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GOOP by Gwyneth Paltrow gives me a glimpse of the lifestyle of an A-list celebrity in her very own words, through six simple categories - Make. Go. Get. Do. Be. See.

During its launch, this simple and very interesting website met reservations and criticisms from the press, prompting its creator to make a statement when asked about GOOP's tagline 'Nourish The Inner Aspect'. Gwyneth defends, "because I felt like I had a lot of really useful information that I was privileged enough to get, because I have this amazing, super, fortunate life."

After being a regular reader of GOOP, I must agree. The places she has seen, the people she meets, and the life she lives are fascinating. If anything, after reading her weekly newsletter, Gwyneth Paltrow makes me feel one of her gal pals, who is only too happy to know her thoughts on living. I say kudos and keep the GOOP coming!

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I love the beach. And this is entirely my parents' doing. For as long as I can remember, our week-ends and vacations were spent visiting the shores in various parts of the Philippines.

When my parents prospered, they acquired an ocean front property in Anilao, a coastal destination at the southeast tip of Batangas. I spent a lot of summers learning how to snorkel by the rocky coast, and once I was used to it I could stay in the water until sunset, or when my parents began to worry. We also sailed to the nearby Sombrero Island, which had a beautiful white sand beach. The coral reef was breathtaking, but I was careful not to stray too far from the shore with the sharks dwelling nearby.

Besides being in the waters and listening to the waves, birds, and the wind, I have become very fond of collecting items, such as shells, corals, stones, and other gifts the beach had to offer. The trinkets I amassed were stored in a secret place in the beach house.

Through the years, as I got older and had acquired other interests, our family visits to Anilao were fewer and farther in between . I took it for granted that I had time to one day retrieve my treasures. Unfortunately, that day never came as news of my summer mecca was recently sold. My collection was lost.

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I love browsing at Ornamentea, which I consider to be a  perfect one-stop destination for any jewelry crafts. It offers beautiful, but very easy to make, tutorials that you can follow and embellish according to your personal taste. You can even do print outs to share or keep for future use!

I am also a regular reader of their 'Shiny Little Things' blog, where more video DIY projects, freebie contests, and inspiring creations are shared.

For supplies, you can look no further because Ornamentea offers this too! From beads, rings, pins, and other jewelry parts, they have it all!

The only caveat is not being able to avail of their personalized lessons, so for those who live in Raleigh, North Carolina you are definitely in luck! Ornamentea offers weekly classes and various craft clubs you can easily participate in. Fortunately, they share much on their website, and stopping by there makes me feel like I am in their store!

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Ever since my daughter started going to school she always told me what she wanted to do when she grows up.

And it changes every year. Initially she aspired to be a teacher after volunteering to help one of my close friends set up her classroom. Then a role in a musical came her way, and she has since changed her mind to instead become a performer, whether it be a singer, dancer, or actress. But later on, when she was asked to walk the ramp in a fashion show, she was instantly dazzled by the world of fashion design! And she was serious about this too. She kept notebooks of fashion drawings, was addicted to Project Runway, and even asked my Mom to teach her how to do basic sewing. She also refused to let me shop for her clothes. And to be fair, she did always have her own sense of style, which fortunately did not contradict my idea of tweens' attire.

In the last two years, however, I did notice our conversations about her future aspirations were becoming a bit more serious. She changed her mind about fashion design, and had since thought about becoming an author, a film director, and a pastry chef, consecutively. The last occupation was intriguing as I find my daughter baking at least three times a week and supplying the cakes, cookies, and cupcakes at every family event we attended. The goodies she concocted were delicious and there were a lot of encouragement for her to start up a small baking business. I, on the other hand, became intrigued by the idea.

What if for every interest my daughter pursued I could teach her how to turn her hobby into profit? Wouldn't this be an engaging way of teaching her entrepreneurship and responsibility?

But how do I even begin?

Fortunately I had a chance to read Kenrya Rankin's 'Start It Up: The Complete Teen Business Guide to Turning Your Passions Into Pay'. Although it is definitely a very good resource for teens, Even adults wanting to start their own business can find it an interesting read too. More importantly, I believe it is a good tool for parents to help their younger children understand how a business works and why it can be a fun, creative, and rewarding to hone one's interest. It is also instills in them the values one must have to be successful, such as hard work, dedication, and persistence. Even better, their small business can steer them away from playing video games or watching too much TV!

So will I allow my daughter put up her own bakery business? Surely! But it only be open during the summers and selected week-ends during the school year! Regardless of the limitation, or if she changes her mind and decides to put up a Tween Personal Stylist company, or becomes a freelance photographer/videographer at events, or tries to publish her first novel, at least she will know how to Start It Up!

Title: Start It Up: The Complete Teen Business Guide to Turning Your Passions Into Pay

Author: Kenrya Rankin

Recommended Reading Age: 12 years old and up!

About the Book:

Do you have a passion you want to turn into pay? Or maybe you are looking for a way to make some extra cash in high school? Start It Up shows teens how to turn their hobbies and talents into full-fledged businesses. Inside you'll find comprehensive and fun information on how to know what is the best business for you, pull together a company, and sell your product and let the world know about it! Whether your business is cake baking, dog walking, website design, or house painting, Start It Up offers the A-Z on getting it going and making it successful. Also featured are quotes from other successful teen entrepreneurs who turned their dreams into dollars.

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One of my favorite food blogs is 'My New Roots' by Sarah Britton of Copehagen.

Here I am treated to nutricious recipes, inspiring words, and fantastic photographs. Sarah has relishing posts on baked goods, beverages, salads, snacks, soups, raw food, vegan, and meatless Mondays! And although she is a holistic vegetarian chef, her delectable and easy to follow concoctions give me the easy choice of eating healthy every day...just like what her mantra says.

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On a day to day basis, particularly during my lunch or afternoon snack time (yes, it's a piece of chocolate!), I go to my Google Reader and catch up on my chosen RSS feeds.

I have a selected few that are popular and others that are quite unique. And each time I read an entry, I can't help but be truly inspired. These bloggers create sites, share photographs, write words, and display art that truly epitomize blogging at its finest.

To honor the work of these bloggers, I have created a Blogroll in both my CaraOnSugar Lifestyle Blog and The Sensible Stylist Blog. Here I will share with you my daily reads, cool sites, and fascinating galleries that I tap into for insight and creative stimulation.

And if you have your own preferred blogs or your very own that you would like to share, do drop me a line, and let's get the blogroll party started!

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During our family trip to the California Central Coast, our tween was attracted and very eager to purchase these beautiful moonstone rocks she saw in a gift shop. But upon seeing the price, her face was crestfallen. As a consolation, I asked the storekeeper where the rocks were found and she gladly pointed me towards Moonstone Beach.

Moonstone Beach is a seaside gem in the city of Cambria, California, off the Cabrillo Highway 1.

Click here for the : Location Map

Nice trail along the wooden boardwalk.

Friendly and surprisingly approachable little squirrels greet you.

They follow you hoping you have pocketfull of goodies to share! They love nuts or popcorn, but they steal each other's food!

We've named this little guy 'Gumbo'. Isn't he the healthiest squirrel you have ever seen?!!

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Title: Handmade Chic: Fashionable Projects That Look High-End, Not Homespun (ARC copy*)

Author: Laura Bennett

Release Date: November 8, 2011

About the Book:

In Handmade Chic, Laura shares simple strategies for creating 40 small luxuries and high-fashion accessories, from a smart leather iPad portfolio to a feather-embellished evening bag. With sections organized in skill-building order and based on type of accessory-small leather goods, agendas and notepads, electronics, bags and wallets, and evening items-Laura offers patterns, easy-to-follow diagrams, and detailed instructions for fabricating each glamorous project, whether it involves sewing from scratch or embellishing a prepurchased garment. While showcasing her own creative designs, she provides readers with the basic techniques and encouragement they need to come up with variations and create their own signature pieces.

Packed with Laura's signature flair and finesse, vibrant four-color photos, step-by-step drawings, and a complete list of suggestions on where to purchase materials, Handmade Chic is an accessible guide to at-home crafting that is elegant enough for the most modern, fashion-savvy of women.

Laura Bennett was a finalist on the TV series Project Runway. She has designed a line of clothing for QVC and appears regularly on CBS's The Early Show presenting craft segments. She lives in New York City.

Book Review:

Project Runway is one of my favorite shows with Season Three in particular because I was enamored by the smart, sassy, and witty redheaded New Yorker and Mom of six boys (one in the oven at the time of the show) who ended up placing second runner-up. She is Laura Bennett and she is simply remarkable. Here is a woman who is oozing with elegance and finesse, whose designs are classy and impeccable, and then quite unexpectedly, she tackles a feat of raising that many kids in the busiest city in the world.

So when an opportunity came to review an ARC copy* of her book, 'Handmade Chic: Fashionable Items that look High-End, Not Homespun', it was insane to pass up! The read was delightful because the book was really well-written, thoughtful, and engaging. The projects she teaches you is a far cry from the average country-style quilt-making or basic pattern dress-making books you typically see displayed in a crafts store. They are absolutely 100% chic, the type of assortment many would think you paid hundreds of dollars for when in truth it only cost you thirty bucks to make!

Now if you think that sounds enticing, here comes the best part -  this Do It Yourself publication is EASY! Absolutely simple to follow with no complicated technical skills required apart from basic stitching and sewing. And if you were previously hesitant to use the sewing machine, the pretty items you could create will encourage you to learn!

This book comes out in November, which gives you plenty of time to create urbane holiday gifts for family and friends. I am just glad I was able to get a head start!

*Disclosure: This book review is based on an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) courtesy of the publisher. Please note that ARC copies may not reflect the final edition and changes could be made prior to publication.

Here's a sample video of Laura Bennett creating a chic notebook case. This project is found in her book!:

Here are Chic DYI Projects You Can Learn to Create:

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I enjoy sifting through catalogs as much as magazines. I am a perennial viewer of style, trends, and news, and although catalogs show the items from the makers' point of view, it still gives me creative ideas on how to play with the clothes, spruce up my home, or try something out of of the ordinary .

I am not a fan, however, of wasting paper. For nearly five years now I have refused catalog subscriptions, and instead look for the latest product offerings in the companies' websites. Unfortunately, the user experience is just not the same. For most websites, the information is organized differently. Each assortment, for example,  garment stores that carry pants, dresses, and accessores would most likely show these in different landing pages. Unlike the editorial look of catalogs, not all these sites show the locations, events, people, surroundings, or other aesthetics that make browsing the catalog fun.

Fortunately, Google is reaffirming its title as the 'King of Searches', by offering a simple way to browse your popular and favorite catalogs through a free ipad App called Google Catalogs. Access is easy. Just open a Google account (who doesn't have one nowadays?) and start browsing! They carry my favorites: Urban Outfitters, Neiman Marcus, IKEA, J.Crew, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, Bare Escentuals, and many more! And purchasing is a breeze through their direct online ordering.

But here's some good news to budding Entrepreneurs! You can have your catalog listed with Google Catalogs. They will feature not only the established brands but the start-ups as well! So instead of spending marketing monies developing your own catalog app, try looking into Google's solution.

Google Catalogs...a greener way to shop and an ease of use tool for small business!

Here's an intro:

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Book Title: Firelight (ARC copy*)

Release Date: September 6, 2011

Author: Sophie Jordan

Recommended Reading Age: 15 and up

Synopsis:
Full of sizzling romantic tension and page-turning action, the next installment in the Firelight trilogy raises the stakes in Jacinda’s life. After revealing herself as a draki to hunters to save Will, the boy she loves, Jacinda and her family must return to the safety of the pride. But her fellow draki no longer trust Jacinda, so her sister, Tamra, and their prince, Cassian, are among the few who will even talk to her. Jacinda longs for Will to keep his promise and come find her, even though she knows it is not only unlikely, it is dangerous. When, against all odds, he does track her down, Will’s reappearance sets in motion a deadly chain of events that nobody can stop.

Book Review:
I was at the edge of my seat until the very end of Firelight (see Blog Entry: ), so I commend author Sophie Jordan (and thank its publishers for an ARC copy* to review) for giving me a delightful read in its sequel, 'Vanish'.

Whereas in the first novel we find Jacinda  reluctantly living in the desert of Chaparral, Nevada, in its sequel ‘Vanish’, our fire-breathing Draki feels a sense of loss as she settles back in the pride’s protective fortress. Friendships are not the same. Family is torn apart. And her once privileged stance is now replaced with ostracism.

Readers will be engrossed when our heroine is tested with defiances that may bring life-altering consequences, actions that may result in an intense love triangle. And decisions that bring our protagonist's character towards the pathway of maturity.

At the conclusion of Vanish, questions left in suspense by Firelight were finally answered. However new and exciting plot unfolds. I suspect a more riveting, adventurous, and suspenseful read on the third installment, which may not yet have a release date, but I very much look forward to!

*Disclosure: This book review is based on an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) courtesy of the publisher. Please note that ARC copies may not reflect the final edition and changes could be made prior to publication.

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Book Title: Firelight
Author: Sophie Jordan
Recommended Reading Age: 15 and up

Synopsis:
Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet of her kind, she nearly pays with her life, only to be spared by a beautiful stranger sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki--a descendant of dragons whose ability to shift into human form is her best defense.Forced to flee into the mortal world, Jacinda struggles to adapt. The one bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irrestibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away - if it dies she will be left a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.Mythical powers and irresistible passion ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide ...

Book Review:
Reading a YA novel on mythological folklore creatures is new for me. Fortunately, my first try with New York Times bestseller author Sophie Jordan's debut in the YA category entitled, 'Firelight', did not disappoint. Here is a story of Jacinda, a beautiful young Draki, who is a descendant of the Dragons and has the ability to take human form. However, in an act of rebellion, she breaks a rule of flight among her people that almost caused her her life. She reluctantly flees with her mom and sister to avoid punishment, but detests living in the human civilization in the dry climate of Nevada, until she falls in love with the one person she should avoid.

Single parenthood, teenage rebellion, sisterly rivalry, and role expectations add an interesting perspective to the characters. It helps you understand the anxieties and emotions that trigger the decisions made by Jacinda, her mother, sister, and friends. Teens who move to a new town and experience angst will also relate to our heroine as she faces a cultural adjustment being a Draki living amongst the humans. Not only will she have to face social standing and bullying, but simple things such as the temperature of the climate, the dry and barren land, and artifical scents floating the air become equally challenging.

This book is a page-turner and an easy read in one sitting. It is mostly written from the protagonist's perspective, which leaves one to question what the other characters are hiding. Little by little Ms. Jordan does reveals these secrets, but the climax definitely keeps you clammoring for the sequel! I look forward to knowing more about the Draki and the 'pride',  its lifelong enemy the 'enkros', and very curious to know beginnings of the hunters, from whom Jacinda's love is from.

If you are looking for a different kind of YA fantasy novel, filled with romance and mysticism, then Firelight is a must read! It's sequel, 'Vanish' is due to be released on September 6, 2011. And great news for ebook readers! Barnes and Noble and Amazon has this for $1.99 that includes bonus material!

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I am O.C. I make no apologies about that.

On the other hand, I can also be very sentimental.

Quite a conundrum, don't you think?

The test on which side of my personality would prevail finally came on the day I had to pack our stuff to move to a new home. I was tasked to take out sizable items from our garage depot. And although I could have easily chosen to transport them to our new house since they are organized into clear plastic bins, I decided that I have two choices, either donate usable things to charity or discard as much as I can. If they have been in storage for quite sometime, then they won't be missed.

However, in the middle of my sorting, I found out that four of the containers housed memorabilia of my daughter's school work, from preschool to fifth grade. I had kept most, if not all, of her art work, homework, book reports, and science fair projects. They were, to say the least, a capacious lot.

The O.C. part of me tempted me to just close my eyes and empty the bins into our recycling can. But the sentimental side, the one who insisted to keep them all in the first place, kept playing the 'guilt' card, "if you throw them away you will never ever see them again." Oh my! What was I going to do?

Fortunately we are in a digital age, where things can either be scanned or photographed. Although it is not the same as feeling as touching the actual item, digitizing these things makes for a good compromise. I can stick to my hard rules of clearing up the clutter, and still keep my kid's school memories.

To make sure they do not stay littered in my computer's hard drive, I decided to compile them all into a hard bound book! Because this project is enormous and extremely important, there is no other book publisher I would use other than Blurb.com. They have made it extremely easy for anyone to create a beautifully crafted book. Their intuitive Booksmart software has a multitude number of creative templates and fonts. Though I am a book designer, I encourage everyone to try creating their own book. Hire me for the complicated ones (for which I can use Adobe Indesign)!

So if you happen to be an O.C. and sentimal, it turns out you do not have to choose which one dominates in the face of scrambled mementos! Just grab your digital camera, take some pictures, and design them all into a book! I certainly did, and the result is a 360 page keepsake, aptly titled, "First to Fifth: The Elementary School Years of Ashley Victoria".

Here is a preview:

I have created a book based on the photographs of my Digital Diary (Blog Entry: http://cara.onsugar.com/17947772) entitled Playing with the Light. I would like to dedicate this work to my Parents, my husband Ken, my daughter Ashley, and my cat YumYum.

However, I will give two special acknowledgements to two professional photographers whom I chose to single out of the many I admire because I am truly blessed to know them personally and have their work as a source of inspiration:

My Uncle Edmund, the proficient photographer in our clan, who has a varied range from street, nature, wedding, and creative photography. The gallery of his work can be viewed at: http://www.esubijano.com/.

And to Nino Nucum, who I was fortunate to work with in a news program for ABS-CBN Global. He has all the technical accolades, but his sense of humor and easy going character made all the tapings we did extremely fun! His company is called PXL Photography with his portfolio being shown at http://pxlphoto.com/.

As for my book 'Playing With The Light: Photographs of a Neophyte', here is a preview:

Who doesn’t have online content nowadays?

There are daily updates on Facebook and Twitter, entries on your blogs, a professional resume on Linkedin, photo galleries on FlickR and Picasa, video uploads on YouTube or Vimeo, and check-ins with Four Square. With so many social networks, there is bound to be chaos in organizing all this content into one.

You have a choice.

Either design a personal website and begin creating links. OR you can avail of the free service of About.me or Flavors.me. These two fantastic sites have one goal in mind – to give you a single landing page that pulls together all your web information. In the old days we used to call this the ‘homepage’, which is the default page of a website. Now this aggregator has a fancier term – a Splash Page.

Why the nifty name? Because this page does exactly what it means. It creates an impact, particularly when the chosen image for the page’s background covers the entire computer screen. I have seen individuals use a mesmerizing photograph, a collage of their portfolio, or even just a photo of themselves (My sister and I fall in this category!).

And with the ability to pull content from popular social media, create a bio, and add rss feeds and hyperlinks, About.me and Flavors.me makes for an auspicious personal or professional online business card.

I created accounts with both services. While they are equally amazing, I have a little partiality to About.me. The design tools give more leverage and the profile statistics are a real genious! Of course I could also have been swayed by the free pack of Moo.com business cards (I love them! Did you see my review?). Or it could just be the name. About.me seems easier to remember and is a little more catchy.

However, my sister, Cai, seems to prefer Flavors.me. Which I agree has the upper hand in offering RSS feeds so that the entire content is pulled within the Splash page. With this feature, I have seen companies create a menu of their services, which is pretty cool. They also have the option of upgrading to a mere $20/year so you can avail of all the options in customizing your site. Now that is one great deal!

So whether it's About.me or Flavors.me, just give both a try and start creating your own Splash Page! Regardless of their minimal differences, I highly recommend both sites. After all, I am all about organizing chaos.

Here's more information on both sites:

ABOUT.ME:

FLAVORS.ME:

My Digital Diary

I am a novice of many creative hobbies. One of my favorites would be digital photography.

I have never taken any formal training nor attended any workshops. But this has never stopped me from doing everything else I could do to hone this interest. There are consistent observations of countless images of different types of photographers. There are hours spent reading on various topics written about this medium in published and online content. And there are step-by-step tutorials I watched and listened at every free opportunity I could afford (Youtube, I love you!).

After all this I learned two important things. First, photography is all about playing with the light. And second, if you want to learn you must practice.

The latter I definitely did.

In the latest showcase of my hobby, I have created Digital Diary, a display of my neophyte skills as a photographer and graphic artist. The full compilation of my work is displayed using Facebook Pages. And a selected few are shown using Carbonmade.com. Both fulfill my most critical requirement – it must be a non-flash exhibit, so my work can be easily displayed on PCs, Macs, iPads, other Tablets, and mobile phones.

Here are the links to my Digital Diary:

Digital Diary using Facebook Pages (http://tinyurl.com/digitaldiary)

Digital Diary using Carbonmade.com (http://miniurl.com/digitaldiary/)

I hope you enjoy viewing my portfolio. Though it is absolutely no comparison to astounding works of amateur and professional photographers (whom I continually find inspiration and motivation) I do feel proud that I have at least tried to demonstrate my way of playing with the light.

Non-Flash Portfolios

For those of you who are interested in creating your own non-Flash portfolio, I highly recommend these five sites, all of which I had the chance to create my own account and give them a try!:

Facebook Pages (http://www.facebook.com/FacebookPages) – If you have a thousand friends, why not showcase your work and have your network be able to comment, share, and ‘like’ it? I recommend using Pagemodo Apps to create a fabulous looking custom welcome page!

Carbonmade.com (http://carbonmade.com/) – This is a no-nonsense display of your portfolio. Everything is simple and intuitive, yet the focus remains on your images. It won me over immediately! A free account avails you of 35 photographs. While a professional account gets you 500 images at $12/month or $120/year.

FlicKr (http://www.flickr.com/) – Need I say more?

Minus (http://min.us/) – This is a minimalist, fast, and unlimited file sharing site that is really fantastic! You can share photographs, music, videos, and more. However, if you are not privy to sharing your photographs, it might not be for you.

Krop Creative Database (http://www.krop.com/creativedatabase/) – Not only can you showcase your portfolio, but you become part of a creative network that various sources tap into for freelancers. There is a free account that gives the ability to upload your photographs and create a resume. But if you want a professional style gallery, the charge is $9.99 per month or $99 per year.

So if you are thinking about creating your own portfolio, in photography, fashion modeling, interior design, artwork, graphic design, or any other, go ahead and give these free sites a try!

It has been four years since I bought my Canon Powershot G9, and it has satisfied every aspect of enthusiasm for photography. Surprisingly, the G9 has stirred a curiosity in possibly taking an interest in the dSLR, the digital single lens reflex cameras for individuals that want to advance into amateur photography. I have been contemplating for some time if I wanted to bid adieu to point-and-shoots and dive into a more advanced photography realm.

During a recent trip to Los Angeles with my girl pals, I noticed that both of them brought a camera of a different genre. One carried the dSLR Canon Rebel T2i and another one had the latest Canon Powershot G12. I had a chance to closely look at both gadgets and thought they were excellent cameras but with very different feature sets.

The Canon Rebel T2i was fascinating. The multitude selection of buttons and menus may be intimidating, but I was quite intrigued by the challenge of manually or semi-manually controlling the exposure (jargonically speaking, the control of the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed to measure the amount of light that falls upon the camera's sensor so one can achieve an artistic interpretation of the subject's image).

And seeing the G12 and how it resembles my G9 in features and capability, but with a much better image sensor, tools improved with the latest technology, and a swivel screen that made it a cinch to shoot at different angles, I realized how much fun the creative modes were! I certainly utilized features like Color Accent/Color Swap, Miniature Effect, HDR (high dynamic range), and panoramic Stitch Assist to add variation to my photography.

It was surprising that Canon, who manufactured both cameras and had the technology, did not offer a dSLR with creative mode features that are a delight to use. Why not merge them into one amazing camera that gives the best of both worlds?

My curiosity brought me to research on Canon's number one competitor - the Nikon line. Nikon is known to be a world leader in digital imaging, precision optics, and photo imaging. And lately they have a strong marketing presence with the endorsement of Ashton Kutcher and his quirky yet appealing ad campaigns. It was in one of his TVCs that I found an ideal dSLR for the starting amateur photographer who was not yet ready to let go of the pre-set creative tools normally found in point-and-shoots. This camera is the Nikon dSLR D5100.

Here's a rundown of its amazing features:

- Has the same 16.2 DX-format CMOS sensor carried by the more high-end Nikon dSLR  model D7000, which means at par ISO range, depth of field, dynamic range, and image quality.

- 3 inch LCD monitor that swings to the left side upto 270 degrees and has 920,000 dots, which means Live View is remarkably sharp and bright even in direct sunlight.

- Shoots 4 frames per second in continuous mode with virtually no shutter lag.

- 10% smaller and 30% lighter than the previous dSLR D5000 model, that carrying it around does not feel like a chore!

- Has in-camera HDR (high dynamic range) - which means it can combine multiple exposures

- Wider ISO range of 100 to 6400, upto 24,600 when expanded, which means it can shoot extremely well in lowlight

- Can shoot 1080p HD videos at 30, 25, or 24 frames per second (fps). Has the ability to record stereo sound with the optional ME-1 microphone. This means your dSLR is also a fantastic HD videocam!!!

- Ability to shoot in 14-bit NEF RAW mode, a feature normally found in more expensive dSLRs. Trust me, this feature is awesome because it allows you to edit your image without losing any data, which you would if you saved in JPEG. But I'm not downplaying the value of the JPEG compression format (which this camera also shoots in). It is pretty useful when you want to maximize the space on your SD media card.

- 16 Scene Modes ( pre-set features found in point and shoot cameras, that are helpful if you do not have time to manually control your camera) that includes Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close Up, Night Portrait, Night Landscape, Party/Indoor, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Pet Portrait, Candlelight, Blossom, Autumn colors, and Food.

- 19 kinds of in-camera Image Editing functions that can be use for still or moving images. These easy retouching tool is actually fun! Fish-eye is particularly cool.

- included View NX2 Imaging software for photos and video editing, and processing of NEF RAW images.

- 660 shots per charge on the Nikon Lithium Ion battery.

- Advance SLR capabilities, afterall the key to creating true artistic and captivating photographs is to be able to control the elements of exposure and play up on the composition of the subject.

- And for my absolute favorite feature that no other dSLR in the market has, as of present time, the Effects Mode that works in both capturing still images and shooting videos. These amazing modes allow me to be creative without the need for any photo-imaging/editing software such as Adobe Photoshop.

The Effects Modes are as follows:

Color Sketch - transforms the subjects into colorful sketch-like images, highlighting on outlines. The results is aesthetically phenomenal!

High Key - artistic ability to intentionally overexpose an image.

Night Vision - ability to shoot at night using high ISO levels upto 102400. Images appear in an artistic black and white monochrome.

Selective Color - select upto three colors (and even determine their color ranges) that you want and everything else will be black and white. Think of this as an upgraded Canon color accent feature, but in a Nikon.

Miniature Effect - ability to make distant objects appear like miniature-scale models.

Low Key - artistic ability to underexpose an image.

Silhouette - creates a dramatic silhoette against a bright background.

With these many features, I have no doubt the Nikon dSLR D5100 can deliver years of blissful creativity. Yes it is larger than the point and shoot genre, but with its amazing features, carrying around a 1.6 lb device is so worth the beautiful photographs and videos it can capture!

My iPad 2 and I are tied at the hip. From work meetings, lunches with friends, accompanying my daughter to the mall, lounging at my reading corner at home, or cooking at my kitchen, it goes where I go. I have simply learned not to be without it.

And I must confess, since possessing this tablet, my iPhone has experienced neglect. But no chagrin here since I welcome the convenience of lesser battery charge times. Besides, the apps I use in my iPad 2 were quite difficult to do on the small screen of the iPhone. I am a Reader, enough said.

With my passion for this latest toy, I had to find items that can help me take care of the hardware, such as cases that will allow me to use my Smart Cover. Or allow me convert the tablet into a laptop, such as a Bluetooth keyboard that puts an ease in utilizing the iWork Pages App.

My quest takes me to several cool accessories, some made specifically for the iPad 2 and some for the original iPad, but also works with the new gen. All items below 20 bucks! Yup, that’s right. Under 20. Enjoy!

HyperShield Back Cover for iPad 2 – $19.95

Interesting features:

- Designed to work perfectly with the Apple iPad Smart Cover

- Covers the iPad 2 aluminum back

- Available in 10 colors to match the Apple iPad Smart Cover

- Only 1.4mm thin. You will hardly notice it.

- Made of durable TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)

- Shock absorbing gel-like property protects iPad from bumps & scratches

- Unlike silicon, TPU retains shape, form and color even after repeated use

- Dirt-proof, washable and 100% recycleable

Elite iPad Messenger Pouch - $19.95

Interesting features:

- Slim and form-fitting

- Lightweight and durable design protects from scratches and bumps

- Secure magnetic snap closure

- Inside is padded and lined with soft velvet

Diamond Glimmer Elite iPad Case - $4.50

Interesting features:

- Form-fitting case designed to perfectly fit your Apple iPad

- Uses elastic corner straps to hold your Apple iPad securely in place

- Includes an inner flap to organize your personal or business essentials

- Soft padded suede-inspired interior protects your Apple iPad screen from scratches

- Secure magnetic snap button closure

- Colors available in Jet Black, Lipstick Red, or Winter White

Ipad Keyboard Folio - $19.99

Interesting features:

- Universal Wireless Bluetooth™ 2.0 Connectivity

- Multiple Functional Hotkeys

- Spill-proof Silicone Keyboard for Optimal Screen Protection

- Magnetic Clasp for Secure Handling

- Made of Durable Materials

- Attractive padded cover to protect your iPad

- LED Power and Charge Indicator

- Built-in Rechargeable Battery with over 40+ hours per charge

- Compatible with iPhone and other Bluetooth Devices

- USB charging cable included (Also compatible with iPad charger)

One of my earlier book designs is the home of a friend whom I consider a sister. She always had the interest and uncanny ability to put things together. Interior design is her hobby, but when I ventured into her home, I could not help but try to convince her to do this creative endeavor professionally!

Armed with a simple canon camera, I took shots of her personal abode that both she and her husband built together. I was amazed to see pieces of familiar trinkets, gathered through our travels as fashion models in our previous careers, thoughtfully placed throughout the house.  I always wondered what she would do with the memorabilia and art pieces she collected. Now I have my answer.

I hope you enjoy a preview....

Casa Mendoza is a look into a beautiful filipina home in La Vista, Quezon City, Philippines. Inside Casa Mendoza the readers will find a blend of Moroccan and Asian furnishings, and sporadic placement of antiques, souvenirs, and prints.

The exterior setting, particularly the pool and gardens, is also a masterpiece with the design of the gazebo, the eternity pool,  the rocks that formed a waterfall, and the landscaping that house exotic birds. It also amusing to find a couple of Peacocks, a Chicken, and Rooster traipsing through the gardens.

It was quite perplexing to find a surge of visits to my blog when I checked out my site's analytics. It turns out the recent release of the move, "Something Borrowed" spawned an interest in the topic, which I have a book review on. It had an amazing 1,723 page views just on the entry alone! I have not had a chance to see the movie, but if it is anything like the first book, then I will try to catch it, heck I'll even get the blu-ray!

As a thank you to the movie's PR group for upping my number of visitors, I am sharing with you again my review on Emily Giffen's 'Something Borrowed' and 'Something Blue'........

Title: Something BorroWed
Author: Emily Giffen

Synopsis:

Something Borrowed tells the story of Rachel, a young attorney living and working in Manhattan. Rachel has always been the consummate good girl---until her thirtieth birthday, when her best friend, Darcy, throws her a party. That night, after too many drinks, Rachel ends up in bed with Darcy's fiancé. Although she wakes up determined to put the one-night fling behind her, Rachel is horrified to discover that she has genuine feelings for the one guy she should run from. As the September wedding date nears, Rachel knows she has to make a choice. In doing so, she discovers that the lines between right and wrong can be blurry, endings aren't always neat, and sometimes you have to risk all to win true happiness.

Review:

For a first try at chic lit, Emily Giffen delivered an interesting novel that marked her entry to the New York Times Bestsellers List. Quite a feat, but definitely well deserved. The story of ‘Something BorroWed’ is eye-catching. From the moment I read the synopsis I knew it is the next novel on my list.

I was curious with the author’s approach to telling the story of an affair between Rachel (Maid of Honor) and Dex (Bride’s Fiance and Rachel’s Bestfriend since Childhood) and still have Rachel come out as the heroine that readers won’t resent.

Normally a person would not side with the adulteress, right? But Ms. Giffen made sure Rachel would not be hated. In fact, the author portrayed her as the victim of Darcy (the Bride) by narrating several ‘memory flashbacks’ of the friendship when Darcy had ‘lied’ and ‘used’ Rachel. Although the situations seem petty compared to adultery, the reader will begin to understand that Rachel, in fact, is the underdog. Because Darcy was more beautiful and sexy, Rachel took it upon herself to take the role as the ‘inferior’ friend, the person who will never be good enough, and she believed her parents, their common friends, and just about everyone knew this to be true.

However, in the process of finding every possible excuse to reason with her guilt, Rachel realizes that she has been living in the shadow of her friend clearly because Darcy prefers it that way and she herself did not have the courage or confidence to do things otherwise.

The novel was amusing and witty. The only parts that bothered me is Rachel’s obvious lack of self-confidence and her tolerance for her unhappiness with her job, family relations, etc. But I suppose Ms. Giffen had to establish this in order to bring the heroine to a complete catharsis…that Rachel will learn a valuable lesson, find her inner strength, and finally stand up to what she wants in life and fight for her own happiness.

Overall, nice girls will like this book. Nice girls will say, “Finally! A novel that proclaims Nice Girls finish FIRST {and not the Bad/Sexy/Seductive/Manipulative Girls}!” Therefore, I like this book!!!

Title: Something Blue

Synopsis:

From the New York Times bestselling author Emily Giffin comes a novel that shows how someone with a “perfect life” can lose it all—and then find everything.

Darcy Rhone thought she had it all figured out: the more beautiful the girl, the more charmed her life. Never mind substance. Never mind playing by the rules.  Never mind karma.

But Darcy’s neat, perfect world turns upside down when her best friend, Rachel White, the plain-Jane “good girl,” steals her fiancé, while Darcy finds herself completely alone for the first time in her life…with a baby on the way. Darcy tries to recover, fleeing to her childhood friend living in London and resorting to her tried-and-true methods for getting what she wants. But as she attempts to recreate her glamorous life on a new continent, Darcy finds that her rules no longer apply.

It is only then that Darcy can begin her journey toward self-awareness, forgiveness, and motherhood.Something Blue is a novel about one woman’s surprising discoveries about the true meaning of friendship, love, and happily-ever-after. It’s a novel for anyone who has ever, even secretly, wondered if the last thing you want is really the one thing you need.

Review:

Wow! This follow-up novel to 'Something Borrowed' really sealed the deal for author  Emily Giffin. She's not a 'one novel wonder' at all! She can write...and write really good! In fact, I like this sequel to Something Borrowed even better!

The story of Something Blue (by the way, the title is really clever! Just when you thought it was a use of the bridal expressiong 'something borrowed, something blue...', what it stands for is an introduction of Darcy's story as a soon-to-be single parent!) is narrated by Darcy, and therefore you get to see her perspective on what happened with the Rachel-Dex-Darcy-Marcus saga.

Just when I had cast Darcy Rhone as the completely narcisstic and manipulating friend to have (a judgement I based on the first book), I find out that she, in fact, is a victim of her environment and her upbringing. She is born beautiful and she is treated 'special' all throughout her life. She has thus morphed into a completely jaded person, whose sole basis for happiness are all things material. Her statement summarizes this, "...I understoond that at a tender age of three that with beauty comes with perks and power."

But even if Darcy does relish the advantages that comes with her looks, she also can't help but feel insecure next to her bestfriend Rachel, the brainy girl with the average looks. This is dangerous because both friends would then nurture a  hidden competition with each other, which would eventually would culminate in the deterioration, and then eventual loss of the friendship.The readers are then challenged...how can you forgive betrayal?

Darcy couldn't have put it any better when she said, "It suddenly occurred to me that no matter when his affair with Rachel had begun, she hadn't been the cause of our breakup. Dex and I had split because we weren't right for each other, and because of that fact, he had been able to fall in love with her. Had we been on solid ground, Dex wouldn't have cheated on me. The realization was somehow freeing, and it enabled me to let go of another sliver of resentment toward both of them." That ephiphany on Darcy's part says a lot.

Darcy, by the end of the novel, becomes a heroine. She realized her mistakes, she owned up to them, and she courageously changed for the better. In other words, she took the readers in an engaging ride to maturity and ended up to be someone a person can truly admire.

I have been getting a lot of visitors in my cube and I am pretty sure it is not work-related. I suspect it has something to do with the Lavender Vanilla scent engulfing the air in my space. While it is our company’s policy to prohibit the use of fire-flaming scent burners in our area, I have found a way around this rule with my plug-in Scentsy flameless candle warmer.

This adorable aromatherapy system was a housewarming gift from a very good friend. I tried it in my kitchen and was surprised to see the scent drift over to the adjoining family room. It was also very pretty to look at than your average candle or diffuser. I decided I wanted more! I ordered a bigger Scentsy from my friend’s online store and selected a full-size ivory white warmer that was simply exquisite. When my shipment arrived, I staged in on the corner table so the fragrance can spread across the room. It was even more captivating at night when tiny specks of light escape the burner’s lovely ceramic ensconce.

With my bigger Scentsy taking center stage at my home, I decided to relocate the plug-in Scentsy in my office! I brought along several ambrosial waxes and immediately put it to use! The initial effect was amazing! The pheromone aroma was working its magic because I found myself in a great mood! Several co-workers became intrigued too and wanted to find out how to get a similar pleasant zephyr in their own work areas! I promptly directed them to my friend’s Scentsy site!

If you want a lovely alternative to scented candles or oil burners, do give the wickless and flameless Scentsy a try! It is very easy to use. Just install the a 15 to 25 watt light bulb, plug in the warmer, drop in a cube of scented wax, and wait for the fragrance to diffuse. If you want to replace the scent, just pour back the melted wax into its original package and clean up the Scentsy dish. You will be amazed at the lasting fragrance of the wax. The lavender vanilla scent I use in my cube has been in place for weeks, but it still continues to work its odoriferous spell!

Book: Unearthly

Author: Cynthia Hand

Recommended Reading Age: 14 and up

Synopsis:

Clara has known she was part-angel ever since she turned fourteen two years ago, but only now is her Purpose - the crucial rite of passage for every part-angel - becoming clear to her. Clara′s Purpose leads her family to Wyoming, where, amidst terrifying scenes of a bush inferno, she finds the boy of her visions, Christian. He is everything she could wish for - so why does she also have feelings for her enigmatic classmate Tucker?

Clara discovers that her Purpose is only a small part of a titanic struggle between angels and their destructive counterparts, the Black Wings. And when the fire of her visions erupts and both Christian and Tucker are in danger, who will she choose to save?

From debut novelist Cynthia Hand comes a riveting tale full of supernatural powers, forbidden romance, and the choice between fulfilling your destiny or following your heart.

Review:

I was intrigued by a book recommended by one of my favorite YA authors, Richelle Mead of the Vampire Academy Series. However, after finishing this novel in a matter of days I did not find it as riveting. Yes, the expectation was high to begin with and I was on a roll on choosing really good reads after the first three books of Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series. But Unearthly lacks several factors that would make author Cynthia Hand's debut novel as astounding as Stephenie Meyer, Cassandra Clare, Claudia Gray, the two aforementioned, and many other YA supernatural authors.

Foremost, there is the lack of a compelling love triangle. The author explains that the protagonist feels a connection to Christian, yet from the very beginning she fails to show chemistry between the two. Instead she focuses on building up the tension and attraction between Clara and Tucker. It then becomes too predictable who our heroine will choose.

Also the importance of fulfilling one's angelic mission is unconvincing. Clara and her family uproots from sunny California to Wyoming so she can complete the quest in her premonitions. This displacement upsets her younger brother and Clara herself. Yet, there are several situations that make it so easy for Clara to disregard her purpose for being there. Her mom, who should be helping her keep focus on her mission, is unresponsive to many interesting inquiries on Clara's disposition. Thus, the author fails to create a striking conflict, wherein the heroine truly comprehends the ramifications if she decides to leave her purpose unfulfilled. Clara's lack of understanding (and the reader's) leave an ending that becomes predictable.

When Clara does choose her path, there is a continuing confusion as questions  are left unanswered. Did Clara fulfill her purpose? If Christian did not die, then she must have, right? Or is her purpose different from what she thought it should be? Should she not to save him but instead be with him as her partner? The story culminates with both characters contemplating their fate, but leaves one a bit bewildered as to what is this story really about. Perhaps a lot will be answered in the sequel. But I have yet to decide if I am intrigued enough to find out.

All of us are still reeling with shock, anxiety, and sadness over the recent tragedy in Japan spawned by a 9.0 Earthquake, herculean Tsunamis, and now a fear over a possible nuclear disaster. This happened only four days ago, yet it feels a lot longer. When everyone is at the edge of their seat, waiting if true recovery can now come or worrying if the containment efforts in some of Japan’s nuclear power plants will work, time seems longer.

No one saw this coming. Natural disasters do not convenience us with an advance notice of the time and place when it strikes. Before 2:46 p.m. people in northeast of Tokyo were going about their daily routine. An hour after that time and still in a daze after the shock of the earth’s shift, they had to run for their lives when a 30 foot tsunami washed over the coast. Ten thousand people and counting did not survive. All in a matter of hours.

It felt like déjà vu. Wasn’t it just a little over a year ago when we emphatically experienced the trauma over Haiti’s 2010 Earthquake that killed more than 220,000? And likewise, countires and its citizens once again showed their compassion in a myriad of ways. Social networks filled with news updates, opinions, and feedback on how to show financial and emotional support. The world demonstrated how we can all come together when nature has dealt a deathly hand.

And while we continue to help in our respective ways, we should also contemplate our own preparedness. When catastrophe pummels, do we know what to do? Do our children know? How about our extended families? Or do we convince ourselves that where we live is safe? If you do, then know that is the furthest from the truth. There is no discrimination when cataclysm strikes. No lineage, no industrial categorization of first world vs. third world, and no cultural partiality. No one is immune.

Thus, continue your efforts to help Japan. Keep exerting your benevolence. But while you do this, safeguard your own security and that of your families by formulating a plan in times of calamity. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

1. Formulate a Disaster Plan. Utilize the information shared by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). They have an excellent website to help you and your children become prepared.

2. Write your will. There are a number of sites that offer this service. I prefer Legalzoom.com which charges $39 for basic and $49 for comprehensive. This is a small price to pay for the peace of mind for your family.

3. Scan significant documents (i.e. Wills, Passport, Birth Certificates, Bank Accounts, Property Deeds and Titles, etc.) and store it on a secure online cloud. By using the web as your repository, you can access pertinent documents at any time and any place.

4. Hold a family meeting to reinforce your Disaster Plan. Everyone should know their respective roles.

5. Insure what is critical starting with your home. Also deliberate on acquiring life insurance for extra financial security for your family.

Sometimes when we think of grave situations we cannot help but question if being prepared is even necessary. I feel it is. We cannot predict what may happen, but we should always anticipate survival. And while we continue to live each day blessed with no affliction from Nature, we should never forget to say a prayer of thanks and contemplate the value of time. We need to make each day count.

Today I am sluggish. At approximately 12:58 a.m., I got up from the guest bedroom (the room closest to my home office computer) and logged onto Apple.com which landed directly on the iPad 2 page. I selected ‘Buy Now’ button, just as I rehearsed it hours earlier, and chose a White 64 GB Wi-Fi version. I also added the apple-green Smart Cover. Then I took advantage of the free engraving and placed “Cara’s iPad 2, but Ken and Ashley can borrow.” I finished off the remaining mandatory fields like shipping and purchasing information, glanced at the overall tally, grimaced at the cost of sales tax, and pressed the last button that finalized the transaction. There. After almost a year of waiting I finally bought myself an iPad 2. And in less than a week I should have it in my hands.

It seems strange I should single out this buying experience considering I constantly purchase tons of items from the internet! But the iPad 2 is special. I have been extremely anxious to get my hands on Apple’s second generation tablet. I liked the first one, but I had reservations because I knew the next release would be a better buy. Not to say that I was never tempted. When I first held my friend’s iPad, it was hard to give it back. I love interfacing with my iPhone 3Gs, but with the iPad I felt double the satisfaction as I tested the apps and surfed on the bigger screen!

When it was decided I would get an iPad, I immediately acted on my self-imposed rule, ‘for any new gadget you have to give something up’. So I sold my Acer Aspire One netbook and 2nd generation iPod Touch, and used the proceeds to start my iPad fund. It would gradually increase with my book design and blogging earnings. By this time this innovative tablet pc was already in the market for several months. I knew Apple refreshed their products with new versions so it was an inevitable choice to wait for the 2nd generation iPad. The problem was I felt it was taking too long.

Similar to tech news watchers, I would read up on news, reviews, and rumors on the iPad and iPad 2 every week. I sided with Adobe when there was a raging word war between them and Apple due to the latter’s refusal to support Flash apps. I was disconcerted when the media hyped up HP and Microsoft’s prototype tablets yet these were scrapped in the product pipeline when either one could not compete with the iPad’s battery life. I laughed at the bizarre gossip that Apple would create a 7-inch version because the Samsung Galaxy Tab was releasing one. C’mon! A 7-inch isn’t much bigger than the iPhone. Why would Apple create one? True enough even Steve Jobs dispelled that ridiculous report.

For a brief time, Samsung was the only rival. But is it prudent to purchase the Galaxy Tab when its unlocked version is exorbitantly more expensive and its operating system is based on Android’s 2.2 Froyo, an operating system created by Google specifically for smart phones and NOT Tablet PCs. The appropriate Android OS for Tablets is the recently released Honeycomb, which Motorola Xoom uses. But even with this contender, one can easily question the high price or the bulk of its size compared to the iPad 2. And why hold my breath for the Blackberry Playbook, which has been constantly promoted for a period of time yet has no tangible developments on its date of release. Truth be told the recent unveiling of the iPad 2 has definitely set the bar much higher. Competitors have no choice but to go back to the drawing board and rething their design and engineering strategies. And while they do that, I am not waiting any longer.

I may be one of the fanatics that monitored the clock for the 1:00 a.m. buying gateway of Apple.com, but that is just fine. I am awarded with receiving my gadget much sooner than those who ordered at 6 a.m. and faced 2 to 3 weeks of shipping delays. Turns out the iPad 2 stock level is much less than what everyone anticipated. There is sure to be a buying frenzy at its retail and distributor stores. But thank goodness I do not have to be there. I can use the time to catch up on my sleep.