The Not-So-Great Executive Optical Mix-up.

Last Saturday, while in the middle of grocery shopping at SM, I suddenly remembered that I was almost out of contact lens solution. Though I usually resort to Vision Plus - a local optical store here in San Pablo City - for my eyecare needs, I had no choice that day but to buy elsewhere because

1) the solution I had at home was almost running on empty, 

2) Vision Plus was all the way across town and about 10 minutes away, 

3) both Yue and I were not feeling well and I wanted to go home as soon as we were done with the groceries.

So before heading for the exit, the little man and I made a beeline for Executive Optical. One of their store attendants was more than happy to attend to me the moment we walked in. I asked for a bottle of SeptoCare; store attendant wrapped it in a brown paper bag then wrote the receipt. I paid for the item, thanked the attendant, and then left.

Covered my details in not-so-happy smileys, lol.

Now imagine my stupefaction when I opened that brown paper bag at home. Inside was not the SeptoCare which I bought, but this!

EO FlexWear Solutions?!

I called EO right away to inform them about my missing SeptoCare; the staff who attended to me earlier realized that she must have switched my purchase with another customer's purchase by mistake. I was miffed, of course. But I managed to contain my displeasure and asked as calmly as I could, "So what do we do now? Are you going to ask me to go back there and return this?!" I went on saying, "I'm sure you've noticed that my son and I were sneezing and coughing, and I really can not go all the way back there. Especially not now."

Amenable to this mix-up and apologetic with her mistake, the staff asked me for my home address and told me that she will deliver the SeptoCare to my place right away. Unfortunately, no staff came over, and that night I had to squeeze my lens solution bottle down to the last bubble just so I could have something to soak my contact lens in.

The staff came over the following day - Sunday afternoon, to be exact - even more apologetic. She gave me my SeptoCare, while I returned the EO Solution to her.

THIS was what I paid for.

I'm thankful that she really went all the way to my place for my lens solution. But then again, it was her mistake - not mine, nor the other customer who also bought a lens solution the same time I did.

If there's one thing commendable about this incident, it's the fact that she owned up to her mistake and did something about it. I appreciate the gesture, Executive Optical SM City San Pablo.

But please be careful with things like this next time. Going back and forth your shop for a product exchange can be quite bothersome for anyone, most especially for moms (like me) who attend to so many different things each and every single day. Not to mention the fact that I always have a kid in tow to practically anywhere I go. And I'm pretty sure there are lots of moms out there that know exactly what I'm talking about.

Join | Coupon Haul's Summer Lovin' Giveaway!

THERE WILL BE ONE WINNER FOR EACH ITEM....

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  About 1 Sol Swimwear Valued up to $250.00 1 Sol Swimwear speaks to the fashion savvy woman who swoons over silky dreamy fabric and knows couture-worthy value when she sees it. It’s a marriage of salon craftsmanship and contemporary prices that distinguishes 1 Sol.Showcasing the versatility of the brand, all two-piece styles are designed to be mixed and matched. Meanwhile, 1 Sol’s body-conscious one-piece suits are expertly lined to flatter and embrace any figure. 1 Sol’s pinup-worthy one-pieces and expertly fitted tops and bottoms are nothing less than swim couture. Architectural elements pepper the collection with plunging necklines, asymmetrical shoulders, peek-a-boo cutouts and couture-minded embellishments. Likewise, feminine laser-cut lace, vertical ruching and expert pleating add depth and texture to the collection.

 

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  The ultimate form of self-expression, the Violent Lips Collection offers a statement-making line of Lip patterns that range from bold animal prints and fun polka dots, to sexy fishnets and picture-perfect Glitteratti sparkle. This innovative line of Temporary Lip Appliqués will keep the print and color on your lips for up to 8 hours. Vitamin enhanced with a smooth feel and glossy finish, the appliqués are easy to apply to lips of all sizes.

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The Original Easy Refill Fragrance Spray Have you ever wished you could have a quick freshen up when you're out and about?Carrying a big glass perfume or aftershave bottle is inconvenient, cumbersome and can be dangerous if it takes a knock and shatters.Travalo is a refillable atomizer bottle with a difference. Its patented easy fill system allows you to refill in seconds with a simple repeat pump action. Travalo makes it easy and convenient to have a fresh confidence boost any time, anywhere.

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Enjoy Hours of Fragrance ~ Hand Poured Soy Candles ~Made in the USA CT River Candles was inspired by the beauty of the Connecticut River and a personal love of creating handmade products. Our soy candles are hand poured in Haddam, Connecticut using 100% natural soy wax. We use the finest fragrance oils designed to provide the maximum scent possible. Our customers often comment on how strongly scented our soy candles are, how wonderful they smell and the great customer service we provide. Soy wax is all natural and renewable unlike paraffin. Soy Candles burn clean and provide a long lasting scent.

Continental US only

must be 18 yrs of age to enter!

ends July 18th 11:59pm est

Enter on the Rafflecopter below!

GOOD LUCK ALL!

Thank you to the following amazing Bloggers for helping promote this fun giveaway!

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Join | Nintendo Gaming Giveaway!

Review posted below was done by the Iowa Mom, who had the chance to try out the Nintendo DSi XL. Giveaway is hosted by her as well. The Rebel Sweetheart did not receive any compensation for this post. Think of this as a little treat for my readers who are into game consoles, or have kids who love video games. And I'm pretty sure any kid would love this! :)

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Recently the Iowa Mom family went on a little vacation with our year older, yet still young children. Lengthy car rides up until this point were chaos and I was lucky to arrive with my hair still intact. This we wizened up and packed each of our children their own DSi and DSi XL to help make the ride a little smoother. While I typically do not promote game play for more than an hour a day, the continued play with numerous fun and educational games to choice from allowed my husband and I the need 3.5 hours of uninterrupted quiet time we need to get from point A to point B. Word to the wise from mom to another, never travel empty handed again!

The Nintendo DSi XL is a high-powered handheld video-game system with an extra large, wide viewing angle screen, and a full size, easy to hold stylus. It comes with features like touch-screen control for a unique gaming experience. Snap photos with the built-in camera, edit and send them to friends, play back your music with Nintendo DSi Sound, or browse the Internet with the Nintendo DSi Browser. From playing games to just playing around, the Nintendo DSi XL does it all.

Includes: Nintendo DSi XL System, 3 Pre-Installed Titles - Brain Age™ Express: Math, Brain Age™ Express: Arts & Letters and Photo Clock, two free applications: the Nintendo DSi Browser and Flipnote Studio™, Nintendo DSi AC Adapter, Rechargeable Battery, Nintendo DSi XL Stylus (2), Easy Start Guide, Manuals (Basic & Controls) and Support Booklet.

Nintendo DSi XL Features:

• 93% larger screens
• Built in Internet browser.
• Full size, easy-to-hold stylus
• 3 pre-installed titles: Brain Age™ Express: Math, Brain Age™ Express: Arts & Letters and Photo Clock
• Plus, all the functions of the original Nintendo DSi system

BUY IT: Purchase the Nintendo DS XL from a variety of retailers online and in stores including Amazon.com for $129.99.

One lucky winner will receive a Nintendo DSi XL + 3 Games!

Brought to you by Nintendo and Mom Powered Media.

Thank you to our lovely co-hosts Giveaway Bandit and To Sew With Love

Giveaway ends July 3rd at 11:59pm, open to US residents only, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

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Win an Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette!

In celebration of 11,000 fans, Addicted 2 Savings 4 U is giving away a Brand New Urban Decay: Naked 2 Palette! With a Retail Value of $50.00! I have teamed up with some amazing bloggers to make this giveaway a huge success!!

Here's a little bit about this amazing palette! The most anticipated sequel of the decade. Naked2 has 12 pigment-rich, taupe and greige neutral eyeshadows, including five new shades. Our palette proves once again, neutral is anything but boring, (and is downright sexy when worn Naked). Feast your eyes on our shades ranging from pale to deep, matte to sparkly. This collection lets you achieve lots of neutral looks, smoky dramatic eyes, and everything in between. Let's just say there's a whole new way to get Naked! The case has an art-school inspired look with hinged lid - taupe metal with embossed chocolate brown artwork. It's smooth, modern and cool to the touch - a real tactile experience. Plus, our palette also features a travel-size Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Naked, and a double-ended, cruelty-free Good Karma Shadow/Crease Brush (available only in this palette). Any self-respecting makeup lover will have to have both palettes to get their complete neutral fix!

List of colors included in Naked 2 Palette:

Foxy, Half Baked, Bootycall, Chopper, Tease, Snakebite, Suspect, Pistol, Verve, YDK, Busted, Blackout

{Photo Credit: Frmheadtotoe}

Amazing Bloggers participating in this HOT giveaway: Pink Purse Adventures, The Rebel Sweetheart, Style N Decor Deals, Naddez's Tidbyts, Parsimonious Pash, Of Limes and Lemons, Crafts-things and Katie's Krazy Savings!

Disclaimer: I am a blogger promoting this giveaway, I am not responsible for the fulfillment of prize. Addicted 2 Savings 4 U assumes all responsibility for fulfillment and shipment of Naked 2 Palette!

Giveaway will run from Thursday, June 28th until Tuesday, July 3rd!

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Sign-Up | Michelle B. Cookware Giveaway.

Mom to Bed by 8 is currently looking for bloggers to help promote the upcoming Michelle B. Cookware Giveaway! This event will run from July 23rd to August 6th, and will be open to US residents.

Bloggers worldwide are welcome to participate, provided they have a large amount of US traffic to their sites. Sign-up now!

Please don't forget to mention that The Rebel Sweetheart referred you! :)

Sneakpeek | Human Heart Nature Laguna Concept Store

Something absolutely wonderful is happening on Saturday, June 30th.

After moving to a more spacious office and undergoing a complete makeover, the Human Heart Nature Laguna branch shall be re-launched and will now be known as the Human Heart Nature Laguna Concept Store!

To say that I'm excited about this event would be an understatement. I've seen the branch's humble beginnings and I've witnessed how it flourished over the years - from the birth pains, to the baby steps, and now to this big leap.

What makes me even more antsy-pantsy with anticipation is the fact that THIS would be the FIRST concept store in the South. So yeah, I'm beginning to sound like a stage mother and I just can't help it.

I would love for you to see how astonishingly beautiful our branch is now, but let's save that after the official launching day. For now, here's a sneak peek at how the store looks inside.

Friends and readers from Laguna and even those from the neighboring provinces - come and visit the Human Heart Nature Laguna concept store and experience only the good!


Hope to see you all on Saturday! :)


Human Heart Nature Laguna Concept Store
G/F G-Square Plaza, Barleta St., San Pablo City
(049) 503 1096
Facebook / Twitter

Sign-Up | Dyson DC24 Giveaway.

Here's another great opportunity for bloggers!

Mom Powered Media will be hosting the Dyson DC24 Giveaway come August 3, all the way until August 24. Up for grabs is a Dyson DC24 All-Floors Vacuum, valued at $399. This giveaway will be open worldwide; international winners shall be responsible for shipping fees to their country.

Sign-up for this event is free with an announcement post. Event details and sign-up form can be found here.

Win This Bag Week #1 : Fendi Spy Bag!

Welcome to Week #1 of

Win This Bag

sponsored by HipSwap

hosted by Sidetracked Mom’s Blog

“Win This Bag” is a 6-week event that will feature 6 weekly giveaways. There will be one designer handbag given away every week! Each bag will be an authentic, recognizable designer brand such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Coach, or Fendi. Our 6th week will feature a highly coveted designer handbag and you will have the option to claim bonus entries for each of the 5 weekly "Win This Bag" giveaways you entered leading up to this grand finale! So, enter each weekly giveaway to increase your odds of winning!

Here’s what really separates this event from any other handbag giveaway you may have seen before… some of these handbags will come to you directly from a celebrity’s closet! That’s right –

Thanks to HipSwap, you have the opportunity to win the exact bag that may have been on the arm of a famous celebrity! 

About our Sponsor:
HipSwap is a mobile and web marketplace that connects buyers and sellers locally and nationally. It enables people to discover what's inside the most fabulous closets, homes, and shops in neighborhoods and cities across America. HipSwap currently offers delivery service in Los Angeles and New York with its iconic pink delivery van.

This week’s prize:

If you're a fan of Dancing with the Stars, Karina Smirnoff, Fendi, or simply just someone who loves bags, then this giveaway is definitely made for you! We're kicking off our 6 weeks of giveaways with Karina Smirnoff's Fendi Spy Bag!


How to Enter:

1. Create a HipSwap account. You will be asked to enter your name, email and zip code. If you do not live in the United States, please enter your City and Country in the Zip Code field.

2. Once registered, you can earn additional entries by:

a. Pinning your favorite HipSwap bag on Pinterest

b. “Liking” HipSwap on Facebook

c. Following @HipSwap on Twitter

d. Tweet with the hashtag #winthisbag for daily bonus entries

e. Following the blogs who are bringing you this awesome giveaway

To be credited, all entries must be completed using the Rafflecopter form below. You can complete as many or as few entries as you’d like but remember, the more you do, the better your odds of winning! Plus, once you are following all of your hosts, entering each subsequent weekly Win This Bag Giveaway will be even faster & easier!

Good luck!

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This giveaway is open to entrants worldwide 18 years of age or older, except where prohibited by law. No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received. This promotion is no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook and is Facebook-compliant. To qualify to win, you must complete, at minimum, the mandatory entry on the Rafflecopter form. All entries will be forwarded to our sponsor for the purpose of randomly selecting a winner. Winners will be notified by email from a HipSwap representative. Winners will have 72 hours to respond or risk forfeiting their prize. Prize may re-awarded solely by the Sponsor's discretion. Prize fulfillment is the sole responsibility of the sponsor. This blog may not be held liable for Sponsors who do not fulfill prize shipments. The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. We reserve the right to publicly publish winners' names and/or likeness. By entering this giveaway, you are agreeing to these terms and conditions.

He's a Small Wonder.

A few days ago, I heard my son singing this out of the blue, "Naega jeil jal naga... naega jeil jal naga!" This means "I am the best", which is the chorus of 2NE1's hit song, I Am the Best. I was astonished, of course, because as far as I could remember, he heard this song no less than five times before. 


And then the other day, while we were at Bench shopping for my Super Junior shirt, the little man began belting out, "I love you, Baby I'm not a monster, Neon al janha ireoke kajima!" 
That's from the chorus of Big Bang's Monster, with the Hangul part meaning "You know me so don't leave like this." While he hears this song quite often - from the MYX Daily Top 10, at Arirang's Pops in Seoul, and from my 'Still Alive' CD - I never thought he'd be able to decipher the lyrics considering it's a Big Bang song.


My son has a pretty good memory - something I discovered even before he turned two. But I never expected his memory to be THIS amazing. 

He could already be working on his undergraduate thesis for all I know, lol.

Today, I came across an article from Austega, which gave me a better understanding of giftedness in my child. Looking at it from a broader spectrum, a gifted child exhibits exceptional ability in terms of the following:

• general intellect
• specific academic aptitude
• creative thinking and production
• leadership
• psychomotor
• visual and performing arts

A detailed list of characteristics can be found in this article.

The Circle of Moms simplifies this with an easy-to-understand checklist. The '20 Signs of Giftedness' are listed below:

1. Has early interest in words and reading
2. Has exceptionally large vocabulary for their age
3. Learns rapidly, easily and efficiently
4. Is curious about objects or situations, asks provocative questions; enjoys exploratory activities
5. Has an unusually strong memory, but is bored with memorization and recitation
6. Is flexible in thinking patterns; makes unusual associations between remote ideas 
7. Is independent
8. Has a wide range of interests
9. Demonstrates unusual reasoning power
10. Likes structure, order and consistency
11. Show unusual degrees of originality, concentration and persistent hard work on projects that capture their interest and imagination
12. Is perceptually open to his or her environment
13. Has an advanced sense of humor
14. Is sensitive to the feelings of others
15. Shows more interest in creative effort and new activities than in routine and repetitive tasks
16. Shows an intense interest and aptitude in an artistic activity, such as drawing, singing, dancing, writing, or playing a musical instrument
17. Is intellectually playful, interested in fantasy, imagination 
18. Acts as a leader among children of their own age
19. Tries to excel in almost everything she does
20. Senses when problems exist; always trying to adapt or improve things

*Note that no one gifted child exhibits all of these characteristics.

Highlighted in bold are the traits which we have observed in my son so far. And by 'we' that means I, my siblings, Yue's kindergarten teacher, and even the school directress.

Feel free to refer to this list as you discover and nourish the giftedness of your own child. As for me, I'm looking forward to being further amazed and astounded by my little progeny. :)

Sunday Shuttering | Guavas and Oranges.

I was supposed to be working on a review of Innisfree's Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask, but my neurons don't seem to be working at the moment. You see, the little man and I have been under the weather lately - he's got cough and colds, while I'm down with the sniffles.

Right now, we're both under medication, drinking lots of water, and packing up on Vitamin C as much as we can.

Yue loves oranges - which is good, because he gets just the more than enough Vitamin C that his body needs. A medium-sized orange contains 70mg Vitamin C, while the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of Vitamin C for Yue's age is 25mg per day.

On the other hand, women my age are recommended to consume at least 75mg of Vitamin C daily.

Guavas are the richest source of Vitamin C, as it boasts of 188mg per half cup. That's more than twice of a thirty-year-old woman's RDA!

I'm munching on these guava slices as I write, and I do hope for my sniffles to go away real soon.
There's too much to do at home, and I really hate it when I'm down with the sickness like this.

It's the Little Things that Make Me Burst at the Seams.

So many things to be happy about this week!

Finding Cherry Coke at the local supermarket. (Ergo, not at the SM Supermarket.)

Feasting on fried tofu and garlic rice. I can eat this for a week without getting sick of it, lol.

My Still Alive Special Edition album arriving at our doorstep and TOP coming home to noona! Haha! :)

It comes with a folded poster, too. 

My little man waking up early for school! 

Receiving a (late) Mother's Day + anniversary gift.

And the little man bagging the 'Star Student' medal for the week!

Hope everyone's had an awesome week, too. Happy weekend, everyone! :)

Sharing with InstaFriday, Mommy Moments, PhotoStory Friday, Food Friday, Food Trip Friday, Yummy Sunday, Mellow Yellow Monday, Blue Monday, Mom and Me Monday.

Sign-Up | Eight Weeks of Handbags.

Bloggers will love this, but bagaholics will love this even more!

Sidetracked Mom is hosting a designer bag giveaway (yes, you read it right DESIGNER BAGS) which will run for eight - I repeat - EIGHT consecutive weeks!

Event details, instructions, and sign-up form can be found here. Please don't forget to mention that The Rebel Sweetheart referred you! :)

Join the Fun in the Summer Celebration Giveaway!

Welcome to the Summer Celebration Giveaway Hop, hosted by Happy Mothering and Organic Mama through the Green Moms Network! As part of this fabulous event, a group of bloggers is each offering an eco-friendly giveaway worth $25 or more on their blogs!

A few weeks ago, I shared with you my new-found love - Human Heart Nature's Perfect Coverage Mineral Foundation. Thanks to the generosity of Human Heart Nature Laguna, one lucky reader will have the chance to experience this great product, too!

We're also giving away one Mineral Blush and one Mineral Lip Gloss to complete that flawless, dolled-up look!

Again, joining is very simple. All you have to do is complete the tasks listed on the Rafflecopter below. Completing all of the tasks is not mandatory. However, you are encouraged to do so, as the more tasks accomplished means more entries for you. :)

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After you finish entering my giveaway, be sure to visit the other participating blogs, which are listed below. Good luck, and enjoy the Summer Celebration! :)

Join | GuyLian Giveaway!

I'm a certified chocoholic. Be it a chocolate bar, a chocolate drink, chocolate cookies, or a chocolate cake, for as long as it's chocolate, I'd be more than happy (if not ecstatic) to wolf 'em down. Come to think of it... is there anybody out there who doesn't like chocolate?

So I'm pretty sure a lot of you will find this next giveaway quite hard, perhaps even impossible, to resist. 

 

Gulyian Artisanal Belgian Chocolates provide the ultimate experience for chocolate lovers. Each luxurious chocolate seashell is marbled with 100% pure, silky smooth milk, dark or white Belgian chocolate. Their irresistible seashell chocolates are filled with a rich, decadent, and luxuriously creamy chocolate truffle; the original handmade recipe of Guy & Liliane. Their signature truffle recipe is still made in small-batch copper kettles exclusively by Guylian's Master Chocolatiers in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium.   

 

Review done by Donna's Deals and More 
We were able to try out their truffles and their no sugar added chocolate bars (both the milk chocolate and dark chocolate). My favorite was the milk chocolate. I wasn't too fond of the truffles, but my husband has been eating them up. He said they have a very "rich" taste. My dad happened to be around when we got into the chocolates and loved the dark chocolate bar. 


Now one of you lucky readers will be able to try them out too! They're offering a Guylian prize pack of

• One – 22 piece box of Guylian Artisanal Belgian Original Chocolate Truffles
• Two - 6 piece Original Chocolate Truffle Box
• Four - 2 piece Original Chocolate Truffle Box

All you have to do is enter the rafflecopter below!

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*Open to US only, must be 18 years or older

*Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. The Rebel Sweetheart will not be responsible for sponsor prize shipment.