Christmas Lights Safety Reminders

1. Check the condition of the lights.

• Some experts suggests using new lights every year. Since this may be costly especially for those with big trees, just make sure that the lights are all in good condition.
• Are they still working properly? Are there worn or frayed parts? Are there exposed wires?
• Repair or replace damaged light strands.
• Check if they are indoor or outdoor lights. Never use indoor lights outdoors.
  

2. Avoid octopus connections.

• Connect a maximum of 3 light strands together.
• Use enough extension cords.
  

3. Do not leave a lighted tree unattended.

• Turn off the lights when nobody is in the room.
• Teach everyone in the house how to turn off the main switch in the fuse box.
• Place the fire extinguisher in an accessible area. Make sure everyone knows how to use it.

4. Match your extension cord with your tree.

• Fine! This one has nothing to do with safety.
• Why use a white extension cord when your tree is green?

See also: Associated Content

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Dirty Handbags

(Mrs. G enters the bedroom)

Wow! Fresh bed sheets.

("Psycho" theme plays in the background. Mrs. G looks to the right.)

Shriek! Why is my bag on the bed? And it's beside my pillow!

(Mrs. G faints.)

Whoever put it there has absolutely no idea how dirty that bag is.

I have this bad habit of putting my bag on ANY floor, including public restrooms. I would prefer not too but it is sometimes unavoidable especially with the current condition of most of the public restrooms in Manila. No hooks!

Well, you think your handbag is cleaner than mine? Think again.

Microbiologist Amy Karen of Nelson Laboratories says nearly all of the handbags they tested were not only high in bacteria, but high in harmful kinds of bacteria.

Here are some tips on keeping your bags germless:

• Use wipes (preferably the disinfecting kind) to clean the outer surface of your bag when you get home.
  
• Bring your own bag hook when you go out so that you won't be forced to put your bag on the floor or any other dirty surface.
• Refrain from putting your bag on surfaces where you know food is served or prepared.
• Apply the same rules to briefcases, backpacks and gym bags.
  

Reference: Health Desk and Today

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The Must-Have "IT" Toy for Christmas 2008

Every year, toy companies come out with must-have toys that make parents who fail to get them feel like crap.

Remember the movie Jingle All the Way? Big guy Arnold Schwarzenegger had to fight with Sinbad for the "it" toy, Turbo Man. The movie ended with Arnold becoming Turbo Man, impressing everyone, and securing his title as the coolest and bestest dad in the world.

This year, unless you want to be a real-life Elmo, you better start shopping for ELMO LIVE!



P.S. If Mr. G is reading this, Mrs. G wants one too... uh... for future Baby G!

P.P.S. Thanks to Mrs. P for sending me the link to Elmo Live! Mrs. P already ordered one online.

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Wardrobe Inventory: Dresses

Little Black Dress by Banana Republic















WARDROBE INVENTORY: WEEK 4

DRESSES

The Lucky Shopping Manual suggests the following:

MUST HAVES...

2 Work Dresses
2 Weekend Dresses
1 Daytime Party Dress
1 Evening Dress

ADD...

More Weekend and Evening Dresses

(Note: I combined the Summer and Winter suggestions.)

Don't forget the LBD (Little Black Dress). This is a definite must-have in every wardrobe. Check different styles here.

MY WARDROBE

Thanks to C, I am fully covered in this department. She made me shop for dresses early this year so that I'll stop wearing jeans and graphic tees. Now, I love wearing dresses. No mixing and matching required.

How's your inventory coming along?

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Holiday Planning: Don't Forget Halloween (Week 5)

Photo by Karoli














Holiday Tasks for the Week (5 to 11 October):

1. Continue Shopping

• Shop! I'm done with my Christmas decor shopping. I can now focus on the Christmas gifts.
• Buying a few items every week is easier on the pocket compared to buying everything in one shopping trip (hopefully not the 24th of December). One exception would be if you're buying in Divisoria.
  
• Shopping early prevents impulse and pressure buys.
  

2. Prepare for Halloween

• Don't forget Halloween!
  
• Prepare your candies and decorations.
  
• Start shopping for costumes.
  

3. Buy/Order/Reserve "Must-Have" Toys

• Research. Know what the kids will want for Christmas. I'm betting they are not clothes.
  
• Excited moms and dads are already ordering the "it" toys. Don't be left behind.

4. Organize Your Closet

• When I was a kid, Christmas means new clothes.
  
• Make room for a new wardrobe by throwing out or donating unused and outdated clothes.
  

Note: I'm following the holiday planning schedule of Cynthia Townley Ewer. Check out her website -- Organized Christmas. She just posted great tips on Halloween planning.

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My Divisoria Experience

Photo by dodongflores









Last Wednesday, during the holiday, I went on a shopping trip to Divisoria with my mother-in-law and 2 sisters-in-law.

I had a blast shopping with them! That experience will forever set the bar for my future shopping expeditions to Divisoria. These are the reasons why:

1. No hassle looking for parking. We had a driver so we did not waste precious shopping time trying to look for a parking space. We were also able to go down in a strategic place, between 168 and Divisoria mall.

2. We had a navigator and guide. My sister-in-law knows the ins and outs of Divisoria like the back of her hand. No more aimless walking around trying to look for finds -- she knows exactly where the cheap but fancy stuff are!

Best of all, she knew where to get good food at the 168 food court. She ordered from this Chinese restaurant in the corner (near the restrooms) called Spoon. We feasted on Hot Prawn Salad, Yang Chow Fried Rice, Chili Spareribs, Chami, and Seafood Platter. I never knew 168 had such a fine restaurant.

3. No lugging around our heavy shopping bags throughout the mall. This is the best part. My mother-in-law brought along two assistants to accompany us around. Whenever our hands got full of shopping bags, the two assistants takes it back to the car and then meets us again inside the mall. How cool is that?

I felt so spoiled that day!

I am definitely going back to Divisoria soon but the experience will never be the same.

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How to Tie a Christmas Bow

Yesterday, I was so inspired by the trees in Tamilee decors that I decided to make a Christmas bow. With the gold ribbon I bought on sale last January, I started looping and tying.

My first attempts were pretty horrible. I tried to do it on my own for the around an hour until I succumed to googling for video tutorials.

Thank you Meghan Carter! Merry Christmas.



My Christmas Bow

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