple sandwich spread. You’ll save yourself from indulging too much on food that won’t give you any gain for your health.

Soduku Invades my Home

I didn’t know this game actually until one day I saw my husband engrossed with his cellphone. I asked him if what’s he’s up to and when he showed up his phone I saw that he’s playing Soduku. All the time, I was thinking Soduku is the same with the Rubix Cube. What a shame! Totally mistaken. (LOL).

I asked my husband to teach me how to play the game which he gladly did. My first game was only up to number 4, climbed up to 6 then to 9. I could finish the game and make it perfect only but give me hours. My husband can do it for just a matter of seconds or a few minutes (depending on the length of numbers given). Moreover when you play Soduku in mobile phones – it has a timer! So you need to beat the default winning time of its system. I was very hysterical at first that I didn’t know anymore if I should press key 1 or key 9. If I feel I’m almost out, I’d readily hand it over to my husband. (LOL again). Fortunately, there are now Soduku books sold in all stores nationwide and worldwide! You can take your time filling in numbers and even letters in the boxes without a timer! But if desired, you may still. As for me, I’d choose not to..

When I brought one at home, our house helper found playing the game to be fun. The three of us (excluding my daughter) would sometimes tease each other if we get mistakes with our answers and could not anymore proceed to jet in with the game. Sometimes we race and set up a timer. It’s really fun but sometimes I get pissed off. Soduku – the number placing puzzle of all times.

The FREEDOM TO CHOOSE

It’s not fair if you are not being able to make your own choices in whatever you do in life. Somebody chooses for what you eat, what you wear, where you should go, what you must do. Come to think of it. Filipina women were identified as ‘mahinhin’ but have the capability to show how to reel their rights and voices in a crowd to fight for a win. In this post, I’d like to talk about the House Bill 5043 or the Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008. Popularly known as the RH Bill, it provides safety measures to help women and their families stay healthy, and to provide an environment where the freedom to choose is being acknowledged. Many Filipinos, especially the underprivileged, remain unaware of, or are misinformed about their contraceptive options.

In the Philippines, poverty limits a woman’s options and makes it difficult for her and her family to survive:

*For every 100, 000 women who give birth, 230 die from health complications.[1]

*For every 1, 000 babies born, 23 of them die within the first year of life.[2]

*When a poor couple has nine or more children, they can spend only P682 per child for education in a year, and they are only able to spend P150 a year for the health care of each family member.[3]

As far as I’m concerned, I believe RH Bill is not pro-abortion. Under HB 5043, abortion remains a punishable crime. However the bill ensures that those women suffering from complications as a result of illegal abortion will be provided the necessary medical care. The bill makes family planning methods such as pills, condoms, injectables and IUDs to be available in public health facilities for easier dispense to those who can’t afford to pay for OB-gyne doctors. The injectables and other related reproductive health products will be considered essential medicines and will be part of the National Drug Formulary which means public health facilities like government hospitals, health centers and clinics in respective places will make these products a regular part of their essential purchases, it’s clear that it should be one of their function. Couples, who find any natural family planning (NFP) methods effective, will be able to continue using it.

I wonder why the leaders of the Catholic Church are entirely against the bill. In fact the government is not imposing or requiring the bill to its men and women. IT IS ONLY an option. I can see RH Bill wants to promote consciousness to everybody to control the widespread and unpleasant growth of our country’s population. It is for us to be aware that we have the right to choose. In Visayan dialect, “Dili lalim magsige panganak nga walay kasiguruhan og naa kay ipakaon, ipasinina og ipaeskwela sa imong mga bata” (It’s not easy to just give birth to babies without an assurance that they will be well-fed, well-clothed and they can all go to school when they grow up). And a person either cannot control his/her self when it comes to having sex with his/her spouse or partner. So the best cure is to control the union of the reproductive cells. The word in there is clear, to control, not to kill. The World Health Organization defines reproductive health as the state in which people are able to have a “responsible, satisfying and safe sex life, the capability to reproduce, and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so”. 

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[1]  State of the World’s Population 2008, UNPF

[2] Ibid

[3] Pulse Asia, 2007

Beauty-licious (Revamp that Skin!)

It was 10 years ago (my sophomore year in high school) when pimples and all sorts of facial problems (I guessed) started sprouting all over my face. As television the main medium of info, the ramp for me those times was the line of products which were anti-pimple, anti-acne, anti-acne marks, oil-free and pimple-free solutions, astringents, creams and the choice was eternal… I was so stressed and I even felt exhausted in finding the right product and regimen on how to stop the field that’s growing on my once-flawless and virgin face.

After so much depleted trials from product to product and exasperation, I finally ended to using nothing! I did an examination of my self why I had pimples. Background check, both my father and mother sides have a history of this kind (except that my mother is pimple-free). So my blood has its share why I had the problem. Next thing, the kind of foods I’m eating. I realized we put so much stuff ON our skin we sometimes forget that what we take internally also affects how we look.

I would like to share my knowledge of foods I had researched and tapped with to be taken to beautify our skin:

Avocado. A part of various lotions and bath oils, this fruit is known as the skin moisturizer.

Strawberry. Aromatic, juicy and intensely appetizing. This fruit purifies skin and promotes good digestion to flush out toxins.

Banana. Full of potassium and zinc. This common fruit repairs tissues and is good for healing wounds (those nasty scars) and flushing out toxins. My personal fave! It has pectin that repairs tissues making skin flawless, spotless, supple and milky-looking. It can cool off the temperature inside our bodies so if the weather is hot – it’s best to take in some bananas. Its cooling effect is the main reason why this fruit is being advised to pregnant women. During pregnancy I’d always eat banana and even if I’m not anymore pregnant I make sure me and my family get a daily dose of it.

Horseradish. Has regenerative, cleansing, disinfecting effects on blemished skin. If used in bath, it promotes blood circulation.

Carrot. This vegetable contains large quantities of carotene, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and C. This veggie improves the protective and healing ability of the skin against infection, injury and inflammation. Its carotene content enables the body to make vitamin A – a lack of this nutrient causes large pores, dry rough skin and blemishes.

Lemon. A very rich source of vitamin C. Regular intake reduces the appearance of scars and unsightly bruises.

Cucumber. One of the best skin cleansers that is suitable for even hypersensitive skin which cannot tolerate soap or hard water.

Papaya. A useful skincare ingredient for us girls because it contains enzyme papain which digests protein and rids the skin of dead cells that can clog pores and lead to spots.

Tomato. Contains vitamins C, A and B complex; the juice of fresh tomatoes cleanses, refines and beautifies skin.

Oat. The kernels contain starch, proteins, traces of fat and minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. According to Swiss physician Dr. Bricher-Benner, oat flakes soaked in water for 12 hours and then mixed with honey, lemon juice, yogurt and various kinds of fruits and eaten regularly, will make the hair glossy and elastic and the skin smooth and fine. It also improves one’s physical and mental health.

It does not hurt to eat the fruits and vegetables I have mentioned above. An ample supply of these can replenish the nutrients our bodies lack which we don’t get from our daily meals due to rush hours and rush cooking. As the cliché goes, beauty must be inside and out. Wherefore what we eat is what we get. Be beautiful inside and out!

Your Handy SHOE GUIDE

The way thru a man’s heart is thru his stomach. And the ladies say, ‘the way thru our hearts is thru our feet”. I guess I’m almost accurate about this stuff. Well, women of all levels love to wear different kinds of footwear to clothe up their feet; they would even visit spas and salons to have their feet pampered and have their toes for a pedicure. Women who are conscious of how they look would usually take to consider that their pair of shoes should match or compliment the dress they are going to wear.

To those who find it hard to find the matching pairs for their wardrobe, here’s a simple guide:

Oxford lace-ups/loafers –best worn with wide-leg trousers or cropped straight leg pants

Kitten heels or rubberized heels – best worn with pencil or A-line skirts, knee length or mini; bootcut jeans

Boots – best worn with mini skirts or bootcut pants

Flip-flops – best worn ALMOST ANYTHING! Dress up with anything with a cute, clean pair of tsenilas

Sneakers – best worn with rugged pair of cargos, ripped denim, short shorts, minis…

Bakyas – same mix and match rules apply as with sneakers

Espadrilles – best worn with beachwear or Bermuda shorts or anything preppy

Skinny Heels – best worn with skinny, straight leg pants or jeans, a slim skirt or a flirty dress

Wedges – best when worn with flared or wide-leg pants, A-line mini or knee length skirt, and A-line shorts

Girly flats – best worn with long flirty skirts and pants

You now have an idea how to shop for pairs which would look good on you along with your wardrobe. And look for foot wears that will not sacrifice your comfort. Some shoes might be too good be true when worn but it’ll be a pain in the ass if they’d cause you too much trouble when walking and would scrape blisters on your skin upon wearing them.

Happy shopping then!

Reselling Ukay-Ukay (Pre Loved/Second Hand Clothes)?

Yes, the feasibility and potential is promising. It’s like selling brand new clothes. If you find it as a niche, then set aflame to turn your passion and hobby to monetize it.

Dry cleaning your accumulated finds from Ukay-Ukay must be your first step when desiring to sell them. Dirty ones don’t attract, minus the smell. If you want to price your items a bit higher to gain some profit then what you sell should be at least, presentable. I’m also an Ukay-Ukay reseller. The way I price my items would be *the price I paid for a piece+*a part of the amount I spent for washing and cleaning+*profit of 30-50% of the price I paid for the item=*my selling price. For vintage pieces you may make them a bit pricier but still be open for some bidders and hagglers.

During my selection, I only get pieces that fit me and look good on me; I can’t afford to buy clothes that I won’t fit into. I only select clothes which do not require too much handling after buying them, making sure all buttons are complete, holes and nips could be patched and stitched up easily, those which has small defects and need small alterations. My first venture in reselling Ukay-Ukay was fun. My capital was only 11.36 USD. My gross sale was 34.10 USD so my profit was three times my capital. ^^,

Confessions of an Ukayholic

Wag-wag in Ilocano or Ukay-Ukay as what Filipinos call it is one of the madness the whole Philippines is fond of nowadays. When you’re a foreigner in the country and happen to see heaps of clothes usually piled on the streets and under tents, flocked by people selecting through somewhat like rummages – is and are the Ukay-Ukay or second hand and pre loved clothes.

I myself is an avid Ukay-Ukay shopper. These clothes are grouped or tagged by their sellers as class A, B, C and others. They say these are relief goods for countries that were affected by typhoons, floods and nature’s disasters. Others say, these are left behind clothes of dead people which their families can’t stand to wear turned out to be given away. These may be true but the outstanding fact is that – you can find fabulous finds in Ukay-ukay for a few bucks. A ‘fashionista’ (a person who finds vanity in dressing up) can find all sorts of clothes that are not in usual styles. I remember my mother saying, “If a dress or shirt is designed in an another way compared to the standard cut, apparently it came out from Ukay-Ukay’. And I know she’s right. If you’re a thrifty shopper but still wants to have branded and signature clothes, Ukay-Ukay is the best spot for you. Name it from Armani, Mango, Converse, Nike, M(phosis, Bossini, LV, Xoxo and so on.. It’s boundless and endless. You may even find some still with price tags. I believe some of the clothes in Ukay-ukay were from factories and manufacturers of clothes abroad and those which has defects were being thrown away were collected by people who have ‘business’ in mind.

When I was single, I’ve visited so many Ukay-Ukay spots but still I had bought clothes from malls and boutiques. And when I became a mother and a wife I now can’t shell too much cash from my wallet for it. It would be possible but my family and household needs are now on the top of my list to be dispensed with our income. For my husband and kids I see to it they get the newest, decent and good quality clothes for their outdoor wears even if it’ll cost me some hundred bucks. As of now I’m stashing an amount from our weekly money so I could purchase Kultura’s Filipino Barong Tagalogs ( 32 USD is the cheapest as I’ve known so far by canvassing prices at SM Department Stores) for my husband. But ladies like me (blessed with a slim figure, I’d say. Thank You, Lord) can get mostly from Ukay-Ukay what I want when it comes to dressing up. The most expensive item I had from Ukay-Ukay cost me 1.2 USD. The cheapest? 0.11 cents.

Ukay-ukay has so many selections to choose from: shirts, skirts, mini dress, long dress, pants, denims, shorts, hats, caps, shoes, pumps, heels, wedges, sandals, boots, polos, tuxedos, belts, kitchen towels, bath towels, curtains, pillowcases, blankets, comforters, mattresses, tablecloths, bags, stuffed toys, sneakers and even underwear can be found in these heaps and piles of what I call ‘rummage’. In some Ukay-Ukays usually the large ones, it’s terribly stuffy and the smell isn’t exactly aroma therapeutic. One just needs to be patient. This trait I see is very essential if you want to get down and dirty with Ukay-ukay. It’s a matter of surviving the stinky smell, bargaining with the salesladies and salesmen and checking in and out the pieces you had collected before paying.

Going through piles and piles of clothes can be a chore but the payoff is rewarding with the chances of finding treasured pieces to add to your wardrobe. Besides, it’s the thrill of the hunt that makes it exciting. Reminder, be sure to wash, wash, wash, wash, wash, wash, and to dry clean all the items you’ve bought before wearing it – even if you’re excited to don your ‘new’ clothes. Remember the heresies?

Tip: Baguio City (the Philippines’ Summer Capital) is renowned as the place that holds the largest group of Ukay-UKay stores. After munching on fresh veggies produced by the city and having eaten some bread with Baguio’s strawberry jam and jellies, why not try to venture out with the locals of the place and do some Ukay-Ukay?

Pay Pal on the Use

When selling and shopping/buying online, one needs an account with Pay Pal. It's 'really' not that necessary but I see it as the easiest and fastest way to do money transactions worlwide thru' internet without having to give out bank account numbers, credit/debit card numbers, home addresses & such confidential info to merchants & sellers. All you need is just an account with Pay Pal. Whenever somebody sends you money, all you need to give out is your email address (which is your username in Pay Pal). And when you make payments, you just have to type the recipient's email address also. And that's it. Simple as that.

Signing up with Pay Pal is very easy. It's like making an email account with yahoo and Gmail. Enter the asked information and it will make you select between three option-account types: Personal, Premier and Business. As for me I chose Premier. Personal Account is recommended for beginners and to those who just want to use Pay Pal as an online way to pay. For those who are on the verge of receiving money (most frequently 6-10 times a month) it's better to get a Premier. Though it requires thorough verification of the user, it's just worth it because of the reliable security you'll get.

After completing the process, you are now ready to receive digits. For a Premier Account, user must 'first' link a card to send payments. I believe it is a part of Pay Pal's security measurements. Card I say could be a credit card, debit card or an EON account which I acquired by applying for one at Unionbank. I photocopied two of my valid ID cards and presented them to the bank. They let me fill up their EON Account online form and adviced me to return in a week to get my card. They then instructed me to bring 350 Philippine Peso upon my return that will serve as my first annual fee for said account. There is no need to immediately deposit an ammount to activate the card said the Manager who assisted me thru it, though its being recommended so you can use the card for other purposes. I also aked if I then can link my card to my Pay Pal right after I receive my card to which the Manager answered yes. (So it's just a matter of one week to completely use my Pay Pal. Just allow 3-5 days before you can withdraw from your Pay Pal after linking a card.)

1-2-3 steps to follow, simple instructions that are not hard to understand to make life in a light mode.

Mashfa's Dotcom Store

It took me almost four months to put up my store on the web not because I don’t have a capital to start off, not because I don’t have anything to sell but because I’m afraid I will be hooked. Actually I did make a ‘prep’ store to make an announcement that ‘I’ will have an online shop. But the truth was, that time I was hesitant to build one.

World Wide Web offers so many ways to market goods, services & even ideas. From personal blogging, business sites, group networks & social networking sites. Speaking of these social networking sites we all know that one of the most visited or may be the most visited is Facebook. Multiply and Friendster as well is frequent but when it comes to traffic (these times) internet fellas feast on Facebook. If these three were compared to cellphones, Multiply & Friendster would be Sony Ericson & Cherry Mobile while FB or Facebook would be Nokia because it’s user-friendly, easy to navigate all around and you get to find your friends just seconds after signing up. Small ventures for an aspiring starting entrepreneur could be made possible with these sites.

As for me I’d say I found my place in Facebook. First of all, almost all of my friends are indulged into it, others are on a 20-hour a day online. So I fed up my courage with a great push to finally make a second account (I had my first which is really named after me) and build my own enterprise – selling clothing, accessories, bags, shoes and even bamboo sala sets. I had a page which is linked to my personal account but that didn’t work too well cause it has limits when it comes to spreading out the photo captures of my on sale items.

Good thing one of my cousins was already in the market so I have somebody to assist me from getting in touch with her trusted suppliers, on how to price my items, info of ordering & shipping goods to the usage of Pay Pal. I’ve asked all questions down to every detail. And until now, I still kept on asking my cousin & anybody who’s in this kind of business like mine.

My first week of starting was fumed with picture downloads, uploads, calculator, going to couriers’ offices for their shipping rates, drafting & typing FAQ, terms & conditions, how to pay instructions, where to pay details & the likes for my potential customers. I had also seen the need to expand my reach so I added people even if I don’t know them, friends of my friends’ friends. After setting up, I then got ready to tag in my photos my collected friends & ‘friends’. That’s the only way online sellers in social networking sites can market their goods. Fortunately, on my first seven days of establishing a name I did make a sale, my first two customers: my husband’s niece (destined in UK) and a Mexican lady and both made bulky orders. My patience & hard work (as I believe) is being paid off. It’s my Buena mano.

Though I knew (first hand) that selling of dry goods such as clothes & shoes is not in multilevel compared to food, I know I could push through with it. I find myself more updated with this line. I’m also fond of food but I don’t explore that much. I eat when I’m hungry. Selling needs to be your passion and even what you sell should also be your passion. It needs to be that way when you really wanted to get into it.

First week may be a good one, the next would be blunt, and the next two weeks could be loaded, some days would be without notifications but at least when people will see my hard worked-uploaded photos, they might see something they’ll like and probably send me a message.  An account must always be updated for new photos, events, promos to ignite people to see your goods.

Right now I’m still on the working process to hoard photos, stocks, people and sales!