Win £150 Card From House of Fraser

Wouldn't it be nice to get something for free for the Holidays? Perhaps some shopping money to use to buy those presents for our family and friends, and some change to buy ourselves a nice gift because we've been so good this year?

House of Fraser is a top British department store that carries a wide variety of merchandise for everyone. From fashionable apparel to shoes to bags to travel luggages to electronics to toys to housewares and such, it is the perfect place to shop because most of the things you need is right under one roof! Why hassle yourself when there is House of Fraser?  And this is a great news for everyone - a giveaway from Bargainfox.

Join now and have a chance to win a House of Fraser Gift Card worth £150! That's a lot of shopping money in a card! It's easy to join, just follow the instructions and you're set.

Win £ 150 House Of Fraser Gift Card

Good luck!

Pops Of Summer Colors From Shop Nine Space

This post was created in partnership with eAccountable. All opinions are my own.

Sometimes changing things up and giving a new fresh look to your space is as easy as adding a pop of color.

Spending time entertaining or relaxing in your outdoor area should be a huge part of your summer days and nights. And nothing enlivens that outside living space like pillows. You can change the entire look with fun, modern, graphic, bold pillows that also add that touch of flair and comfort. Mix, match, play with color. You can’t go wrong – especially once you add family and friends.

You can also add some beach-inspired towels to help perk up your bathroom. They’re also a beautiful addition poolside. Wrap yourself in luxurious comfort with soft, beautiful, absorbent towels that add subtle nautical flair with stripes in muted colors.

But it’s not just about your outdoor space. A simple, breezy tablecloth with an unexpected dip dye look adds an unexpected splash of whimsy to your dining experience. Casual, yet elegant, this modern tablecloth is perfect whether you’re dining indoors or entertaining alfresco.

These easy updates from ShopNineSpace.com have bold impact and give you that fresh, updated stylish feel that come with summer.

To join the ShopNineSpace.com Affiliate Program in eBay Enterprise Affiliate Network, click here!

Lamido Philippines - An Easy Way For Filipinos To Buy And Sell Online

Filipinos are big fans of shopping and you can see that from the numerous malls that line up the stretch of EDSA. And I am not even talking about the other shopping malls scattered all over the Metropolitan area and provinces. Filipinos just love shopping and that is it!

A hit thing for Filipinos these days is shopping online. Shopping online is a faster way to purchase things you need without having to leave the comforts of your home nor brave the inclement weather and horrible traffic jam that awaits you as soon as you step out of your home.

A key player in the buy and sell scene is Lamido Philippines. It is an offshoot site of the Lazada Group where I also buy some of the things my family need.

Lamido Philippines is a great site for sellers to begin with. If you're just starting up and would like to give your business a boost in terms of exposure to the number of Filipinos who buy online then Lamido Philippines is a great leverage for that.

Another good thing about this online shopping site is that, there are many items to choose from. There is the opportunity to find unique things you don't often see on online marketplace. Aside from the one-of-a-kind items you'll find in Lamido Philippines, you will be amazed by the myriad of items they sell from baby products to school stuff to personal hygiene to kitchenware to collectible items like rare coins and stamps! The selections are huge and that gives Filipinos more reason to transact online because they will find everything they need in one online marketplace without having to leave the house!

Lamido Philippines also offer buyers several ways to pay for their goods and have them delivered right at their doorstep.  You can either pay Cash on Delivery (COD), choose Bank Transfer or Lamido Safe Pay.

Lastly, Filipinos love using their smartphones for socializing, e-loading and even using their phones to pay for their purchases in some outlets. Lamido Philippines also has that facility in the form of an app that can be downloaded from Google Play.

Lamido Philippines has made everything easier and convenient for the Filipino netizens to shop online and I will certainly give this a try. Traffic? Gas prices? Commuter woes? Scary ATM withdrawals? Heavy shopping loads? Ran out of cash? No problem with Lamido Philippines, where you can shop online and not worry about those other stuff.


(All photos are screen-grabbed from Lamido Philippines)

Discount Offers at BuyCostumes until 27 July 2014

BuyCostumes are offering discounts again form 10%-25% off on purchases. Check out the coupon codes and avail of their great discounts now. Hurry, the offer is only until 27 July 2014



Get $10 off orders of $50+ at BuyCostumes
Coupon Code: bc10off50
Expires: 7/27/14
* All products are eligible for the discount, including clearance

Get $25 off orders of $100+ at BuyCostumes
Coupon Code: 25off100bc
Expires: 7/27/14
* All products are eligible for the discount, including clearance


Happy shopping!

Paper Products From Minted.com

They are here! They're finally here! My journals, business cards and gift tag from Minted.com are finally here!

I ordered 3 journals (2 for me and 1 for my daughter), 1 business card (25 pieces per set) and gift tags (25 pieces per set). And I love them all!

I am very finicky with paper products because I like something that will last longer and the paper used in everything I ordered are simply remarkable. The print is outstanding and the packaging is super! You can really tell that Minted.com really put their special touch and care in every product they make and deliver.

 These 2 journals above are mine.

This is my daughter's journal.

My business card above and my family's personalized gift tag for all occasions. 

I received the packages in 2 parts. The first parcel was the 3 journals and the 2nd parcel was the cards and they were placed inside a special Minted.com box with nice patterns inside of the name of the designers. Just by looking at the box, you can actually tell that everything they make in Minted.com is handled with care. I just love how I received my stuff. I felt very special!

The elaborate packing and the package presentation are all done with care!

This is surely one thing I will highly recommend. They can be nice gifts too and aside from that, if I was already made special the moment I received the parcels, what more are the recipients of these lovely gifts? I'm sure they'll love Minted.com products too.

Fashion Statement From My Daughter's Point Of View

Well, I have allowed my daughter to tell me what she feels about my being a fashionista and how I try to influence her. Here are her own opinions about fashion and how she sees it.

"I'm not exactly a fashionista, but I know my mother is. I'm the "whatever-feels-comfy-is-alright-for-me" kind-of person. Well, that was before I stepped into my 15th year, where the thing called "fashion conscience" came into existence.

I began to have slight doubts about how I dressed myself, occasionally. Sometimes, I'd ignore it but sometimes it just peters me like a fly. So on a whim, I decided to give the thought a chance. And I was okay with it. But it became more of a big deal for my mom than it was for me whenever I go out with friends in my school, well, since yeah. There are guys and girls there.  And every time she finds out I'd be going out with friends (and that includes guys), she makes it a bigger deal by ransacking my/her closet, using her 'fashionista' senses and picks out her delighted set just for me.  Though, when she found out about Zalora, an online shop in the Philippines, she took things up to a different level.

I have been asking for  Sperry top-sider shoes for sometime now and I'm glad I checked Zalora because if my mom finds out that I am putting an effort to give in to her fashion sense, she'll be happy. I like being dressed by mom though. Please don't get me wrong. There are just times and that is MOST OF THE TIME where I prefer my casual self than my dressed-up self. My mom gets that and I know she means well.  I think she's just preparing me for the real world when I start going to college next school year. And I think that's awesome of my mom to do that for me."

Well, what can I say. My daughter couldn't have said it any better! I'm a happy mom.

Find A Jewellery Store Online

Photo credit: weddings-avenue.com

Jewelery can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. For a man, a nice watch or a gold ring on his finger can signify that he has a lot of money and wants people to know about it. For a woman, it could mean that she likes to show off and call attention to herself by wearing as many shiny objects as possible.

One of the most recognizable forms of jewelry is the wedding ring. It signifies that you are in a committed relationship with a man or woman who you love and cherish. The ring may come with an inscription on it that means something to both yourself and the person who you are married to.

Jewelry can be quite valuable depending on the size, cut and material that it is made from. A large piece of gold could be worth several thousands of dollars while a silver necklace could also be worth a large sum of money depending on how the silver market is doing.

If you are in the market for a ring or a new pair of earrings, you should find a jewellery store online or go to a local retail mall where you can find a large selection of jewels for sale.

Great Deals Offered at Lazada.com.ph - The highly recommended online shopping site in the Philippines

I am a regular online shopper of brands I normally patronize. I mostly buy online from the US and sometimes have the chance to enjoy the purchase with a free shipping. I am quite keen on what the site has to offer before I give it a go. I am surprised to know that a number of great online shops are now sprouting in the Philippines. And one of those online sites  I have stumbled upon is www.lazada.com.ph. I am so happy that the Philippines is catching up in the modern trend on e-commerce. I am impressed.

The site has so many items offered. I checked every category and was amazed by the orderliness of the items being sold with high quality photos and choices of colors of that particular item is also shown on the side as you hover your mouse above the picture. I think that is an advantage because it gives the consumers a clear picture of the quality of the item being considered for purchase. I am checking the Lifestyle Juice Dispenser with stainless steel stand (click here) and with the offer right now, I may just have that soon.

The price is another reason why I was drawn to this online shop. Aside from the numerous products they offer from a wide array of categories, they are all reasonably priced with great deals offered every now and then. As a matter of fact, I checked their site today and saw the mid-year blowout up to 90% off the retail price. That is an offer I will find hard to resist!

Payment options in this online shop is remarkable too as it offers installment plans when tied up with a particular bank. Other means of payment accepted are major cards and cash on delivery. I am not sure if Paypal is accepted as I didn't see it in the list. I hope it is because it will be a safer choice for most consumers to use Paypal as their mode of payment.

The site itself is clean. The contact number is indicated clearly on top of the upper tab. All the brands the site carry is also noted on the lower part of the page. Information on shipping and warranty issues are also shown. I appreciate the fact that full disclosure on the warranty on items is given to ensure the consumers satisfaction and protection.

I definitely recommend this online shop to everyone. Enjoy the great deal offered right now and don't miss those discounts. Visit www.lazada.com.ph and check out their fabulous offers and you may also view the video shown below. I am now a fan!

Fabulous Shopping Spree in NYC

I cannot get over gushing over NYC. So pardon me dear readers because I just love it there. If only we can live there for good, why not? However, our life is back home so I guess, allow me to just swoon over NYC.

My husband and I have so much fun every time we visit the place. This time, it was just the two of us. Our daughter didn't feel like traveling. Anyway, I have never seen my husband so enthusiastic about shopping in New York.

We went to Duane Reade several times to buy some groceries and stuff to bring home. He even checked the pharmacy area and asked me if he could buy testosterone supplements or the protein shakes. I asked him if he was even working out and wondered "do testosterone supplements work?" He paused and put the jar of supplements and the protein shake can back on the shelf and took other stuff instead like vitamins for our daughter, fish oil capsules for both of us and other vitamins and supplements for our parents back home.   I bought Bengay for my aching legs and feet due to all the walking we were doing there. I also bought my goodies in Duane Reade because everything I wanted to bring home was there. So why go all the way to Walgreens to buy stuff when Duane Reade was just around the corner where we stayed?

We also went to TJ Maxx and Century 21. I had a blast in Century 21. That place saved us the time and hassle of going to New Jersey where Jersey Gardens is. We bought whatever we could in Century 21 near Ground Zero. I bought so many designer bags and wallets. I also bought clothes for my daughter, nephews and nieces. I bought watches like Kenneth Cole and Unlisted for my husband and brother. My husband had plenty of loots as well. And you think only girls go crazy when shopping! He had more stuff in his cart than mine, so who is the shopaholic now?

The shopping didn't end there. He had to go back to TJ Maxx to pick up more stuff for his family and went to NBA store on the last day of our stay in NYC. I forgot to mention, we also went to the souvenir shops near our hotel to pick up some trinkets to bring home for our friends and colleagues. The whole shopping experience in NYC was marvelous. I am used to shopping in outlet malls whenever we are in the US but knowing there are good finds within Manhattan in NYC will definitely save us time and money. We don't have to go to Woodbury Commons which is another premium outlet in New York. If we are buying branded and designer items then we may consider visiting the other outlet malls nearby but I guess, TJ Maxx and Century 21 are enough and what we need to buy is right there anyway.

Love Shoes and Be Loved

There's a new site in the web and it's all about shoes, shoes and more shoes! If you're one of the millions out there who are passionate about shoes and would like more shoes in their collection then head out to LoveBeLoved.com. It's newly launched and gives rewards to people who likes their page in Facebook. Those who like the page will get an intial 20% off on their shoe purchase.

What are you waiting for shoe-lovers? Go and check out  LoveBeLoved.Com and be loved in return :)

More Christmas Shopping

I feel like an inner dormant volcano awaken within me. Our previous Christmases were very quiet and gift-free because of the recession and the very tight budget. However, the economy is slowly picking up in our region and we are starting to ease (just a wee bit!) with the budget to accommodate gift-giving this year. Besides, we have all worked hard and so a little reward is not bad.

I am still not done with my Christmas shopping. I thought I was almost done but I found out that I missed few people from my list so I have to go back to the mall or check online for promotional deals to help me save money. I have some friends who are so keen into reading so I the 2012 barnes & noble coupons will be really helpful for me. If I have those coupons, I can save extra money. I just hope they offer it soon or even before 2012.

My other family members need some gifts from me as well. They are not asking for the gifts but I want to give them because they deserve some recognition for the help they have extended to my and my family. It's high time to repay them back, if not monetarily, at least in kind and small tokens.

My godsons and goddaughters will need specific gifts as well due to age factor. Some are already in their middle school and others are on their teens. I have to base my gift selection according to their age now. Gone are the days when I just have to buy generic kids' stuff to satisfy all their childish whims.

So, my weekend will be very hectic. I have to drive around town to check the malls for special offers and sales. Oh my! I hope my budget does not get dented badly.

Christmas Gifts for Less

Photo credit: yahoo images

I know the recession is still on and a lot of people are still out of the work-force. However, there are still some who are willing to spend few bucks to keep the spirit of sharing this holiday season alive.

Gift-giving this Christmas need not be very extravagant. It is nice to put the "it's the thought that counts" in the fore why we are giving presents in the first place. Here are some tips to make the spirit of giving a successful, budget-friendly and meaningful this Christmas time.

1. Make your own gifts. If you are good in crafts like painting, drawing, sewing, knitting, quilting or any handiwork then make use of those precious skills and talents. Make wonderful and thoughtful creations from your creativity.

2. Take advantage of the major sales happening before the Christmas rush. Some establishments are offering great promos like buy 1 get 1 free deals.

3. Check online for steals and bargains. Most online shopping networks offer promos for early shoppers, coupons and discounts. Use them.

4. Go to flea markets and you'll be surprised to find precious stuff your friend or a relative will like. You may even find one for yourself as a gift.

5. Go to 1$ stores and other inexpensive retailers and find the perfect gifts for families and friends.

6. Check classified ads for unwanted items being sold on a slashed price. Most of these items are either unwanted gifts or the objects of a compulsive shopper.

7. Check you collections. You may have unused and unopened stuff that has been gathering dust in your closet or storage area. It's time to give them a new home.

8. If you're giving gifts to families, try giving one collective gift that everyone will enjoy like a board game or colorful picture book. This way, you don't have to buy one gift per member of the family especially if they are relatives. That will surely dent your budget.

9. Bake some goodies. Nothing beats the fresh smell of baked goodies straight from the oven. You can put the goodies in canisters, jars or boxes and present them with ribbons and nice tags.

10. Lastly, if you are so pressed for cash and you still want to give something special because you have thought of your family and friends then send them free e-cards. Like I said earlier, "it's the thought that counts."

Merry Christmas in advance and let's remember this: "The reason for the season is HIM."

Beat The Holiday Shopping Rush

It will be December in 2 days and are you ready for the Christmas shopping? The economy is still volatile but it does not mean we have to spend a fortune to put little tokens under the tree for your love ones.

I intend to do my Christmas shopping soon. There are so many discounts in the malls right now and this is the right time to avail of the offers. Are you ready for the holiday rush?

Here are some tips to note to help you beat the holiday rush.

Make a list.
Allocate a a budget and strictly stick to it.
Do not buy over-the-top gifts unless there is a need to. Simple gifts and even less costly ones are better because it comes from the heart.
Check out flea markets for some unique finds, haggle!
Take the buy-one, take-one offer. It's really helpful because you hit two birds with one stone and some establishments allow you to pick the second product from a different category.
Shop in the morning to beat the traffic and hustle and bustle of the mall life.
Redeem your reward points if you have any loyalty cards and re-gift the free items you will claim.

I hope you're days before and during the holiday season will be stress-free and fun-filled. Time to put those gifts under the tree then!

Eid Sale

I just came home from the mall. I went straight to the mall after work to pass away the time and the traffic during Ramadan.

I am a bit surprised to see major boutiques with price reduction and major sale. Normally, the sale happens during Eid or at least few days leading to the holiday. The sale is rather early this time so the malls can get more shoppers.

The sale signs are just everywhere, from shoes to perfumes to clothing to electronics and supermarket. The cigar and magazine shops also carried best cigar deals signs that I don't usually see.

I didn't come home empty-handed. I bought some grocery stuff, dog food, gym ball, skipping rope and an office wear. I wanted to buy clothes for my daughter but I held the thought because next week is the announcement of Eid so more shops will eventually mark their prices down. I will probably wait for that.

Shopping Again!

It's been a long time since I went on a shopping spree. I was very diligent paying my credit cards and successfully closed most of them. Now, I am enjoying the little extra I have to buy gifts and stuff for my family and friends back home.

I bought a lot of Bath and Body Works products which I can give to my girl friends and female relatives. I also bought some multi-vitamins for my mom. I still haven't bought gifts for my siblings because the Dubai Summer Surprise is coming soon and I will wait for the major sales.

I didn't buy much for myself. I did, however, treated myself and my daughter to a nice salon session for haircut, hair-coloring and keratin treatment. My daughter had a stylish haircut and I love my new hair style as well. I haven't pampered myself like this before so I did indulge there.

Cool Clothing for Him

My husband is not the brand-conscious kind of chap. He will wear anything as long as he likes the style and color. You can buy him 1 dollar worth of shirt for all he care and he will graciously wear it as if it is the most expensive shirt in the world.

I want to get him something fashionable and stylish like the coogi clothing in Man Alive stores. Unfortunately, we don't have that clothing shop here in Dubai so I have to check with my friends who will go to the US to buy some.

I don't want very trendy clothes for him because he's already in his 40s and we grown-ups have to dress according to our age, correct? So, the clothing line in Man Alive can give me plenty of options. I can get him casual shirts and polo and even trousers which he can wear for office during casual clothes day and when going out with his pals.

It's time to update his wardrobe and I hope he will like my project.

Modern Bluetooth Scanner

Dubai is a very cosmopolitan place and modern too. I am used to seeing even the smallest grocery or shops here with scanners in their check out counters. I have never seen a cordless nor bluetooth barcode scanner yet in my vicinity. However, the bigger shops and malls use the high-tech bluetooth scanner in their check out tills.

These modern check-out equipment like touch screen cash registers and barcode scanners really make paying easier and faster. Back in the 70's and 80's when cash registers used to be very big and noisy with every punch on the keypads. The technology these days have made shopping a virtually fast and easy experience.

Go-Green Shopping

When visiting other countries, try your very best to check out the local markets, small stores and the off-the-beaten-path stores and see their produce, goods and handicrafts as well rather than going to the city malls and department stores. By going to these local markets, you are helping to support the local business.

Online Business

My friend and I are in serious discussion on putting up an online store back in the Philippines. We have gone through several brain-storming sessions already on the best small business to start while still holding our day jobs. The one idea that really stands out is the online business of buy and sell which is big hit in the Philippines.

We wanted to start something that would involve small capital but higher yield. I told her that food would be the number one bet and next was clothing and beauty products. We all know how the Filipino yuppies this generation are with regards to overall appearance. The only problem is, how to get the supply. I want to sell original stuff and will not compromise on cheap and fake merchandise.

I hope this materializes soon. I know there are plenty of things to consider like splitting the costs, shipping of merchandise, what to sell, who to entrust the accounting of money flow, who to trust on monitoring the website, any fees to pay for permits, etc. It is a lot of work so we need to consider all those things before we go ahead on this venture.

Shopping Festival Sale! Sale! and More Sale!

Dubai has a major festival celebrated by many annually. Plenty of residents and even visitors from around the world, flock to this tiny cosmopolitan city to enjoy and take advantage of the major sales and discounts from all the participating outlets and shopping malls in the city.

Dubai Shopping Festival 2011 is on now. It started yesterday and it will be a month-long affair of shopping and bargain-hunting to the budget conscious consumers.

I was already on the lookout yesterday. I was looking on the pretty htc desire 2.2 in one of the electronics shops in the mall. I still have my reliable mobile phone. I was just admiring it's simple interface, sleek look and features.

A lot of people will really splurge during this festival. The items on sale are mostly regular stocks not from the old season. Even food retailers offer promos during this Shopping Festival.