Flair Candy » Life

On Being Beautiful

Hannah — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:20:59 +0000

A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely. ~Roald Dahl

Just a quick thought for today. I’m so inspired about David Archuleta’s positive outlook on life. He brightens up the room. His positivity is contagious. No wonder his fans are very supportive of him. Beautiful, inside and out.

Follow his journey here in the Philippines at FollowArchuleta.ph

Now, it’s your turn to spread the love and hate no more

2012 Planners!

Hannah — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 04:09:04 +0000

Are you the type who uses digital planners instead of the old fashioned Pen and Paper?

I tried to attempt using digital planners since I have my phone with me ALWAYS! But I’m old fashioned and I stick with pen and paper. How about you? Let me know what you prefer and why…

If you haven’t decided which planner to use yet, here’s a list of the good ‘ol fashion Pen and Paper planners:

1. Entrep Planner 2012

It has business tips like how to register a business in the Philippines.
It includes a Tax calendar.
It also includes success stories and testimonials from renowned business people.

This planner is now on 30% off via Buyanihan.

2. Seatle’s Best 2012 Planner

The one I currently use
It includes coupons to free drinks.
It includes fun stickers!
24 hours wi-fi mini coupon
It has a month-calendar view and a free space for notes
Note: no daily view, but it suits me well because I need notes more and the calendar view to go with it.

3. Bo’s Coffee Planner 2012 “The Coffee Book”

Also has a month-calendar view
with free space for notes
simple yet compact

4. Sun Life Financial Planner 2012

the planner aids you in achieving your goals
has a Financial tracker of your goals and expenses

5. Belle de Jour 2012 Planner

Stay organized in school or at work. This planner is a chic carry-on!

6. Starbucks Planner 2012

I’ve been hearing good feedback about this year’s Starbucks Planner for 2012

I know there’s more, but I’ve only highlighted these ones that I have browsed through myself.

What do you have for this year?

Life Lessons: A Flair for Financial Freedom

Hannah — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 02:04:57 +0000

Failing to plan is planning to fail.

I have always been a believer of being prepared when it comes to school, work, my daily activities, my own health and even with relationships. I have prepared my mind to stay in a very conservative state of mind. I believe that I don’t have the power to control events, other people’s actions and reactions and the opportunities or chances that come and go my way. But one thing is for sure – I am capable of controlling my own self.

The only constant thing in life is Change.

I can only plan ahead, and I like to plan for the worst to happen. I can only be flexible and adjust to the changes that happen in my life. I believe that preparing for change (which always happens) is the best thing anyone could and should do. I got this after reading “Who Moved My Cheese.”

I highly recommend everyone to read this – students, office people, moms, dads, everyone!

My first career as some of you might already know is Accountancy. We studied the art of balancing for years! Am I good at it?

yeah, you can say that I’m good at balancing

On a serious note though, life needs a balance of everything. You need to spend time for a little bit of work (for some, maybe a lot ), for your hobbies, for your loved ones, and for yourself. You also need to balance your money. Simply put, you need to know how to balance what you’re earning and what you’re spending and of course, what you’re saving. And I know that’s not a simple task.

I think the biggest challenge anyone of my age has to face nowadays is the transition from being Daddy or Mommy’s little girl (or boy) to an independent woman (or man) and totally learning to live by your own means. By the time we hit our 20s, it is imperative for us to learn the ropes on how to survive and manage our lives not just emotionally, mentally or psychologically but all the more, financially.

Case in point: myself. Talk about thinking where I’ll get the money to pay for my monthly bills! – lots of bills! And on top of that, I have tons of expensive hobbies that will definitely exhaust my wallet if I don’t manage my expenses well. I also happen to own a car (a gift from my mom) and I am grateful for such a luxurious gift – but I also have to pay for maintenance and everything else. Most of you ask me – “How do you do it Hannah?”

All the credits go to my mom.

My mom is pretty but sorry guys she is already taken!

I studied college without any worries because my mom got me an educational plan when I was born. I have been freelancing for two years now but she keeps on reminding me to pay for my SSS, Philhealth, and Pag-ibig to make sure I have some source of fund in case of the unexpected. She also opened a bank account so that I can put aside a part of my allowance for my needs.

I learned to prepare for the future from my mom. She taught me the value of saving up for my needs at an early age – whether it be in a bank account, an educational plan, an investment account or an insurance plan. I know most people shy away from the word “insurance” right at the minute they hear it but I believe that insurance is a necessary expense. Life insurance, in particular, secures your loved ones future in case something bad happens to you. Imagine, if you were the breadwinner of your family and an unexpected event happens. That will not only take a toll on the bereaved’s emotional and psychological health. It will definitely take a toll on their finances as well. A lot of families have to lower their standards of living just so they can make the ends meet.

But don’t think that insurance is only about death. In fact, there are a number of insurance plans you can purchase as a savings or an investment plan which can give you cash benefits while you’re still living. In fact, there is even a potential to gain higher returns with these than your typical bank savings account.

You can read more about the Three Most Often Ignored Necessary Expenses at my friend Fitz’s blog (i.e. Emergency Fund, Insurance, Retirement Plan).

I learned all about these from my mom, but my mom learned the hard way. When I was 2 years old, tragedy struck – my dad was diagnosed with cancer and needless to say, we weren’t expecting it. Nor did we prepare for it. We were able to financially support the treatments and medications he needed then but it would have definitely helped if we had other liquid sources of funds that time.

Today, there are health and critical illness plans offered by insurance companies that cover for hospitalization expenses and pays out a lump sum upon diagnosis of a critical illness, such as cancer, heart disease and many others.

Take Connie Dizon, for example, a cancer survivor and a Philam Life policyholder. She had everything going her way – she ran a successful business; she takes care of her mother; she was generally happy with her life – until the day she found she had Breast Cancer.

Buti na lang, she bought a plan from Philam Life that helped her with her hospitalization expenses. Today, she is in remission and is back to running their family business.

Like Connie, you can easily prepare and save up for these unexpected events with the right advice and the right plan from the right company. The cheapest health plan you can actually get is Philam Life’s Cancer Life Shield. This plan pays out a lump sum amount, say P1M, upon diagnosis of the illness. This money can definitely help you be on your road to immediate recovery.

Connie is just one of the many fortunate people who benefited from planning ahead. Real people with real plans – stories of those who had the foresight to plan ahead for their and their family’s future. You can read more about them in the links below.

*click image to enlarge and read

I hope you are all enlightened in someway on the value of planning ahead and would soon start your journey towards Financial Freedom. You can take small steps at a time but once you get the hang of it, you can venture to get more out of your money! Remember, you can make your money work for you instead of you working for your money.

So here are a few guidelines on how to start planning for your future. Most are based on my experience, but don’t forget to share your own tips on the comments below!

Be a Financial Flair

1. Be curious, Be aware, Know

This is your life and your future we are talking about. Be curious. Why are other people successful in managing their money? What is their secret?

Be aware that you too can learn how to manage your finances and make your money grow.

Know. Know how to do this, read about financial literacy and learn about money.

How to Sync iCal with Google Calendar

Hannah — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 08:47:11 +0000

Every since I bought my MacBook Pro as a gift for myself on Valentines, my life has changed – in better ways and frustrating ways. Until now I am not that used to using it as compared to Windows platform which I have been using my entire life. I must say though, it hasn’t failed me in speed especially with photo and video editing which I heavily need – and running multiple applications!

My problem recently is how to sync all of my calendar in different places into one.

That’s what cloud is for right?

I want to be able to use Google Calendar and sync it everywhere – my android phone(s), my macbook, iPad and Blackberry Playbook. And if ever I am away from all of these, I can still access my calendar as long as I see a PC (mobile or desk) and an internet conenction.

Now, my problem is – how to sync iCal with Google Calendar?

I know I can sync the calendar to my iPad – but not on my mobile phones… and I don’t want to use multiple calendar platforms – I want to use only 1 Google calendar.

And thus the question: How to Sync iCal with Google Calendar?

If there’s a will, there’s a way! And here is the solution:

http://www.google.com/support/calendar/bin/answer.py?answer=99358#ical

Ta-da!!! I love it!

And I am syncing all my calendars because I’ve gone crazy with my schedule. I use multiple calendars (the physical notebook planner and digital) and it’s a bad habit! So I put my calendar into one server but at the same time I can access it everywhere!

Also, I am going to have a new job which I am very excited about. But I know for sure that it will be a stress fest – but it’s one that I need to channel my creativity and extort my workaholic mood. So this calendar, is a start!!!

TAFN,

xoxo Flair Candy

Pride

Hannah — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 06:14:06 +0000

Pride ruins relationships. I don’t know why people cling to this. Most of the time, when I argue with someone, I am the first one to swallow my pride. I know better now than before and I know that it’s just pointless to keep it there.

I mean pride in a certain amount is ok, sometimes it’s good. But too much of something is just not good at all.

It’s such a heavy feeling and literally, it can put me emotionally and physically down. It’s such a stress.

It’s best to just pause, breathe deeply, clear my thoughts for a while and think slowly… Think on what matters most and what makes sense.

If I bother putting down my pride just to save my relationship with friends, family and loved ones – that means I really care about you guys.

If I don’t bother, that just means you’re not worth my time and ignore you.

So do know that when I say I’m sorry, put down my crown of pride, go up to you and talk it out… That means I care about our relationship.

And some points to ponder on. I know pride lingers in everyone, but think about it

“Temper gets you into trouble. Pride keeps you there.”

“A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you’re looking down, you can’t see something that’s above you.” – C.S. Lewis

“No one ever choked to death swallowing his pride”

“In general, pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes.”

Greetings From Bacolod

Hannah — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 08:55:04 +0000

I haven’t been home for a while therefore we cut of our internet connection so I have no internet at home.

Sorry if I can’t update Flaircandy for this week, but I am doing some job here teehee

Anyway, just letting you guys know.

Will be back soon!

Taken at Bascon Cafe near my college school University of St. La Salle

This was my favorite hang-out place 3 years ago! I’m glad it’s still here and packed with students

I bought an oil-based angel pasta dish with tomatoes, olives and anchovies for only P130 and a yummy Coffee Machiatto for only P55

Ciao! till next time!

In the meantime, check out me and Vince’s poster on Easy-Phamax

We love wheatgrass and we are drinking it for life!

Juggling Elephants

Hannah — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 01:03:01 +0000

Earlier in one of my blog posts I mentioned how I miss reading again. Earlier this year, I also felt the quarter life crisis kicking in and I felt so depressed and confused but at the same time overwhelmed with the things that I need to do and the tasks that I needed to accomplish.

My concerned boyfriend though I should read books again and suggested this book to me:

Juggling Elephants.

This book is all about running your own circus instead of it running your life. This book teaches how you can do the most important things in the three rings of your life: work, relationships and self.

It teaches you to balance things within the different rings, to know which tasks you need to prioritize and of course to never forget to set time for yourself too.

This book was very enlightening and I read this book in 2 days. I read it in transit (on plane) to and from Palawan. It’s an easy and quick read and I know this will help you too.

You can buy it on Amazon books for your kindle or at any bookstore near you. I have a kindle for Android and iPad and I have been buying books from the kindle bookstore because bringing these books in digital form is so convenient. I can read from my phone or iPad. SWEET-ah! You can buy this book below

Where I Get My Inspiration

Hannah — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:44:23 +0000

Today is a very wonderful day! A very touching incident just made my day and it reminded me of why I continue to share my experiences on this blog

I get emails here and there from readers asking further questions about my blog posts on my travels, food blogs, fashion and beauty thing-a-majigs and many other things. Sometimes I get feedbacks or comments from readers around the world thanking me for sharing some blog posts I have. But that’s about it, sometimes they say thanks, sometimes not all good… but anyway, today… I have never been so touched with what I read earlier.

Today, Garnier Philippines just launched their “Bright Eyes” music video featuring different ladies, mostly Garnier fans on facebook, who live different lives and different careers. Other than us being fans of Garnier on Facebook, we have one thing in common – we are REAL ladies, and we work hard for what we want. You can see the determination even with the making of the music video. In my experience, shoots usually take long and often extend on late hours. Most of us stayed late for the shoot and I know shooting videos could be tiring for everyone including the directors, the talents and the technical staff, but the result is all worth it seeing the final music video and knowing that this could help inspire some *girl power* vibe to everyone.

Watch the video here.

Today, Garnier officially shared the video to their fans on Facebook. I visited the page and saw Hazel and Jonha’s sweet comments. It’s such a big deal to me and I feel great that someway, somehow, I can make a difference.

And with this, ladies and gentlemen, I am inspired. This is where I get my inspiration from.

I hope that with the many happy things I share, I also inspire many girls to follow their dreams because once upon a time, I am a dreamer, but then… I woke up and live it! Just work hard to be who you want to be because there are no shortcuts in life. Every successful people I know, actresses, businessman, athletes – they work hard to keep their dream real. They don’t just sleep like a monkey

And so, dance if you want to… work on your voice if you want to be a singer, take guitar lessons, learn how to fly a plane. If you don’t have money to do this, work hard, save for it or apply for scholarships. And when you finally live your dream, maintain

And now, I share this inspiring quote. It’s my boyfriend’s favorite quote by Steve Jobs.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Bounce Laundry Shop in The Fort

Hannah — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:35:53 +0000

Hey guys, I know there are not a lot of Laundromats in The Fort. My friend just opened one and do check it out and have your laundry done here if you live in The Fort. Or, for those who work in the Fort, you can have your laundry done here too

Bounce Laundry is a Full Service Laundromat located at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. They provide professional laundry and dry-cleaning services to their our customers and offer a convenient and hassle free domestic services enjoyed by even the most stressed executives in Manila so that you can have …A PEACE OF MIND…

STORE HOURS:
Mondays to Fridays – 7AM to 9PM
Saturdays to Sundays – 9AM to 7PM

SERVICES OFFERED:
Wash-Dry-Fold
Wash-Dry-Press
Dry Cleaning
Pressing Service
Stuffed Toy Cleaning

ADDRESS: Unit 2M Kensington Place 29th Street corner 1st Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
CONTACT #: 0917-8822269 or 5867989

Boredom, Blizzards and Idiots

Hannah — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 05:45:06 +0000

Our lifestyles have changed over time. Most of us can’t stand doing nothing at one certain time. We tinker on our iPads, cellphones and laptops when we’re idle and waiting. I hate lines in the bank. Some banks don’t allow the use of cellphone, so I wait in line for 15 minutes doing absolutely nothing. O_o

On the other hand, some great things sprung from boredom.

For instance, this blog of mine was a product of boredom. I never would have imagined blogging to be a very big part of my life 2 years after I started it – and I was just bored.

Just recently, some guy in Astoria New York City, probably just got bored by staying inside the house with a blizzard going on the Upper East Coast. So, he went out and documented the blizzard. Right now, his video is going viral and is trending in Twitter and Google. Life gave him lemons and he made a lemonade out of it. He was bored, and he did something spontaneous, and now, his home-made video/documentary, is sought after. Making the most out of a bad situation and boredom The short film is called Idiot with a Tripod by Jamie Stuart.

Idiot with a Tripod by Jamie Stuart

To all of you who are saying “I could do that too” or “I was thinking of doing that too” – well, the difference between you and Jamie Stuart is – he’s bored and he’s a DO-er His videos are being posted everywhere – YouTube, Vimeo etc. and is going viral and is everywhere

Be inspired.

Being bored and doing nothing for once, can be very calming and inspiring.

Just a thought before I say good bye to a very great year – 2010. Thank you for making it great.

2011 – Bring it on baby!