Keep Warm with Peak Performance!

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Winter is finally here... It snowed for the first time last Tuesday but only for a while. The rain that followed after the snow fall just melted all the snow away. Today, the sun is smiling and shining after three days of wet, humid days. But soon, I know that it will snow.. really snow.

The temperature is still mind. It hasn't dropped below zero yet, but still, it IS cold. One should not take any chances and should or better yet, MUST dress warmly especially when going out. This winter, we are ready. We purchased new winter jackets the last time Outlet City Metzingen had their Sonntagsöffener Tür.

We were just browsing through the different stores when we chanced upon Peak Performance. They have a special offer on that day and I fell in love with the off white down jacket. There's also the  purchased winter jackets from Peak Performance Outlet Store in Outlet City Metzingen at a very good price -- for 70% off to be exact.


I recently wore it this week and I don't need to wear layers and layers of clothes anymore! All I have to wear is a shirt inside and then the jacket and I didn't feel cold at all! It really kept me warm and comfortable the entire day, thanks to the high quality goose down and fine fabric that ensures good insulation properties.

More about the Brand:

Our origins – "Passion for sport and nature"

Peak performance was established in 1986 in the Swedish Åre by professional skiers with a passion for sports, design and natural adventure. Today, we are an established international brand, but our values are still the same as when the company was establishment - we live, gather inspiration and develop with the same passion, which remains unchanged. We sum this up with the expression: "Living the Brand".

On our journey we have learned everything about the requirements for the appearance and functionality of clothing and equipment for active people. This has helped to make Peak Performance what it is today.

A constantly growing brand with an international network of independent dealers, own stores, franchise shops and sales in over 25 countries. Whatever we do, Peak Performance's basis will always be the classical "Mountain resort" and associated lifestyle. And we shall continue applying the simple philosophy to our products, which we had when the company was established: to create products that we like and use ourselves.

Why I Love Handmade Shoes...

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I am no stranger when it comes to buying shoes... I am, after all, a woman. I always feel sexy and beautiful each time I put on a peep-toe heel shoe. There is just something sexy and feminine about it. On ordinary days, you will find me wearing sneakers so you can say that it is not always that I buy "womanly" shoes and on those rare occasions that I would, well, I have the tendency to look for handmade ones. Why do I love them? Let me enumerate why...

I find handmade shoes really durable, especially if they are made from genuine leather. Since they are hand-made, you are sure that every detail is made with great care. With proper care, they can even last for many years.

Handmade shoes are meant for your feet. It's like having second skin. They usually do not hurt your soles and heels unlike most commercial shoes do, especially the custom made ones which are really made according to your actual foot measurements.

Handmade shoes reflect your personality. With a variety of designs and materials available, there is sure a pair that will suit your personality best!

Handmade shoes are unique in their own way. You can be sure that no two pairs are the same since each stitch is never alike!

Handmade shoes never go out of style! They will always be classic and sophisticated and that my friend, is something that will remain for many years to come...

Disclaimer: I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

How Do You Stay Connected? Wifi or 3G?

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It is very important for me to stay connected on the Internet. I get in touch with my family and friends through the internet. That is why here at home, we have both wireless and LAN connections so that we have various options as far as connectivity is concerned. And it is not just linking to the internet... Connectivity for me also means being able to link my other devices like the TV, the Bluray player and even my external hard drive to each other for easier multimedia access.

So what are you using? 3G or Wifi? If you don't have a wireless router yet and are dying to get one for FREE, answer the survey from Make or Break and have a chance to win a router,. The winning respondent via raffle will be a E4200- SRP PHP 8,995.



image and product feautures from Cisco Store

Linksys E4200 Features:
Simultaneous Dual-Band N (2.4 & 5 GHz)
Gigabit Ethernet 4-port switch
Maximum speed up to 300 + 450 Mbps
USB port for shared storage
Built-In UPnP AV media server

Get your chance on this router by visiting Make or Break and answering the survey! Good luck!

Vikki Needs Protection

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It has been almost two months now since I got Vikki and I have no complaints. She is perfect and I don't have any problems, except maybe for the times when our Internet connection will go bonkers and I cannot use Vikki to surf the net and do my online tasks. That is of course, not Vikki's fault but our ISP's.

Anyway, Vikki needs protection. Since I wasn't able to purchase my Epiphanie bag yet, I just carry her around in my backpack. To protect her from dust and from shock, I just cover her with my wool shawl. But I know that is not enough so I took the liberty of ordering a laptop that has the same color as her. I ordered it via Amazon and it is from Samsonite. I hope that it will arrive soon so that when I carry Vikki around, I won't have to worry about her getting a scratch.

This is how it looks like on Amazon and fits laptops up to 14.1" display. It is available in two colors: silver and black and of course, I chose silver. If you are looking for a laptop sleeve, you may also like this Samsonite Aramon 2 laptop sleeve. I can't wait to use it on Vikki. I hope it comes soon!

Trolley Backpacks

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It is such an agony for me to carry my backpack. Why? Because it so heavy especially on days when I need to carry Vikki (my laptop) along with my lecture notes and packed lunch with me for my Thursday classes. It is literally backbreaking, my back and shoulder muscles are as tense and hard as a rock.

A friend recommended that I use trolley backpacks instead so that I could just drag it with me and my back won't have to always carry the burden. So I am searching for some good trolley backpacks online and here's some of those that I found:

Product Name: Wander-Full Laptop Backpack with Wheels
Brand/Make: Samsonite
Material: Polyester
Dimension: 38.0 x 25.0 x 50.0 cm
Max. laptop size: 37.0 x 27.0 x 4.0 cm
Volume: 31 L
Weight: 2.22 kg | 4.89 lbs
Handle: Lightweight mono tube handle
Others: Ergonomic shoulder straps, standard zippers, a large, zipped, organised front pocket, two bottle holders, with a limited 2 year global warranty

Product Name: JanSport Trolley Driver 8, 34 Liter
Brand/Make: Jansport
Material: 600 Denier Polyester / 420 Denier Velocity Nylon
Dimension: 21in h x 14in w x 10in d
Max. laptop size: 12in h x 10in w x 2.00in d
Volume: 34L
Weight: 2.2 kg (inclusive of packaging)
Handle: Retractable two-stage handle
Others: Tuck-away shoulder straps to convert to backpack, two large main compartments for versatile storage, padded sleeve fits 15" laptop, front utility pocket with organizer keeps essentials handy, fully padded back panel for cushioning comfort, 80 mm inline skate wheels for stable, controlled motion, front stash pocket, padded grab handle, side water bottle pocket

Product Name: JOSHBAG BoardPack ® Notebook / Laptop Wheeled Backpack

Brand/Make: JOSHBAG

Material: 100% Nylon

Dimension: height: 50 x width: 35 cm x depth: 23 cm

Max. laptop size: length: 39,5 cm x width: 30 cm x thickness: 5 cm

Volume: 35L

Weight: 2.7 kg (inclusive of packaging)

Handle: Retractable multi-stage handle

Others: two large main compartments with zipper, padded laptop sleeve with belt, inside: 2 accessories pockets, removable, optimally for power supply, large front utility pocket with organizer

These are just some of the trolley backpacks that I liked. Let's see what I will purchase in the days to come.

photos: amazon.de

Home Clean Home with Siemens Z6.0

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When we found out that my husband's worsening asthma is caused by house dust mites, we knew it was time to purchase a new vacuum cleaner. We didn't have a vacuum cleaner when we moved to our new apartment. Why? Because our previous apartment was fully furnished and when we found out that we would be staying here for good, we decided to move somewhere else and buy our own stuff.

It took some time for husband to learn that he has house dust mites allergy since it took some time also to get an appointment with a lung specialist. But as soon as we found out, we purchased a vacuum cleaner right away.

It's the newest and most energy efficient vacuum cleaner from Siemens Home Germany, the "Z 6.0 Extreme Green Power". It was fresh in the market and was on promo price when we purchased it. It cost more than our alloted budget for a vacuum cleaner but we bought it anyway. The sales representative made a very good job at demonstrating the product to us and showed us how much we can save on electricity. The product claims a 60% savings on energy costs but that we still have to see at the end of the year. So far, I am very happy and satisfied with this product. It has four modes and is not so very noisy compared to the one I was using before. And it has got a HEPA filter inside the unit that is washable so that you don't need to purchase a new one once it is exhausted. The dust bag is large too, at 5L capacity so I only change to a new one after a month or so of vacuum cleaning. Even my daughter loves to operate it and would insist on doing the vacuuming herself although she is a little too small for the device.

I must say husband's condition is getting better now, with his therapy and of course, a dust-free home thanks to "Z". We are even planning on buying two more units to be sent to our parents in the Philippines so that dust won't be a problem when we come home for a vacation. :D

My PF Sneakers

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I blogged about this new sneakers that I purchased a few weeks back and I was so excited for the day to come when I get it in my possession. Well, I actually got it eons ago. I just wasn't able to blog about it so much.

So how was it? It was really a great addition and a great alternative to my running shoes. But when I first wore it, it was an agony (as is usually the case when you wear new footwear)! Maybe my feet were not so used to wearing such flat sneakers. Thankfully though, the sole was soft and I didn't even get blisters on my feet, especially at the contour of my heels. I also have flat feet so I guess it wasn't such a brilliant idea to be wearing really flat shoes. But the next day, I wore it again and thankfully, my feet no longer felt uncomfortable. I guess the sneakers has adapted to the shape of my feet.

It is now one of my favorite pairs. It is very easy to wear, especially if I need to rush because I am already late for my lectures. Hehe! And in this warm weather, it is not a problem as the material does not feel warm.

I Want An Epiphanie Clover!

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It was 2009 when we took Nikki home, a Nikon D5000 DSLR. She was relatively expensive when we bought her that time but it was a very good buy since we were to take really great photos at a very high resolution. But since then, Nikki always goes unprotected. For so many unreasonable reasons, I still wasn't able to buy her a camera bag or even just a "protective cover" to protect it from bumps, scratches and dust. I guess I have kept withholding buying one and I keep waiting for the right time to come when I can finally buy a camera bag that will suit both her and me.

You see, I want to be a little different and trendy too when so that what I really want is an Epiphanie bag. I have nothing against the tradition camera bag except that they look so masculine. And I really want a "cute girly camera bag". I have known about Epiphanie bags since 2010 and have vowed ever since to buy myself one. It has been more than a year and until now, I still haven't gotten around to purchasing one. There are five different designs to choose from and one that I fancy right now is the new Clover design that is available in pink, grey and turquoise.

The Clover design costs $184.99 and has the following features (Source: the Epiphanie website):

Dimensions (LxWxH) 18x 6.25 x13 inches. Exterior is water-resistant, high quality synthetic leather. Interior crafted with extra padding for maximum equipment protection. Velcro panels can be adjusted and moved to any position for maximum customization and flexibility. Removable cross-body strap with padding for extra support. Two exterior pockets, one with zipper. Zipper top closure, with one zippered interior pocket. BAG CAN HOLD: 1 15" macbook pro with battery cord,1 camera body with lens attached, 1 long lens, 2 extra lenses, wallet, keys, cell phone, and other miscellaneous personal items.

Wow! At this size, it can already hold this much? Is that amazing or what? I definitely have to get this one. Now I must shop! Lol! :D

Finally, A Notebook!

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After much thinking, comparing and long waiting, I now finally have my very own notebook! Want to know what it is? It's a VAIO from Sony. I am loving my new baby. Why? For a number of very good reasons and I am also sure you all will agree.

Vikki, as I would like to call it has a 14" LED Display and is powered by an Intel Core i5 2410M / 2.3 GHz processor that can run as fast as 2.9 GHz thanks to Intel Turbo Boost Technology. The hard drive has a 320 GB S-ATA, which is not a problem since I can easily add on a bigger external drive should I need more data space. I love the color, which is white and the way that the keyboard will light up in the dark, making it easier to work even when the room is not so well-lit. The screen backlight also dims a little to save on power when it detects inactivitiy after a few minutes. Although it is a bit heavy at 2.5 kg, it is still easy to carry around because of its slim design. I also have no problems with Internet connectivity because it connects so fast. It also has bluetooth connectivity so you can easily synchronize your smartphone and other gadgets. It runs on Windows 7 Home Premium and is bundled with a bunch of other software. One can also easily connect to internet via the "WEB" key. With a battery life of 3.5 hours, this notebook could go a long away.


Now I don't have to worry about missing assignments and tasks especially when we go out of town because I can carry my computer with me. And I won't have any more excuse for not updating my blogs, except maybe during our examination period.


I am happy with my Vikki. And I intend to use it as much as I can. :D Have you got a VAIO too? How was it?

Sneakers, See You Soon!

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I have been itching to buy me-self some much needed sneakers. My running shoes are not that very comfortable and not that very chic to wear to the university on a daily basis. As a rule, sneakers are for daily wear and running shoes are well, for running or any other sports activities. I would always get some "look" each time I am seen wearing one. There is nothing wrong really with a pair of running shoes but sneakers go better with those good old jeans, even skirts of shirt dresses.

So I decided to buy myself a new pair of sneakers. I initially wanted this white Lacoste Marcel low sneaker online but I just find it very pricey. A pair costs €79,99 at Zalando.de, with free shipping. So I searched some more and finally decided on this PF Flyers Center Low retro shoes which I found at Sneakerhead.com which costs €56,77 inclusive of international shipping. I am excited to receive it. I already received an confirmation email saying that I will receive it at the end of the day of May 30. I am uber excited! I just hope it fits perfectly. Mal sehen.

Well Hello, Spring!

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Whoa! It has been a while since I updated this blog of mine. I've been very busy this month due to my Final Exams. It's not over yet though as I still need to take the last one next Thursday but just thinking about it almost being over gives a smile on my face. I can almost say, YES!

And yes, there's enough reason to smile and celebrate than just the fact that the exams are almost over. Spring is finally here! The days are definitely warmer and the entire week has been clear and blue skies. I wanted so much to take my camera out and take some spring photos. Perhaps we will do that on Sunday. I need a model and my little girl is the perfect one.

And when I was out this morning to go to the bank, I went window-shopping on the side. Browsing at the newest collections, and the various items on sale, I realized that my wardrobe is so outdated and that I need a makeover. Lol!

And there are so many things that I fancy buying. If only I had more than money to buy all these needs. Not just for me, but for my family and our little home as well. And so while browsing through home accessories, clothes, shoes, and leather goods, I hit on something.

A realization actually. And that is what this blog should be all about. I have been thinking about I would really like to do about it since I myself am confused over what to do write and blog about. Then it hit me. I really love to go windowshopping. In German, they call it "Schaufensterbummel", a very nice beautiful word, well at least for me. So there. I think in the incoming posts, you will read about beautiful stuff that made me amazed, thrilled, envious, wishful, shocked, surprised, happy and thousands of other emotions I could not even describe.

I guess that's a good head start for spring, don't you think?

Will Skinny Jeans Look Good On Me?

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Skinny jeans hug the body through the hips and thighs. They are meant to flatter your silhouette by poviding a "slimming" effect, so pick this fit if u want a pair of jeans that creates a youthful look.

I have always loved people watching especially when I am in high pedestrian-traffic areas. I get to see different people from all ages and sizes and I get an idea on what's trendy these days, no matter what body shape and size you may have. I have been seeing women wearing skinny jeans but I am not sure whether it would be the right kind of pair to buy. The problem: I have a big booty and wide hips so I am not sure whether it will look good on me or make me look heavier. Another problem area is my tummy so I need to wear something that will help tuck them in.

I am actually considering taking a girl friend that next time I go shopping for clothes. That way, I will have somebody who will advice me which one looks good on me and which one doesn't. Maybe I will try on a few skinny jeans and see how I look in them. I am also considering shopping online. There are lots of nice styles that I see on the Internet but I don't know how I will look in them. But then again, I can always return the item within 14 days if they don't fit me or if they don't look good on me.

Tamaris Wedge Pumps

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Love shoes? I know I do... aside from the home department section, I always find myself checking out shoe shops for some great bargains and nice designs. I so wanted to own a pair of wedge pumps and although I would only be able to use them occasionally because I am more of the sneaker-type of person, I think it would be nice if I have a pair ready. I have been searching far and wide and I guess my searching is over because I found a pair online.

Isn't she a beauty? It is from Tamaris and is made of soft genuine leather, has trendy wedge heels and a heel height of 40mm or around 1.5 inches, which is the heel height that I can tolerate. This particular design is available in three colors: pepper, blue and gray. This will just be perfect for me, don't you think? Should I order now or not... Hmmm.... I'm thinking, I'm thinking...

Google TV = Smart TV

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Google has got another product that is going to revolutionize your television experience. Introducing Google TV. It's TV, apps, search and the entire web together at last! Currently, there are limited websites that you can access on your television like YouTube, Picasa Webs album, among others. But with Google TV, just about anything is right at your fingertips.

If you want to know more about the wonderful features of this new product, below is a Quick Tour:

Cool isn't it? So how do you get Google TV? You have two options:

Option 1: Get a standalone TV. The Sony Internet TV valued from USD599.99 to be exact. It boasts as the world's first and only HDTV powered by Google TV that gives you easy access to more entertainment than ever.

If you recently bought an HDTV and find it impractical to purchase another one, there's

Option 2: Get a separate box to use with your existing HDTV. You can get either the Logitech Revue with Google TV valued at USD249.99 or

the Sony Internet TV Blu-Ray Disc Player valued at USD399.99.

Want to learn more about Google TV? Find out more here.

Vitamin D: The Key Vitamin You're Probably Lacking

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 According to a demographic study, 

over 70% of Americans have insufficient blood levels of Vitamin D*.

Vitamin D3, popularly known as the "sunshine vitamin", is essential for strong bones and teeth. Why is it so important? Because it maintains your calcium balance, aids cellular differentiation in the body, boosts the immune system, play a role in the secretion of insulin, and regulates blood pressure.

Unfortunately, the active form Vitamin D3 does not naturally occur in foods so that getting enough of it can be a challenge. How to boost your levels?

Take a daily supplement. While vitamin D comes in two forms, vitamin D2 and vitamin D3, vitamin D3 is the most effective for maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D in the body. The recommended daily vitamin D dosage is 400IU. So be sure that the Vitamin D supplements you are taking contains at least this much Vitamin D3.

Eat foods rich in vitamin D. Very few foods in nature contain Vitamin D. These include fish (specifically salmon, mackerel, sardines, and oysters), vitamin D-fortified cereal and orange juice, spinach, tofu, and dairy products such as vitamin D-fortified milk, cream, and cheese.

Soak up some rays. Try to spend about 5 to 15 minutes in the sun without sunscreen, three times each week, being careful to avoid overexposure. Of course, this might not be practical in cold weather, in which case you should turn to foods and supplements.

* Demographic Differences and Trends of Vitamin D Insufficiency in the US Population, 1988-2004. Adit A. Ginde, MD, MPH; Mark C. Liu, MD; Carlos A. Camargo Jr, MD, DrPH Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(6):626-632. 

The Worst Dressed in the Golden Globes 2011

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I love to look at Hollywood stars all dressed up in their thousand-dollars-worth gowns for one of the most prestigious awards night known to man, the Golden Globe Awards. And I can't help but say Oohhh for those who dressed up so well and a big Uh-uh! for those who don't fit well in their designer dresses.

Of the many stars who glammed up for the night, here are some of those who made it to the Worst Dressed List:

January Jonesd in a bright red peekaboo Versace gown, which is made entirely of flowy fringe with some dangerous cutouts.

Julian Moore in a hot pink Lanvin gown. The color is bold, but the shapeless, strangely asymmetrical style is just screaming "worst."

Helena Bonham Carter sporting her signature wild hair, a mess of a Vivienne Westwood dress and mismatched red and green shoes.

Natalie Portman  in a Viktor & Rolf pink satin dress. The pastel pink is great, but the sequined rose is uninspired at best.

Jennifer Love Hewitt in an icy pale blue Romona Caveza gown with a fussy flyaway top and a too-high hairdo. 

Jennifer Lopez in a bright white Zuhair Murad dress. The sheer bedazzled bolero ruins any positive buzz she had going.

Leighton Meester in a blah Burberry Prorsum gown. The muted colors, long sleeves and a very modest slit put this unflattering and un-wowing look at the lowest point on the list.

Tilda Swinton in a Jil Sander champagne skirt, white shirt and pink pumps.

Halle Berry in a black Nina Ricci dress.

These I gathered from various sources on the Internet. Who's the worst dressed for you? You be the judge!

Refreshing Honeysuckle for 2011

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Yes, it is official. Pantone has finally announced it's 2011 Color of the Year and it is HONEYSUCKLE or technically, Pantone 18-2120. Why Honeysuckle? Because it is "a color for all seasons".

Courageous. Confident. Vital. A brave new color, for a brave new world. Let the bold spirit of Honeysuckle infuse you, lift you and carry you through the year. It’s a color for every day – with nothing “everyday” about it. Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.

It is believed that energizing honeysuckle lifts spirits and imparts confidence to meet life's ongoing challenges.

If you are up and ready to face the challenges of the Year 2011, a little boost of confidence by wearing on a flash of honeysuckle here and there will probably do wonders. I remember having almost this color for my wedding motif last 2007 and it was really kind of symbolic to us who are just having a fresh start at married life. 

If you are looking for some trendy fashion, here are some designs to add to your wardrobe:

I may not be that fashionable but I must say, this color is great!