What's your favorite perfume?

Perfume affects people in different ways. I am stating the obvious, I know (hehe). A perfume may cause sneezing and other negative physical reactions. But then, let's not focus on the negative.

One thing that I like about perfumes: they can alter body odor. Perfumes  give you the luxury of smelling the way you want to. They also affect your mood and boost your self-esteem. You feel good because you know that you smell good.

My favorite perfume is Beautiful by Estee Lauder. I've been using this since I was in college. It has the fragrance of a thousand flowers. It gives off a strong and rich scent. My friends and acquaintances always tell me that I smell so nice every time I spray it on.

My other perfumes include Eternity, Escape, Gucci Envy, Provocative Woman. My sister, on the other hand, likes the following:

My mom likes Beautiful and Sensi.

Ok, so this blog is not giving away any of these perfumes.

BUT I am giving away  a Banana Republic perfume. It's called Modern (for women). It has a very subtle scent. I think Banana Republic discontinued production of this perfume. Fortunately, my sister was able to buy one when she went to the U.S.

In my previous post, I promised that I would be giving away a Banana Republic perfume. Well, I still am. But you have to head over to Grafflink's blog. Grafflink is launching her blog and I suggested that she should hold a giveaway to gain followers. So, instead of giving this away  in my blog, I am donating it to Grafflink.

Please join. The mechanics are really easy.

Here's the link: http://graffitiink.blogspot.com/2011/03/modern-perfume-giveaway.html

New GC Winner!

I held another raffle. Why? Because the previous GC winner, until now, has failed to get in touch with me. I already sent her a message through  GFC. Also, I announced the winner on March 7, 2011,  so  I think I have given her enough time to contact me and claim her prize. The GC will expire on May 31, 2011, this is why I am keen to send it immediately to the winner.

Also, I'm sorry that I have not included any time frame regarding claiming of prizes in the giveaway's mechanics. I just didn't expect that this situation will arise. Anyway, I did an old-fashioned raffle for the second time.

So, let me announce the new winner!

Congratulations, Patricia!

You are the new winner of the Bistro Filipino GC worth Php 1,000.

Please get in touch with me within 5 days. If you don't e-mail me within 5 days, I will be compelled to forfeit the prize.  I know I'm being so strict here. But doing the raffle for the third time is no longer an option.

My e-mail: amaranthus815@gmail.com

I hope to hear from you the soonest possible. And again, congratulations!

Congrats, GC Winner!

Here's how I did it. Those who did steps 1-3 got 3 entries each -- commented on the post (1),  followed my blog (1), liked GraffLink on FB  (1).

I held an old-fashioned raffle - wrote the names on used paper then cut and fold each entry. It was time consuming, I know. But then, I don't want to use the randomizer. Why? I'm biased. I never won in a random raffle (LOL)

Anyway, enough of the chitchat. Without further ado, let me announce the winner...

Congratulations Dementia!

Please e-mail me your complete address and other contact details so that I can send the GC to you. My e-mail address: amaranthus815@gmail.com

To all who joined. Thank you very much!!!

Art T-Shirts at Tilteed

I really love T-shirts. They are comfy, and casual. Put a nice blazer over it and you can achieve a chic look. Plain shirts are okay, but printed shirts, especially Art T-Shirts, always make me drool. I've recently discovered a site that sells and prints Art T-Shirts. Here's the link:http://www.tilteed.com/. The site prints a new Art T-Shirt every 72 hours. Wow! How cool is that? And site members can vote for their favorite designs. And T-shirt designers who win get their shirts printed. And they get paid  $500. Wow!!!

As for me, my favorite is the Dead Head design. You can check out the details here: http://www.tilteed.com/shop/detail/dead_head/. Or better yet, look at the photo above.

The shirt features a large skull, but the image is not terrifying at all. Look closely (I suggest you check out the link of the tee because it contains a very detailed image of the design) and you will see flowers, leaves, spider webs, hearts, diamonds, snails, cross and an inverted spade. The skull's teeth, at first glance, kinda look like ladyfingers :). The more you look at it, the more you discover other facets of the design. The tee's creator is Craig Watkins. And I looked up his other designs as well.  They are simply incredible. But the Dead Head remains my favorite. To create this design in juts one color shows off the artist's artistry and mastery of his craft. And I like the way he created the concept of death in this tee. In other cultures, death is not a morbid topic. In fact, other cultures celebrate death.

I really, really want to have this shirt. Maybe I'll harass my brother who lives in Ohio to buy me this shirt and then ask him to send it over here. :)

Win a GC worth Php1,000!

Ok, I'm posting the GC photo again!

For more information on Bistro Filipino, you can visit their website: http://www.cheflaudico.com.ph/bistro/index.html

Here are the contest mechanics:

1. Follow this blog.
2. Like my friend's FB page GraffLink: http://www.facebook.com/pages/GraffLink/188049127892057
3. Answer this question:  "What is your favorite comfort food?" Post your answer in the comment section at the end of this blog post. (You must follow steps 1-3 to be eligible for this contest.)
4. Contest period:  February 19 - March  5, 2011.
5. The winner will be chosen via a raffle draw.
6.  I will send the GC to the winner through a courier service.
7. This contest is open to Metro Manila residents only.

Note: This contest is not in any way sponsored by Bistro Filipino. I won this GC in an offline promo conducted by YUMMY magazine last year and I've decided to give it away to one of this blog's readers.

UPDATE: THIS GIVEAWAY IS ALREADY CLOSED.

Watch out for the next giveaway: 50 ml  "Modern" perfume by Banana Republic.

Who Wants a GC?

First, I'd like to congratulate myself for creating this blog yesterday. And because I felt it was such an achievement, I'm feeling a bit generous today. I'm going to give away a Bistro Filipino gift certificate worth Php1000. I'll post the contest mechanics next week.

Now, I gotta work. Gotta beat my deadlines!

Symptoms of a Contest Addict

(Disclaimer: This list is based on my observations and opinions, Ok? I admit I'm a contest junkie, but please, don't take this seriously!)

1.   Surfs the web every day  (sometimes every hour) for  contests or giveaways.

2.       Reads the entries of other contestants to see how creative they are (and he sometimes compares their entries with his).

3.       Visits regularly websites or FB pages that hold contests.

4.       “Likes” all FB pages that hold contests then “unlikes” sites or pages that hold bogus contests.

5.       Gets depressed or disappointed when he loses.

6.       Gets an emotional  “high” (read: very happy) when he wins something (e.g., a cap, movie tickets or a box of doughnuts).

7.       Spends most of his time thinking of creative contest entries.

8.       Harasses his friends or relatives to “like” his entries on FB.

9.       Gets envious of contest winners (Bakit ganun? Siya na lang lagi ang nananalo. Bakit ang malas ko? Bakeeet? Bakeeet? Bad trip talaga!) and even memorizes names of winners (OMG!This guy won a Nikon camera last month and now he wins a Samsung champ! Arrghh!)

10.   Hates the winners (read: concealed antagonism) from other sites who join contests that he is joining (Eto na naman ito, hindi mag-give chance to others. Kainis ito talaga!)

11.   Forgets to do some errands and chores (doing laundry, cooking food, cleaning the house and yard) because he spends too much time online (on FB, Twitter, etc.)

12.   Eats ice cream or any comfort food to chase away his depression (because he lost) and then goes back again to those sites, fervently hoping that they will hold other contests.

OMG! I Am Now a Contest Addict!

It all started in October last year. I had nothing better to do so I surfed the internet for online contests. I stumbled upon these sites: pinay reviewer, boy-kuripot  and mukhang pera. They featured online contests which I joined with unabashed enthusiasm. I managed to win the following: a Navi Planner,  a Parker pen, and a Harry Potter tote and cap

Then I began to want more. I wanted to win gift certificates from  Shakey’s, Pizza Hut or Yellow Cab. No luck. I wanted to win gadgets and free trips. Again, no luck. Still, I persevere. Hey, who doesn’t  want a freebie?

Lately, I’ve realized that I have become a contest junkie. And being one has a downside.  I spent too much time online, looking for contests. (I’m pathetic, I know. I wonder what my friends would say if they knew this secret life I lead. I never told them that I’ve been joining contests for months now.) Also, these contests make me want things that I don’t really need. I mean, I can live  without a NokiaN8. Do I really need a cap when I have my umbrella?  I’ve stopped rationalizing. I keep telling myself that it’s not really a mortal sin to want the latest gadgets. And then here’s an opportunity to own one (through contests) without spending a single centavo, so why shouldn’t I grab it?

I’m glad that I have a family who tolerates my recent addiction to contests. I’m hoping that this is just a phase, and in time, I’ll be my normal self – one who is contented with her lot and knows what is worthwhile in life.

In the meantime, let me post my contest entries now. J

To join or not to join

February 7, 2011, 4:00p.m.

My friends and I are having coffee in a coffee shop. Following are some excerpts of our conversation:

Me:  I’m planning to join a contest.

Friend1: What’s the prize? (Friend2 raises one of her eyebrows.)

Me: A Galaxy Tab.

Friend2: What do you need a Galaxy Tab for? You don’t even use your Ipod Touch…

Me: Hello!!! A Galaxy Tab is different from an iPod Touch, and besides…

Friend1: (Interrupts rudely) I hope it’s not a singing or dancing contest hehe.

Me: (Laughs.) Of course not, and I am not that desperate.  And I can’t sing and dance, you know that! Don’t try to be funny (in a growling voice).

Friend2: Ok, so spill. What do you have to do?

Me: Well, I have to submit a photo or a video or a blog post. It must say something about me. I’m planning to submit a blog post.

Friend1: You don’t have a blog!

Me: I’ll create one.

Friend1:  Hah! You’ve been talking of creating one since … forever

Friend2: (Chimes in.) Yeah.  Since 2007? Or was it 2006? And now, it’s 2011.

Me: Stop snickering, you two. I will definitely create one this month… (thinks for a few seconds) after I finished my work assignments.

Friend2: When will this contest end?

Me:  February 11,  this year of course.

Friend1: And when is the deadline of your latest assignment?

Me: February 11

Friends 1&2: HAH!!!

Friend 1: Then you won’t be able to join this contest (sips her coffee and smiles at me in an infuriating way).

Friend2:  Yeah, say goodbye to Galaxy Tab hehe.

Me: (Annoyed). Ok, let’s have a bet. 200 bucks if I can’t make it.

Friend1: Make it 500, sis. (Friend 2 is laughing.)

Me: Ok, deal!

Friend1: Come Friday, I will be 500 bucks richer than you hehe.

Me: Don’t keep your hopes up!

Year of the Rabbit: Languid and Leisurely

Astrology, in spite of what its detractors say,  is recognized as a respectable endeavor. This is why at the start of the new year, some of us consult astrologers for guidance and forecasts. Astrology offers interpretive insights and puts events in a certain perspective. It is an interesting art, to say the least.

The year 2011, if we are  to consult the Chinese calendar is the Year of the Rabbit. Chinese astrologers base their calculations on the moon or lunar years, believing that the moon has a certain influence on human affairs.

Chinese astrology follows a cycle of 12 years. Each year of the cycle is  represented by an animal which is believed to have an influence on the lives, destiny and fate of those born in that particular year.

The animals assigned to represent each year were chosen when Buddha summoned all the beasts before him one New Year with the promise of a reward if they obeyed. Only 12 animals turned up and to each of them Buddha offered a year which was to bear its name. Thus the years ran, and still run, in the order which the animals arrived.The first to arrive was the Rat, followed by the Ox, then by the Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

So what does 2011 hold for us? Following are some forecasts: "People will acknowledge that persuasion is better than force. Diplomacy, international relations and politics will take center stage. People will be more discreet and make reasonable concessions. Law and order will be lax, rules and regulations will not be rigidly enforced. Lifestyles will be languid and leisurely. People will be busy enjoying themselves. They will take things easy and be less inclined to face unpleasant realities."

For cynics, this is pure baloney. But for centuries, millions of Chinese built their lives around the forecasts of their particular horoscope. Of course, there will be individual differences, practitioners will tell us. Some of these are the opposing factors and other influences warring with the individual's destiny -- the kind of life into which he is born, the financial status of his family and other things.

The more practical (and the less jaded) among us will argue that your life is what you make it and you are the master of your own fate. Still, some of us look to astrological forecasts. Why? Because, sometimes, these forecasts reveal several facets in our personality which lead us to an exciting path of self-discovery.