I know for certain that blogging is something that I could be doing for a long time because I have been writing on my diary since I was in elementary.  It's a passion that cannot be taken away from me and can you just imagine how young I started journal-ing?  I continued this in high school, which was more colorfully or artistically done on Trapper-Keeper then Filo-Fax (yung nakaka-relate, alam niyo na ang age/batch ko!)  In college, I wrote poems for our school literary issues and had interests in the field of arts.  Writing has always and will always be a part of me.  So as long as there is still at least one single reader, visiting and consuming my blog content (actually kahit wala eh!) I'll keep on doing what I love doing.

This blog has also achieved quite a few flattering recognition from organizations and brands who believe in my blog's key messaging or what marketers would call "branding" which truly are both proud and humbling moments of my blogging career.  Since it also started, Mommy Practicality had gone through blog design overhauls.  I just want to make sure that I continue to improve this craft and ensure that I publish quality content for my dear readers (I really do hope I'm achieving this, though!)

2012 Blog banner designed by my colleague, Myzyl Choi.

2013, same design, cleaner color using mainly White, Pink and Grey.

2014 - 2015 Blog Design by Patricia Alix Villa of Fancy Girl Designs after consulting with my blog coach and dear friend Martine de Luna of Make It Blissful

2016 blog design still by Patricia of Fancy Girl Designs.  This time it's more intentional, colors of my liking, clean, simple, elegant, but still practical-looking.  The blog's description also changed and speaks more of what the blog is all about and what it intends to achieve or do.

If you would ask me about my blog's direction, I think I've said it earlier this year, that I do plan to take it to another level someday by branching out from online to offline.  How?  By offering workshops on anything that concerns being a mom, a working mom, a business wo-mom or a stay-at-home mom.  I also plan to have workshops to related to finances or budgeting.  Those are top plans, nothing really concrete.  But I do hope to be able to materialize these things before the year ends.  I also hope to have a regular meet-up or coffee dates with my readers, parang level-up giveaway.

The Blogversary Blowout
So speaking of a blog giveaway and celebrating this momentous blog event, I have one happening this blogversary month! :)

The rafflecopter below is will just serve as checking of qualified entries but the real purpose is, for me to get your feedback on how Mommy Practicality has helped, informed, inspired, or influenced you.  I would also like to know which areas I should improve on or which content would you like to see more of in the blog.  And lastly, but not really mandatory, is for you to leave me an encouraging, uplifting, inspiring or positive note.

Leave your answers to these questions on the comment box at the end of this post:

1) How has this blog helped, informed, inspired or influenced you?  Is there a particular blog post or blog category which touched or moved you the most? 

2) What type of posts or category would you like to see on Mommy Practicality in the future to help me improve the blog's content?

3) Any encouraging words for me?  Comments or suggestions (wag nang violent reactions ha!) are welcome. :) 

That's it loves!  I will be choosing two winners (with the best, sincere, and honest answers) of goody bags which contain the following:

Goody Bag #1:

• Lux Love Forever Body Wash
• Lux White Impress Body Wash
• Dove Powder Soft Deodorant Spray
• Astring-O-Sol Mouthwash
• Oilatum Soap Bar
• Belo Mason Glass
• Skinhouse Beauty and Laser Clinic GC worth Php4,500
• McDonald's Gift Certificate
• DMCI Notepad
• Fat Papers Notepad
• Muri + Malana Metallic Tattoo
• Smart Gym Bag (not in photo)

a Rafflecopter giveaway Terms and Conditions:

• Open to all readers residing in the Philippines.
• Mandatories should be met: kindly follow Rafflecopter tasks
• Answer all three questions listed above on the comment section below.
• No need to leave your email address or full name, your valid email addresses are shown in Disqus as a measure of content security.
• Feel free to share this giveaway to other readers and use hashtag #MommyPracticalityTurns4 (not mandatory)
• This giveaway will run until end of July.
• Winners will be selected within a week after the giveaway ends and shall be announced on or before August 5, 2016.
• Prizes will be couriered to the winners.

THANK YOU SO MUCH my dearest readers for making my blog survive four wonderful years!  I never had a doubt that I wouldn't keep up or sustain creating content that would bring relevant information, inspiration and hopefully influence readers to live a positive and quality kind of life by choosing a practical lifestyle, believe me it's possible!

I'm excited to read your comments, suggestions, and feedback loves!  Thank you once again!  Have a great week ahead!

GRAND PRIZE GOODY BAG:

Contents:

Dove Ultimate White Deo Stick

Dove Ultimate White Deo Aerosol

Dove Shampoo

Dove Conditioner

Shinagawa Celesty Peeling Gel

Priva Intimate Feminine Wash

Colgate moutwash pouch

Colgate Floss

GLAD ClingWrap

White Tank Top

Pink Sunglasses

White-Clear Tote Bag

1st RUNNER-UP GOODY BAG:

My first encounter with BELO Intensive Whitening Bar (Kojic Acid + Tranexamic Acid) was trying their soap.  It was effective on me and I definitely saw positive results within two weeks of use.  

I'm surprised to know that this time, skincare line has expanded to having BELO Intensive Whitening Face and Neck Cream and BELO Intensive Whitening Body Cream.  It's like a power trio products working altogether to give me the desired results I want for my skin!

I tried using all three for more than a week and so far, I am liking the lightening effect they have on my skin, just how I liked the BELO Intensive Whitening Bar, when I first tried it.  I didn't use any other product while I use these power trio skincare product.  Here are the results on my arm:

Diba?  EFFECT kaagad!  So what are the active ingredients of this effective skincare product?  They boast of a unique combination of two most powerful whitening actives – Kojic Acid and Tranexamic Acid which are both responsible for a lighter appearance and tempering melanin formation.  Kojic Acid is known to be an organic compound that gives the skin a visibly lighter appearance.  While Tranexamic Acid is a peptide proven to inhibit inflammation and melanin formation. These are ideal for stubborn dark spots that do not respond to other skin lightening ingredients.  

USING BELO INTENSIVE WHITENING SKINCARE LINE

SOAP
During the first few days using the soap on my face and body, I felt a slight stingy sensation, which is normal because the active ingredients are already working in exfoliating the skin.  It will fade away through continued use.  It's recommended that the soap be used twice a day on face and body to see the results better.  Make sure you don't use any other whitening product while on the BELO Intensive Whitening care.  The soap also has Salicylic Acid which is an active ingredient in effectively drying my whiteheads and blackheads.  It made me a lot happier because of that.  

BODY CREAM

The body cream is surprisingly light on skin and doesn't leave me feeling greasy like other body creams I used.  It smells really good and even my kids like it.  It leaves a silky finish and yet it's not heavy on the skin.  And because it's SPF 30 it protects my skin for 300 minutes when I go out of the house on my way to work in the morning!  It's recommended to use it after bath and twice a day to get the best results.

FACE AND NECK CREAM

I use the face and neck cream just like how I use my other face and neck moisturizers, after cleansing and toning.  Same with the body cream, it's light on the face and neck and it's not at all greasy unlike most of the moisturizers I use!  It's recommended to use this twice a day as well.  It comes with a spatula to help you scoop your desired amount.  But for me the recommended amount for the face is a medium pea-size which you may dab all around your face.  Spread it with your middle or ring finger, which they say, gives the lightest pressure on your face compared to the others.  This way you won't have to drag your facial skin downwards and you may prevent premature sagging of the skin.  Another good thing about this is that it's SPF 30 which protects our skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun.  It's expertly formulated, hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested.

I'm satisfied with the results I see after using BELO Intensive Whitening Skincare products for the face, the neck and the whole body.  What's more, these are seen over the counter and also available online, and believe me, are not expensive at all.  They are sold at very affordable and reasonable prices and hence I believe should be the choice of whitening products of every Filipina, who like me, are looking for quality and effective products which do not come with a shocking price tag.  BELO Intensive Whitening Bar only costs Php 60.00 each, BELO Intensive Whitening Body Cream with SPF30 150ml is only Php 199.75, and BELO Intensive Whitening Face and Neck Cream is only Php 249.75.  Try these practical and effective BELO Intensive Whitening Skincare products to see the results yourselves!

Para you can also say together with Sarah Geronimo "Only BELO touches my skin!"

GIVEAWAY ALERT!!! (CLOSED APRIL 10, 2015)

Because our dear friends from BELO Essentials are very generous, they are giving away FIVE (5) BELO Intensive Whitening Skincare Sets!

Giveaway Mechanics:

1. Open to all readers residing in Metro Manila and willing to claim their prize in BGC, Taguig City.

2. LIKE Mommy Practicality and BELO Essentials on Facebook or follow all tasks in the Rafflecopter.

3. Create an entry by answering this question on the comments form below this post: "Why do you want to have a lighter skin?" 

4. Five winners will be chosen based on how unique and creative the message is.

5. Giveaway ends on April 10, 2015.

6. Winners will be announced on April 15, 2015.

Good luck to all! 

STEP 2: CREATE ENTRIES

1. Follow all tasks in the Rafflecopter Tool.
2. Don't forget especially your Birthday Message for me, your IG handle, the link to your FB Share (with 2 friends tagged!) and your Complete name and email address in the comment form below.

MECHANICS:

Presenting: GET RICH & NATURAL PACKAGE BLOWOUT

We will follow the same mechanics as the last time but with a twist. :)  Here goes:

          Follow Mommy Practicality

• on Facebook: http://www.mommypracticality.com/mommypracticality
• on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mompracticality
• on Instagram: http://instagram.com/mommypracticality
• on Bloglovin: Follow my blog with Bloglovin 

  Follow SPONSOR on Facebook:

• Human Nature: https://www.facebook.com/humanheartnature
• Bamboo Dappy: https://www.facebook.com/bamboodappylove
• Moringa-O2: https://www.facebook.com/MoringaO2

    4. For additional entries:

• Share the giveaway on your Facebook and tag 3 friends. At the bottom of the post, look for the Facebook Share button, click and copy this: Join @MommyPracticality 's Get Rich and Natural Package Blog Anniversary Blowout!  Start earning entries here:  
• Tweet about the giveaway : Join @mompracticality 's Get Rich & Natural Package Blog Anniversary Blowout!  Earn entries here now: 

    5.  ANSWER THIS on the comment form below: Why do you think you deserve to win a GET RICH & NATURAL PACKAGE?
    6.   Leave your Name, Email Address, URL of your Facebook Share post and Link to your Tweet.
         To get the URL, click on the time stamp of your post, then copy the URL.
    7. Winners will be chosen carefully from the ANSWERS you will submit but Rafflecopter will be used to verify your other important entries.
8. This Get Rich & Natural Package Blog Anniversary Blowout will run from July 10 to 16, 2013.

Terms and Conditions:

1. Winners may win only once per giveaway package.
2. Winners will be notified through email.  If no reply received within two weeks from notification, prizes will be forfeited and another winner shall be drawn.
3. Prizes are transferable but not convertible to cash.
4. Winners or their representative should be willing to claim the prize at the following venues: M-F: Ayala Ave., Makati City (exact time and location to be emailed) between 10am to 6pm only; Sat-Sun: Gateway Cubao, Robinson’s Magnolia, SM Sta. Mesa or SM Manila (exact time and location to be emailed)
5. Winners/representative should present a printed copy of my email and at least one (1) valid ID when claiming the prize.
6. Mommy Practicality’s decision is final.

Are you ready?  Earn entries now for a chance to win a GET RICH & NATURAL PACKAGE!

Get Rich and Natural Package: July 10 - 16, 2013

Details of the Pinaka-BONGGAng giveaway will be announced tomorrow, July 2.  So please stay tuned!  I would like to thank my sponsors for believing in my blog and for supporting this giveaway.

UPDATE: JOIN THE BLOG ANNIVERSARY BLOWOUT HERE: http://www.mommypracticality.com/2013/07/mommy-practicalitys-blog-anniversary.html


Thank you to:

SM Accessories

Celeteque Dermoscience

Swish

pH Care Feminine Wipes

David's Salon by Pure Deal

Human Heart Nature Philippines

Bamboo Dappy

Moringa 02 by Ardent World, Inc.

Dunkin' Donuts

Goldilocks

Delishaes Cakes