Silver Screw

Moved to www.travelandpositiveliving.com

2010-09-10T21:31:00.001+08:00

Hi, guys! I realized that I don't have the luxury to maintain 2 blogs so I've decided to maintain just one. For my recent posts, you may visit http://www.travelandpositiveliving.com/. Thanks!:)

Different types of clutter

2010-08-25T23:11:00.002+08:00

For me, clutter is clutter. Things that you no longer use are clutter. I never knew that there are various types of clutter until I came across the well-defined list of Gretchen Rubin in Happiness Project. She grouped clutter in several buckets and her definitions are so concise – even the way one copes with crutch clutter and buyer’s remorse clutter. And whether you admit or not, I’m sure everyone would have at least one aspirational clutter. Haha… Check them out:

Nostalgic Clutter – relics from your childhood.

Conservation Clutter – things that you’ve kept because they’re useful – even though they are useless to you.

Bargain clutter – things that you bought because they were on sale.

Freebie clutter – giveaways, hand-me-downs and unused gifts.

Crutch clutter – things that are already worn-out from overuse but you still keep on wearing/using even though you know they need to be replaced already.

Aspirational clutter – things that you own and aspire to use someday.
Outgrown clutter – things you’ve outgrown.

Buyer’s remorse clutter – things that you bought which you realize you don’t need or want. But instead of admitting that you made a bad purchase, you hung on to them until you feel that they’ve been used up by sitting in your closet for some time.

Labeling cups during parties

2010-08-22T21:17:00.002+08:00

When having a big party and you plan to use disposable cups, it’s a neat idea to ask guests to label their cups so they don’t get mixed up with everyone else’s. This also minimizes the changing of cups every time guests get a re-fill. I know disposable cups aren’t enviromental-friendly, but if you do decide to use some occasionally, at least this tip would help you keep usage at minimum.

Flat TV decor idea

2010-08-17T23:29:00.002+08:00

Saw this cute idea in Real Living’s August issue - frame-shaped wall decals or real frames for your wall-mounted flat TV. :)

Biodegradable Candles

2010-08-16T22:32:00.002+08:00

Read about Alice Blue Candles from a mag. They’re locally-made candles made from soy wax that can last up to 30-40 hours. Will try them out when my current candle runs out. For more info, you may check out www.alicebluecandle.com.

It’s All Too Much - some spring cleaning tips

2010-08-12T23:43:00.002+08:00

Once in a while, I really make an effort to read materials about organizing your home to quickly assess the current state of my clutter build-up! Haha… But no matter how hard I try to do it regularly, clutter just quickly piles up. Just think about all the statements and junk mail that arrive every month. But at least, I haven’t given up trying to deal with it. Haha….

Sharing with you these practical de-cluttering tips from “It’s All too Much” by Peter Walsh, a professional organizer from TLC’s Clean Sweep. Some of the advice would make you rethink about some of the things you think or say are important, but actually qualify as clutter. Here you go:

Just because you have the space doesn’t mean you have to fill it with stuff.
Every item filling your home should move your life vision forward and serve a real function , one that you can explain without making excuses.
When you encounter clutter, ask yourself – do I use this? Will I use it again? Is it worth the space it takes up in my house?
You should only have clothes in your closet that you love, fit well now, make you feel good and people compliment you on when you wear them.
Your home is a reflection of who you are – what you value, what you enjoy and what is important to you.
Don’t say something is important, has personal value, or is a family heirloom if it’s covered in dust, lost in a pile of clutter or buried somewhere. If you value an item, you need to give it the honor and respect it deserves. Otherwise, your words have no meaning and the object is little more than clutter.
A calm, peaceful and organized home keeps you focused in touch with what’s important in your life.

Dishwashing liquid that won't dry up your skin

2010-08-06T23:33:00.000+08:00

Dishwashing liquid usually dries up my skin. Since I'm usually lazy to put on gloves, I experimented on using liquid handsoap and baking soda this week to wash the dishes. And so far, so good. The combination of handsoap and baking soda is effective in removing grease without the drying effect. :)

Spotless

2010-08-06T23:20:00.000+08:00

I went to Ace Hardware this week to ask if they sell bottles of lighter refill - I remember you can use a dab of that to wipe off adhesive residue from stickers. But when I explained my problem to the sales attendant, she recommended this cleaner called "Spotless", it's an organic cleaner and it worked! :) It also claims to remove stains from tiles, cookware, stove, porcelain, chrome, etc. but I've yet to try it on these next time. In the meantime, I've my instant solution when I encounter extra sticky price labels that leave adhesive marks.:)

Tomato and Sausage Soup

2010-07-09T23:38:00.005+08:00

Got this recipe from Yummy – in one of its special issues called “Meals in Minutes”. I’m a sucker for cookbooks that promote quick & easy cooking. Haha…

This recipe can serve as a complete meal in itself since it has veggies and pasta.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
1 cup sliced Hungarian sausage
2 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 cups diced tomatoes (I used fresh tomatoes)
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp dried rosemary
2 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 cup uncooked shell pasta
1 cup roughly chopped spinach
grated Parmesan cheese

1. Heat the butter in a saucepan and then saute sausages until brown. Remove excess oil.
2. Add chicken stock, tomatoes, oregano, rosemary and garlic. Bring to boil.
3. Add pasta and cook until al dente.
4. Remove from heat and add spinach leaves. Serve into bowls and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Labeling electrical switches

2010-06-30T22:25:00.003+08:00

I’ve been meaning to put labels on my light/fan switches because when friends come over, they don’t know which ones to press. They end up trying all the buttons.

Then a friend recently mentioned to me that her brother made labels for his flat using a DYMO label maker. So over the weekend, I went to SM to check out DYMO label makers. I got the cheapest model – I think it’s about Php269.75. Now my place is more guest-friendly and eco-friendly too (no more trial and error when turning on lights).

Instant bathroom hooks

2010-06-30T22:09:00.002+08:00

I usually hang bath stuff on the shower tap but I’ve this skin brush that is too long to hang from the tap so I needed another place where to hang it. How about right on the shower rod except that I didn’t have any hook? Guess what I ended up using so I didn’t have to buy hooks? Paperclips! Haha….

In the mood for redecorating

2010-06-20T23:02:00.003+08:00

Sorry, I haven’t had the time to update this blog lately. I went on vacation in Eastern Europe and since I came back, there are just so many things to do. Plus I had to update my other blog first – www.travelandpositiveliving.com - before I forget all the details from my trip. Haha…

Anyway, last weekend, I had the time to watch SATC2 with friends. I liked the touch of colors at Carrie’s old apartment and suddenly I felt the urge to put some color accents in my place. Haha… I haven’t really decided what to do yet but I took out a book from my shelf called “Domino: The Book of Decorating” (A room-by-room guide to creating a home that makes you happy), a gift I got from a friend last Christmas.

It’s a really a great book for home designing. It does not only give tips on how to put things together, but it also teaches you how to find inspirations and how to determine your style - sentimental, bohemian, classic traditional, bold and unconventional, zen, dramatic, pop, modern, ladylike, organic, romantic, etc. I never knew there were so many styles! Let me see, before I only knew modern, classic, zen, Asian and minimalist. Haha….

I think the book is locally available at Fully Booked. Anyway, keep you posted once I’ve figured out what to do. Nothing drastic, will just add some vibrant colors. :)

Beautiful home designs at GetDecorating.com

2010-05-23T20:53:00.000+08:00

Here's a useful site to view home designs - whether exterior or interior design.

http://www.getdecorating.com/#content-top

Everything is classified and organized which allows you to view particular areas such as bedrooms, bathrooms and even as specific as hallways, laundry rooms, patios and fences!:)

The best part is you can also do virtual tours of houses, condos, apartments and townhouses. You can choose what kind of house you want to tour e.g. Asian Fusion, Contemporary, Country, Mediterranean. The tour will take you not just from the facade and the rooms but also up to the house's architectural details such as ceilings and doors. Beautiful designs! Drool-inducing. :)

Tabletop from a railroad track

2010-05-20T22:48:00.001+08:00

Saw this table at a friend's house and I thought the plank of wood had character. Apparently, this piece of wood was from an old railroad track (as in riles ng tren!). She got the table for 35,000 pesos (including the centerpiece) from a furniture store in Sindalan, Pampanga. Very unique. :)

High-yield bank products

2010-05-11T23:54:00.003+08:00

Bank interest rates are so depressing – they’re lower than the inflation rate. So technically speaking, the value of our money shrinks over time even if we keep them in time deposits. But I think TDs are still the most conservative form of investment.

While flipping through ads, here are some interesting bank products I’ve seen.

BPI MaxiSaver. It’s like a savings account with an interest of a time deposit. Maintaining balance is Php50,000 and you can deposit and withdraw anytime. Your money earns 1+% p.a.(depending on your total deposit) and you get another 1% interest p.a. if you don’t withdraw for a month. For more info, you may visit http://bpiexpressonline.com/.

AMA Bank Time Deposits. The bank offers 7% p.a. for a 5-year placement, minimum of Php50,000 and interest rate goes higher as your placement goes higher. Though it isn’t a commercial bank, it should be safe given the PDIC insurance coverage of up to Php500,000. Just make sure you limit your placement within the insurance coverage. For more info, you may also visit http://www.amabank.com.ph/.

Premiere Bank Time Deposits. The bank offers 6% p.a. for a 1-year+1day placement, minimum of Php50,000. And it offers 7% p.a. for a 5 year+1 day placement, minimum of Php100,000. Like AmaBank, its branches are limited and again, it may not be as big as commercial banks but it should be pretty safe as long as you keep your deposit way below the PDIC insurance coverage. Fore more info, you may visit http://www.premierebank.com.ph/index.html.

FREE 2010 Ikea Catalogue

2010-04-19T22:44:00.000+08:00

For some home inspirations, if you've an iPhone or Ipod Touch, you may want to download UK's 2010 Ikea Catalogue. It's a FREE download from iTunes. Just search for "Ikea".

Prices of Fresh Fruits in the Philippines

2010-04-18T15:30:00.004+08:00

I normally buy fruits at the supermarket and for convenience, I usually pick the ready-to-eat fruits packs.
Yesterday, my friend and I dropped by Tiendesitas and passed by the colorful fruit stands. I never realized fruits are way cheaper when buying by the kilo and from fruit stands (I’m sure it’s even way, way cheaper if you buy in the palengke).

Here are some prices:
Chico - Php80 per kilo (approximately USD 1.80/kilo)
Avocado – Php80 per kilo (approximately USD 1.80/kilo)
Camote – Php60 per kilo (approximately USD 1.30/kilo)
Mabolo – Php50 per kilo (approximately USD 1.10/kilo)
Siniguelas – Php120 per kilo (approximately USD 2.70/kilo)
Fuji Apples – Php18.50/piece (approximately USD 0.41/piece)
Santol – Php50 per kilo (approximately USD 1.10/kilo)
Seedless Dalanghita – Php80/kilo (approximately USD 1.80/kilo)

For 320 pesos (approximately USD 7.10), I was able to buy chico, mabolo, avocado, camote and a papaya. Super good buy! 5 fruit varieties for the price of buying a pack of imported strawberries at Rustan’s supermarket. :)

What is the Ayala Home Starter Bond?

2010-04-11T22:46:00.003+08:00

The Ayala Home Starter Bond is back. For as little as Php5,000 per month for 3 years, you can start saving for your dream property. BPI Capital gives 5% interest per annum and at the end of the 3 year period, if you opt to use your money for a down payment on any Ayala Property, BPI Capital will add another 10% interest on your investment. If you do decide not to use it to purchase an Ayala property, your money still earns the 5% interest per annum. Still a good deal – higher than the current bank interest rates. Deadline is on April 14, 2010.

Requirements to apply for the Ayala Home Starter Bond are 1 government ID and a BPI account (the monthly investment will automatically be deducted from your BPI account). If you don't have a BPI account yet, requirements to open a BPI account are 2 valid IDs, a 1x1 photo and a proof of billing.

For inquiries on the Ayala Home Starter Bond, you may go to any BPI branch or call BPI Capital at (632) 8169666, 8455755, 8455752, 8169535 and 8169089.

Secrets to slicing onions

2010-04-06T23:15:00.000+08:00

I dread slicing onions. Sometimes I'm almost tempted to wear goggles just to protect my eyes! Haha...

Anyway, we probably already know at least 2 secrets to lessen the tear-causing chemical that gets released when slicing onions.

The first one of course is to use a really sharp knife.

The second secret is to put the onions in the freezer before slicing.

A third secret which I read in Yummy magazine is to light a candle close to the cutting board. The gas released when you slice will be drawn to the flame and not to your eyes. I've to try it the next time I slice onions:)

Things to consider when buying a condo

2010-03-29T21:05:00.004+08:00

I recently discovered the MoneySense website (after grabbing a copy of its Mar-Apr issue) and the website has a lot of interesting articles on not just financial planning but on investment, savings, insurance and real estate as well.

One of the useful articles I found was entitled "Condo (buying and) Living" by Lynda Corpuz. It lists down the things that you need to consider when buying a condo especially for pre-selling projects. Here you go:

1. Location and Accessibility to your office, schools, church, supermarket, etc.
2. Track record of the developer - particularly for pre-selling to ensure that the project gets completed and turned over to you as specified in the contract.
3. Infrastructure and Amenities - analyze the floor plan and space if they fit your needs. Inquire about the utilities, power generators, security, garbage disposal, recreational facilities, etc.
4. Density - Ask how many floors are there and the no. of occupants per floor to get an idea on the potential traffic in the elevators.
5. Dues and other costs
6. Stage of development and completion date
7. Investment potential. If you’re buying a condo as an investment, it is best to buy during the pre-selling stage since market price goes up upon completion. The reputation of the developer and the resale record of its other condo projects should give the best indication of its investment potential.

To view the complete article, you may visit http://moneysense.com.ph/real-estate/condo-buying-and-living/.

How to save 20% on electricity cost this summer

2010-03-21T11:36:00.001+08:00

We know the basic principle that white objects absorb less heat than dark ones and apparently, it's the same case when it comes to roofs.:)

Studies show that white roofs reduce airconditioning costs by 20% or more in hot, sunny weather, which means lower energy consumption and fewer carbon dioxide emissions. White roofs can also cost as little as 15% more than its dark counterpart depending on the materials used.

So if you're repainting your roof this summer, you may want to consider white or a light color tone. :)

How to compute for interest and loans

2010-03-13T22:35:00.007+08:00

Here are some useful calculator links for assessing investments and loans:

Compounded Interest calculator http://www.moneychimp.com/calculator/compound_interest_calculator.htm
This comes in handy if you want to compute on how much your money will be worth within xx no. of years at a given interest rate and assuming that you inject additional money every year. Just input the principal amount, how much you plan to add annually, the interest rate, the no. of years of the investment and it will compute automatically.

Loan calculator
http://loanscalculator.org/
This tool is very useful especially if you're contemplating on applying for a loan and want to get an idea on how much the monthly payments would cost if you'll pay it within xx no. of years. Just input the loan amount, no. of years to pay and annual interest and it will compute automatically.

Tinapa Rice

2010-03-08T22:17:00.001+08:00

Here's another simple dish you can whip up in a few minutes. There's no formal recipe since I only invented it. Haha... Just saute garlic, shredded tinapang bangus (smoked bangus), tomatoes, then mix the rice. Yummy!:)

How to handle common emergencies

2010-03-08T22:00:00.002+08:00

I chanced upon a list of common emergencies and thought it would make a good cheat sheet. Here are some:

Diarrhea. Mix 1 glass of water with 2 tbsp of sugar and 2 tbsp of salt. Stir well and drink as much as you can. Rice water (“am”) with salt is also an alternative. These liquids help replenish the fluids and electrolytes lost in the stool. The BRAT diet (banana, rice, apple and tea) is also recommended.

Minor burns. Place the burned area in anything cold. You can expose the hand to running water or submerge it in a bucket of iced water. The cold water will counteract the heat generated from the burned area and minimize the skin and tissue damage. Once the heat from the area subsides, you can apply burn ointment in the burned area.

Object inside the ear or nose. The safest is to bring the kid to the ER or an ENT specialist. Don’t attempt to remove it with a cotton bud or toothpick as you might just push the object further inside.

Nose Bleeding. Let the patient sit down and tilt the head slightly upward. Then firmly pinch on the top part of the nose to see if this will stop the bleeding. You may also place an ice bag on the bridge of the nose to help the blood clot more quickly and allow the patient to slowly breathe through the mouth.

Prawns in Ginger and Oyster Sauce Recipe

2010-02-25T22:49:00.003+08:00

Some of my friends (who are also neophyte cooks, er, more of non-cooks actually, haha…) and I will be having a cook-off next month. Via lottery, each of us were assigned a dish to cook and mine is seafood!

In preparation for the cook-off, I’ve attempted to cook Prawns in Ginger and Oyster Sauce. It’s actually my first attempt to cook prawns and when I first scanned the recipe, I gathered that you’ve to cook the prawns, then pour over the sauce. Ok,don’t laugh …my big question was – how do you cook prawns??? I know my cooking quotient is bordering idiocy but that is why I am trying to learn now.

I was already thinking of googling but called a friend instead. So anyway, I learned that you’ve to boil them if it’s “hilabos”. As I was boiling them, I read the recipe again and realized, it says “fry”! So half-way through boiling, I drained them and fried them. Haha… Anyway, in the end, it still turned out well. Sharing with you the recipe.

PRAWNS WITH GINGER AND OYSTER SAUCE

1 kilo prawns or shrimp
1/4 cup oil
3 tbsp grated or chopped ginger
1/2 cup oyster sauce
1/3 cup water
chili sauce (optional)

Fry prawns in oil until it changes color; do not overcoook. Transfer prawns to a serving plate.
In the same pan, saute ginger until golden brown. (Note: I didn’t follow this part because the oil became watery so if I used the same oil, the ginger won’t become golden brown so I set aside the oil used in frying the prawns and used new oil to fry the ginger). Add oyster sauce, water, and chili sauce. (This is where I added back the oil used in frying the prawns.) Simmer over low heat until sauce thickens. Pour over prawns and serve.

One last learning - trim the antennas of the shrimps. Ok, I forgot but I’ll surely remember next time. :)