Frozen-Themed Birthday Party: Free Printables

My daughter is turning 6 soon and since arriving here in sunny and warm Philippines, she keeps on watching the Disney film "Frozen" and fell in love with it. She is even trying her best to master the song "Let It Go" and I have to help her translate since she doesn't understand the entire lyrics. She is almost there so maybe on her birthday, she will be able to sing it. Crossing fingers!

When I asked her what kind of birthday she wants to have, she told me she would like a Frozen party, complete with all the snowflakes, snowman and Queen Elsa dress! It will be a challenge for me since it's warm here. Thankfully though, it is a very popular theme these days so party ideas are readily available on the Internet. So I have to start one step at a time.

First I need some printables for the invitation. Am so glad I found these Frozen Party Printable Set for free over at Homekeeter.com! This set includes Frozen Printable Invitations, Cupcake and Treat Toppers, Fry box, Cupcake Wrappers, Garland, Treat Bag Toppers, and Straw & Food Flags.

There is another Free Frozen Party Printable Set available with the same elements but with the characters themselves and not the sketched version. As for me, I like the first one better with the different hues of blue. It gives a more wintery and cool feel to it.

  

So there! That's already one item off my list. Yay!

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A Kitchen Of My Own

I am not much of a cook although I love to invite friends at home for a small gathering. In fact, as a newlywed, I can only manage to prepare fried dishes. As time passed, I was able to "evolve" and improve my cooking skills, thanks mostly to my Mom who taught me how and to experience, another great teacher. 

I also enjoy watching cooking shows and aside from learning the mouth-watering recipes that I would love to prepare myself some day, I also dream of being able to serve them to my loved ones in my beautiful dining room, with a contemporary dining furniture right at the heart of it. I dream of chic table settings in my glass-topped dining table and comfort for my family and dinner guests in the matching dining chairs.

While waiting for the food to be ready, guests could lounge by the kitchen bar and have a seat at one of the bar stools and enjoy some cocktail drinks while having a whiff of the feast that will later be served.. And I know just what kind to get for my kitchen bar: the Havana white kitchen bar stool - just the perfect addition to any contemporary kitchen! We could play some nice music, not so loud so as not to distract the conversations going on. 

Yes, I want a huge kitchen - a cozy yet contemporary one. One in which I can move around without bumping onto table edges and one that is equipped with modern kitchen appliances to make cooking easier and fun.

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It's All In The Details

Seasons come and seasons go so it is always a good idea to keep your home "updated" with the latest trends in home decorations. The accessories need not be expensive but they must exude the feel that you want to create. 

Because it is spring, touches of cheery colors in different hues will add life to your usual whites. To make your living room seem brighter, you can add yellows and orange accents to your neutral colored sofas, furniture and walls. 

You can also create that plush and cosy look in your living room by layering your rugs. You can layer two rugs or carpets of different sizes, one that is inexpensive and with a neutral color that will act as a base and a smaller one to place on top of the base. You can also make your room child-friendly by installing stain-resistant carpets so you wouldn't have to worry about spills and all. 

You can also place a potted plant or two inside the house to add a natural and fresh touch to your home.

So you see, redecorating your home and making it fit for any season is not really as expensive as you think. All it takes is some creativity, resourcefulness and an eye for details.

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Great Deals, Great Finds at Lazada Philippines!

I have always enjoyed online shopping since it saves me the time and the effort in going to the store. I also find myself getting great deals online which are otherwise not available or not offered in-store. In the Philippines, it is a good thing that there is now an online shopping store that carries a variety of products, from techie gadgets to fashion clothing to household goods. 

I am talking about Online Shopping Manila, an online store that practically has about everything (except for food items). They have got lots of great deals on offer like the MasterCard Mondays, in which customers get an additional 10% discount on their orders if they use their MasterCard debit or credit cards. They also have the Super Hourly Deals in which selected items are put on sale every hour. For the techie customer, there is the 7 Inch Tablet Madness where various Android tablets are on offer at discounts of up to 43%. Get your own Haipad Tablet for as low as Php3,189.00. The New Haipad Anaconda Edition 7" Android 4.0 Dual Cam 4GB with Wifi (White), for example has Android 4.0 OS, 4GB ROM, a 1.2GHz processor, a dual camera and has a MicroSD slot for an extra memory of up to 32GB.

To find out more, here is a video of their latest TVC:

Enjoy shopping and enjoy the great deals on offer at Lazada Philippines today!

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Stressless in Spring

Spring has always been one of my favorite seasons because everything seems to come back to life. Each Spring also brings a promise that things will be better. 

And with Spring comes of course spring cleaning!  With shops offering furniture spring sale, spring is the perfect time to buy new furniture. There is definitely a wide array of furniture designs that you can choose for your bedroom and living room for a completely different ambiance and look inside your homes.

The Arion Leather Stressless Plus system available at Cousins Store.

And what better way to do spring cleaning than changing those old and worn living room sofas with a new set of comfy ones like the Arion Leather Stressless Plus system? Online shops even have the the low back 2 seater is on sale so it is a perfect addition to your existing living room set. It is perfect for those lazy movie nights or even if you simply just want to relax. I have always been curious about the Stressless line of furniture and have been wanting to try one. I heard that they are really comfortable and that you can take the ultimate comfort test to find out which one suits your body best. With adjustable back seats, each "Stressless Plus" system promises correct support for the head and lower back. As you recline, the headrest adjusts automatically, providing anatomically correct lumbar support in every position. What's more, customers have a variety of color and finish choices.

Enjoy spring cleaning and come home soon to a relaxing home!  

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Safe and Protected

I know some friends who are into music and have even made it their profession. Even my husband's hobby is related to music so that I know how valuable the musical instruments can be to them. Because musical instruments can also be pricey, they also need to be handled with utmost care, keeping them away from too much heat and moisture and protecting them from unnecessary scratches while being transported from one place to another.

This is where protective hard cases come in. Placing valuable musical instruments and equipment in sturdy cases with good cushioning inside will ensure that your equipment, be it musical or electronic, are protected from dust, scratch, vibrations, dents and breaks among others while they are being transported from one place to another. While it is good to invest in good instrument and equipment, it is also smart to invest in quality protective hard cases  to put them in. Having them not only prolongs the life of your instrument or equipment, it helps to maintain its beauty and quality. It also allows for a worry-free travel and helps you focus more on the more important matters since you would not need to worry about your equipment getting damaged along the way.

Because most protective hard cases now have a lighweight construction and serves different purpose, there are also varied choices to choose from in the market today. They come in different sizes and can even be further customized to suit your needs. So if you have something valuable and fragile to store or transport, a protective hard case might well be the solution.

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A Piano for my Little Girl?

My little girl doesn't know how to play the piano yet but I can tell that she is very interested in music. Her first ever piano? A small toy piano which she got as a 3rd birthday gift. When she feels like it, she would touch the piano keys and try to play a melody and sing along with it. Maybe, I can teach her some notes once she understands about the do-re-mi. Come September, she will be attending the music class at the Kindergarten.

Should she want to seriously learn to play the piano, we would of course support her so she can nurture her talent. Playing the piano would entail of course a lot of practice. I know that getting a brand-new piano, with fine quality is hard to get by so we wouldn't hesitate to settle for an old and used piano, yet that which has been restored to its original glory. 

It is not easy to find finely restored pianos so that one must be careful and make a thorough research on which company to engage with. Trustworthy dealers such as Steinways and Sons is the best place to start. They offer various services, including Steinway Piano Restoration among others. Using only genuine Steinway parts, owners are assured that their pianos are still 100% Steinway. It is also noteworthy to say that their factory in Hamburg and the Steinway Hall in Berlin also offer restoration services. Now that is something to take note of, just in case.

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The Cupcake Boutique

I have read some months ago on some of my friends' Facebook statuses about The Cupcake Boutique. They are all praises and quite excited to share about this cupcake shop and I too was curious about it. Since I was busy with my Master thesis, I never really found the time to visit it with my family or friends until one day when I had to bring my daughter to the dentist for a dental check-up. We only chanced to pass by after my daughter's appointment and was really enticed by the front of the shop. It was so inviting and since it was a quiet afternoon, I decided to stop by for coffee and have a taste of their cupcakes. It was also some sort of reward to my daughter for being so brave at the dentist, she didn't even show any sign of being afraid.

I find the interior design very chic, charming and at the same time relaxing, with the main color in pink. I love how the cupcakes are arranged to form flowers on the walls. It may be a bit too feminine but I guess that is the target market - girls and women. It is a haven for those seeking refuge after a stressful day at work or on those lazy afternoons when you have nothing else to do but read a book or on days when you are craving for something sweet and chocolatey.

We both ordered chocolate cupcakes. Mine is the one with the chocolate and cherry, their version of the Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (black forest cake). My daughter had the chocolate candy on top (I forgot what it was called). The chocolate cupcake was delicious, soft and moist, which reminded me of my mom's chocolate moist cake. I thought that there was too much cream topping though, which my daughter didn't like so I ended up eating half of her cupcake. 

It was a good experience for me and my little girl, we sort of had a little mother-daughter bonding. Now I know a place where I can meet up with my girlfriends for some coffee, good cake and a long chitchat. :)

Visit The Cupcake Boutique at Hirschstrasse 16, 70173 Stuttgart. You can find more information at their website at www.thecupcakeboutique.com.

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The New Bibliothek in Stuttgart

We paid a visit to the city library yesterday afternoon, after I finished working at the laboratory for some much needed gas sampling analysis. I always pass by the Türlenstrasse station, where one gets off to get to the library and Bürgerhospital among other places, everyday since it is the route that my train takes. I unfortunately didn't have the luxury of time to get off and pay it a visit until yesterday...

The new Bibliothek in Stuttgart on Mailänder Platz 1 is one-of-a-kind. It opened its doors in late 2011. It is very easy to tell the library apart from other modern buidlings surrounding it because of its unique and imposing yet simple structure and its impressive blue lights during the night. It was designed by South Korean architect Eun Young Yi. The basic form is a square at the base with an side length of 44 meters and a height of 40 meters. The exterior cover of the double facade is characterized by glass bricks, while the interior consists of a glass facade. 

And the interior looks something like in the photo above. These endless staircases start on the 4th floor of the building and on the sides are all books of different authors and genres and subjects. It was really very impressive, breath-taking even. Everything is awash with white and glass.

It is very modern too. The library is equipped with state-of-the-art and modern facilities. One just needs to registed to get a library card that is electronically read to borrow a maximum of 15 books or other media. There are lending terminals on every floor of the building. Each floor caters to a specific audience or subject: 1st Floor - Music, 2nd Floor - Children, 3rd  Floor - Life, 4th Floor - Knowledge, 5th Floor - World, 6th Floor - Literature, 7th Floor - Management offices and in the arcade hall one finds novels, 8th Floor - Arts.

We registered my daughter on that day and immediately went to the children's section to read some books. We also brought home some books and software media that she personally picked. Looks like another bookworm is born!

It is also good to know that children until 18 years old can borrow books from the library at no cost. For people aged 19 years old and above, a fee of €4 per month or €15 per year applies.   

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URUS: Lamborghini's SUV

Sport Utility Vehicles or SUVs have been very popular in the market especially in the late 1990's and early 2000's because of their off-road capabilities. These are usually big cars, meaning they are built on a light truck chassis. They are also referred to as "off-road vehicle", "four-wheel drive" (4WD) or "four by four" (4x4) in other countries.

Although not a car enthusiast myself, I cannot help but be updated on the latest about car models, thanks to a husband who basically works with cars and who is an avid follower of Top Gear, a British television series about motor vehicles. The latest is about the revelation of Lamborghini's latest concept car: the URUS, a sport utility vehicle.

This car concept will be made public tomorrow, 23rd of April at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show in China. In the meantime, enjoy these leaked renderings of the SUV concept:

More photos at http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/lamborghini-urus-concept-revealed-2012-04-23.

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Turquoise Anyone?

When you encounter the word turquoise, what first comes to mind?

Image Source: edelstein-koenig.de

One could easily associate it with a gem of the same name but it is more commonly associated with color. Turquoise or türkis (in German) is a color with a blueish tone of light green. Seeing this color alway reminds me of pristine, shallow waters of white sandy beaches.

Photo source: http://www.stylefruits.de/

This color is also very popular in the spring season so that it is more or less a must in your spring wardrobe collection. Popular fashion items include footwear, accessories, tops, belts, dresses, even nail polish color. With this color in your wardrobe, you are surely on the right track.

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Say It With Car Magnets

You have a white car. You have a business and is always on the go. You want to place an advertisement on your car but is very reluctant to have the ad painted directly on it because the ad will only be for the time being. The  best way to go? With car magnets, of course! You could just imagine the endless possibilities these little but very powerful wonders could do!

An effective marketing tool. Placing an ad with your business name, website address, contact number and even a short catch phrase on vehicles is a very effective form of marketing tool. This is because most people these days are visual. If they see something that is eye-catching, chances are they would check it out. And in this modern world, where there is a very competitive market, an attractive and customized ad design is just as important as the actual service rendered by the business itself. I guess what makes vehicle ads appealing is that it is dynamic and flexible.

Endless possibilities. Car magnets need not be limited to business ads only. You could design it and stick it on your car according to your present need. It can be used as a political ad during the election period. Or as a welcome banner to important persons. It can even be stuck to wedding cars with a message bearing "Just Married". It will give a modern touch to it... You can be creative. There's even reflective ones to make the sign visible even at night, which is very helpful for law-enforcement and security vehicles.

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Beads... Lots of Beads

There was a point in my adult life when I had a fascination and inclination for beads. I would pore over various bead designs and collect them. I literally had a horde of bead designs in my hard drive. Unfortunately, I wasn't really able to work on these beading projects because I had no time to do them. I already had my baby then and so it was impossible for me to pursue these projects. I also lack the basic equipment and of course, a collection of beads themselves.

I have wanted to buy and collect stone beads, wooden beads, glass beads and Swarovski Crystal beads in various shapes and sizes when we were still in Japan because there was a hobby shop near our house. When we moved here in Germany, it was at first difficult to find your way around but now that I've been accustomed to the city and found my way around, I now know where I can get them. There is also this Hobby shop that does not only cater to beading but to other hobbies as well so that it is a little haven for someone like me who has a huge interest in anything hand made.

So just wait till I find the time... there will surely be lots of handmade products to create and explore!

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Beat The Summer Heat

Although we live far away from the beach, the summer heat still beckons us to enjoy the sun and have fun, as if in the beach. Here in Stuttgart, we have a place called the Sky Beach, a place high above the roofs of the city, a "beach" bar complete with palm trees, white sand, umbrellas and beach lounge chairs. Come in your summer dress and womens sandals and of course, your sunglasses and you will never get out of place in this little beach at the rooftop.

Cool huh? And the best thing is, you get a very good bird's eye view of the city's panorama. Stuttgart after all, sits on a valley and at a such a height, you can get a nice view of the city from a different perspective. Not a bad place for a cool drink under the hot sun with friends, eh?

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Baby Clothing for Boys

"It's about time". That's what most of our friends say everytime they see my little girl see all grown up. She is now three years old and even we would agree that is about time that she gets a brother or a sister. (But not yet as I have yet to finish my Masters.)

Speaking of babies, I discovered very cute baby clothes from Vertbaudet. Whether it's a baby boy or girl, you can choose some very smart designs for your little one. We want to have a little baby boy and if we would be blessed with one, there are baby clothes 0-3 months that really look so cute on your little man. Any baby boy would look handsome in their collection. I love the colors because they are not very dark and bright and the designs are really stylish. My little girl also owns Vertbaudet and I really love the quality of the cloth. It is  very soft and made of 100% cotton so you wouldn't have to worry about your little boy's sensitive skin. Just looking at their collection now makes me want to stock up on baby clothes for boys. They have everything for your little one from head to toe.

If you are looking for baby boy clothes, try Vertbaudet. "Have your little one step out in style with Vertbaudet!"

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A Camera Bag

Here's a must have for all women who have a passion for photography AND still want to look trendy and fashionable. A camera bag that also holds your other personal items: wallet, mobile phone, keys, pen, pocket notebook and other essentials.

Featured above is the Ginger Epiphanie handbag. I have been wishing (in silence) for this camera handbag. I just love everything about it: it's big at 14x8x10 inches, chocolate brown, stylish, has lots of pockets and compartments, has extra padding for extra camera protection, and even has a removable cross-body strap.

Remember me losing our SD card containing our photos from Keukenhof, Netherlands? That's because I just inserted it in my wallet and it must have slipped. It wouldn't go missing if I had a bag like this one. Or am I just pointing fingers here? Hehe! But really, I wish I could have one just like this. I can easily purchase one if I really want to. But alas, I have to save up for my laptop. It is much more needed than a camera handbag right now.

But really, our little Niki could use a home in Ginger. Now, who wants to donate?

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