Dress Up Ideas For New Years

One of the biggest nights of the year is right around the corner and with what we've all experienced this year either personally or watched via  the national news, a little celebrating is desperately needed.  But then, do we need an excuse for dressing up?  Nah!

There are times though we do get into a funk about what to wear.  So, if you're going out with your girl friends, attending a house party or going somewhere special with the man in your life, here are a few great fashion ideas.

Even though wearing something brand new feels good, there is a dress that is timeless, classic and we all generally have one in our closets ... the little black dress.  Switch it up with fab accessories like shiny gold/silver jewelry, classy pair of heels, chic clutch bag and a sassy hairstyle to finish the look.

Ahhh.  There is no other style that screams party than "Sparkles & Sequins" ladies.  You can dress up a pair of black jeans with a sequin top, add a little shimmer to a humdrum skirt with sequined hosiery, put a little snap into your step with a pair of shimmering platform pumps or simply go all out in a sequin dress.

Do you have a Black Tie event to go to?   "Black tie" doesn’t necessarily and always mean you have to wear a black dress. If you’ve got a fancy fete on your New Year’s Eve agenda, take a tip from Lea Michele and opt for a pretty pale dress. It’ll set you apart from the sea of black dresses, getting you noticed in a good way. 

Decadent Carrot Cake

Most of us generally serve the traditional pies over the holidays and even though Carrot Cake is a popular item, many stay away from it because it's high in fat and calories.  I found a recipe you won't feel guilty about using some great substitutions and it's just as delicious.

Ingredients:

Cake

• 20-ounce can crushed pineapple
• 2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour, (see Ingredient Note)
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 large eggs
• 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup nonfat buttermilk, (see Tip)
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups grated carrots, (4-6 medium)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted (see Tip)

Frosting

• 12 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese softened
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons coconut chips to sprinkle on top if you like

Preparation:

To prepare cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

Drain pineapple in a sieve set over a bowl, pressing on the solids. Reserve the drained pineapple and 1/4 cup of the juice.

Whisk flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Whisk eggs, sugar, buttermilk, oil, vanilla and the 1/4 cup pineapple juice in a large bowl until blended. Stir in pineapple, carrots and 1/4 cup coconut. Add the dry ingredients and mix with a rubber spatula just until blended. Stir in the nuts. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly.

Bake the cake until the top springs back when touched lightly and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

To prepare frosting & finish cake: Beat cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake. Sprinkle with toasted coconut.

No buttermilk? You can use buttermilk powder prepared according to package directions. Or make “sour milk”: mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk. Whole-wheat pastry flour is lower in protein than regular whole-wheat flour which has less gluten-forming potential, making it a better choice for tender baked goods.

Scrumptious Honey Oat Bread

Thanks to my friends over at Lifescript.com here's a bread recipe you might want to consider baking up this holiday season because it's not only different but, quick to prepare, sweet, moist and nutritional.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons plus 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, or quick-cooking (not instant) oats, divided
1-1/3 cups whole-wheat flour, or white whole-wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
2-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/4 teaspoons salt
8 ounces (scant 1 cup) nonfat or low-fat plain yogurt
1 large egg
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup clover honey, or other mild honey
3/4 cup nonfat or low-fat milk

Preparation
1. Position rack in middle of oven; preheat to 375°F. Generously coat a 9”x 5” (or similar size) loaf pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon oats in the pan. Tip the pan back and forth to coat the sides and bottom with oats.

2. Thoroughly stir together whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Using a fork, beat the remaining 1 cup oats, yogurt, egg, oil and honey in a medium bowl until well blended. Stir in milk. Gently stir the yogurt mixture into the flour mixture just until thoroughly incorporated but not over-mixed (excess mixing can cause toughening). Immediately scrape the batter into the pan, spreading evenly to the edges. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon oats over the top.

3. Bake the loaf until well browned on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 40-50 minutes. (It’s normal for the top to crack.) Let stand in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Run a table knife around and under the loaf to loosen it and turn it out onto the rack. Let cool until barely warm, about 45 minutes.

Enjoy!

Protecting Your Skin This Winter

Don’t know about you, but the thought of Jack Frost nipping at my nose, contending with frigid temps and snow drifts higher than my 5 foot frame does not make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  

I wouldn’t say I was a “Humbug” about this changing season as there is nothing more beautiful than an untouched landscape of pristine, virgin snow that glitters like diamonds in the sunlight.  Winter does a heck of a number on our skin, however, and if not cared for properly, can cause some damaging effects.  Frigid air lacks humidity and dries up natural oils in your skin, causing it to lose its moisture.  Blustering winds can cause chafing windburn and indoor heating systems can prove a culprit as well. 

So what’s a girl to do?  Here are some tips on protecting your skin this winter.

•  Suppose to be doing this anyways – water – water – water – at least 8 glasses a day

• Use a soap for sensitive skin this time of year

• Wet clothes can irritate so, change right away from winter activities & exercising outdoors

• Use laundry detergents pure of perfumes and dyes

• Don’t soak/shower long in hot water

• Moisturize your skin while it’s still damp after bathing

• Use petroleum jelly on skin exposed to long periods of cold, wind and sun

• UV rays are just as strong so, protect your skin with at least an SPF 15

Happy Holidays From My Home To Yours

Best wishes for a happy, healthy and safe holiday season whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa in your homes with family and friends.  We so appreciate your visits and loyalty throughout the year and hope your journey will continue as we enter into 2012.

Have You Lost That Lovin' Feelin'

Do you need a homing device to relocate your sex drive?  Nearly one third of American women actually “aren’t in the mood” and proclaim a headache coming on to cover up their lost desire.  We all know menopause can be a major factor and generally strikes women around age 51.  However, it’s not an excuse.  What many women don’t release is that active sex stimulates blood flow to all the right areas and a topical cream will help relieve the dryness that sometimes occurs and makes having sex painful.  So, the more you have and cream up, the more you won’t be saying no and enjoying.

It’s amazing how many times stress is a leading cause for whatever ails you.  When it comes to sex … well, that too.  We all know we can multi task with one hand tied behind our task.  Asking your partner to share in some tasks like bathing the kids, throwing in a load of wash at night or helping with dinner, will give you both time for enjoying each other.

Taking contraceptives so you can play without the fear of getting pregnant ironically can lower testosterone levelsenough to depress the desire.  Talk to your gynecologist about swapping brands. Birth control pills contain estrogen and various types of synthetic progesterone called progestin.  In some pills, the progestin behaves more like testosterone and can actually increase libido.

Keep a look out for the medications you may be popping.  Valium and Xanax can off kilter your sex drive while those taken for high blood pressure, migraines and antihistamines for colds and actually dry up the vagina. 

When it comes to sex or, the lack of, there’s always a reason around for what is ailing you to help you get back into the arms of the one you love.

Moves to Slim Down That Muffin Belly

Before I recommend an exercise video I've come across, I like to try it out myself to determine the true impact.  OMG !!!!  If you want great workouts for abs,  I hurt for three full days after doing these moves.  Not looking to scare you away but, if you want to strengthen your core and work those ABS, this will do it.  It's always good to switch it up ladies and why not go with something that really works.

Share A Christmas Wreath Design Blog Hop

Happy Holidays ladies!  This is my very first blog hop, "Whoo Hoo!"  So, I apologize in advance for any blunders the first of which I confess was figuring out the correct time stamp date on my digital camera. Ugh!  I wrestled with this I can't tell you how long and just gave up so ... onward to the fun part.  This Christmas Wreath Blog Hop is simple.  Share your wreath design instructions or just a photo of one you love to inspire and bring joy to someone's home for the holiday.  You don't need to follow 15 steps to participate just 3 easy ones.  (1) Become a Follower of The Girlz Korner via email or Google (2) grab my button and linky code below and post about the hop on your blog to share with others posting the instructions of a wreath you perhaps made yourself with a photo or just add a  photo of a wreath you love in your post.  (3) When you add your information below to join the blog hop, make sure the link you add is the one that goes directly to your post so our visitors will see your wreaths.

My wreath only cost me $25 to make mostly because I bought everything during an end of season sale at Michael's.  The pine cones I collected from Mother Nature and tipped the edges with gold paint from the craft store.  If you don't know how to make a bow like mine, just follow the instructions on this awesome link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70gvnlixO04

Hope you enjoy ~

Night Owl or Early Bird

Which are you?  Do you find it really hard to get acclimated in the morning?  If you don't start your day off on the right foot, let's face it, there isn't much hope for it ending on a happy note.  Some of us are simply morning people.  We rise with a smile on our face, a skip to our walk and whistling out the door to begin our day.  Then there are those who constantly hit the doze button, suck down way too much java to jump start their day and usually don't find their "mojo" kicking in until well after noon time.  

Whether you're a night owl or a morning lark, there are some healthy things you can do to boost your energy up a notch and start your day off right.

Lighten up. Now come on.  You know it's true.  Singing in the shower or on your way to work will put you in a better frame of mind.  Browse through the funnies or read the joke for the day to crack yourself up.  Good vibes will improve your mood.  

Gas It Up.  Start out your day with a good breakfast.  Like your car, your body needs gas to get moving.  A serving of fresh fruit or juice, complex carbohydrates from oats or other whole grains, and a protein source such as low-fat dairy or a handful of nuts.   Don't have the time?  Not an excuse ... prepare a smoothie the night before and drink it on the go.

Cut Down The Caffeine.   Yes, it'll help wake you up ... within limits though.  The last thing you want is be too wired.  Too much caffeine can lead to headaches, the jitters, nervousness, feeling sleepy later and even irregular heartbeats.  Energy drinks aren't any better and offer five times as much. Caffeine is a diuretic in large amounts, so sip water to counter it because even mild dehydration saps your energy.

Get Some Zzzzz.  The needed hours of sleep each night is 7.  Lack or less of can make us less productive, clumsy and prone to obesity and disease. Catching up on the weekends won't help either.  The key is following a healthy routine just like we create for our children.  Just because we're older, doesn't mean our bodies require less. 

"Go to the light."  Not talking crossing over to the other side here ladies.  Believe it or not, sunlight triggers hormonal changes in our brains that make us alert, regulate our internal clocks and also improve out mental performance.  If you can, try getting up a little bit earlier to take a quick walk or eat breakfast by a sunny window. If you commute in the dark, pop outside later to take a morning sun break.

Exercise.   Brisk walking with give you an immediate boost, and regular exercise offers a lasting high. Aim for at least 2.5 hours of brisk exercise a week. Even 10-minute sessions yield rewards. Remember, you just need it in your life morning, noon or later in the day.

From My Home To Yours

Tipam and Dudin

Mga matakaw sa Scramble :P

"Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of.  You know whatever you do, they'll still be there."  ~Amy Li

 And no matter how many times we fought over stupid things, give each other a cold shoulder after a talk fight, and sometimes hurt each other (a little :P).. the day won't end if we don't end up talking and laughing back to each others' company.

I am not a "I love you, sis" type of person, but just so you know, I love you, both. And I thank the Lord that He gave you to me, to us. I am lucky that you both are not Amazona-type of person. Kundi, deads na ko kay maldita baya ko sa inyo. Hehe. Libreha nya ko ha. Sige ra ko libre ninyo. HAHAHA.

Bang the domo

After I blog walked on someone named Reese, I explored her blog and stumbled upon her Blog Walk post. It's about a list of blogs where they are hosting different contest and giving away much amazing prizes.

I visited each blog and decides which contest to join. I wanted to join each contest coz of the prizes their giving away, (They're so generous!) but some has a lot of mechanics, while I can't meet the requirement on some contest. So, I joined a comeback/birthday contest of HoshiGirl's With a Bang! It's not because her mechanics are easy but it's actually the prize that urge me to join. I looove her prizes, specially the Domooooo stuff! :) Well, I'm crossing my fingers here. And ooooh, June 10 is coming!

Mechanics are simple:

Like HoshiGirl*’s Facebook page

Like and support this awesome band, Auto Aim

Follow HoshiGirl on Twitter and tweet this: “I want to win cute stuff and $$$, @hoshigirl! http://j.mp/j8Is7K #WelcomeBackHoshiGirl“

Comment on her blog entry so she will know you joined!

Blog about this contest and get +2 entries in the raffle!

Watcha waiting for guys, join this contest, too. Or you can join other contests!
Try to look at these contests, and good luck!

• Living Life to the Fullest - is giving a total of $500 worth of cash for blogger geeks and a $150 on newbies.
• Abdul Hakeem - is giving a free domain name.
• Digital Catharsis - is giving $100 birthday giveaway.

Summer 2011

This year's been the (almost) greatest summer of all. Simply, I spent my summer with my officemates, my college friends, and my family. It would have been perfect if I was able to joined my highschool friends on their Surigao trip. Oh well, there's no point in crying over spilled milk. I will have my chance.. soon!

Samal Island Hopping [03/27/2011] 

Island hopping with my college friend a.k.a. Ban of Brother (BoB). Sponsored by the Piclyf's New Year Raffle Promo, James. Hurray! (I borrowed some of your pics, master! =P)

Maxima Beach Resort, Samal [04/03/2011]

Our [supposed-to-be] Team Building at Maxima Beach Resort last April, 2011. With the Dev Team, Data Analyst Team, Business Team (my team!), System Admin, and our special guest, XML Master, GG. :)

  BlueJaz Beach Resort, Samal [05/05/2011]
An outing with my sisters, aunt, uncle and cousin.

Lastly.. This space would have been with my highschool buddies. Guess my next post for them will be on December since we're planning to go to Saranggani Island. :)

The Cartoonized Glee Cast

While I am searching for some random wallpapers for my phone in Zedge, I stumbled  upon this cute cartoon wallpaper of the Glee cast! It was uploaded by someone named Foerghann. It got me curious of who made this cutie drawing so I googled it and found out that it was made by Nicky Rutten. I found her other artworks on NickyToons at DeviantArt. I gotta say, four-thumbs up (including my foot thumbnail :P) for you, Miss Nicky. You're incredibly awesome~!!!

Annnnnd since I'm a fan of Glee and a fan of art, I had the urge to post this wallpapers here ;)

Quinn Fabray

Rachel Berry

Sam Evans

Finn Hudson

Tina Cohen-Chang

Kurt Hummel

Santana Lopez

Noah 'Puck' Puckerman

Mercedes Jones

Brittany S. Pierce

Emma Pillsbury

Will Schuester

Sue Sylvester

Artie Abrams

Vampire Academy

One of my favorite books is the Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. It tells the story of a seventeen year old Dhampir girl named Rose Hathaway. She is training to be a bodyguard to her bestfriend, Vasilisa 'Lissa' Dragomir, a Moroi princess.

Rose is also mysteriously bonded to Lissa, she can read her mind and feelings. And while Rose is learning how to defeat the undead and evil vampires, or the Strigoi, she was caught in a forbidden romance with her instructor, Dimitri Belikov.

I give this book a two thumbs up. Read it too and maybe it will also be listed to your favorite-book-list. :)

Vampire Academy (Book 1)

Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with an unbreakable bond to the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest and most dangerous vampires--the ones who never die.

The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a Dhampir; she is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making her one of them.

After two years of illicit freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir's Academy, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. Rose will continue her Dhampir education. Lissa will go back to being Queen of the elite Moroi social scene. And both girls will resume breaking hearts.

Fear made Lissa and Rose run away from St. Vladimir's--but their world is fraught with danger both inside and out of the Academy's iron gates. Here, the cutthroat ranks of the Moroi perform unspeakable rituals and their secretive nature and love of the night creates an enigmatic world full of social complexities. Rose and Lissa must navigate through this dangerous world, confront the temptation of forbidden romance, and never once let their guard down, lest the Strigoi make Lissa one of them forever...

Frostbite (Book 2)

Rose Hathaway's got serious guy trouble.  Her gorgeous tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason has a huge crush on her, and she keeps getting stuck in her best friend Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian.  (So not cool).

Then a massive Strigoi attack puts St. Vladimir's on high alert, and the Academy crawls with Guardians--including the legendary Janine Hathaway...Rose's formidable, long-absent mother.  The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy's not taking any risks.  This year, St. Vlad's annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only provide the illusion of safety.  When three students run away to strike back against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them.  Only this time, Rose--and her heart--are in more danger than she ever could have imagined...

 

Shadow Kiss (Book 3)

It's springtime at St. Vladimir's Academy, and Rose Hathaway is this close to graduation. Since making her first Strigoi kills, Rose hasn't been feeling quite right. She's having dark thoughts, behaving erratically, and worst of all...might be seeing ghosts.

As Rose questions her sanity, new complications arise. Lissa has begun experimenting with her magic once more, their enemy Victor Dashkov might be set free, and Rose's forbidden relationship with Dimitri is starting to heat up again. But when a deadly threat no one saw coming changes their entire world, Rose must put her own life on the line--and choose between the two people she loves most.

Blood Promise (Book 4)

Rose Hathaway's life will never be the same.

The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose's neck, a mark that says she's killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters . . . Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved?

Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir's and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?

Spirit Bound (Book 5)

Dimitri gave Rose the ultimate choice. But she chose wrong…

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri’s birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir’s—and to her best friend, Lissa. It is nearly graduation, and the girls can’t wait for their real lives beyond the Academy’s iron gates to begin. But Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri, and he's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance. And now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won't join him, he won't rest until he's silenced her...forever.

Last Sacrifice (Book 6)

It all comes down to now.

Murder. Love. Jealousy. And the ultimate sacrifice.

The Queen is dead and the Moroi world will never be the same. Now, with Rose awaiting wrongful execution and Lissa in a deadly struggle for the royal throne, the girls find themselves forced to rely upon enemies and to question those they thought they could trust...

But what if true freedom means sacrificing the most important thing of all?

Each other.


Watcha waiting for? Go buy your books now and read!