A few weekends ago, my fun childhood memories were brought back in an instant when I came to witness the launch of Bonifacio Global City's My Street, High Street which opened its streets to people to rediscover the thrill of playing outdoors.
Do you remember how an afternoon felt for you as child, sweaty and even dirty and all, but you came home all smiles because you played with your neighborhood friends in the streets?  How my husband and I always wished we could let our children experience the same without worrying about cars passing by or ill-intended people posing danger to our children.  Now we can!  Thanks to BGC who brings us back to a time where the street was the only place where we made friends!

ALL Sundays of the year which beginning March, 9th Avenue will be filled with larger-than-life games which both kids and the kids-at-heart alike will surely enjoy!

Look at all these games you and your kids could play:
I'm glad that BGC through this program, they are promoting healthy and active street life for our children.  In this digital age where game consoles, social media, and gadgets are everywhere and could instantly catch our children's attentions, I'm a happy parent that BGC knows that having fun in the sun is what will make children more active, learn social skills, build self-confidence, encourage communication, critical thinking, and simply have fun without being too dependent on any gadget.

Kudos BGC for My Street High Street!  I'm sure many other parents applaud you for this campaign!  See you there one of these Sundays loves! :)

I'm excited for Belo Baby because they just turned one year old!  Happy Birthday Belo Baby!  This calls for a celebration! When I say celebration, a giveaway is definitely in order! Wink!
But before that, let me share with you our Belo Baby experience first.  Belo Baby's 1st anniversary also means it's been a year since they've been part of my and my children's bath time.

Here's my Wes from last year:
Here he is a year later, still a Belo Baby baby:
With so many kids products out there, old and new, the Belo Baby remains to be our staple bath essentials for the kids.  So much so that I also love using it on my skin after bathing.

WE LOVE BELO BABY
We love the Belo Baby line of products because it's guaranteed made from 100% natural ingredients and 0% harmful chemicals.  Because of this, meticulous moms like us are assured that it's safe to use for our kids and babies too
Did you know that baby's skin is 20-30% thinner than adults?  So this means their skin is highly permeable.  So nakakatakot if we use products that contain harmful ingredients like sulfates, paraben, Tertrasodium EDTA, phthalates.  These chemicals may strip off baby's natural moisture, breakdown skin's protective barrier, and leave it dry and irritated.  The long-term effects are scary actually.
That's why we only trust Belo Baby because it only contains natural ingredients which are:

• Free from synthetic chemicals and toxins
• Less likely to cause irritation
• Generally gentler and safer than other products with artificial ingredients.

100% NATURAL INGREDIENTS
Cocoa Butter is an ingredient that contains antioxidant qualities that protect skin from the outside. It keeps the skin healthy by strengthening and deeply moisturizing it. With its anti-inflammatory properties, it also relieves common skin irritations like rashes.

Shea Butter is a known superfood for the skin, as well as the hair. It heals, protects, nourishes, and moisturizes skin from damage and dryness. Because it is natural, gentle, and soft, it is suitable for all skin types especially the delicate and sensitive skin of babies. It naturally heals common skin conditions of babies like eczema and diaper rash.

Sweet Almond Oil has the ability to lock moisture into the skin. It is also a good exfoliator to help remove dead skin cells and stimulate the development of healthier skin. It is generally safe for all skin types, including delicate baby skin.

What we like about BELO BABY:

• We know it's safe for use on my children because of its 100% natural ingredients
• It has a light and natural baby scent, not overpowering or irritating scent
• Soap and Hair & Body Wash are both easy to rinse and leaves skin soft and still moisturized
• The Face and Body Lotion is quickly absorbed by the skin and it's not sticky.  It's not-greasy (which is a no-no when weather is hot!  ehem, Summer na!) and leaves our skin velvety smooth and soft
• Budget-friendly

BELO BABY GIVEAWAY
Want to experience a #BeloBabyMoment too?  Join my giveaway!  Belo Baby is giving away some  Belo Baby packages and you may be one of the lucky winners!

MECHANICS:

1. Open to all who are Philippine residents only.
2. Follow Belo Baby on Instagram
3. Follow Mommy Practicality on Instagram
4. Post a photo of you and your baby/child on Instagram and in the caption, tell me how you think Belo Baby may help you bond with your baby. 
5. Use the hashtag: #BeloBabyXMommyPracticality 
6. Make sure your post is public
7. Comment below your complete name and the link to your IG post and your
8. Giveaway will run until March 23, 2016.
9. Winners will be announced on March 24, 2017.
10. Gift packs will be couriered to the winners.

We've had several home renovations already since 2012 because we wanted to make sure we use the space in the house as efficiently as we can.  My husband and I want a functional family space which will reflect both our styles.

In these renovations, we considered Style + Function and I'd like to add one more, Comfort.  With already three kids, it's important that the space we share as a family is one which we'll all be happy to be in, that we all look forward to coming home to every day, and one that is clutter-free and COOL so that we could invite family and friends over anytime even on humid summer days.

Id' like to share some personal tips on creating that mindful space for the family too.

• On Style - Know what your personal style is and your living space should reflect it.  Get ideas or pegs from the internet like Pinterest and create a mood board.  Know what colors, to use and make sure these colors would set a good mood which should make you happy and relaxed.

• On Function - I love making use of every space in the house while still ensuring that it's clutter-free.  I highly recommend that if you're customizing your furniture such as cabinets, drawers, or event sofa, make sure you could also create plenty of storage for those small items you don't want to be visible in the eye to avoid clutter.  For the room or kitchen, if you're customizing your cabinets, it would be better if it's ceiling-high so things are kept neatly.

• On Budget - Renovating the house could get so addicting, once you start styling and mindfully creating functional spaces, sometimes we can't stop coming up with ideas to improve our spaces.  But remember, your additional ideas may also mean additional expense.  So the first thing to do, set a budget and stick to it.  Compare prices of materials before purchasing.  Lastly be conscious on your spending by listing down all your expenses in a simple budget sheet which you could do on Excel.

• On Comfort - Style and Function are great but never leave out the most important thing, Comfort.  Install a powerful, dependable and cost-efficient cooling system in your living space to ensure that your whole family can still bond inside the house even on the hottest days.  A floor-mounted air-con is highly recommended. Choose a stylish and cost-efficient cooling units such as the Carrier Klarwind or for really large houses, the Carrier XPower 2.  This will ensure that your living space would not only look good but also "FEEL" good, now that's the Carrier Experience.

The New Carrier Slimpac Series
The Carrier Klarwind has an innovative 270 degree swivel head motion that provides wider and faster cooling with reach of up to 20 meters away.  It's quiet, sleek, very modern, stylish, and cost-efficient too.  This inverter aircon comes in 2.5HP with a high energy efficiency ratio (EER) of 18.0 as compared to 10.8 of other leading brands.  It has a Power Saving Eco which saves energy by operating at 25-30C temperature limit. It also features a 3 step anti-bacterial, electrostatic and carbon filter.  It also dehumidifies while providing moderate cooling through its auto swing mode.  Plus compared to a wall split type air-conditioner, this requires less maintenance.
The Carrier X Power 2 is recommended for bigger spaces like your mansion (hihi!) or an office.  It has the same features as the Klarwind at 3 horse power.  It's really a powerful cooling system because it can cool a room in 2 minutes.  It has an energy efficiency ration of 17.7 which is a lot better than other brands with the same horse power.

Aren't these new cooling system innovation great?!  Now is the perfect time to have your place assessed by Carrier Philippines for free because summer is about to begin (imagine the scorching heat of the sun permeating your homes - sweat, rashes, irritability!).  Book an appointment through their customer care hotline at 836-5555 or check their website www.carrier.com.ph for more information.  You may also follow them on Facebook for updates and future promos https://facebook.com/CarrierPhilippines/ and their stories via hashtags #SophisticatedComfort #TheCarrierExperience

Summer is about to kick off in a few weeks and while moms and dads like you and me think of which workshop we're going to enroll our kids, I am also on the look out for fun Easter Egg Hunting Events in Metro Manila this 2017.

It's been my blog tradition (and I will do my best not to break it!) to share with you a roundup of egg hunting activities for our kids in malls, activity centers, hotels, and wherever there is one!  I like doing this for you my dear readers because I know how as parents we realize the importance of giving good and lasting childhood memories to our kids with these traditions and bonding moments.  But please also remember to teach the true meaning of Easter, that Jesus Christ has risen.

So without delaying further, (I know you're as excited as I am too with all the eggs with prizes you could get with your kids, and the food, and the fun!) here's the much-awaited and frequently requested 2017 List of Easter Egg Hunting Activities for Kids in Metro Manila:




As early as now, establishments around the metro are preparing for their Easter events and egg hunting activities.  Make sure to bookmark this blog post and come back for additional event listings! If you have any leads or if you want your own event to be listed here, please email me at LDFandino(at)gmail(dot)com.  Have fun loves! :)

A few weeks ago, my kids and I had an awesome time during Krispy Kreme's Summer Tease event in their newly renovated Bonifacio High Street flagship store in BGC.  The fun event gave us a taste of what's it going to be like during summer in Krispy Kreme.  They are going to host a series of Summer Play Dates, Workshops and events which are definitely something to look forward to!

Whenever school season comes to an end, as parents, we always look for activities for our children to be busy with.  Great news, because Krispy Kreme has FOUR exciting activities the whole family could participate in (yeah, us coffee-dougnut-lovers too!)
First on the list is Krispy Kreme's egg-citing Easter Hunt on April 16, 2017 for kids aged 6 to 10 years old. Fun prizes and surprise treats are in store, making it the perfect play date for our kiddie fans.
Second, Krispy Kreme will have its Summer Workshop open to 6- to 12-year olds and will be a combination of fun games and learning sessions. Students will get a chance to learn what it’s like to be on the other side of the counter by being Kiddie Baristas or Doughnut Masters for the day.
Third, Krispy Kreme will have a Summer Job Program for teens and college students who are aged 15- to 22-years old.  I remember when I was still a student, I've always wondered how it feels like working during the summer but never had a chance to do so.  So if you're a teen or a college student, here's your chance to take part of Krispy Kreme's month-long paid training!  Participants will be exposed and immersed in the doughnut and coffee business, arming them with skills and experiences to make their summer break fun and productive.
Fourth, Krispy Kreme's limited edition coupons will make the experience even sweeter because your favorite doughnuts and coffees will be offered in doubles and pairs! You may enjoy double treats and delightful pairings of its Original Glazed doughnuts, signature coffee, Baked Creations, and the new Doughnut Holes – round, bite-sized doughnuts that come in different flavors like Matcha, Red Velvet, Churro, Chocolate and more.
Wow!  All four Summer Treats by Krispy Kreme will surely make this school break memorable for us (doughnut and coffee lovers) and more especially for the kids too!

“Krispy Kreme always strives to create joyful memories for its customers, and as we know that kids, teens, and their families are regular guests of the brand, we want to offer an experience to them that will be both fun and productive even if it’s the summer break,” shares Sharon T. Fuentebella, Krispy Kreme Philippines’ Chief Executive Officer.  “Plus, with the double treats and pairings of favorites like the Original Glazed doughnuts that we have all come to love, we want to make sure Krispy Kreme is also able to help create delightful experiences families will treasure throughout the years.”

For ten years now, Krispy Kreme Philippines has been sharing joyful experiences to Filipinos with its innovative product offerings, a warm and cozy store ambience, and fun activities that are uniquely memorable Krispy Kreme moments. And with these exciting activities and sweet deals, Krispy Kreme fans are sure to enjoy double the fun this summer season.

So make sure you and your whole family drop by Krispy Kreme in its flagship store to enjoy all the Summer Workshops and Activities for kids and Double Treats and Pairings too!  For more information and updates, like Krispy Kreme on Facebook. follow them on Twitter or visit their website www.krispykreme.ph.