MinaPalencia.com

Make Brushing More Fun with Minions!

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Wed, 31 May 2017 05:05:00 +0000

Oral hygiene is very important. Not only does it helps protect the teeth but also keep breath fresh. This is what I always tell my kid. However, there are some instances when he just don't want to do it and I have to be really creative in getting him to brush his teeth especially before going to bed. I'm sure there are also some mommies out there who have the same dilemma as me. So, how can you make brushing more fun for the family? Good thing, there's some tricks that you can do.

Make brushing fun by playing games with your little ones.

Teaching your kids the importance of brushing should not be a scary prospect for them, especially the really young ones. Instead, let them have fun with it. Why not try giving your kid a toothbrush that he or she can play with? Let your kid practice brushing with their toys (either stuffed animals or dolls). You can also cheer your kid while brushing; try doing some chants for every part of teeth that they finish brushing. You can also download some app and music about brushing to set the mood for your kids.

Make brushing special.

Give your kid a personalized experience by letting him or her pick the toothbrush that they want. Let them be excited at the thought of holding their favorite cartoon character or superhero when it's time for brushing. There are also some toothbrush kits with stickers so that your kid can design his or her own toothbrush.

But, don't stop with picking a toothbrush for him or her. You should also make sure to pick a great flavor of toothpaste. Mints are great but your kids might not enjoy that so much. It's not hard to pick a kid's toothpaste nowadays since there are so many flavors to choose from - strawberry, watermelon, berry and even bubble gum!

Colgate offers Minions toothbrush and toothpaste which are perfect for making brushing special and fun for your kids. You can choose between the Junior (2-5 years old) Oral Care pack and the Youth (5-9 years old) Oral Care pack. Each pack contains 2 toothbrushes of different designs and the toothpaste has a fruity flavor so kids will surely love them.

Also, make it a time for bonding between you and your kid. Try brushing each other's teeth while making faces in the mirror. You can even sing! It should be a fun time between you or the whole family.

Why not offer some rewards?

One of the things that will help you encourage your kids to brush their teeth is by offering rewards. It doesn't even have to be monetary or elaborate. You just need to think of something that your kid will love and will provide them motivation. For example, you can reward them by letting them choose what book to read or what to watch on TV.

A little creativity will go a long way when it comes to convincing kids about brushing. They might even look forward to your next brushing session with all the fun things that they could have. Try to incorporate some of the tips above and make brushing a favorite part of your kids' day!

Free Krispy Kreme Doughnut from SM Supermalls App

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Wed, 11 May 2016 06:42:00 +0000

SM Supermalls is bringing back its "Download & Win" in-app mobile game where users have a chance to win a box of 3 Original Glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts everyday. Isn't that great? Also, it's fun because the game is in the form of a scratch card on the app. What's more, there are 100 winners everyday - more chance of winning for everybody.

So what do you have to do to win this sweet treat? Just download the SM Supermalls app from either Google Play or Apple Store, if you haven't already. You will then be prompted to sign up. You will receive a scratch card daily to see if you've won. And so you don't miss a chance, the app will send you daily reminder that your scratch card is already available. Don't worry if you don't win right away because you get a shot at this until June 30, 2016. I haven't won until now too, you know. Haha. Hoping I would get lucky, maybe tomorrow.

This promo was re-launched on April 30, 2016 after it ended on March. It was initially launched as part of SM Supermalls' 30th Anniversary - which also included giveaway prizes such as free mobile data, free Spotify, Facebook, Games, Unli-Call and Unli-text for the entire month of March.

The SM Supermalls Mobile App can be downloaded for free and loaded with other great features as well. It is meant to help you plan your shopping even before stepping out of your house to go to the mall. The app has a Feed section that highlights latest store offerings, discounts and promos, services and movies/events happening in SM malls around the country. You also get to enjoy a Mall Directory at your fingertips - with list of establishments inside the malls. The Mall Map, on the other hand, shows the exact location of stores and mall facilities.

Be up to date on what's new with SM Supermalls by visiting their website or following them on Facebook, Instagram, Viber Public Chat, Snapchat and liking them on Twitter.

Slow Cooker Recipes: Like Restaurant Eating at Home + a Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 06:01:00 +0000

For a long time now, I've been fascinated by food prepared using a slow cooker or crock pot. Imagine, you just load all the ingredients in the pot and leave it for many hours while you do what you need to (at work or at home)? That's fantastic! And with its low temperature of slow-cooking, it's almost impossible to burn food with a slow cooker. That's just perfect for someone like me who tends to forget that something's cooking in the oven or stove. Haha.

Now, what's better than cooking with a slow cooker? Getting free slow cooker recipes, of course! Antares Press introduces this Slow Cooker Recipes for Beginners: 55 Fast and Easy Slow Cooker Recipes to Lose Weight Fast. It's available in ebook format so you can easily access the recipes through your smartphones, your computers, tablets or ebook readers.

This recipe book is targeted for beginners so all the recipes are really easy and quick to prepare. I've gone through it to see which recipes I can actually cook and I was glad that most don't include those hard-to-find ingredients. Living in the Philippines, there are ingredients that are not readily available here or are too expensive. So yeah, that's definitely a plus for me.

Anyway, this Slow Cooker Recipes for Beginners ebook is going to be perfect for those people who are always on the go. Those people like me who needs to be able to prepare food in advance but still want to have restaurant-grade, tasty and nutritious food when mealtime arrives.

For those looking for great ways to lose some weight, the recipe ebook is also packed with a variety of vegetarian recipes Ratatouille and Veggie Chili. There's even dessert recipes for the sweet tooth! Chocolate Mousse and Cheesecake are just two of the amazing desserts included.

Here's a couple sample recipes to get you started:

ITALIAN CHICKEN

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts

16 ounces Baby Portabella mushrooms, sliced

1 packet dry Italian dressing mix

1 cup white wine

1 8-ounces package fat free cream cheese (room temperature)

8 ounces fat free chicken broth

1 tablespoon butter

2 teaspoons paprika

Procedure:

In a medium sauce pan, melt butter then whisk in wine, chicken broth, dressing mix, and cream cheese until smooth. Place mushrooms and chicken in the bottom of a large slow cooker. Pour wine sauce over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.

CHEESECAKE

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

4 cup low-fat chocolate or cinnamon graham cracker crumbs

1 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted

8 ounces reduced-fat sour cream, at room temperature

8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, at room temperature

2/3 cup sugar

1 egg, at room temperature

1 tablespoon vanilla paste or vanilla extract

1 1/2 tablespoons flour

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon lemon zest

Procedure:

In a small bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press into the bottom and sides of a 6 inches springform pan. In a large bowl, mix the sour cream, cream cheese, sugar, egg, vanilla, flour, lemon juice, and zest until completely smooth. Pour into the springform pan. Pour 1 inch of water into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Place a trivet in the bottom of the slow cooker. Place the pan onto the trivet. Cook on low for 2 hours. Turn off the slow cooker and let the cheesecake steam for 1 hour and 15 minutes with the lid on. Remove the cheesecake from the slow cooker. Refrigerate 6 hours or overnight before serving.

I didn't even know you can make cheesecake using a crock pot. Now, that I wanna try one of these days. So there you go. If you want an easy step-by-step guide to enjoying delicious, healthy meals without all the hassle, get the Slow Cooker Recipes for Beginners ebook. You can get an either get the ebook or the paperback copy. Check out the link below:

Slow Cooker Recipes for Beginners ebook
Slow Cooker Recipes for Beginners paperback

And hey, if you want an ebook copy of your own, the amazing people at Antares Press has given me permission to give up to 10 free copies for you! Comment below or hit me up with an email. First 10 gets it!

Disclaimer:
Antares Press gave me a free copy of the Slow Cooker Recipes for Beginners to review. I was not paid any amount however to write about it.

Fun Non-Traditional Wedding Cake Ideas!

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 23:00:00 +0000

There's one object that almost always becomes the centerpiece in wedding receptions - the wedding cake. But, did you notice that most of these cakes are traditional tiered cakes? Where's the fun in that? Girlfriends, it's time to think out of the box and try non-traditional wedding cakes - they are bold, adventurous and probably will cost way cheaper. I've browsed the crazy non-traditional wedding cake design ideas from Brides.com and listed them below. Check out and enjoy!

TIERED MACARON WEDDING CAKES

TIERED HEART-SHAPED PIE POPS WEDDING CAKE

TIERED PANCAKE WEDDING CAKES

TIERED CREPE WEDDING CAKE

RUSTIC WEDDING CAKES

TIERED DONUT/DONUT HOLES WEDDING CAKES

STACKED OREO COOKIE WEDDING CAKE

PIE WEDDING CAKES

CAKE POPS WEDDING CAKES

TIERED CHEESE WHEEL WEDDING CAKE

TIERED BUNDT WEDDING CAKES

So, which one would you like as your wedding cake? We'd like to know. Hit us in the comment section! ;)

8 Lovely Wedding Dresses From The Vera Wang Fall 2014 Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 14:37:00 +0000

You might say "That is so last year!" to these wedding dresses but we bet you'll still fall in love with them. And why not? These dresses are lovely and who knows, you might get some ideas for your own wedding dress. The Vera Wang Fall 2014 Collection actually include more than 8 pieces but I've chosen my favorites. Check them out!

Coral strapless circle cluster and butterfly lace ball gown wedding dress with tumbled tulle accented by organic flower detail and floral beaded embroidery.

Coral strapless chiffon mermaid wedding dress with alternating pleat bodice, organic flower detail and pleated tier skirt.

Coral strapless silk mermaid wedding dress with organza flange detail accented by faille blossom, pleated organza and floral beaded embroidery.

Petal strapless silk mermaid wedding dress with organic flower detail accented by tulle hand draping and cascading bias cut silk organza flanges.

Peony strapless faille sweetheart mermaid wedding dress with double bow back detail and floral beaded embroidery.

Petal strapless silk organza ball gown wedding dress with hand draped bodice accented by organic flower, grosgrain shoulder strap and peony faille blossom.

Rose strapless silk ball gown wedding dress with hand applique Chantilly lace bodice, grosgrain bows and draped skirt accented by crystal pleated tulle detail.

Petal strapless silk ball gown wedding dress with hand draped tulle bodice and organic flower detail accented by silk organza ruffles.

They're so pretty right? And not your traditional white gowns too! Which one do you love? Let us know in the comment or suggest any wedding-related topic you want us to blog about next. Ciao! ;)

Source:

Brides.com

Infographic: 10 Habits That Are Hurting Your Back

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 16:00:00 +0000

Back pains. The woes of many 9 to 5 employees - and that's include me. Sometimes, at the end of your work shift, you can barely stand. It hurts to even walk a short distance because of the strain you've put on your lower back in a whole day's work.

The Center for Spinal Disorders in New Jersey offers an infographic on the different habits that might be causing lower back pains. They aim to educate people about the ways that you could be compromising your health because of everyday habit - which could be exacerbating back problems.

Source: The Center for Spinal Disorders

Perfect Make-Up? There's an Infographic on That!

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 11:48:00 +0000

Of course, women like to look presentable - beautiful even. It may not be an everyday thing for some, but everyone have those days when we just want to look good. And so, make-up is almost a necessity. The sad reality though is that not everyone can apply the perfect make-up. Hell, I always mess up putting blush on so I usually just forgo it.

Now, thanks to Aesthetic Surgery Clinic, they've put together this amazing infographic on steps for applying the perfect make-up. Yay!

Manchester United Welcomes Six New Signings

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 11:00:00 +0000

Just a few days ago, I posted something about Angel Di Maria's signing with Manchester United. However, he's not the only one who were signed recently by the club. In fact, there are six new signings - including Di Maria. The club also signed Daley Blind, Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw, Radamel Falcao and Marcos Rojo. My, Louis van Gaal was a very busy man, wasn't he?

Anyway, Manchester fans (including me), here are the new jersey names and numbers for us to cheer on:

More info here: Manchester United New Signings

Credits: Manchester United Facebook

Rude! Don't Kill The Magic!

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 17:00:00 +0000

I've never been much into reggae. Only when the mood strikes will I ever listen to some 311, Sublime and Bob Marley. But, when I heard the song Rude playing on the radio, I instantly fell in love with it. I spent a portion of my meager mobile data allowance just so I can instantly download it on my Spotify playlist.

Of course, I had to know more about the band. I found out that the band's name is MAGIC! (yes, it's stylized that way) and that they are from Canada. They identify their music as reggae fushion. The band is composed of songwriter and record producer Nasri on vocals, Mark Pellizer on guitars, Alex Tanas on drums and Ben Spivak on bass.

The band released their debut single, Rude, from the album Don't Kill The Magic. So I was actually pretty late in discovering this song. On April 4, 2014, they released Don't Kill The Magic as the second single. And of course, it's addicting as well. But, don't take my words for it. Check out the two songs from their music videos below:

MAGIC! Official Website
MAGIC on Facebook
MAGIC! on Twitter

Kasey Kahne Bags First Win and A Spot In The Chase

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 16:00:00 +0000

When I read the Chase standings of the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Kasey Kahne is one of the drivers outside the grid - looking in and needing a win to secure a spot. The driver of the #5 car and Hendick Motorsports hasn't had the kind of luck he enjoyed last year - locking in early. But, as fate would have it, Kahne is destined to race in the Chase once again after securing a win the Oral-B USA 500 at Atlanta last Sunday.

Kasey started in P10 and restarted at second after the yellow flag that was brought by Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano having contact. Before he could take the lead though, he had to race hard against Matt Kenseth who restarted in P1.

Kenseth finished 2nd; Denny Hamlin in 3rd, Jimmie Johnson in 4th and Carl Edwards in 5th, completed the Top 5 finishers after the checkered flag. Meanwhile, Danica Patrick recorded a career-best finish in 6th place.

More info here: Oral-B USA 500 Results

Check the complete Chase Grid standings here: http://www.nascar.com/chase.html

Image Credits: NASCAR.com/Jonathan Moore-2014 Getty Images

*****************************

NASCAR has officially released the 2015 schedule for all three national series - Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping Truck. Check it out below:

Sprint Cup Series 2015 schedule

Date	Site	Network
2/14/15	Daytona International Speedway (Sprint Unlimited)	FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
2/15/15	Daytona International Speedway (Daytona 500 Qualifying)	FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
2/19/15	Daytona International Speedway (Duel)	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
2/22/15	Daytona 500	FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
3/1/15	Atlanta Motor Speedway	FOX, PRN, SiriusXM
3/8/15	Las Vegas Motor Speedway	FOX, PRN, SiriusXM
3/15/15	Phoenix International Raceway	FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
3/22/15	Auto Club Speedway	FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
3/29/15	Martinsville Speedway	FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
4/11/15	Texas Motor Speedway	FOX, PRN, SiriusXM
4/19/15	Bristol Motor Speedway	FOX, PRN, SiriusXM
4/25/15	Richmond International Raceway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
5/3/15	Talladega Superspeedway	FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
5/9/15	Kansas Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
5/16/15	Charlotte Motor Speedway (NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race)	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
5/24/15	Charlotte Motor Speedway	FOX, PRN, SiriusXM
5/31/15	Dover International Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
6/7/15	Pocono Raceway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
6/14/15	Michigan International Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
6/28/15	Sonoma Raceway	FOX Sports 1, PRN, SiriusXM
7/5/15	Daytona International Speedway	NBC, MRN, SiriusXM
7/11/15	Kentucky Speedway	NBCSN, PRN, SiriusXM
7/19/15	New Hampshire Motor Speedway	NBCSN, PRN, SiriusXM
7/26/15	Indianapolis Motor Speedway	NBCSN, IMS, SiriusXM
8/2/15	Pocono Raceway	NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM
8/9/15	Watkins Glen International	NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM
8/16/15	Michigan International Speedway	NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM
8/22/15	Bristol Motor Speedway	NBCSN, PRN, SiriusXM
9/6/15	Darlington Raceway	NBC, MRN, SiriusXM
9/12/15	Richmond International Raceway	NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM
9/20/15	Chicagoland Speedway	NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM
9/27/15	New Hampshire Motor Speedway	NBCSN, PRN, SiriusXM
10/4/15	Dover International Speedway	NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM
10/10/15	Charlotte Motor Speedway	NBC, PRN, SiriusXM
10/18/15	Kansas Speedway	NBC, MRN, SiriusXM
10/25/15	Talladega Superspeedway	NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM
11/1/15	Martinsville Speedway	NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM
11/8/15	Texas Motor Speedway	NBC, PRN, SiriusXM
11/15/15	Phoenix International Raceway	NBC, MRN, SiriusXM
11/22/15	Homestead-Miami Speedway	NBC, MRN, SiriusXM

Nationwide Series 2015 schedule

2/21/15	Daytona International Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
2/28/15	Atlanta Motor Speedway	FOX Sports 1, PRN, SiriusXM
3/7/15	Las Vegas Motor Speedway	FOX Sports 1, PRN, SiriusXM
3/14/15	Phoenix International Raceway	FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
3/21/15	Auto Club Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
4/10/15	Texas Motor Speedway	FOX Sports 1, PRN, SiriusXM
4/18/15	Bristol Motor Speedway	FOX Sports 1, PRN, SiriusXM
4/24/15	Richmond International Raceway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
5/2/15	Talladega Superspeedway	FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
5/17/15	Iowa Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
5/23/15	Charlotte Motor Speedway	FOX, PRN, SiriusXM
5/30/15	Dover International Speedway	FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
6/13/15	Michigan International Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
6/20/15	Chicagoland Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
7/4/15	Daytona International Speedway	NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM
7/10/15	Kentucky Speedway	NBCSN, PRN, SiriusXM
7/18/15	New Hampshire Motor Speedway	NBCSN, PRN, SiriusXM
7/25/15	Indianapolis Motor Speedway	NBC, IMS, SiriusXM
8/1/15	Iowa Speedway	NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM
8/8/15	Watkins Glen International	NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM
8/15/15	Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course	NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM
8/21/15	Bristol Motor Speedway	NBCSN, PRN, SiriusXM
8/29/15	Road America	NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM
9/5/15	Darlington Raceway	NBC, MRN, SiriusXM
9/11/15	Richmond International Raceway	NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM
9/19/15	Chicagoland Speedway	NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM
9/26/15	Kentucky Speedway	NBCSN, PRN, SiriusXM
10/3/15	Dover International Speedway	NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM
10/9/15	Charlotte Motor Speedway	NBCSN, PRN, SiriusXM
10/17/15	Kansas Speedway	NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM
11/7/15	Texas Motor Speedway	NBC, PRN, SiriusXM
11/14/15	Phoenix International Raceway	NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM
11/21/15	Homestead-Miami Speedway	NBC, MRN, SiriusXM

Camping World Truck Series 2015 schedule

2/20/15	Daytona International Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
2/28/15	Atlanta Motor Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
3/28/15	Martinsville Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
5/8/15	Kansas Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
5/15/15	Charlotte Motor Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
5/29/15	Dover International Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
6/5/15	Texas Motor Superspeedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
6/13/15	Gateway Motorsports Park	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
6/19/15	Iowa Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
7/9/15	Kentucky Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
7/22/15	Eldora Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
8/1/15	Pocono Raceway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
8/15/15	Michigan International Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
8/19/15	Bristol Motor Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
8/30/15	Canadian Tire Motorsport Park	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
9/18/15	Chicagoland Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
9/26/15	New Hampshire Motor Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
10/3/15	Las Vegas Motor Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
10/24/15	Talladega Superspeedway	FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
10/31/15	Martinsville Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
11/6/15	Texas Motor Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
11/13/15	Phoenix International Raceway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
11/20/15	Homestead-Miami Speedway	FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM

You can also download the printable version here: 2015 NASCAR Schedule

MotoGP Results: Marc Marquez Wins Hertz British Grand Prix

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 04:03:00 +0000

Marc Marquez is back on the podium after finishing P4 in bwin Grand Prix Česke Republiky last week. The 21yr old Spanish racer grabbed his 11th win at the Hertz British Grand Prix held in Silverstone Circuit after the August 31, 2014 race. He now has 11 wins out of 12 races.

Finishing 2nd is Movistar Yamaha MotoGP racer, Jorge Lorenzo. Lorenzo and Marquez battled for 1st position before Marquez was finally able to take that lead and win. Meanwhile, this is Lorenzo's fourth P2 finish and his 6th podium.

Rounding up the podium finishers for this race is Lorenzo's team-mate, Valentino Rossi. This is The Doctor's fourth P3 finish and his 8th podium for the year. In fact, this is Rossi's third consecutive P3 finish - starting from the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix in the August 10, 2014 race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

For the complete results and analysis of the Hertz British Grand Prix, please go to MotoGP.com. The next race is the GP Tim Di San Marino e Della Riviera Di Rimini on September 14, 2014. It will be held at the Misano World Circuit in San Marino, Italy.

Image Credits: MotoGP.com

10 Rurouni Kenshin Fan Art to Get You Ready for The Legend Ends

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 21:00:00 +0000

Like many anime series such as Ghost Fighter and Drazgon Ball Z, Samurai X or Rurouni Kenshin has been one of my favorites when I was a kid. Thus, watching the live action films Rurouni Kenshin and Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno have brought back happy memories from the past. Now, September 24 can't come sooner; I am really looking forward for the third film, Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends. So, to help me with pass the time until the film's Philippine release date, I have collected 10 fan arts of Kenshin. Check them out!

Credits: sakuragarden

Credits: tomoyu

Credits: Kawaiigurl

Credits: Tazi-san

Credits: MorgainePendragon

Credits: Koi-Artss

Credits: seifer-sama

Credits: KurkoBoltsi

Credits: LeonBlackVelvet

Credits: chibi-oneechan

Which one do you like best? Mine would be the fan art of Shishio and Kenshin's battle. That one's pretty epic, right? Do you know other fantastic Kenshin fan art that you think I can add to these? Comment away and maybe I could update this post to include your suggestions! :)

Manchester United Signed Midfielder Angel Di Maria

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 16:00:00 +0000

On August 27, I received an email newsletter from Manchester United with the official confirmation that the club has signed the Argentinian midfielder. The official press release on the club's website states that Angel Di Maria signed a five-year contract for a British record fee of £59.7 million.

This is the newsletter photo. If you wish to read about the actual press release, please go to Manchester United website.

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 21:00:00 +0000

Are you a book geek? Or just interested in someone who is a book geek? Perhaps you're thinking of ways on how to finally make your move but is currently at a loss for what to say? Now, why don't you just try some of these pickup lines I came across BuzzFeed? I have compiled 8 pickup lines below (I had to cut some because they are rather very NSFW), enjoy!

Source: BuzzFeed

Amazing Photography by Trey Ratcliff

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 19:00:00 +0000

So, I'm back to being a stumbler on StumbleUpon. Really, it's a great way to find amazing things on the internet. Great, for finding ideas for blog post as well. And so, I stumbled on this one amazing photographer. His name is Trey Ratcliff.

I saw his portfolio, a collection of mind-blowing photos really. I just had to post about his works on this blog. When I checked out Trey's blog, I saw that he is from Queenstown, New Zealand. He has an amazing bio, it's crazy! He's the owner of the first HDR photo to ever hang in the Smithsonian. Did you read that? S.M.I.T.H.S.O.N.I.A.N! He's also been a speaker at several Tech and Photography talks including Google Zeitgeist. Or maybe, I'm just ignorant because I don't know much about photography.

Check out more amazing photos like these on Trey Ratcliff's Portfolio!

To know more about Trey Ratcliff, visit his blog: StuckInCustoms.com. Be a fan on Facebook. Follow him on Twitter. Subscribe to his YouTube channel.

*All image credits goes to Trey Ratcliff. Please visit his blog and contact him for any licensing inquiries.

Quirky and Cynical Illustrations of Eduardo Salles

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 23:00:00 +0000

While browsing StumbleUpon, I stumbled upon this funny illustration about what music can do to your brains - that is depending on what type of music you're listening to. I thought it was funny so I checked out his Tumblr blog in search for more. Below is a compilation of some of his illustrations.

What Music Does To Your Brain

Revenge of God

Some Men Just Want To Watch The World Burn

Dog Evolution

Twitter

Google Plus

Miley Cyrus

Rapunzel

Then and Now

*Source and Image Credits: CinismoIlustrado

Glamping in South Korea by ArchiWorkshop

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 23:00:00 +0000

There is a new and more convenient way to go camping in South Korea. It's called glamping - which may or may not be short for "glamour camping" or "glamour campsites". The campsite can be found at Yang-Pyeong, South Korea and the high-end tents were designed by ArchiWorkshop.

Each tent is made from an engineered fabric membrane which is able to keep out water, fire and even the harmful UV rays from the sun. Did I mention they are high-end tents? Each tent features custom sofa beds as well as toilets. No need to worry about personal comfort!

*Source: HiConsumption, ArchiWorkshop

Coming Soon: August Movies You Still Have To See

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 18:00:00 +0000

There's only one week left before we bid adieu to the month of August. But, if you're into the movies, there are still four notable films that you need to see. You're not going to just let this month go by without finding out how Pierce Brosnan fared in his return to the big screen in The November man, are you? Or Nancy Callahan's last dance in A Dame to Kill For, right? Or whether Mia Hall would stay or go to the other side with her family?

Sin City: A Dame To Kill For

Image Credits: IMPAwards

What's It About?

It's basically about a plot where some of the most hard-boiled citizens in Sin City have crossed paths with a some of its more reviled inhabitants.This is the sequel to Sin City (2005) and based on the second book of the Sin City series by Frank Miller. However, there are 3 sub-plots not totally based on the said series. The first, and small, sub-plot entitled "Just Another Saturday Night" was actually collected from the sixth book while two sub-plots - "The Long Bad Night" and "Nancy's Last Dance" were created solely for the film. (Source: Wikipedia, IMDB)

It was released on August 22 but is yet to be shown in Philippine cinemas. So, watch out for it!

If I Stay

Image Credits: IMPAwards

What's It About?

The story is based on the book written by Gayle Forman which follows 17-year-old Mia Hall as she deals with the aftermath of a catastrophic car accident involving her family. In a coma, Mia has an out-of-body experience, and watches as friends and family gather at the hospital where she is being treated. Mia watches as her memories flash before her eyes as she comes to realize that she must decide if she should wake up and lead a life far more difficult than she ever anticipated, or slip away and die. (Source: Wikipedia)

Just like Sin City, If I Stay has been released last August 22 but is yet to hit Philippine cinemas. I'm actually waiting for this.

The November Man

Image Credits: IMPAwards

What's It About?

This movie is based on the novel There Are No Spies, a part of Bill Granger's The November Man series. The story revolves around Peter Devereaux (code-named The November Man, duh). He's a lethal and highly trained ex-CIA agent (because spies, you know) and was lured (intimidated, perhaps?) to come out of retirement and protect a valuable witness. He then found himself a target of his former CIA protege David Mason (because there will always be a mole and sleeper agent in CIA, that's how it is) and uncovered cover ups in the agency. (Source: Wikipedia)

Anyway, release date is set on August 27, 2014. Not sure when this is coming out in the Philippines, though.

Infographic: Six Amazing Beauty Hacks from Ogle School

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000

For the fashionistas and beauty-conscious people out there, Ogle School has created an infographic that will make your life easier. It contains a rundown of cosmetic hacks - all versatile and using products that you can easily get your hands on.

Get Gorgeous with these Amazing Beauty Hacks Brought to you by Ogle School

Final USA FIBA World Cup Roster Announced!

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 18:30:00 +0000

Team Managing Director for USA Basketball National Team, Jerry Colangelo announced the final roster of players who will be representing the United States at the 2014 FIBA World Cup. The announcement was held last Friday night before the US team defeated Puerto Rico on an exhibition game at Madison Square Garden.

The official 12-man roster are named as follows:

DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings)

Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)

Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans)

DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors)

Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons)

Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets)

Rudy Gay (Sacramento Kings)

James Harden (Houston Rockets)

Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Mason Plumlee (Brooklyn Nets)

Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls)

Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)

Head Coach: Mike Krzyzewski

According to Colangelo, this was the most difficult selection process they've gone through since taking over the program in 2005.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup will open on August 30 and will end on September 14; it will be held in Spain. The US National Team will face Finland on opening day.

Source: USA Basketball
Image Credit: USA Basketball

Epic Finale! Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends Trailer is Out!

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 05:02:00 +0000

While Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno is still showing in Philippine cinemas, the online world just exploded with buzz yesterday at the release of the Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends trailer. And after watching it myself, my conclusion is that the trilogy (which is based on the Kyoto Arc) is actually a progression of epicness! I mean, the first one was surprisingly good; Kyoto Inferno was amazing; and then this trailer - epic! See for yourself.

Did you see? Those fight scenes? Damn. I really, really, wish they'd have advance screenings. I don't want to wait that long. I'll probably have separation anxiety. LOL

I just saw Kyoto Inferno the other day. I must tell you, it's very good! You'll get your money's worth and then more. And after Warner Bros. released the poster for the next installment, I just wish September 24 would come sooner.

Is it September 24, yet?

Are You In for Incubus' New Music and 2015 Tour?

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 04:04:00 +0000

Good news for Incubus fans out there (including me)! Incubus just recently announced that fans can expect new music from the band come 2015. Along with that, they are also going on tour! Fantasic!

Brandon Boyd was the first to broke the news during a radio interview while he was on the road with his solo band, Sons of the Sea. On August 12, 2014, Mike Einziger posted the photo below on his Instagram account - sending fans on a frenzy!

He then posted a photo of his "shop" the following day.

Then, on August 20, Mike posted this on his Twitter account!

Then Brandon's tweet about them performing on Soundwave Festival in Australia along with Faith No More and Soundgarden. (Pretty lucky for the lads over there at down under.)

On August 21, Mike posted this sweet photo of the band on his Twitter and Instagram accounts.

The photo was reposted on Incubus' Facebook page along with the confirmation of a North American tour and yes, the rest of the world.

Sweeeeet! Here's hoping they'll make a stop here in Manila. If we're lucky, it could be in time for the 2015 7017 International Music Festival. Hey, lads over at 7107, please make this happen!

Pardon me but I have to cut this post about this stellar news short. I need a moment to freak out. :D

*Image credits to Incubus Facebook page, Mike's Instagram account.

#NewMusicDiscovery: This Is A Lifetime

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Mon, 26 May 2014 12:32:00 +0000

Recently, I've been discovering new music through my twitter feeds. How? I've been getting new followers and a few interactions from bands/artists. It's kinda flattering for someone like me (who's just a nobody on the internet). So, I've promised myself that I will find some time to help them by blogging about them and their music. Here's my first: THIS IS A LIFETIME.

Photo Credits: TIAL Facebook

This Is A Lifetime or TIAL is a metal band from Northeast Ohio. Stevie James on vocals, Mike Oiler on guitar and clean vocals, Morgan Patterson on bass and Joe Czekaj on drums are the band. I checked out their profile on Battle of the Bands Warped Tour; and yes, I voted for them. On their Facebook page's About section, "Follow your dreams :: Destroy anything in your way." is written. Huh, Hatebreed's influence? Oh, I'm getting more curious. You know, 'coz I love Hatebreed.

So anyway, I checked out the band's profile on Facebook as well as their website to see if I could listen to some of their songs. There are 5 songs available on their page and you can listen to them to your heart's content. There are also 4 songs up on the Battle of the Bands Warped Tour 2014 page. Yup, I listened to all of the songs! Since it was the first on the list, I listened to Witness first. My first thoughts? Nice. The guttural growl of Stevie and the clean vocals of Mike is a perfect combination! Oh my God! I would love to watch a live performance of this band. Too bad I'm not from around the US or I'll have watched a show or two by now. Well, I have no choice but to wait for them to do a world tour and drop by Manila for the Asian leg. Hey guys (TIAL), make it in the near future alright?

Photo Credits: TIAL Bandcamp

Next, I listened to Clarity since it's also the title of their album. I totally LOVED IT! It could just be me, but the balance of heavy guttural singing and clean, even sweet, vocals appealed to me so much. I couldn't stop listening. In fact, while dong this blog post, I have listened to Witness and Clarity from their Facebook page, the Battle of the Bands page, and their Bandcamp page. And I have listened to the two songs twice from each page. Crazy, huh? Right now, I'm listening to Ascend. Why does this have only 17 plays on there? Yes, this one is on the heavier side but it's a great song nonetheless. Earlier, I also listened to Survival and Price. Equally great songs. Although, it's clear now that Clarity, Witness and Ascend are my top choices. But, I am downloading all of the 5 songs; I just need to add funds to my Paypal account first. :D

Huh, why don't I know about this band until now? They don't even have their own Wiki page yet. Could somebody set up one for them please? I would have done it but I don't have information about them; only the tidbits I could find on their band page and Facebook. But seriously, I hope these guys find their place in the international music battleground soon. People need to hear their music. Best of luck, TIAL! I hope you're here for a lifetime.

************************************************************

For more information about the band, you can check out their Facebook page. There, you can listen to the songs I was talking about as well as support them by buying their digital album and merch.

Follow them on Twitter! @thisisalifetime

Subscribe to their YouTube channel! YT/user/thisisalifetime

Add them on your circles! +thisisalifetime
Stream their music on Spotify! Artist: This Is A Lifetime

You can also check out their bandcamp page. Through the bandcamp app (which is also on their Facebook page), you can buy their songs at any price you want; minimum $1. You can pay using credit card or through Paypal. It's a small amount to pay but I'm sure it would mean a lot and help the band a long way.

While you're at it, check out their bio on Battle of the Bands Warped Tour 2014 and vote for them! Share the band's bio to your friends and encourage them to vote as well. I'm sure the band would appreciate it very much.

And don't forget to catch them at shows near you! BandsInTown: This Is A Lifetime :)

Disclaimer: I'm not a music critic. I won't know what to do with the technical aspects of music to begin with. I just write about songs and bands/artists who for me deserves to be heard. I just hope that if you're reading my blog, you have an open mind and try new things (or in this case listen to new songs/bands); you might like it too.

X-MEN: Days of Future Past

noreply@blogger.com (Mina Palencia) — Fri, 09 May 2014 11:11:00 +0000

a. What would you correct from your past to save the future?

Hah! This is actually kinda hard for me to answer since I have quite a few. But, for this post, I think it would be to not burn all the bridges that I'd burned. There are people in my past whom I just stopped talking, some people with whom I have some beef but never talked it out with them. It's kinda hard to carry the emotional baggage which resulted from my actions in the past.

If only I had the courage to confront people outright, I may have save some of those salvageable friendships. And to those people whom I just stopped talking altogether, I actually miss them now. In fact, I am in the process of organizing a mini-reunion with those friends (yes, we're still friends, thankfully) so we could catch up. I'm trying to save the future of my friendship with these people; it can get pretty lonely when you realize that the people you used to smile and joked with are now barely in your life.
Can't wait forthe X-Men Days of Future Past movie? How about tide yourself over in the meantime with this TV spot?

*****************************

So, why am I being so melodramatic and insists on bringing back the past? Well, because 20th Century Fox and Nuffnang Philippines are giving away invites to the exclusive screening of ‘X-MEN: Days of Future Past’ on May 23, Friday, 9:50 pm at Shargri-La Cineplex Cinema 1! Check out the contest mechanic here.

Cheers! :D