A Day In The Life Of This Miss

CANVA TEAMS: CREATING DESIGNS IN REAL-TIME WITH YOUR TEAM

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 08:30:00 +0000

Canva has released a too-goo-to-resist pricing structure to accommodate the rise in the need for real-time collaboration without blowing the bank. Have you heard about Canva Teams?

With your Canva account, you can invite friends, family, or your project team members, and then you can collaborate to create any design you can think of inside the tool.

Two Types of Canva Teams

1. Free Teams (you don't need to pay for these accounts every time you add someone and you can add up to 3000 members including the team owner, all users can assemble their free teams) What is cool about the free teams is that you can create up to 20 free teams!

Free Team Roles: Administrator and Member

2. Canva Pro Teams (you can add members and pay for the Canva Pro accounts).

Pro Team Roles: Administrator, Template Designer, Member

Just recently, Canva restructured the Canva Teams Pricing for Canva users in the identified emerging markets. If you are from Turkey, Thailand, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Russia, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Philippines, India, and Argentina then you are eligible for the new Canva Pro Teams pricing. It is so much cheaper than the regular Canva Pro pricing that was implemented before.

For example: In the Philippines, the current Canva Pro Teams (for up to 5 members) is Php 2,490 for an annual subscription. That means you only pay Php 498/member for the whole year. You may also opt to subscribe monthly and you will pay Php 299 for teams with 1-5 members. Amazing isn't it?

So then, how do you create a team?

Creating an account is simple - log in to your account, click Create a Team option in your sidebar and then add the Canva email addresses of your team members. You may also opt to generate a link and send it to the people you would like to be a part of your team. You can then assign access permissions accordingly - administrator, template designer, or member.

Once your invitation is accepted, everyone on your team can contribute and collaborate when creating designs - from brainstorming to designing to finishing the layout. Each member can also give feedback and type comments.

If you don't like to create a team or you don't want to belong in a team, you can opt to remain as an individual in your personal account. Also, if you have a free Canva account right now, you can try Canva Pro for Free for 45 days - click this link.

Are you ready to supercharge your Canva design experience? Join our Facebook Group - Canva Creatives Philippines

SUPER EASY CONTENT PLANNING WITH CANVA FOR YOUR AUDIENCE

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Mon, 10 May 2021 19:43:00 +0000

Content planning is just as important as producing content or even more. When you plan your content, churning out content becomes easier and more intentional. So what exactly do you need to plan? What are the things you need to consider? What tools do you need to efficiently deliver your content and achieve desired results? These and more are the basic questions that you need to answer to get your content planning gears all oiled up and going.

WHAT IS CANVA?

Before anything else, let me tell you a bit about Canva (just in case you haven't met this design powerhouse yet which I highly doubt but I will indulge you).

Canva is a graphic design website that empowers the world to design by simplifying how things are done and achieved. You can easily create beautiful designs such as social media posts, flyers, brochures, business cards, resumes, backgrounds, pins, even certificates among other things even without a proper graphic design training or education. Canva is at your disposal - whatever you think you can design, you can do so with the help of Canva's features, elements, photos and more.

You can use Canva for free - yes, absolutely free. However, should you want to explore all the premium features, fonts, brand kit, and millions of elements and photos, here's a link to link to read more about the Content Planner and avail the free trial accordingly.

Now that you are acquainted with Canva, let's continue discussing why is content planning important...

CONTENT IS KING

Nobody can refute that content is king - that is already a given fact and a king needs a queen and so it is safe to say that your content strategy is the queen. While it may sound so difficult and technical to be able to add this to our workflow, fortunately, Canva has came up with a wonderful addition to it's amazing features - Content Planner. We are now able to publish to 7 different platforms - Facebook groups and pages, Instagram business account, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Slack, Tumblr, and many more on the way. If this doesn't get you excited, I don't know what will!

With these addition to Canva's features, we are now able to plan, design, and publish our social media content directly from within Canva Pro. Seriously! You no longer need to hop from one tool to another or to subscribe to several tools to be able to do all this. This will enable you and me and the whole Canva community to save precious time because we no longer need several platforms. Your design workflow will be more efficient and certainly doable. Of course, not to mention that you no longer need to download and reupload your design into your social media accounts.

The best part is that you can go back to your scheduled post to edit them on the fly, with all edits seamlessly synced and updated to the content planner. I am getting so excited here while I write this and I hope you are too!

Who can use this extremely awesome content planner within Canva? If your account is either Canva Pro, Canva for Enterprise, or Canva for Nonprofit then you have the opportunity to try this out and implement it in your content planning efforts.

HOW TO SCHEDULE A POST FROM THE CONTENT PLANNER?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KT Nielsen | Digital Marketer (@ktpaperdesigns)

Easy as pie isn't it? Are you ready to include Canva's content planner to your workflow now? Are you ready to streamline your efforts and finally take control of your social media channels?

LET ME SHOW YOU HOW EASY IT IS TO PLAN YOUR CONTENT AND SCHEDULE POSTING ON YOUR INSTAGRAM BUSINESS ACCOUNT AND PINTEREST ACCOUNT

Here's the video:

If your Instagram is not yet a Business Account, you can visit Canva's Help Center here so you can begin scheduling pronto.

If you are at a loss where to start on your designs, you're welcome to visit my Canva Templates Creator profile too. Choose the template you like, edit/personalize, and schedule to your chosen social media channel.

Isn't it super easy?

Now, let's make more complex things simple shall we? This time, let me walk you through on how you can use the content planner with your Facebook Group or Facebook Page account.

1. Plan your content and design using the recommended design size for your platform of choice. You can start with a selection of templates inside the Canva library or just design your own from scratch.

2. Once you are happy with your design, you are now ready to schedule. Open the Content Planner or click the 3 dots on the upper right hand corner of your editor view and look for Schedule. If you don't see it, just type Schedule in the search box. Remember this is a Pro feature - you will see a crown next to the Schedule icon. Try the Canva Content Planner through this link and save time in your daily scheduling activities - https://partner.canva.com/planyourcontent.

3. Connect your Canva account to your Facebook Page or Group and schedule accordingly. Pick your preferred date and time, add in your caption and schedule.

4. Wait for your design to be posted as scheduled. You're all set!

NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF CONTENT PLANNING TO SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETERS LIKE YOU

Goal Setting - Identifying Audience- Creating Content - Distributing Content - Interpreting Analytics

Content planning which is a part of the content creation process and content marketing as a whole is a significant digital marketing approach and should be considered a non-negotiable when it comes to your content strategy. Of course, we always have to keep in mind that in today's day and age and the availability of tools that we can leverage, getting the message to our audience is indeed a crucial step. Having the Canva Content Planner at our disposal is something that social media marketers would take advantage of because the pros far outweighs any thinkable cons.

Doing all of the planning, designing, and scheduling will save you a good chunk of time for the most part especially that you can edit your design even after you have scheduled the post already. How convenient is that right? As they say time is money, so with this feature you are saving not just time but money too. After all, you don't need several subscriptions to different tools/platforms anymore.

To reinforce this, I decided to run a challenge in my community - CCP. Here are the simple mechanics:

Plan your posts to any or all of these platforms: Instagram (Business Account), Facebook Page and Group, LinkedIn Profile and Page, Pinterest, Twitter, Slack, and Tumblr. You may use just one or a combination of all these platforms. If you are on a free account, be sure to try Canva Pro for Free and here's the link for more information about the Content Planner https://partner.canva.com/planyourcontent
Design your graphics inside Canva. Be mindful of the proper size dimension for each platform. If you need help with your designs, you can check some of my Canva templates here - https://canva.com/ktnielsenccp
Schedule your content to post in your chosen platform.
Once you complete scheduling your June Calendar (June 1-30), take a screenshot and share in this post as a comment.
Submission of screenshots/proof of scheduling inside the Canva Content Planner - May 13 to May 30, 2021 11:59PM

WHY MAKE THE SWITCH TO THE CANVA CONTENT PLANNER?

Because why not?

Kidding aside, this will be one of the best decisions you will ever in your social media marketing life. I kid you not! If you are serious about your digital marketing direction which is geared towards increasing your brand exposure then today is the perfect time for you to streamline your efforts - jump on the content planning train now.

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links which I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you should you decide to subscribe or make a purchase. Rest assured that I only recommend products that I love and yes #canvalove.

More about Canva

Launched in 2013, Canva a free online visual communications platform with a mission to empower everyone in the world to design. Canva allows simple drag-and-drop user interface and a wide range of templates from social media posts, printable cards and calendars, banners, virtual backgrounds as well as an unbelievably huge library of fonts, stock photos, illustrations, video footage, and audio clips, anyone can take an idea and create something beautiful.

Canva is available on desktop (Windows and Mac Desktop app), web (browser), iOS, and Android.

TOP BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO JUMPSTART YOUR GRAPHIC DESIGN JOURNEY

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 20:44:00 +0000

Welcome to the wonderful world of graphic design! I say wonderful because it is indeed wonderful as a matter of fact. I found my niche and this niche has kept me motivated and inspired since day one. These ten reasons why it's an ideal time to study graphic design couldn't be any truer.

So here's something to get you started with your foray into designing:

Click the links below to avail of the deals - free or paid:

Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan

Be wise! Make sure to only buy what you think you need and will be able to use.

Disclaimer: Some of these deals have a set expiration date and time.

ADOBE CREATIVE CLOUD 11/11 SUPER SALE

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 19:03:00 +0000

I'm thrilled to share this super sale with you. I know everyone's busy carting products to avail 11/11 discounted prices from online shops/stores and so this sale is super timely. After all, we need to invest on continued learning and legit software too right?

The Adobe Super Sale for All Apps Plan includes all the software provided by Adobe such as Photoshop (which is available and can be used using an iPad already), Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, InDesign, Lightroom, Premiere Rush, among others. Click this LINK to see all the software included. To top it all off, you also get access to Adobe Fonts, Adobe Portfolio and Adobe Spark. Such a steal indeed!

NOTE: The rates in the following photos are in Philippine pesos. Please click the photo to be routed to the official Adobe website to see the offer price in your area/country. The super sale is valid from November 9 to November 17.

So are you ready to use legal versions of industry-standard softwares? Maybe now is the time to say goodbye to your bootleg versions. It's worth it for sure!

A SPECIAL VENUE FOR SPECIAL EVENTS - THE 72ND EVENTS CENTER

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 18:38:00 +0000

The 72nd Events Center is a structure that you wouldn't miss mixed with the Karangalan Village in Pasig City rooftops. It aims to be an ideal setting to celebrate special occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, corporate events, and other occasions.

The venue has a 242sqm rooftop ballroom (as far as I know it is the only ballroom in the metro that is located on the top level of an establishment). It can hold around 100 to 150 guests. There is also a 171sqm outdoor cocktail area with a panoramic view of the Sierra Madre Mountain.

To add to that, the venue is in close proximity (about 30 minutes away) to churches such as the Parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, and the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Antipolo Cathedral). Convenient for weddings so to speak.

You can't possibly miss this venue - just watch out for the building's bright red facade, glass railing and a very modern design.

Photo from The 72nd Events Center Facebook Page The 72nd Events Center is located at Han Lu 7 Centre, Felix Avenue, Pasig City. You may check the Facebook page for the latest offers and promotions as well as take a peek at events that were held there - weddings, debuts, and a lot more.

"MAKE IT HAPPEN"

I was able to attend the first anniversary of The 72nd Events Center as well as the launch of the new function rooms/meeting rooms and it was a night to remember. I'm glad to have been able to witness a significant business milestone. "Make It Happen" is the new tagline of the company and it is only but proper to have this as their guiding principle in the year to come.

For conferences: Ballroom
Lecture Set-up - 100 pax capacity
Theater Set-up - 250 pax capacity
Area: 242sqm rooftop ballroom
Suite Room available for holding room
LED: 15x14ft
PWD-friendly facility and so much more...

BALLROOM AT THE TOP
Four (4) hours use of fully air-conditioned rooftop 242 square-meter ballroom with all-weather and sound-proofed hall | Six (6) hours use of holding area/accommodation at El Bodegero Suite | Use of 171 square-meters Al fresco cocktail and pre-function area | PWD friendly facilities | 20 slots of secured parking area

AMANAH FUNCTION HALL
A Fully Air-conditioned 180 m2 Meeting Hall with Pre-function Area | 80 to 100 pax Banquet or Classroom Seating / 120 pax Theater Seating | Meeting Room usage for 4 hours | All-weather and sound-proofed halls | Pantry Area | 10 slots secured parking area

BEATUS FUNCTION ROOMS
Four (4) hours use of fully air-conditioned 128 square-meter function room with sound-proofed hall | Pre-function Corridor | PWD friendly facilities | 6 slots of secured parking area

*Two (2) hours Ingress (1hr Air-Cooling prior to event) | Two (2) hours Egress (No Air-conditioning) | Manpower assistance | Standby Power Generator Set | Prices above are VAT Exclusive | Prices are subject to change without notice

End of Year Mega Sale

For any inquiries or questions regarding the event place, products and services and promotions, kindly call the establishment at 89976779 | 09164661515, send an e-mail at the72ndevents@gmail.com or chat at m.me/the72ndevents

JOHNSON'S PLAY DAYS 2019: SA LARO NATUTUTO

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 13:12:00 +0000

When I read that Johnson's Baby Philippinees will have an activity that aims to encourage parents to understand that there is so much more to playing and how learning is a vital part of the fun I got so ecstatic. We have been dreading going out lately because of the unbearable pre-summer heat but I knew that my daughter, Viktoria Summer, would love a chance to socialize with other kids. Mommy MK, the founder of FHMOMS (an online community of Filipina homebased moms), posted a signup sheet for those who are interested to join and so I did - in a jiffy!

And so off we went to the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall last March 24, 2019 to attend the launching of the Johnson's Play Days 2019: Sa Laro Natututo - an effort that acknowledges the importance of play and how it can benefit children.

As a parent, I love seeing how Summer enjoys playtime be it by herself, with us or with her friends. She is basically in her element - solving jigsaw puzzles, dancing to jingles and songs, trying all the slides in the park, braving her dreaded swing, running around with other kids as they play tag, playing pretend and the whole nine yards. Yesterday, at the Johnson's event, she was clearly in her element as she participated in the activities prepared.

BLUE THINK TUB

PINK SHOWDANCE ZONE

YELLOW IMAGILAND

FLOWER ZONE

The activities that Johnson's prepared were best-suited for children to learn different skills like problem-solving, self-expression, communication, and flexibility.

Let's join Johnson's in this movement and see how free, active play will change your little ones and help them become the person you always dreamed for them to be. Post a photo of yourself and your child during your happy play time moments and how Johnson's Baby is the Presko Bango partner. Use the hashtaag #SaLaroNatututo #JohnsonsActiveKids #PlayDays2019 and tag @johnsonsbabyph.

Johnsons Baby Active Kids Range are available in leading supermarkets, drug stores, and department stores nationwide.

EASTER 2019 EGG HUNTING EVENTS IN METRO MANILA

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Sun, 24 Mar 2019 08:41:00 +0000

It's been a while since I last published a blog here but I feel so good to be back. The social media management duties is taking a bit of a back seat to pave way for this article - much awaited indeed!

It will be extra special this year as my sister's family will be spending their vacation with us so my little Viktoria Summer will hunt eggs, surprises and more with her cousin. Hooray!

1. SOFITEL PHILIPPINE PLAZA MANILA
Bricks and Blocks: An Easter Egg Hunt Adventure

Launch an exhilarating quest in search of hidden treasures and win wonderful prizes in this year’s Bricks and Blocks: An Easter Egg Hunt Adventure on April 21, 2019 at the Harbor Garden Tent.

We encourage you to book your tickets early as there will be limited tickets available: http://bit.ly/SofitelEasterTickets

Guests availing of Sofitel’s Easter Getaway Package are entitled to tickets with allocation based on applicable terms and conditions. Additional Bricks and Blocks Easter Egg Hunt Adventure tickets are available at Php1,195.

2. ACACIA HOTEL MANILA
Bedtime Stories Come To Life

Come and join the egg-citing Easter event as Acacia Hotel Manila create hopping good memories with your favorite bedtime characters as they come to life on April 21, 2019!

#AcaciaEaster #AcaciaHotelManila

3. F1 HOTEL MANILA
Enchanted Forest Easter Party

Celebrate Easter in the most magical way this coming April 21, 2019! Grab F1 Hotel Manila's Enchanted Forest early bird promo on Hot Deals and get 50% OFF on its original rate of PHP 1,798 net per head. Buy your tickets now at hotdeals.f1hotelmanila.com. For tickets and inquiries, please call 908-7888. Promo is until March 31, 2019 only.

#F1HotelManila #TheHomeOfHappyExperiences #EnchantedForest

4. DIAMOND HOTEL PHILIPPINES
Easter Spectacle Kids' Party On Parade

More tickets, more friends, more fun! Get a FREE TICKET to the Easter Spectacle at #DiamondHotelPh when you purchase 4 tickets online. Visit onlineshopping.diamondhotel.com and buy your tickets today!

5. NEW WORLD MAKATI HOTEL
A Magical Weekend - A Splashin' Easter Weekend

A splashin' Easter weekend is coming! Stay tuned for more details.

6. SM SUPERMALLS
EGGciting Easter at SM

See you on April 21 for an EGGS-TRA SPECIAL and #EGGcitingEasterAtSM!

7. RAMADA MANILA
EGGcellent Easter Sunday

Easter calls for a celebration with the whole family! We, in partnership with Engineering For Kids (EFK), present EGG-CELLENT SUNDAY, a safari-themed event that brings out the creativity within our kids. Activities are jam-packed! We will be having a 2-hour interactive pop up class with EFK where kids work together and get to do an experiment with eggs to test forces that will or will not break them from a one-, two- or six-foot drop! Sky is the limit as to how our kids want to design their cookies prepared by our Pastry Team. We have play booths, photobooth, giveaways, and a wide spread of delectable lunch buffet. All these will surely fill the whole family with joy and fun!

Ticket Price:Bundle: Php 1, 800 good for 1 Kid and 1 Adult, inclusive of lunch buffet and access to all activities Additional Adult - Php 1000* Additional Kid - Php 850* *Senior Citizen, and PWD discount applies on the additional adult or kid rate. Kids 3 years old and below are free of charge. The EFK activity for this event is suitable for 4 to 13 years old.

Limited slots only. Reserve on or before April 7, and get Php 200 OFF on our bundle ticket price. Register here: https://goo.gl/forms/fDONRPYn0UigAYb92.

To top off the fun, we are giving away a 3D2N accommodation at Ramada Plaza Bangkok on our raffle draw! Now that's EGG-citing!

Reserve your slots now and say hello to an EGG-cellent moments with the whole family!

For inquiries, reach us at 8588-6688, or +639988462420.

8. THE HERITAGE HOTEL MANILA
A Bear-y Happy Easter

Join the gang to a Beary Happy Easter afternoon filled with fun activities, games, lucky draw, and sumptuous food from Riviera Café. The event will not be possible without our generous friends from FUN RANCH, TONY & JACKEY, LUCKY ME! BAKED MAC, LUCKY ME! MAC & CHEESE and many more.

Media Partner: THE PHILIPPINE STAR Register by calling 854-8888 or sign up at bit.ly/easter2019_hhm

#ABearyHappyEaster #BearsAtTHHM #THHMBearyEaster

9. PENINSULA MANILA HOTEL
Great Peninsula Barnyard Easter Event

Join Peninsula Manila Hotel this Easter Sunday as they open the Great Peninsula Easter Barnyard featuring fun activities such as egg hunts, “Farm Finds and Rabbit’s Warren” sensory bins, egg painting and felt decorating, rabbit papier- mâché painting, D.I.Y. Easter ornament making, and egg piñata craft workshops.

Book the Pen Days of Easter Room package or avail of our Easter Sunday Brunch at Escolta to get exclusive access to the Great Peninsula Easter Barnyard Event

Call 8872888 local 6630 or 6694 for more inquiries

Please bookmark this page as I will be constantly updating this with new events.

HOW TO RENOVATE YOUR BASEMENT

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 19:37:00 +0000

So I am back to the drawing board again as I start collecting and sorting ideas on interior design - new projects and renovation ideas alike. I want to be able to plan ahead so if I change my mind, I will still have enough time left.

Renovated basements are indeed a source of great relief and comfort when you want to spend some peaceful time alone or with family or friends. There are many ways you can renovate your basement. You can try out these magical yet helpful ideas for decorating your lower ground floor.

1. Moisture Seals

The first and the foremost tip for the renovation of your basement is to find and figure out the possible presence of moisture or any dampness in your basement. There shouldn’t be any sanitary leakages or any underground leaking pipes. You should apply authentic sealing agents on the walls of your basement. Replace old underground pipes and fittings if you have. Replace flooring. You have options like vinyl and laminate flooring. Make sure your basement is free of dampness in any regard.

2. Sump and Suction Pump

After you are done with the dampness control stuff, you should install or build a small sump in the vicinity of your basement. Also, powerful suction pump with a twenty-four-hour battery backup. This will help you evacuate any possible accidental penetration of water from upstairs as storms or floods may affect your area. After installing this facility, your basement is ready for internal decorations.

3. Choose a Nice Color Scheme

It is very important to choose a good color scheme for your basement, it is recommended not to choose dark color. Choose natural wooden colors for a decent outlook. You should go for a sealer paint coating for a better moisture control and more durability of your paint coats. The painter you are hiring should be professional or if you are doing the paint job yourself; be careful in painting as it is the basic element of basement decorations.

4. Furniture Selection

After you are done with the painting stuff, you should choose the right and suitable furniture for your basement. There should be some nice sofas, a studying table, some purpose-built cabinets, resting chairs and other items of your choice. The furniture should be bought in contrast with the wall and ceiling paints. It should be comfortable and relaxing.

5. Electrical Items

You should install a proper air conditioning system if you are living in a hot climatic region otherwise a nicer heating system. There should be a reliable ventilation duct that constantly supplies fresh air to your environment. You should be careful in choosing the lightening system of your basement. There should be combination of bright and dim lights. You can switch to dimmer lights for a peaceful relaxing time with some soothing music for yourself. Go for some table lamps for reading purposes.

6. Miscellaneous Decorative Items

The most eye-catching items of a basement may be defined as the paintings on the walls, ceiling hangings, vases and sofa cushions. You should wisely choose these items according to the color schemes of your furniture and paint. It is recommended that you should also install a good scented air freshener in your basement.

By following the above stated tips, you can turn your basement in a cool and interesting living place. I'm really looking forward to moving in to our new home and I will surely keep these tips in mind. After all, we can never have too many tips to use don't we?

Do you have basement renovation tips as well? Let me know...

WHY YOU SHOULD NOT USE CANVA TO CREATE YOUR BUSINESS LOGO

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 06:00:00 +0000

I admit I did not really care about licenses and terms of use of websites I join when I first started. I was in the middle of purposely ignoring the terms and just being lazy because I couldn't care less since I am only designing for my self - just for personal use. But all that changed when I decided to make graphic design a big part of my business. I started to become very judicious in reading every copyright claim attached to every graphic element I use.

And then I found Canva and I really loved using it. In fact, I lean towards using Canva when I need to churn out designs in the least amount of time possible. I've also tried creating logo drafts on Canva but I never used it to make final designs.

Now the question is would you like to use Canva to design your logo? The answer is YOU CAN, but I would not personally recommend it because of these reasons:

1. If you use Canva, chances are your output will be low quality.

The standard size for a Canva logo is 500px x 500 px. That resolution will not allow you to enlarge your logo when you need it for higher resolution projects. You also only have 2 options to download your logo - download as png or jpg without being able to adjust the resolution. And that sucks right?

2. If you use Canva, you will not be able to trademark your logo.

Simply put, your logo is not your own and can never be yours. Also, Canva's pre-made layouts are available for all Canva users to use, your logo design will not be unique and that means your logo may look like someone else's logo and you cannot claim copyright over that unless of course you heavily modify the template. If you have the intention to take your brand to a higher level or you plan to make it big in the industry, then a logo made in Canva is not your safest bet.

3. If you use Canva, be sure to adhere to the licensing agreement.

Canva's licensing agreement states that your logos cannot contain elements from Canva's image library - either free or paid. The only elements that you can use are basic shapes and lines, free fonts (default Canva fonts) and pre-made logo layouts.

If you upload your own graphic design elements or those you have paid for then you can use them for your logos made in Canva. Note that images that are sourced online have copyright claims that belong to their owner/creator and must not be used in any way, shape or form except if you have express approval from the rightful owner.

Now you may ask, what if you are paying for Canva for Work account? Well the answer is you still need to follow the terms of use. It's like going to a members-only salon, you can avail of the services but you cannot bring home the equipment that you see in the salon. Get it?

4. If you use Canva, your logo will not be in vector format.

This is the least of your consideration if you only plan to make a simple logo that you do not have plans of stretching out or resizing in the future. Vector logos can be resized infinitely and can be made using software like Adobe Illustrator.

So there you go. My view may be controversial at the very least but I hope it will make you think and be able to make this all-important decision for yourself, your brand, or your client. If you have a different point of view about this burning issue then please feel free to comment below. I won't bite!

Think twice about creating your logo using Canva and if you do make sure that you abide by the terms of use to avoid any legal battle in the future. Remember that every business decision has a legal impact. Don't take the shortcut or the most convenient route.

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT I'D BE A TEACHER?

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 06:50:00 +0000

When I was mulling about what course to take for my university degree, my mom had the last say. She originally wanted me to be a teacher like her but she changed her mind when I wanted to be an engineer. She then egged me to enroll for an accounting course since my college assessment score passed the limit and at that time my school required a higher passing mark than the engineering degrees. Ah! Yes, if you haven't known already, my mom is a motivator but I felt like she was a dictator that time. Haha! Looking back, I think she had a point.

To cut the long story short, I finished an accounting degree, took up several units for my masters degree, got deep into my career way out of the accounting shadows, and finally I'm now retired from any night shift and 8 to 5 jobs. I decided to teach myself graphic design after I gave birth and I never stopped learning as much as I can. I convinced myself that it's never too late to learn a new skill and while my memory is still quite a bit sharp, I'll absorb whatever information I can get by joining trainings and courses. I am proud to say that after almost 3 years of resisting formal training, I have already finished my masterclass on Photoshop and I'm now working on finishing my masterclass on Illustrator.

Early in July, an opportunity knocked and I was asked if I am up for a challenge and be a trainer for moms who wants to explore the graphic design while working from home. I was a bit hesitant at first. If you know me, I'm never a scurry-type of person. I actually resist any curveball thrown at me but this was different, I knew I would be helping other mommies nourish their interest and potential and so I feel like aside from the monetary gain, I would be doing a form of service for my growth and other's growth as well. And so, I signed up for the job. I hurriedly developed my course outline and hit the ground running in a week or so.

I never envisioned that I will become a teacher - not even in my wildest dreams. But as they say, you just never say never when an opportunity knocks. I am the trainer for photo editing, video editing and a bit of brand marketing. I'll handle the second batch of enrollees this month and I think I'm more than ready to face another challenge. I'm sure my mom is smiling inside because I'm now a teacher too like her.

If you are a Filipina mom and wants to join our group, visit Fhmoms Facebook group. We're a community of homebased moms who still wants to work while staying home to take care of the household. Because yes, we're supermoms! You'll also learn how to enroll in my class this week. An announcement will be released to the group. I promise you, it will be worth it!

NOTE: Post contains an affiliate link to Adobe Affiliate Program. Click to join.

TUPPERWARE BRANDS SUMMER ESSENTIALS

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 19:52:00 +0000

Summer is here! Of course, summer in tropical countries like the Philippines is getting hotter and hotter each year and this year is no exemption. The thermometer has been registering a staggering heat of up to 36 degrees every day. In some areas near the equator, I heard the temperature reaches a record high of up to 42 degrees. Whoa! Pretty incredible alright.

Last week, my daughter bugged me and kept asking me when we will go to the beach. She likes cold weather and even sleeps in front of the AC so I guess she has been feeling the scorching heat outside. I decided to give in and asked her if we can just go swim in the pool instead and she agreed. We brought along the goodies that Tupperware Brands sent us to add to our summer essentials. So generous! Our thank you's are in order.

So off we went to the pool and I let Summer swim, wade, and run around under the sun. She really enjoys being outside and so I made sure to bring some sunscreen with a high SPF factor that is suitable for her skin. On my skin, I slathered the Suncelle Suncreen Body Lotion with SPF30 and sprayed the Suncelle Instant Cooling Skin Spray every time I take a rest from swimming.

The one thing that I've been really diligent at as of late is slathering on sunscreen every time I go out of the house. Even if I won't be directly exposed under the sun, I still wear sunscreen because hey an ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure. I don't want to have skin cancer in the future. So imagine how meticulous I am when it comes to Summer's skin.

As you can see from the photo above, we also received other products from Tupperware brands. I haven't used the lipsticks yet because I plan to bring them with me to Denmark. Yep, we're going back again in June and we will extend our summer there. I'll probably bring the cooling body powder with us as well since we have planned to go on some long walks again. I'll write an in-depth review of these products as soon as I have used them longer. For now, I am going to share with you my first impressions review of the products (except the lipsticks):

SUNCELLE SUNSCREEN BODY LOTION (100ml)
Collagen Protect System 30SPF PA++ Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB
Water Resistant | Non-Greasy | Has Vitamin E
Original Price: Php399 - currently on sale at Php229 (save Php170)

It was love at first swipe the first time I used this lotion. I love that the smell is gentle and that it was easily absorbed by the skin and it was not greasy at all. The label says it is water resistant but I still made sure to reapply every after 30 minutes to ensure that my skin will be protected by the harmful rays of the sun (label instruction says to reapply every two hours though). I tried putting it on my face and it didn't sting my eyes. I'll be stocking up on this for sure. The downside that I see with this product is that it has parabens which act as preservatives for the product (methylparaben and propylparaben). But hey, the benefits of this sunscreen outweighs it all!

Should we really avoid parabens? Despite the media frenzy surrounding parabens, the published research and global cosmetic regulatory organizations are making the answer clear: parabens, especially in small amounts used in personal-care products do not pose a significant health risk at all. - Cosmetics Cop

You can pick and mix Suncelle products to get even more discounts this summer:

SUNCELLE INSTANT COOLING SKIN SPRAY with SUNSCREEN (50ml)
Made with Aloe Vera (also contains allantoin, castor oil, and menthol)
Original Price: Php299 - currently on sale at Php129 (save Php170)

This product was very handy and it's perfect to carry for quick dip in the pool or to put inside your bag's little pocket. It has a very faint fragrance. The main ingredient of this product is aloe vera which relieves skin redness and inflammation, and it also helps to minimize discomfort, burning and itching due to heat or sun exposure. It also has allantoin that helps to lock in moisture for healthy and protected skin. I like the instant cooling effect of this product on my skin. I was looking for the minty effect of the menthol but I didn't feel it.

I guess you could tell by now that these two are my most favorite from the Tupperware Brands summer essentials. I highly recommend these products and I hope you give it a try and include it in your own summer essentials as well.

WHY SHOULD WE WEAR SUNSCREEN?

Wearing sunscreen, most popularly known as sunblock, benefits our health especially our skin in so many ways. Sunscreen protects us from the harmful rays of the sun (radiation). Suncreen also reduces the risk of having skin cancer, premature aging and the most common and readily observable effect - sunburns. It is very essential to note that it is not only during summer time that we need to apply sunscreen. The need for shielding our skin from the effects of the sun should be all year round - whenever we go out of our houses.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF WEARING SUNSCREEN?

There are many benefits and here are some that I hope would make you start diligently putting on sunscreen (if you aren't yet):

shields our skin from harmful UV rays
prevents premature aging
lowers the risk of skin cancer
minimizes uneven skin tone and blotchiness on the face
prevents sunburn
enhances skin health

COOL SPLASH COOLING BODY POWDER WITH SALSCENT (150 grams)
Infused with SalScent and cooling actives
Original Price: Php240 - currently on sale at Php169 (save Php71)

I used this after my daughter takes a bath and she loves the fruity smell of the Zestful Purple variant which has a fresh floral scent. The SalScent Fragrance capsules activate when you perspire for long lasting freshness. I can't provide a good enough review yet because we haven't used this product that much so please bookmark my blog so you can be notified when I post my review about this in June.

COLORFULL FRUTY DELIGHT SATIN LIPSTICKS (4 grams)
Non-drying, smooth satin finish
Original Price: Php199 - currently on sale at Php109 (save Php90 and any two for Php179 only)

According to the Tupperware Brands website, the satin lipsticks are non-drying and has a smooth satin finish on the lips. I haven't opened this yet so I could not show you a swatch but I promise to write a review really soon.

There are four shades to choose from - sexy apple, happy orange, intense grape and sweet peach. As this is limited edition, I also plan to buy the sweet peach and happy orange to complete my review.

FRUTY BODY MIST (100ml)

Young, vibrant adventurous scents
Original Price: Php380 - currently on sale at Php169 (save Php211 and any two for Php299 only)

I love how fresh and light this fragrance is. Its perfect for when you want to spray on a fragrance that is not overwhelming and won't smell sour when you sweat. The scent reminds me so much of the mists I used to use when I was younger. I tried spraying this on my hair and the scent lasted for a while. I love this a lot!

I have other plans this summer while we spend another month here in the Philippines so I'll be sure that I am going to bring all these summer essentials with me and I'm going to use the Tupperware Brands expandable maroon/red bag. I'm a "big bag person" so this bag is perfect for me when we go back to the pool or when we go to the beach again.

Check out Tupperware brands on social media:

Facebook - http://bit.ly/2nyuNVt

Instagram - http://bit.ly/2nyPXTt

Twitter - http://bit.ly/2nLMnVp

What are your summer essentials? Let me know by leaving a comment below. Enjoy summer! Again, please don't forget to wear sunscreen...

5 CATALOGUE SHOPPING TIPS

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 18:47:00 +0000

Catalogue shopping is a great way to save on more items for the entire family. I always do this especially when we are on vacation in Denmark. I borrow shop catalogues from my mom-in-law and browse through pages and pages of deals. When you’re ready to shop, consider a few of these tips to ensure you make the most of your online shopping experience.

Specialized shopping
If you’re buying women’s clothing, shop with catalogues which cater to this. For home furniture, patio furniture or décor I would recommend going with a specialized catalogue. You’ll find the best items, more selection and typically the best guarantees/warranties on all items you buy.

Check financing terms
Make sure you know what zero-interest periods are, what flat-fee interest is and what other ‘specialised financing’ means. If you aren’t sure, make sure you ask. This is the best way to ensure the greatest deals and to ensure you avoid hefty interest rates down the line.

Shop seasonally
Make sure you know when to shop for certain items. Shopping off-season is a great way to buy what you want/need and buying it for less. So, consider winter clothing in the summer and vice-versa so you can find lower prices on the items you are going to buy.

Comparison shop
Visit more than one catalogue. In fact, try to visit 3-5 before you ultimately decide where you are going to buy. This allows you to compare the styles you love and obviously to find the best prices but also the best financing options available out there as well.

Consider promos and deals
Sometimes you’ll pay a bit more for an item but you have 12 extra months of zero-financing to do so. In this case, it might be worth it. Learn about promos, special financing and other specials out there so you can find the best deals when you’re ready to buy items through online catalogues. No matter what you are shopping for, catalogues are a great way to find what you want and find the items you want to buy for a reasonable price. When the time comes to do your online shopping, consider these tips to ensure an enjoyable experience and the best pricing/deals when you shop.

Do you like browsing catalogues as well or you head straight to the malls/supermarkets to buy the things you want to buy?

LET'S TALK ABOUT SOMETHING

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 09:59:00 +0000

While cleaning up the saved notes on my phone, I chanced upon a note where I jot down my monthly period - start date, duration, symptoms and end date. I started the note after I gave birth to my daughter who just recently turned 3 last month. It was when I had my first period back that I decided to do this because I noticed a difference in the amount of flow plus of course the fact that I have PCOS and the best way to prepare for the next pregnancy is to track my period and follow doctor's orders. The note is long already but I plan to continue it to monitor my reproductive health in my own little OC way. I might probably create a chart out of the data I gathered.

So anyway, the main reason why I decided to write this blog post is really to bring in the open a topic that is rarely discussed. There are so many reading materials about breastfeeding, newborn care and losing weight after giving birth but I feel like the resources for menstrual health is not enough. I hope someone more knowledgeable than me could come up with a write-up that would help equip moms especially the first-time mommies who might be in shock to experience a heavier flow after giving birth.

YOUR PERIOD AFTER HAVING A BABY

After your period stops for several months after giving birth (especially when you breastfeed), your period after having a baby will return with a vengeance! Yes, vengeance it is, not because I could not find any other word, but because it will really come back with a bang. I was really inconvenienced when I had my period back. Add to that the fact that we were traveling in Europe that time and they don't carry the brand that I really like best when my period is heavier than usual. Looking back, I wish I had bumped into https://www.knixteen.com/ so I could have told my period to shut up as well. Hahaha! The period-proof underwear line though was made for teens but maybe I could have added that to my period arsenal to ward off leaks and stains.

For starters, I don't like using tampons and I haven't tried using the menstrual cup. Therefore, I'm still stuck to what I am used to using - the sanitary pads. I needed more than six to seven pads to survive the day when I have my period (at it's heaviest flow) after having a baby. Before I had Summer, I only needed around four to five pads within a 24-hour cycle.

I can attribute my heavier than prepregnancy flow to my pill intake. Maybe my lighter period before was suppressed by the pill when I'm off it. I've yet to discuss this with my OB-Gyne to confirm but I'm quite positive this is the reason. It could also be because I gained weight after I gave birth. If we put on weight, we produce more estrogen in the fat cells of the body, and this can influence how long and heavy our periods are. The other factor that can cause heavy, painful periods that having nothing to do with childbirth and everything to do with just being a woman, includes uterine fibroids or polyps.

I know that my hormone-level is out of whack especially after experiencing hyperemesis gravidarum while I was pregnant so I believe it could be the number one cause of the sudden gush of flow as well. Damn hormones! Haha! I consulted my OB-Gyne about this change and she assured me that there is nothing to worry about and that I should just monitor my period regularly. She also advised me to take anti-anemia medicine because supplementing with iron is often necessary for women.

I guess I just need to give my hormones some time to get back in the groove.

I feel that this topic is normal and should be openly discussed. It should not be treated as taboo by the society at all. I'm actually researching as early as now on how to educate my daughter about menstrual health as soon as she is ready to absorb such information. I would not want her to fear and feel ashamed of her period in the future.

How about you? Did your period return with a vengeance too?

EASTER 2018 EGG HUNTING EVENTS IN METRO MANILA

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 19:09:00 +0000

We were supposed to attend an egg hunting activity in a hotel last year but we had to scrap the plan because we had an important matter to attend to. This time around, we look forward to attending one because I'm sure Baby VS would love to wear a costume and hunt eggs. I've been scouring hotel and mall event pages to check what they have in store for the little ones this Easter. Please bookmark this page as I will keep on updating this if I see an interesting event in Metro Manila.

EDSA SHANGRI-LA

Discover mystical creatures and magical treasures hidden in the Kingdom under the deep blue sea. The Kingdom awaits all little adventurers and swashbuckling brave hearts with big, bold dreams and wild, vivid imaginings.

Doors open at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, April 1, 2018 Isla Grand Ballroom, Edsa Shangri-La, Manila

Enjoy live entertainment, fun-filled activities, exciting giveaways, a delicious bento box lunch, a grand dessert buffet and more!

TICKET COST Php2,200 nett per head
EARLY BIRD TICKETS at Php2,000 nett until March 16, 2018 only or, purchase four regular priced tickets and get one free!

Room packages are also available from March 24 to April 2, 2018.

Room Package A: Deluxe Garden Room at Php9,825.60 nett per night Deluxe Tower Room at Php11,053.80 nett per night

Room Package A inclusions: - Buffet breakfast for two adults and two kids below 6 years old - 2 tickets to the Kingdom Under The Sea: An Easter Adventure event

Room Package B: Deluxe Garden Room at Php13,510.20 nett per night Deluxe Tower Room at Php14,738.40 nett per night

Room Package B inclusions: - Buffet breakfast for two adults and two kids below 6 years old - 4 tickets to the Kingdom Under The Sea: An Easter Adventure event - Additional tickets at 20% discount

Please call 633 8888 or email events.esl@shangri-la.com.

MAKATI SHANGRI-LA

Let the whole family create new memories this Easter with the hotel’s special Easter Egg Hunt! Kids will get to enjoy our giant playground of inflatables, game booths, musical show and a chance to meet and greet with Rafa the Rabbit!

Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018 Rizal Ballroom

Tickets are at Php 1,500 per person (adult or child) Inclusions: -Three (3) food stubs -One (1) beverage stub -One (1) loot bag giveaway -Access to Easter games and show -Access to Easter Egg Hunt

Guests staying with us from March 23 to April 1 get a special 20% discount on Easter Sunday Fair tickets. Terms and conditions apply.

For inquiries, call Events Information Center (632) 813 8888 local 74352. For room bookings, call (632) 813 8888 or email reservations.SLM@shangri-la.com

Learn more about our Easter offerings here: http://bit.ly/FamilyEasterHoliday
#RafatheRabbit #MakatiShangriLaExperience

F1 HOTEL MANILA

Join egg hunters this April 1, 2018 and let F1 Hotel take you to a jungle party this Easter Sunday at the Infinity Ballroom from 10AM-2PM. Swing through trees like Tarzan and play with your favorite safari characters in no time! Be in character as you party with us, either go Indiana Jones or be a jungle animal to get a surprise!

PRESS RELEASE FROM EASTWOOD CITY
Easter Wonderland Celebration (EWC)

Eastwood City is back with the grandest Easter Wonderland Celebration Witness the unveiling of nine Easter Worlds where kids get to explore the playful Mattel Easter Playground

As one of the Metro’s most anticipated Easter Celebrations, Eastwood City promises to bring the most extravagant Easter cheer for the entire family to enjoy after a week of solemn Catholic reflection. This year, Easter Wonderland unrolls nine different amazing worlds of Mattel brands for the kids to discover and enjoy.

Have the best Easter Sunday and explore these exciting worlds across Eastwood City: Cars, Disney Junior, Barbie Dreamtopia, Thomas & Friends, Hot Wheels, Mega Bloks, Fisher Price, DC Super Hero Girls, and UNO.

Go on a fun hunt for colorful Easter eggs across the amazing world of Mattel and win special prizes. There are also a couple of kiddie games and activities for everyone’s enjoyment in each world. On-stage games, magic show, and a grand raffle will keep families and participants entertained throughout the program. Mattel characters will also have a surprise meet and greet on the day, so better stay tuned to find out if your favorite character is going to make a surprise appearance.

Interested kids get an Easter Playground Pass and a free toy for only P700. Hurry and get in line before anybody else before all the Easter goodies run out. Registration starts 10 am at Eastwood Mall Open Park. Easter Worlds open at 11 am. Easter activities commence at 1 pm.

For more information, please call the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Concierge at 709-9888 or 709-0888, 0917-8380111 or visit www.megaworldlifestylemalls.com.

Easter Wonderland becomes bigger and better with Mattel Easter Playground
Eastwood City plays host to one of the biggest and most anticipated Easter events in the Metro as it transforms to a life-size playground for the kids to play. Kids get to explore nine different exciting worlds brought by Mattel brands: Cars, Disney Junior, Barbie Dreamtopia, Thomas & Friends, Hot Wheels, Mega Bloks, Fisher Price, DC Super Hero Girls, and UNO. Participants can explore each world and go on a fun hunt for colorful Easter eggs. Lucky participants also stand a chance to win special prizes! Registration starts 10 am, Easter Worlds open 11 am, and activities start 1 pm.

Forbes Town paints the town with Magical Rainbow Easter
It’s going to be a whimsical Easter Sunday at Forbes Town with its unicorns and mermaid inspired activities! Kids and kids at heart can indulge to their heart’s content with the following activities: costume contest, unicorn ride, dance with fairies, swim with mermaids, rainbow play, magic show, egg painting, donut styling, and more! Interested participants can register from March 23-April 1 near Robinsons Selections.

Doraemon Easter Adventure at Uptown Bonifacio
Fans of the all-time beloved anime Doraemon can head and transport to Uptown Mall and have a jolly good time egg hunting. Embark on a whole day egg hunting with Nobita and enjoy together the following activities: arts and crafts, Easter Egg DIY, Easter Egg Bowling, DIY cupcake activity, Fun Farm Photobooth, and more! Registration starts at 11am. Participants who completed all six stamps get a chance to join Doraemon and friends for a meet & greet session.

PJ Masks Easter Eggventure at Venice Grand Canal
Hop on the superhero train and have an exciting Easter Eggventure with PJ Masks at Venice Grand Canal. Shop and complete your PJ Masks toys, collectibles, and playsets from March 19 – March 31. Get a chance to meet and greet the kiddie superheroes Catboy, Owlette, and Gecko on April 1. Easter activities include: Superhero workshops, Superhero makeovers, Easter Egg Hunt, Romeo’s Science Show, and more.

Peppa Pig Easter World at Lucky Chinatown
From friendly superheroes to sibling playful antics, playtime is always fun with Peppa Pig and George at Lucky Chinatown. Play and party with Peppa Pig and enjoy eggciting kiddie booths from March 19 – April 1 with the following activities: face painting, coloring booth, Peppa’s playground, Peppa party games, peek-a-boo photobooth, and Peppa popcorn. Join them on April 1 for a Grand Easter Celebration filled with Lucky Egg Hunt, Play Pals: Kid and Dog Duo Costume Contest, and a Meet and Greet Peppa Pig and George event.

Easter Jungle Safari at Southwoods Mall
Celebrate a unique kid-friendly Easter Jungle Safari only at Southwoods Mall! Kids can escape into the wilderness with fun animal encounters, costume contest, magic show and more at Southwoods Mall. They can also look for fun treats and enjoy our safari-inspired attractions: EGGstravaHUNT and Face Painting, Bird and Reptile Viewing, Arts and Crafts, Jungle Musical Show, Game Zone, and more.

More event schedules soon...

8 ON FLEEK TIPS ON TAKING THE BEST FOOD SHOTS

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 02:38:00 +0000

You would think that I am a pro photographer just by reading the title of this blog but I am not. Let me clarify before I proceed that this blog post is aptly titled: 8 On Fleek Tips on Taking the Best Food Shots (A Non-Photographers Guide). Yes! That is right! If you are already a photographer I don't think this blog post is for you.

We all want to take brag-worthy photos - especially in this day and age. Grainy photographs no longer have a spot in any of our social media feed unless we purposely use a grainy filter in order to maintain an aesthetic. Regardless of skill level, we all just aim to take excellent quality photos. Gone are the days when only the photographer or the designated "picture taker" captures the memories because anyone with a smartphone can now whip it out, find a good angle, adjust the lighting, compose a shot, and boom one more photo less from our daily picture target. I'm sure you get what I mean here. There never seems to be an end of things to photograph - from the most mundane object inside the house to the most unforgettable memory we want to cherish and relive over and over again.

My blog post today aims to provide some basic tips on how to take the best food shots. I'm going to be sharing a hybrid list of tips (could be applicable to both the good old camera and our trusty smartphones). Oh and yes, please read until the end because I will be sharing a recipe that's worth the try - the pictures will speak for itself!

1. PICK A SUBJECT AND FOCUS ON IT

Many of the best food shots published in cookbooks and food magazines feature just one subject. When taking a photo of food, spend a good amount of time to compose the shot. It's not enough to just point and shoot literally. If you're taking a photo, make sure that the subject does not fill the entire frame unless you just want to zoom in to show an ingredient or two and of course, make sure that two-thirds of the photo should be negative space. Like in the photo below, you can clearly see how the focus is on the food and there's enough negative space around it. Remember that allotting negative space can make or break a photo. Keep that in mind shutterbugs, will you?

One camera phone function that we often overlook is its ability to focus on a subject just by tapping the screen on the space where you want your camera to focus. Oh and yes, after ensuring that your composition is worthy of a like or love, you can also crop the image to show a different perspective. By using photo enhancing apps/software, you can also improve the quality of a photo or just put more focus on the subject.

2. LET THERE BE LIGHT - NATURAL LIGHT

No one wants to see a dark or overexposed photo of a food and that's a fact. I'll bet my dinner for that. The best time to take food photos using natural lighting is in the morning and in the afternoon - when the sun is almost near the horizon (the magic hour as we all know it). It's really not the amount of light that we need to consider, it's always the quality that should take the podium. In the morning, right after sunrise is best as you will get just the right amount of light.

Note that if you are not a pro at handling artificial studio lights, using it to take food photos could sometimes lead to orange or yellow casts that won't do justice to your food. You should always aim to show the natural colors of the food that you are shooting. As in chocolate should be brown and not brown with a tinge of orange.

3. DETERMINE THE BEST ANGLE FOR A SPECIFIC FOOD

When shooting food, listen to your inner feeling and avoid overthinking a situation. Focus on your subject and the props you are using, identify the best angle to showcase the food, compose the shot, and move calmly as you find the best look for your food. Keep in mind though that sometimes you need to shoot freshly-cooked food and this requires fast thinking because the basil on top won't take forever to stay fresh or the steam could be gone in a few seconds.

Once you've decided on the angle, just push the shutter. Play with your camera by tilting left or right, zooming in or out, or just take the photo from a different perspective that you usually do. Have fun and a good variety of angling could lead to you taking the best photos than you ever imagined.

4. USE PROPS (FOOD STYLING)

Arrange your food neatly and use props that are related to the food. You don't want to have a book on how to butcher a cow when you are photographing freshly-baked salmon. You also don't want your creamy polenta to come out like a huge blob of yellow puke in the middle of the plate. You know what I mean? There's nothing worse than a photo of a messy food on a plate with the elements all over the place. Arranging the food can create visual interest and thus make your food look better and more delicious. A good eye for detail and composition will also come into play as you consider the props.

5. DON'T FORGET THE BACKGROUND - STICK TO NEUTRALS

Steer clear of super busy backgrounds. Make the food the center of every food shot of course. Make it the focal point or compose the shot where the eyes are led to the food. Heavy decorations or too much clutter in the background or a background with so many shapes and illustrations could make the photo cluttered and all over the place. It is always best to keep it to a minimum especially when deciding on a background. Less is more so they say...

6. CREATE A STORY

Believe it or not, a photo of a food can evoke different kinds of emotions. With the use of props, the food itself, background, lighting among other things, you can create an exciting story to convey to your audience and that is essentially the essence of food photography.

The photo above speaks about the unseen subject is having a quiet and relaxing time while reading a book and eating his/her breakfast. The book, the toast, the overall look and feel of the photo helps us, the viewer, to step into the picture and imagine what it might be like to enjoy breakfast in solitude.

7. ADD A HUMAN ELEMENT

To make a photo a little bit interesting, photographers add hands, mouth or any part of the body associated with eating food in food photos. I have seen this technique wonderfully used in the past year or so. I think adding a human element can make the photo pop and creates a sense of presence for the viewer. It's like a POV (point of view) kind of photo sometimes.

8. USE BUILT-IN PHOTO EDITING OR APPS USING YOUR SMARTPHONE

With all the challenges posed by photography depending on camera or smartphone used or of course the human factor (the person taking the photo) - not vivid enough, not sharp enough, neede cropping, needs a filter for a little more drama, photo editing apps are heaven sent!

Of course, you have to begin with using a photo that could capture details so clearly and which boosts an ultra-sensitive f/2.0 aperture like Oppo F5. You can then use the built-in photo editing tool to fine-tune your photo. If you are not contented with the beautiful photos and still want to take it up a notch, then a photo editing app is at your disposal. But be cautious in using too much filter - you don't want your freshly-cooked spaghetti to look like it has seen better days. For food it is also advisable to make the photo look softer, just a tad bit increase on the saturation and warmer temperature.

Oh yay! You're still reading up to this point! To reward you for patiently reading this blog post, here's a recipe of gourmet tuyo that I am sure you would love to make again and again because it's super easy and it does not require Masterchef-level skills to make. Ready? CLICK THIS LINK

NOW, WHAT GADGET SHOULD YOU USE?

Now if you want me to recommend a smartphone that you could use to take mouth-watering food photos (aside from the thousands of selfies of course), I would highly recommend Oppo F5 because the built-in camera is just amazing.

Read more about the specs of Oppo F5 HERE. The phone comes in my super favorite color - RED, and it is also available in two other colors:

Do you have other tips and tricks on how to capture the best food shots? I would love to know. Please comment down below so we can exchange ideas. And before I finally end this post, let me invite you to visit my cooking/baking/meal delivery IG feed - FOODINMYLUNCHBOX

Have fun!

#OPPOF5
#CaptureTheRealYou

DISCLOSURE: This is my entry to the Nuffnang PH x Oppo F5 Red Blog Contest. I was not paid to write this blog post but I have a chance to win my very own Oppo F5 in my favorite color. I own a few of the photos featured in this post and some were copied from the Oppo website, as well as HauteStock and Stocksnap.io. There is no affiliate link included in this blog post.

MY MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE WITH A LOVED ONE

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 09:11:00 +0000

If you are a big fan of rollercoaster rides then trust me when I say that being a parent is comparable to a very challenging ride with loops and turns - from the moment you find out that you are pregnant, to the moment that your sense of smell and taste start to betray you, to the times when queasiness or hurling becomes a daily routine, up to the time when your little ones just never stops making a mess at home yet they become everything you live for. Through all these, there are so many memorable experiences that happen along the way but the most unforgettable would be what it was like to give birth. You will never truly understand it completely when you haven't given birth to another human being and arguably it is one of the most underrated experiences known to us.

Childbirth is very common and it happens every second and every minute of the day in different parts of the world, it is in fact, one of the most beautiful experiences that a woman could ever go through. As they say, it is like one of a mother's feet is already in a grave but when you survive it, the profoundness of the experience trumps all the challenges. Childbirth as much as pregnancy should be celebrated because it is not an easy feat to carry another human being through pregnancy and then eventually deliver the baby when it is due.

I personally consider the birth of my little darling daughter, Viktoria Summer, as my most memorable experience with a loved one. Her birth completed me and it was an instant love affair as soon as I cradled her in my arms as soon as she came out of my womb. I did my best to plan for everything from pregnancy to childbirth but nothing could have prepared me for the adventure and fulfillment I felt for bringing her into this world. It was difficult, bittersweet, and extremely fulfilling. I have no words to accurately describe the feeling!

THIS IS MY BIRTH STORY

The birth of my daughter was the happiest and most terrifying day of my life thus far. For one, watching One Born Every Minute while I was pregnant did more harm than good to me (only because I am scared at the sight of blood and needles and all that) and two just the thought of delivering a new human being out into our world is just plain terrifying and too tall an order. I feel I did a pretty good job amidst all the health conditions that I had to go through though and today I want to share with you the story, my story, our story.

Our baby's due date was initially pegged on February 14, 2015 but after my last scan indicated that she was ready to go out and it was a bit risky to wait for her due date because of her size and the other complications and risks that shrouded my pregnancy.

I had three biophysical profile prenatal test to check on my baby's well-being in a span of two weeks conducted by three different doctors - Dra. Sandee Go, Dra. Jocelyn Bambalan and Dra. Christine Tantoco. Baby scored 8/8 on all tests except that her estimated weight was constantly increasing. My OB-Gyn Dra. Karen Alessandra Torredes discussed the possibility of delivering through cesarian section to me on my last visit as I was only 1cm dilated on my first internal exam and then progressed to 2cm after a week and that my cervix is still thick and baby's position is still not birth ready. She recommended natural ways to induce birth such as walking, having sex as sperm contains prostaglandin that causes the cervix to ripen and she also recommended the use of evening primrose oil capsules. See, I had gestational diabetes mellitus so it's a little bit risky to go beyond the 40th week although I made it clear that I really would try to give birth without undergoing a major operation, I wanted to experience the act of "pushing".

Labor Induction

I would usually feel contractions at night - most were Braxton Hicks though but I appreciated each and every contraction. I stayed up late so I can time contractions or I would be awakened by stronger than normal contractions in between baby's kicks and rolls and hiccups. I did basically all the normal things that I do daily and we even went out of town to finally close the deal on the parcel of land that we had our eyes on. When we got home, I danced and danced to induce labor as advised by my cousin, Kate. I was hoping that my bag of waters will break or the bloody show would finally show up as I danced but nothing happened and it looked like baby held on to her position and didn't want to move down.

I was both excited and nervous at the thought of labor because as a first-time mom I really didn't know what to expect aside from the stories of labor that I have read or heard. A couple of days passed and so on February 9, I sent a message to my OB-Gynecologist and told her that I am ready to be induced to labor. As soon as we got to the St. Luke's Medical Center - Global City High-Risk Pregnancy Unit and got our room, doctors and nurses started attending to me and my situation. I was hooked up to an electronic fetal monitor that picked up my baby's heartbeat and recorded the frequency and power of my contractions.

I went in 3cm dilated/40% effaced and with moderate contractions. After about 4 hours, evening primrose oil was inserted to my cervix to hasten it to ripen all the while monitoring my blood sugar level as well. Before midnight, I progressed to 4cm/60% effaced. As I was progressing very very slowly, my doctor deemed it necessary to augment my labor by giving me oxytocin (pitocin). My contractions improved but baby just won't budge as I was still 4cm/60% effaced at dawn of February 10. Just after breakfast, my doctor came by to ask me if I still want to try to deliver normally. I said yes with much gusto and prayed again when she left. I also talked to my husband and that's when we both decided that if around noon there would still be no progress then we will opt to deliver via C-section.

Biggest Decision

When I was checked around noon and still with no progress noted, I finally resigned to the fact that I will be cut open. I was scared and terrified but I have to trust the expertise of my doctor. I just wasn't prepared to go under the knife. I distracted my thoughts by watching TV and talking to my husband, my uncle and my sister. A couple of hours before the scheduled operation, I asked my nurse to unhook me from the fetal monitor so I can shower. I knew I would not be able to shower immediately after the surgery so I was so happy when I was cleared to shower.

Around fifteen minutes before my scheduled delivery (5PM), the anesthesiologist came in to interview me and he asked the usual questions and I had a chance to ask questions as well. At exactly 5PM, I was asked to prep for the procedure (wear a hospital gown, remove all undergarments, and remove all jewelry) and two nurses wheeled me to the delivery room. I was laughing nervously as I said my goodbyes to my husband, sister, and uncle. We entered the room at 5:15 and was promptly transferred to the operating table. I was cleaned up and given spinal anesthetic, which removed the feeling from my waist down. I remained awake while they cut me through to get Summer out. I liked how the anesthesiologist assured me that all is well and that my vitals are looking good. I was staring at the lights above me all the while praying that I will be able to go through the operation successfully and that my baby will be safe and healthy.

"Baby Out"

At 6:03PM of February 10, I heard the doctors announce that baby is already out. I was overcome with emotion and tears started to well up. I cried and cried and the anesthesiologist was nice enough to wipe my tears. I didn't know if I cried silently or I sobbed. I knew my heart skipped a beat at that moment. I still cry every time I remember it.

After 39 weeks and 6 days inside my womb, our "lille smuk pige" Viktoria Summer, finally came - 52 cms long and weighed 7.11 lbs. She was checked, cleaned, weighed and a lot of other standard steps before she was made to latch on to me. I started to tear up again as I kissed my baby daughter for the very first time. I knew she was worth every single medical condition I had to go through my pregnancy. She looked so beautiful, so precious and she is my daughter.

But the ordeal didn't end there, the doctors still had to check Summer's blood sugar level to ensure that she was not severely affected by my gestational diabetes. We were wheeled to the recovery room and that's where they pricked her heel to get a wee amount of blood to check. I was torn when she cried in pain but relieved to know that she is perfectly healthy and that she is not hypoglycemic.

We were both wheeled to our room six hours after birth. I threw up on the way because of the anesthesia and I felt itchy because of the morphine administered to me. I felt so groggy but overflowing with happiness. My husband was overcome with his emotions too and cried as soon as he saw his baby daughter. Oh, such pure joy! We now have our own unit we will call family.

HOW IS IT MEMORABLE?

1. LABOR PAINS AND THE WAITING GAME

I have read a lot of horror stories involving labor pains and since I did not experience the pain on different levels, the feeling of anticipation was just too much for me. I'm lucky to have a very strong tolerance for pain thus if not for the fetal monitors attached to my belly, I could not have known I was supposed to be in some level of pain already. The thing that was memorable about the labor process was the waiting, it took us more than a day in the hospital before I delivered my baby via c-section. It felt like forever waiting inside the High-Risk Pregnancy Unit.

Oh, and yes, this is not meant to scare anybody but it felt like I literally lost all dignity in a day after several doctors had to check on me to see how dilated I am already. I'm sure a lot of moms who gave birth could relate to what I just said. But I couldn't care less anyway, I was just too excited to finally deliver my baby and meet her for the first time. I was ready to fall in-love with her. Then again I take that back - I already love her as soon as I found out that I was pregnant. Every minute seemed like hours already passed. My husband and I had little to no sleep throughout the whole ordeal but we kept our spirits up. We were extremely taken by anticipation. We couldn't wait to hold our baby for the very first time. At the back of our heads, this I am sure, we were thinking about the possibility of complications either to me or Summer. Her blood sugar level was at risk and had to be closely checked and monitored

2. SEEING MY LITTLE DAUGHTER FOR THE FIRST TIME - LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

What could be more memorable than delivering another human being from inside the womb to the outside world?

I still remember that very moment (although I could not remember how I became so yellow in the photo to be honest). The moment I heard my doctor announce that the baby was out, I started to cry. I was extremely ecstatic to see my baby come out. Her first cry were music to my ears. I had to ask if her toes and fingers complete because I felt that she was not well-nourished because I had hyperemesis gravidarum and if you have it, you won't be able to hold down basically anything you eat or drink and that includes the vitamins and other medications I took. Too complicated alright! But that made all these ordeal worth it, it made being a mother for the first time that much special!

I could not recall who handed her to me already. It was all a blur. As soon as she was placed next to me and eventually put on my chest and latched for the first time, it was moments filled with nothing but pure bliss. I felt fulfilled! I felt like I have found my purpose. I was filled with love that I could not even imagine where it's coming from. All I know is that this special little girl will be showered with so much love for as long as I live. No words can accurately describe this feeling, the moment is always magical - something I will never ever forget. Maybe if you are reading this and you want to know exactly how I felt, have a talk with your mom and ask her the first time she saw and held you in her arms.

3. CUTTING THE CORD

My husband did not want to cut the cord. Yes, he was so scared to do it because he did not want to commit a mistake. Up to the time that I was already in labor, he was so adamant not to be the one to cut it and just leave the process to the experts. So imagine my surprise when he was there to cut the cord at the delivery room. I guess his parent instinct kicked in and he mustered all the courage to do what almost every father wants to do to be a part of the birthing process. And so he did, and did it quite successfully.

Cutting the cord signifies the release of the baby from the womb and to welcome our little bundle of joy to the real world. I'm sure this is also one of my husband's unforgettable experience - something that he will always remember, something that will always move him each time he recalls it.

Up to now though he still tells me how happy he is that he let go of his fears and just did what he had to do and be a part of our daughter's birth.

4. HUSBAND WITH FIRST BORN

As soon as I was wheeled to our private room from the recovery room, I immediately requested to see photos and when I saw this photo of my husband holding our little pride and joy, I lost it! I cried tears of joy. Even though I carried Summer for nine months inside my womb, the bond between father and daughter is and will always be undeniably present. This moment right here is something so vividly inscribed in my memory.

I am very blessed to have a very supportive husband by my side while I was undergoing the operation inside the delivery room. He allowed me to rest and he carried our baby through the night and only gave to me when she needed to latch. Though he was sleepless and tired from the whole ordeal, he knew that what I had to go through (being cut open) was not easy.

Seeing this photo always brings me back to that evening of February 10, 2015 - the day of my most memorable experience. I may go through it again or maybe it could be the first and the last but one thing is for sure the experience will never be forgotten. I will always have a story to tell - the story when my daughter's life started the day she was born.

Looking back to that day, I wish my husband carried a smaller camera inside the delivery room. He had a DSLR with him and it was too bulky for him plus he wasn't really into photography so he didn't care about the lights and taking the right angles, composing the shot, etc. In fact, there was a moment that he gave the nurse the camera and she did the clicking. I wish we could have had a smaller camera with a very good resolution to capture the moment.

I guess I know now what to include in my hospital checklist when I have to go through childbirth again. I'm adding #OppoF5 to my list so it's more practical to carry and it would take better quality photos and not capture me looking all too yellow under the operating room lights. For now, I can always use the phone to capture more memories with our little darling who just turned three less than a week ago. #CaptureTheRealYou

A couple of months after I gave birth, I decided to give up my corporate career to be more present for my little daughter. I knew she needed me more than ever in her growing up years and it was a decision that I have never regretted even just once. There are boring moments at home especially when I miss working in an office setting but for now, I just choose to love, be grateful, and be more present in my daughter's life.

Fast forward three years from 2015 and we now have a little toddler that always fill our lives with love. How can you not love this pretty little miss?

Part of the plan for 2018 is to continue making memories and continue capturing memories through photos. I am saving to buy a new smartphone that would deliver excellent quality photos especially so that the little one loves posing for photos already. Just look at her photos during her pre-birthday shoot.

NOW THAT WE'RE DONE WITH MY BIRTH STORY, LET'S TALK ABOUT OPPO F5 RED

The #OppoF5 is nothing short of stunning. First, I am sold with the color RED because if you know me you will know that I love red so much. The AI (artificial intelligence) technology included in the phone lets you take beautiful selfies. With its FHD+ screen you can never go wrong. Its smooth all-around performance lets you seamlessly switch between multiple apps as it is powered by an octa-core processor, along with 6GB of RAM. It also has a 64GB internal memory. Perfect size for storing loads of photos and videos if I may say so. The 20MP AI Beauty Front Camera is arguably my favorite feature. Read more about the phone specs HERE.

How about you? What is your most memorable experience with a loved one? I would love to read what your most memorable experience is. Leave a comment below and let's share life's treasure trove of memories.

DISCLOSURE: This is my entry to the Nuffnang PH x Oppo F5 Red Blog Contest. I was not paid to write this blog post but I have a chance to win my very own Oppo F5 in my favorite color. I own a few of the photos featured in this post and some were copied from the Oppo website, as well as PicJumbo and HauteStock. There is no affiliate link included in this blog post.

MORE THAN 10 PHOTOS THAT WILL MAKE YOU INCLUDE DENMARK IN YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET LIST

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 11:59:00 +0000

While waiting for feedback from a travel agency if they will hire me to write for them, I decided to feature Denmark once again on my blog - because after all, it's my second home country and I've fallen in-love with how beautiful it is the very first time I visited in the winter months of 2013.

I know Denmark is not always included in every travel bucket list but I say you could be missing out on good things or places or experiences for that matter. (P.S. I am not paid to write this blog post so you can rest easy knowing that the words were written with intention and zero sugar-coating at best.)

1. Spend a quiet spring morning inside the Bispebjerg Cemetery under a canopy of cherry blossoms.

A post shared by VisitDenmark (@govisitdenmark) on Apr 6, 2017 at 11:30am PDT

2. Admire the dreamy surroundings on an idyllic drive along the North Jutland coast (canola fields near Hanklit on the island of Mors.

A post shared by Christian Faber (@christian_faber_fotos) on May 15, 2017 at 8:09am PDT

3. And not far from Copenhagen, a couple hours away by car, is this awesome work of nature. Møns Klint is an impressive display of chalk cliffs with a unique flora and fauna. Fossil-hunting is a sure hit when the tide is low below the cliffs. If you plan to bring your drone, make sure to check the schedule as it is not permitted to fly drones at certain months.

A post shared by KT Peralta-Nielsen (@ktnielsen24) on Jul 6, 2017 at 6:05am PDT

A post shared by VisitDenmark (@govisitdenmark) on Dec 22, 2016 at 1:15am PST

4. Experience the Black Sun (Sort Sol). It is called as such because every year in fall millions of starlings gather to fly towards warmer weather and the sheer number of these birds almost covers the setting sun thus the term sort sol was called.

A post shared by VisitDenmark (@govisitdenmark) on Sep 25, 2016 at 11:27pm PDT

5. Poppy fields dot the countryside fields in the summer.

A post shared by KT Peralta-Nielsen (@ktnielsen24) on Jun 25, 2017 at 10:04am PDT

A post shared by KT Peralta-Nielsen (@ktnielsen24) on Jul 28, 2017 at 7:07am PDT

6. A tangible proof that Denmark isn't so dull and dreary after all is Nyhavn in Copenhagen. If you're a fun of love locks then you can lock your love in one of the bridge railings here (although I'm not sure if it's even encouraged). WHY I LOVE NYHAVN IN COPENHAGEN

A post shared by KT Peralta-Nielsen (@ktnielsen24) on Nov 10, 2016 at 3:24am PST

A post shared by VisitDenmark (@govisitdenmark) on Sep 16, 2017 at 4:00am PDT

7. Yes, you have to pack your bags and visit this lighthouse before the cliff where it stands is eroded by the strong waves. The Rubjerg Knude is located 90 meters above sea level. Several meters disappear each year and so before you lose your chance, head on over to Lønstrup in North Jutland now.

A post shared by VisitDenmark (@govisitdenmark) on Jul 29, 2017 at 10:13am PDT

A post shared by KT Peralta-Nielsen (@ktnielsen24) on Jul 10, 2016 at 2:57pm PDT

8. If castles are your thing then you won't be disappointed to visit a few magnificent castles in Denmark. Like the Egeskov Castle in the island of Fyn or the Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød or Hamlet's Castle Kronborg and so many others.

A post shared by VisitDenmark (@govisitdenmark) on Oct 28, 2016 at 2:53am PDT

A post shared by KT Peralta-Nielsen (@ktnielsen24) on Jul 17, 2017 at 10:22am PDT

A post shared by DFDS International (@dfds_international) on Nov 7, 2017 at 4:46am PST

9. Denmark has beautiful architecture - both old and new.

A post shared by VisitDenmark (@govisitdenmark) on Aug 12, 2016 at 11:36am PDT

A post shared by VisitDenmark (@govisitdenmark) on Jul 5, 2016 at 5:56am PDT

A post shared by VisitDenmark (@govisitdenmark) on Apr 29, 2016 at 12:51pm PDT

10. For all the museum junkies - there are several open-air museums in Denmark where you can experience the life of Denmark in the old days.

A post shared by KT Peralta-Nielsen (@ktnielsen24) on Jul 20, 2017 at 8:57am PDT

If you want to get a chance to travel to Denmark for free to experience it's quentessential "hygge", join this advent-calendar type contest now. There are 13 more doors to open - finding hygge in 24 days.

FUN ACTIVITIES FOR THE FAMILY

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 16:46:00 +0000

Our family leans more towards bonding over outdoor activities such as hiking in the forests, walking from our home to the nearest parks in the community and exploring towns and cities we have not been to yet. However, as we have a very unconventional family life, the husband being based overseas most of the year and the weather in the country being either wet or dry, we have to find some fun ways to do whenever we get stuck inside the house with nothing else to do but watch the television, read books or browse the internet.

So what else can we do? I have been cracking my head open lately thinking about fun online activities that every member of the family can enjoy. I am on my screeching halt already as the husband will be coming back again from another short stint overseas within the week.

I see you are nodding. Yep, it is always glorious when the house smells like butter-flavored popcorn and everyone attempts to beat each one to get the comfiest seat in the house before the "pick of the week" rolls the opening credits. Well, as it is, the littlest member of the family always gets to choose which movie she wants to see for the week and the older ones are just but happy to oblige. Without a doubt, this is the best family activity that we have been accustomed to.

Last year I remember how we were all got caught up in playing Monopoly. Everyone got so serious, the games were so intense. I couldn't wait to take out the board game again and as I only won once, I plan to win again the next time we play.

But there are times that we just want to go in our own little corners and enjoy our alone time inside the house. When I am bored, I just go online and browse aimlessly - basically just letting the internet suck me into its abyss. Sometimes, I look for online games to play because hey I've had enough of Candy Crush already.

On the other hand, the husband catches up on his Danish TV shows on his laptop or play his favorite video game and the little one takes out her bag of toys or watch and sing-along to the Moana soundtrack over and over again.

But of course, we want to spend time together having family fun so I've come up with a little list of the games I want to try on a Saturday night or when the weather is unfavorable outside:

1. Dizzy Mummy - this is something that the little one will definitely enjoy and I can see that she would love to participate and be the mummy for this game. I can almost hear her say "Oh my goodness!" already.

2. Stack It Up - race against time to stack up as many Lego blocks as possible.

3. Pie Face Game - this would be super fun for sure.

4. Story Telling - everyone can participate here and would definitely improve public speaking skills. Oh and yes, the more expressive and animated a storyteller is, the better.

5. Online Activities - I love playing the Gordon Ramsay Dash cooking/restaurant app. It's funny how the app has recordings of Gordon's voice. It would be nice to train the brain so a brain training game would be just as fun. But if all things fail and gets a bit boring, then a game of bingo and other fluffy favorites won't disappoint either.

We can also try to teach the little one some age-appropriate lessons using online tools. I'm sure there would be raised eyebrows but to each his own I guess.

Do I have enough in my list to keep the ball rolling for the next three months or so? If you have other ideas, do let me know so we can also try.

EXPLORING FREDENSBORG PALACE GARDENS AND ORANGERY

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Sun, 12 Nov 2017 07:49:00 +0000

We initially planned to be in Denmark for winter last year but we changed our plans to go back in summer instead because we wanted to tour gardens, hike forests, visit beaches and basically just see more greens plus of course we wanted more daylight. Yes, the sun sets at 9PM in the summertime in Denmark and sometimes even 10PM.

One of our must-visit place in our itinerary is the Fredensborg Palace Gardens and Orangery. I've walked around the castle on my first and second trip to Denmark but I've never been inside the castle and the castle church as well as the garden where fresh produce is harvested for the Royal Family's consumption. There were also flowers and fruits as well as fruit trees.

This is the castle's left side and the opposite side where the castle church is. There were some improvements and repairs being done when we were there.

Photography was not allowed when we entered the portion of the castle that was open to the public. I had my camera with me though but I was cautious and stayed on the safe side. I didn't want to be reprimanded or worse fined or imprisoned because of a picture. We were also required to wear a plastic cover over our footwear so that dirt will not stick to the fragile floors and carpeting.

TRAVEL TIP: Watch out for the glass windows where famous visitors inscribed their signatures/names. I saw the signatures of George Bush, Bill Clinton, Winston Churchill and so much more. The Fredensborg Castle served as the place where the Queen receives Heads of States from all over the world thus the tradition.

Queen Margrethe II and Prince Consort Henrik live at the Fredensborg Palace for extended periods of time. This area served as their playground. The location of the palace/castle is really idyllic - expansive greenery and a big lake are nearby. In 2004, the Crown Prince took permanent residence in the Chancellery House. They now live in Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen.

The part of the garden nearest the palace aptly called the Reserved Garden is the Royal Family's private area. They, however, open it to the public every July 1st including the Vegetable Garden and the Orangery. I was so amazed that they had figs and pomelo inside the Orangery.

iVideo POCKET WIFI REVIEW (SINGTEL NETWORK)

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 14:54:00 +0000

I talked to my college dormmates one weekend and we decided to travel to Singapore to watch the Backstreet Boys in concert. It was a rather impulsive decision on our part but I'm glad we indulged our impulsiveness and pushed through with our trip a couple of weeks ago. I took charge of booking our plane ticket and plotting our itinerary and we asked our friend who works in Singapore to source our concert tickets. Some plans out of haste almost always happen.

Everything was falling into place until a situation happened that made me decide to bring my daughter with me to our trip. My friends also started worrying about how we are going to stay connected to our family while there. I then remembered an offer which I was not able to take advantage of when I flew to Europe for the summer and which I came home with a very hefty roaming phone charges as well. I emailed my contact at iVideo for the blogger collaboration and a few days before we left for Singapore they sent me a pocket wifi with an unlimited Singtel data service. Great! It was another item crossed out of my worry list.

WHAT IS iVIDEO?

iVideo is a company based in Taiwan that offers wireless internet access rental for travelers. They offer cheap rental rents for travelers going to Taiwan and Japan and the rest of Asia, North America, Australia and Europe. Rates are multiplied by the flat daily rate thus you don't have to fear about overages. Currently, iVideo offers delivery service in Taiwan, Japan, and the USA. All global WiFi items can be picked up in Japan and USA. Only Taiwan WiFi units can be picked up from Taiwan.

You can view the ful list of iVideo FAQs by clicking this link.

iVIDEO POCKET WIFI PACKAGE

Like I mentioned above, the package sent by iVideo arrived a couple of days in my Philippines address before our trip to Singapore. It was shipped to me by Wavethink Technology Inc as I am not able to pick the package personally at the designated pick-up location as indicated in the pickup notification I received through my email one week before our trip.

The package contained an instruction sheet which detailed the parts of the device and operation instruction, accessories and compensation for damages and loss, iVideo contact information (customer service telephone number, Line ID, QR codes, and iVideo email address). The instruction sheet was written in English and Taiwanese.

The package I received contained an iVideo-branded pouch, the pocket wifi with Singtel SIM inserted inside, 2 batteries, USB cable, charger and back cover.

For the complete process on how to sign-up for an account on the iVideo website should you decide to rent, you may click this link. I signed up for an account, paid a very minimal deposit, and the package arrived at my address without any glitch.

Use my email - kessathea26@gmail.com - when you sign-up as your referrer. Make sure to use promo code ANGZZZMYGDULMWLN to get additional $1 discount on your order. The coupon can be combined with any other existing offer.

OUR iVIDEO POCKET WIFI EXPERIENCE IN SINGAPORE

We stayed in Singapore for 5 days and we connected 4 mobile phones and 1 laptop while there. We mainly used the pocket wifi while outside roaming the sites and streets of Singapore so that means 4 mobile phones (it can support up to 10 devices) were connected at any given time. Yes, there were a lot of free public Wifis in Singapore but I wanted uninterrupted connection and I got that from having my own hotspot wherever I go. I was already connected to the SingTel network even before stepping out of the airplane.

It was quick and easy to operate the device, just power on and search for the specific Wifi network on my phone to connect. Et voila! No more #FOMO (fear of missing out)!

I did not bother checking the internet speed because I really did not experience slowness in my connection while browsing my phone. I also was not able to use the spare battery as I had a power bank with me all the time. We were always on the move and I could not remember losing internet connection even when we were in subways and building basements.

SOMETHING TO NOTE: The pocket wifi model I used in Singapore was almost the same as the model I used in Denmark serviced by Telenor. The big difference however was the cost to use the device. For renting the iVideo pocket wifi device, I could have paid only a few dollars without signing up for a lock-in period while I had to sign-up for a minimum of 6 months contract in Denmark which costed me so much. It was the best option I had though at that time because I have not done any research about the pocket wifi services offered in Europe. I plan to rent an iVideo device when I go back though because I'll save money for sure.

The best thing about renting out an iVideo pocket wifi was I did not have to activate data roaming on my phone and for that I saved Php3600 (around USD70).

WOULD I RECOMMEND iVIDEO POCKET WIFI?

If you are like me that needs to be online all the time, I would highly recommend for you to rent one for your next travel. It is cheap, fuss-free and offers a very reliable service.

iVideo runs 50% off on your entire order regularly! There's also an active special promotion for the monthly device and service rental.

Oh and by the way, should you decide to rent an iVideo pocket wifi on your travel use the hashtags #ivideowifi or #pocketwifi to be featured on their social media accounts.

iVideo
Email: ivideo.en@gmail.com
Website: http://en.ivideo.com.tw
Facebook: www.facebook.com/iVideoWiFi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivideowifi

If you have any questions about how to rent the device, you may visit the iVideo website where an extensive FAQ page is available. If you want to know more about my personal experience, please feel free to leave a comment below.

PREMIUM FONTS THAT I REALLY LOVE USING FOR DESIGN PROJECTS

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 13:28:00 +0000

It has been several months since I shared a round-up of my favorite fonts and now I am back again to share some fonts that I have bought from my most favorite website that offers fantastic premium fonts. We're currently in Europe now thus I have not been able to blog as much as I want to because we have been out and about most of the time. I'm slowly carving out some time so I won't lag so much. So yes, here's the new blog post after more than a month of hiatus.

What I will do this time is to share a few of the invitations that I have designed for my clients using some of my favorite fonts while we are on vacation. Yep, I still find time to work a bit in between enjoying the sights and sounds of Denmark.

1 ADORN POMANDER SMOOTH

The font I used for the names of the bride and groom is Adorn Pomander Smooth. It looks pretty much the same as the handwriting of one of my favorite calligraphers. I love that there are so many freebies included in the Creative Market package as well. The font package comes with alternates, banners, ornaments, frames, and even script catchwords.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK THE FONT PACKAGE

If you want to inquire about the bespoke invitations that I design, you can email me through kessathea26@gmail.com or visit my Instagram - http://instagram.com/ktpaperdesigns. I do not charge an exorbitant amount for my projects. Please send a message of inquiry if you are interested or if you have any question.

I used the font for the monogram and the names of the bride and groom for this wedding invitation in Denmark as well. Danish weddings don't have a long list of principal sponsors and secondary sponsors like in the Philippines. So invitations are usually single page when sent.

2 ISLAND STYLE BRUSHED FONT

The font used for the celebrant's name in this invitation was Island Style. The font lends a very authentic brush script to the project. I love using this font when I work with tropical-themed projects. It looks like my handwriting too.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK THE FONT AND MAYBE BUY IT FOR YOUR OWN PROJECTS

DISCLAIMER: If you click on the links and purchase a product, I will earn 10% of the total purchase price.

YOU CAN FIND MORE CREATIVE FONTS HERE

Please watch out for the monthly calendar that I will be releasing through the newsletter. Enter your email address and get the design goodies absolutely for free every month.

OUR PRAGUE VACATION VLOGS

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 12:50:00 +0000

I'm sitting comfortably on a chair fighting sleepiness here at the Terminal 2 of Vaclav Havel Airport in Prague (PRG). It's been a lot like "sleepless in Prague" for me for the past 3 days. It's not that I did not have time to sleep, it's just that I kept myself awake because I feel like there's just too much to do. Every night, as soon as we arrive in our Airbnb apartment, I settle on the couch and transfer files from my cameras to my computer. Of course, the temptation to edit videos was always too strong that I always had to give in.

I'm going to devote a few blog posts about our trip to Prague but for now, I am going to share with you the vlogs I uploaded to our Youtube channel - VIKTORIASUMMERTV

I hope you enjoyed the vlogs I created. Pardon the noob editing as I am still trying to learn the ropes again. If you have questions/suggestions/observations, leave them in the comments below. Let's engage while I gather my thoughts and write about our trip. Of course, I am going to share photos as well.

Now excuse me as I make my way to the check-in counter as we head back to Denmark where I will be staying until August. We're planning a quick trip to Sweden as well so I hope we would do something that is worth sharing.

THE SUNDAY CURRENTLY: JUST ANOTHER CHILL SUNDAY

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 16:04:00 +0000

Do you just think the weather in Metro Manila now is nuts? One moment it's scorching hot and the next, it's raining cats and dogs. The heat is so unbearable that all I really want is to hole inside the bedroom in the comforts of the air conditioning system. My daughter had fever and runny nose but she's feeling better now. She's still active and jolly but just a little bit clingier than usual. Every time she catches me busy with something, she would run to me and say "Hug you Mommy".

What's keeping me busy right now apart from the meal delivery business, is deciding where to egg hunt this Easter. Summer really enjoyed her first Easter egg hunting last year at the New World Makati Hotel so I am thinking of letting her join another event this year. She might be going as Little Mermaid or Maria Posada of the Book of Life. I'm probably more excited than her to be real honest. Hahaha!

I am currently...

reading the book Grieving The Child I Never Knew. I never expected to receive it anymore because Amazon has already refunded me my money. I never asked for a refund actually. I contacted Amazon's customer service to get an update for the delivery date because it was almost 2 months already since I ordered. They declared it to be lost but just a couple of days ago I received a notice from the post office. I actually did not think that the package contained the books I ordered from Amazon. I thought it was a different package. Should I contact Amazon and let them know that I received my order?

writing the menu for next week's meal delivery. I'm still undecided whether to open or close our business for the Holy Week. Maybe open until Wednesday. I'm still not sure...

listening to the soundtrack of Beauty and the Beast. I have watched the movie twice last week and I am still LSS-ing on the songs. I love it so much!

thinking of buying a food processor. I'm actually half-hearted on this though because my kitchen counters are all occupied now. I probably need to hold off on this a bit more until we move to our house. It's funny that my shopping list now has household items more than dresses or bags.

smelling the bunch of cilantro and the mabolo (velvet apple or velvet persimmon or peach bloom or scarlet fruit) I bought from the organic market today. Do you know that mabolo's smell is often compared to rotten cheese or cat feces? Ewwww! I don't think so. I think it smells pleasant. It actually smells like ripe plum to me.

watching nothing right now. I want to finish this blog post before I marinate the chicken that I will be cooking tomorrow.

wishing that my daughter will be completely healed when she wakes up tomorrow. I have a giant egg surprise waiting for her.

hoping to be able to finish my April budget. It's already the 2nd day of April and I am for sure lagging behind. Priorities need to be checked!

wearing hubby's short and shirt. LOL! It feels so comfy. I guess I just miss him.

loving the smoothies that I have been whipping up for the past couple of days. My favorite so far is the mixed berries topped with dried cranberries and chia seeds.

wanting to go back to Lander's right now and buy the KitchenAid copper pots and pans.

needing a new hair color. I'm thinking of changing my hair color DIY. I might do it tomorrow.

feeling excited for the coming week and feeling undeniably thankful that I won another blog contest. I won Php25,000 worth of gift certificates and sets of OFF! products. I will be sharing the products to my blog readers soon so I hope you will come back and join.

clicking on food calorie conversions websites. I'm looking for the best one to use moving forward.

If you have a blog and you want to let us in your Sunday, join us. Here's my old archive of The Sunday Currently. If you want to join us, click here or here.

Have a safe and wonderful week ahead!

EASTER 2017 EGG HUNTING EVENTS IN METRO MANILA

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 13:28:00 +0000

Last year, we joined an Easter egg hunting activity in a hotel in Makati and my daughter really enjoyed the event. She was only a little over a year old that time. Now that she's a bit older and with considerably improved social skills, I want her to attend another egg hunting activity so she won't miss the fun and games. There will be an activity in her playschool but the theme is carnival/festival so I want her to attend a separate activity that's solely for egg hunting. I'm currently on the lookout for egg hunting events in Metro Manila and I'll update this blog post if I bump into other events. Please bookmark this page as I will keep posting if I see an interesting event schedule.

I can't wait to see my little one's excited grin and huge smile and I can actually imagine how she would shriek for joy when she sees "the EGGS!". If only we have a big yard, I will make this as our annual tradition but since our house is still under construction then a trip to a hotel or malls or even activity centers would be the next best thing.

Here's some of the Easter 2017 egg hunting events in Metro Manila that you can attend with your kids in tow:

MAKATI

PENINSULA EASTER CARNIVAL FUNFARE

Easter Sunday 2017 is family day at The Peninsula Easter Carnival Funfare. Kids of all ages will enjoy a bouncy castle, ring tossing, shooting gallery and balloon twisting. There will also be Easter-themed activities like face-painting, cookie, and cupcake decorating, and other fun games.

Families availing of the Pen Days of Easter room package (hotel stay on April 15 or 16) will receive two (2) complimentary tickets to the event.

Event Date: April 16, 2017 (Easter Sunday)
Time: 11AM to 3PM
Venue: Rigodon Ballroom
Tickets: Php1,000 nett per person
For details, please call Peninsula Hotel on +632 887 2888.

HOLIDAY INN & SUITES MAKATI

Hot Cross Buns, delightful Wonderland Cookies, and a staycation designed for the whole family to enjoy are just some of the exciting offers that Holiday Inn & Suites Makati have prepared for Easter 2017. Come and explore GrINN's Wonderland!

Event Date: April 7-16, 2017
Time: Black Saturday Egg Decor/Movie Marathon 1PM to 5PM / Easter Tea Party 10AM-12:30PM
Venue: to be announced
Tickets: part of staycation package
For details, please call Holiday Inn & Suites Makati on +632 909 0888.

I'M HOTEL

Have an Easterrific time at Makati's newest 5-star hotel! I'M Hotel is located along the corner of Makati and Kalayaan Avenues. This will be their first time to host an Easter Party and the Grand Narra Ballroom will be transformed into a haven of excitement and fun.

The Easter program includes a buffet snack spread by Bloom Restaurant, face painting, nail and towel art, magic acts, and life-sized board games. Entrance is free for children aged 2 and below (as long as they are accompanied by their parents or guardians.

Event Date: April 16, 2017
Time: 2PM to 5PM
Venue: 5th Floor, Grand Narra Ballroom
Tickets: Php1,100 nett/per person
For details, please call Holiday Inn & Suites Makati on +632 755 7888 or email reservations@imhotel.com.

MANILA

DIAMOND HOTEL

It's fun and games for all kids and kids at heart this Easter 2017 at Diamond Hotel! Attendees can get a chance to win Beats by Dr. Dre headphone and speaker in the raffle draw. Join the Easter activities and spend the day hopping from one fun activity to the next. Kids in their Easter-inspired costume will get a chance to win exciting prizes.

Activities lined up are face painting, games, musical entertainment, cupcake decorating, glitter tattoo, loot bags distribution, photo booth and kids' salon.

Event Date: April 16, 2017
Time: 10AM to 2PM
Venue: Diamond Ballroom
Tickets: Php1,000 nett/per person inclusive of take-home snack box (kids 2 years old and below are free of charge as long as they have paying adult companions).
You can buy your event tickets here.

THE MANILA HOTEL

This year will be a truly unique Easter activity for Manila Hotel patrons. This year, The Manila Hotel will be partnering with Mystery Manila.

Celebrate Easter Sunday with your family this year at the #MysteryManilaHotel! All kids (7 years old and above) and adults (13 years old and above) are invited to join the one-of-a-kind egg hunting experience. Whether alone, or with family and friends, it will definitely be a fun afternoon Easter experience. There will be a time-bound game Mystery Manila style and this amazing race adventure will surely be loads of fun - be sure to be mentally and physically-prepared before you participate in this event.

Lucky winners will be receiving these amazing prizes:

1st place – 3D/2N stay at Sunrise/Sunset Suite with breakfast + voucher for lunch/dinner for 20 pax at Café Ilang-Ilang
2nd place – 3D/2N stay at a Superior Deluxe Room for 2 with breakfast
3rd place – Overnight stay at a Superior Deluxe Room for 2 with breakfast

Please see details of the Easter 2017 event above.

BAYVIEW PARK HOTEL MANILA

Event Date: April 16, 2017
Time: 1PM to 3PM
Venue: Bayview Park Hotel Manila
Tickets: Php1,800 nett/per person + 1 kid (includes heavy merienda, food carts, character masters of ceremonies, games, face painting, photo booth, and a loot bag).
For more information, call +632 526 1555 or email bookings@bayviewparkhotelmanila.com

HOTEL H2O MANILA OCEAN PARK

Event Date: April 16, 2017
Time: 11AM to 3PM
Venue: Pacific Ballroom, Hotel H2O
Tickets: Php999 nett/per adult, Php799 for kids lunch and candy buffet. There will also be art activities, magic show, games, photo booth, face painting, and other surprise activities.
For more information, call +632 238 6100 local 106/665/667 or email inquiry@hotelh2o.com

PASAY

RESORTS WORLD MANILA NEWPORT MALL

Easter Barnyard Adventure

Event Date: April 16, 2017
Time: 3PM to 6PM
Venue: The Plaza, 2nd Floor Newport Mall
Tickets: Open to Resorts World Manila guests with kids 4 to 12 years old with RWM mobile companion app installed on their phone
Read about how to qualify and join the event here.

BLUE WAVE MALL

My little one cannot join this yet so I am posting this for the benefit of moms and dads who have kids 5 years old up to 13 years old. This will be a very physical egg hunting activity so better get ready.

Event Date: April 16, 2017
Time: Registration from 10:30AM to 12NN only and event will start at 1PM
Venue: 3rd Floor of the Pavilion Lobby of the BlueWave Mall
Tickets: A single receipt purchase from any store at the mall entitles a shopper to one stub/one slot for the Amazing Race Easter Egg Hunt challenge. Only the first 150 slots will be entertained (first come, first served basis)
Read the flyer above for more information including dress code requirements.

PASIG

MARCO POLO ORTIGAS MANILA

Hop and hunt for egg-citing treats and a day full of fun activities for the little kids as Piccolo Kids Club presents Hop Hop and Away.

Enjoy workshops such as luggage making, and cupcake decorating. Play around and meet new friends at the play area. Watch the amazing magic show and balloon twisting. Paint eggs and hang it on the Easter tree. Have fun in all of these together with an Easter brunch for only Php1,400.

Moms and dads are also welcome to join in the fun! Special gifts will be given to parents who join their kids along with a 20% discount on April 16.

QUEZON CITY

LUXENT HOTEL

Event Date: April 16, 2017
Time: 11AM to 3PM
Venue: Luxent Hotel
Tickets: Php1,299 nett/per person (includes brunch buffet with lots of activities)

For more information, visit Luxent Hotel Facebook Page.

THE SULO RIVIERA

Event Date: April 16, 2017
Time: 8AM to 2PM
Venue: Manasala Ballroom, The Sulo Riviera (Matalino Road, Diliman, Quezon City)
Tickets: Php755 nett/adult and Php550 nett/kid (includes brunch buffet, egg hunting, loot bags, photobooth and other fun activities and giveaways)

For more information, please call +63 924 5051 local 370 or 318.

I will update this space again tomorrow. Please bookmark the page and be sure to come back.

I'm still deciding whether my daughter will go as Ariel of The Little Mermaid or Maria Posada of The Book of Life. Are you ready with your kid's costume?

LIFE LATELY | SIMMERING SILENTLY

noreply@blogger.com (KT Nielsen) — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 13:35:00 +0000

I've been gone for quite a while but I can assure you that I am not abandoning my blog yet again. I am just taking a little break while I tend to a new venture that has given me immense happiness if I may put it bluntly. Cooking and feeding other people makes me really happy inside and now I'm even earning from it so that's double the fun. After all, it isn't so bad to be so busy with something that makes you happy (even if I have to deal with tired ankles after I cook all the food, wipe the stove and wash all the dirty pots, pans, knives and more.

I normally spend about 5 hours in the kitchen - from doing mise en place to storing the food in the fridge before delivery. Five hours isn't all spent actively working. I have a few breaks in between while I check on social media or respond to inquiries. I have managed to cut a finger once but not while slicing. I accidentally grazed a very sharp knife and the knife gave me a small cut and a bloody thumb. But well, malayo sa bituka (Filipino idiom for far from causing death) so I am still alive. I just needed to put a bandage so I can continue working on the roasting rolled oats on the pan.

Here are a few things that I have realized lately:

1. Mise en place is king in the kitchen! - being organized and prepared in the kitchen saves so much time and energy. I put all the ingredients I need for each meal on the counter top and identify if anything is missing before starting to prepare or even before a quick trip to the grocery. I then check which ones needed to be prepped ahead of time. Sometimes I slice vegetables that don't wilt or disintegrate inside the refrigerator like carrots and zucchini before I go to bed so I would just go straight to cooking when I wake up. I have a lot to improve in this department and I am looking forward to applying it in the next weeks to come.

2. I'm a rule-breaker (sometimes)! - I rarely strictly follow ingredient guidelines in recipes. I try to make each dish my own. So you can tell that I always have eureka moments in the kitchen and I've been tempted to give myself a pat on the back but I couldn't do it since I have dirty working hands. Hahaha! Seriously, I only really strictly follow measurements when I am baking but when cooking I go by gut feel, experience, and taste.

3. Clean as you go is the way to go! - To avoid cross-contamination, I always ensure that I use different cutting boards for vegetables, meats, and fish. I wipe down counter tops and ensure that there is no food remnant in nooks and crannies. I do not wait to finish all my task before I start washing pots and pans and all other dirty utensils. I realized that cleaning after I use something makes the whole task a lot easier thus it makes me manage my time, albeit alone, more efficiently.

4. Baking is superior to frying. - When I plan the weekly menu, I steer away from dishes that require frying and I gravitate towards dishes that require baking or poaching. Baking is a lot healthier and it does not make my kitchen greasy and oily plus of course, it allows me to work on the oven and the stove top at the same time.

5. When you love what you are doing, not a day will feel like work. - Does this need any more explaining? As Amy Weber once quipped, "Do what you love and the money will follow." Yes! I do all these #ParaSaPrague!

I'm slowly falling into a routine that will make my job even easier and more efficient. If you are keen to follow my meal prep journey, please visit my Instagram feed - FOODINMYLUNCHBOX. The meal prep delivery business will continue to be small-time and making it big is not yet on the horizon because hey I'm a one-man-team. When we cease operations for our Europe trip, I will try my best to learn Scandinavian and Central European dishes so I can include them in our weekly meal plans. I'm getting more and more excited as each day passes. We will resume the business in September and hopefully our present clients will be more than happy to welcome us back.

Here's our menu for the coming week:

Here's our meal plan for next week. We now accept orders (Makati/Pasay/Manila/Parañaque, BGC, McKinley Hill) with delivery charge. For inquiries, you may send a DM or Viber 09175778432. We will accept orders until 6AM Monday, March 27. #FoodDelivery #MealPrep #CountedFood #CalorieCounting #HealthyEats #BalancedMeals #FoodDeliveryPH #PortionControl #OrganicEats #FoodInMyLunchbox

A post shared by Kessa Thea's LunchBox (@foodinmylunchbox) on Mar 22, 2017 at 7:22pm PDT

Now, excuse me as I need to do a quick inventory of our supplies before I go to the weekend produce market tomorrow to stock up on organic vegetables and fruits. If I don't get all the stuff I need tomorrow, I will have to go to another weekend market on Sunday. I'm just so glad that both markets are very near where I live.

"It's always great to get to do what you love and to do something

that hopefully people will see and love."

Casey Wilson

Have a great weekend ahead y'all!