How to Treat a Stuffy Nose?

Winter knock you off your game? What's the best thing to do for a stuffy nose?

There's no secret formula, so you'll need to try treatments one at a time to see what works for you. Use this backgrounder on some common decloggers; as always, read labels for directions and side effect info. 

Antihistamines: They fight histamines, chemicals that cause congestion and stuffyiness during an infection or allergy attack. Older ones such as Benadryl may make you sleepy, so look for newer formulas marked nondrowsy. 

Decongestants: Oral decongestants with pseudoephedrine work to clear you up by shrinking swollen nasal tissues, but they could make you jittery. Nasal sprays are great for occasional relief, but they lose effectiveness with prolonged use. 

Nasal irrigation: Neti pots and the like can help literally wash out congestion. Saline sprays moisten nasal passages and ease inflammation to relieve stuffiness. Both can be used in tandem with most over-the-counter or Rx meds, too. 

Natural cures: Sprays with capsaicin, the stuff that makes chiles spicy, may clear congestion, but there's not a ton of research to back this up. I say: Natural treatments may work, but use them carefully-too much of anything can hurt you. 

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Holiday Beauty Tips

It's the most wonderful time of the year! No, not the holidays--holiday parties! You may already have your outfits planned for the numerous get-togethers on your schedule, but have you figured out your statement-making beauty looks to go with them? We're highlighting the eye-catching beauty tips and trends that will make you truly sparkle this season. 

For work-related events - You don't want a look that's too out there--focus on sophistication with a touch of glamour. Always remember to apply moisturizer before any sort of foundation, ensuring a smooth base. Try an eyeshadow in either gold, brown, or silver, depending on skin tone, and stick to neutral lip shades close to your natural lip color. Vamp it up with eyeliner and a heavy coat of mascara on top and lower lashes. For hair, test drive the down 'do with a side-swept and modern version of a French twist. Be sure to try a tailored pair of printed pants with a simple tank and a tuxedo blazer for an authoritative yet festive holiday outfit.

For weekend night parties - Cat eyes are perfect for sexy and adventurous weekend looks. Starting with a clean eye, use a liquid liner to achieve this retro style--no need to line your lower lids. Try tousled and voluminous hair for a seductive vibe. We suggest a peplum mini dress in a fun metallic shade with black ankle booties instead of pumps, and feel free to accessorize with an embellished belt.

For daytime shindigs - Be daring with a bold lip--they're not just for the evening anymore! A sheer red for daytime, with the rest of your look clean and understated, of course, is the perfect way to take that beauty leap. For your hair, try a half-up style with volume for an effortless yet jazzed up feel. A cozy sweater with leather leggings are all you'll need to shine during any daytime event!

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Eating Healthy This Holiday Season

Pause for a moment amid crazy schedules to appreciate the joy surrounding you this holiday.

The true testament to the power of food goes beyond any sensory gratification to the feelings of love and togetherness it evokes. Yet, it seems so easy to overlook the deeper pleasures of the table amid the hectic holiday swirl. 

The body's logic is to respond to any stressor by focusing on taking as much food as possible and storing it. But you're not enjoying it. So if you're stressed-and most people are during the holidays-you will overeat and won't enjoy the time.

By encouraging you to let go of stressors and enjoy the food you're eating, mindfulness can help you make the most of your food choices, paving the way for truly appreciating and savoring them.

1. Inhale and exhale. 

Slow, deep, even breathing tells the brain stem to put the entire brain into a state of calm. Take five deep in-and-out breaths after you sit down at the table and before you lift your fork.

2. Give thanks.

The parts of your brain that are associated with gratitude and appreciation cannot operate when there is stress. But the good news is the reverse is also true: If you're focused on gratitude, the stress can't take over. Gratitude stops addictive patterns in the brain.  After your five deep breaths, allow yourself a moment of gratitude, silent reflection, or prayer for the food you are about to eat.

3. All food is good.

Remove "good" and "bad" from your food vocabulary. You can't completely enjoy a piece of cake if you're telling yourself it is bad for you. There is no such thing as a bad or wrong food. If you get rid of the judgmental language around food, it becomes less stressful. When making food decisions, try replacing "I should" or "I shouldn't" with "I choose to.

4. Replay frustrating situations.

When you do find yourself mindlessly eating or reacting to stress by reaching for something sweet or salty (it does happen to everyone), forgive yourself and move on. Because we tend to remember what we did wrong, it helps to replay it in your mind with a different outcome. It's a way of rehearsing that behavior so it replicates more easily. Instead of mentally putting yourself through the ringer, replay the situation in your head again. You went overboard with the cheese board or the cocktail bar, and you're unhappy. Replay the scenario, only this time you're taking a bite or sip, enjoying it slowly, and truly savoring every flavor.

5. Enjoy what's on your plate.

Never eat anything you don't enjoy, and truly enjoy everything you eat. Take the first four bites of your meals slowly and with full attention on the food: Savor the flavors and textures so that you can begin to understand what mindful eating feels like.

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12th World Bazaar Festival at the World Trade Center - December 7 to 23, 2012

In celebrating their tradition of promoting and organizing world-class events, Worldbex Services International (WSI), in cooperation with ABS CBN, brings you the 12^th World Bazaar Festival. It is the year’s longest Christmas charity bazaar’s running from from December 7 to 23 at the World Trade Center.

Drop in at the fair from Monday to Thursday from 12 noon to 10pm and Friday to Sunday from 10 am to 12 midnight for the opportunity to experience while being entertained by different shows and attractions provided by ABS-CBN talents live on stage. Relax and enjoy yourselves as you shop and dine in this Christmas shopping haven for the benefit of your family and ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.

The World Bazaar Festival will be featuring over 800 booths from the country’s top retail brands covering everything from toys to gadgets to books to handicrafts, kitchenware, and houseware. The bazaar has over 618 participating companies and a 25,000 square meter shopping area for 230,000 shoppers.

Be updated with the latest Kapamilya shows as ABS CBN launches their 2013 programs for everyone to enjoy at the event. You can also check out homemade desserts to give this coming Christmas at Woobie’s Goodies where pavilions of baked organic goods and snacks are available for sale.

The 12^th World Bazaar Festival will also showcase top brands in Designers Avenue like Rustan’s, Rayban, Rudy Project, Converse, Celine, CMG group, Play and Display, Goody, Hang Ten, Enfant, Adidas, Puma, FILA, Converse, Triumph and unique, hard to find Christmas decorations and ornaments from the Christmas Decors Producers and Exporters Association of the Philippines.

“Last year’s World Bazaar Festival was an overwhelming success, with thousands of people pouring in to shop their hearts out with our wide selection of products. This year, we look forward to organizing a Christmas charity bazaar that’s bigger and better than before with all our new highlights,” JR Ang, Worldbex Marketing Director, shares.

This year, there will be two weekend highlights for the World Bazaar Festival. Get the chance to grab the hottest gadgets  as top suppliers gather to put together the best shopping experience for you in the Appliance & Gadgets Craze. Meet and greet your favorite bloggers in Bloggers Block, done in cooperation with Bloggers United, where the top bloggers will pool together for a weekend blog hopping attraction with names such as Laureen Uy, Divine Lee, Camille Co, Victor Basa, David Guison, Lissa Kahayon and Kryz Uy to name a few. Both are pocket events which will happen simultaneously in the WTCMM East Wing.

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5 Basic Skin Care Tips for Women

For many people in their 20s, when it comes to health, beauty and just life in general, skin care is not their primary concern. With all the many changes that often occur during this period of our lives, from identifying life and career goals to surviving college and to truly entering the ‘real world’, the 20’s are a time of great upheaval for many people. What most people don’t realize, however, is that your 20s is also a critical time to create a skin care routine that will prevent wrinkles and set the tone for good skin throughout the rest of your life. Here are some simple tips on how to maintain a good skin.

1) Protect Your Skin From the Sun. The number one thing you can do to stay young and beautiful is to protect your skin from harmful sun rays. Not only does tanning (naturally or in sun beds) harm your skin and make you look older, it can also cause skin cancer. Wear an sunscreen with SPF 25 or higher on your face and body every day. 

2) Drink Plenty of Water. Dull looking skin can simply be the result of skimping on water intake. Many women don't realize that when you hydrate your body, you hydrate your skin too. Water helps plump up your cells to make them look younger and fresher, so be sure to drink up. 

3) Get Your Beauty Sleep.  It seems cliché, but nothing drags down your looks like a lack of sleep does. When you're tired, your skin shows it by looking dull, your eyes can get puffy and dark circles appear. Shoot for at least seven to eight hours of quality sleep every night if you want to look your best. 

4) Keep it Clean. Although washing your face at the end of the day may seem like a chore, your effort is well worth it in the long run. When you go to bed without washing, the dirt of the day mixes with your makeup and skin oils to clog pores and dull skin. 

5) Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize. Just like your body needs hydration from water, your skin needs moisture to keep it looking fresh and healthy. Apply a high quality moisturizer with an SPF of at least 25 every morning before you apply makeup. At night, wash your face and then apply a heavier night cream to maximize moisture absorption as you sleep. 

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Tips in Buying a Blazer for Men

 When it comes to blazers, there are two points to note: one- that it is an absolute must-have in every man’s wardrobe and two- it is superbly versatile, more than a suit or a sports jacket.

A blazer is great for a winter evening as it keeps you warm and stylish at the same time. They make you look sleek and smart and covers all that extra, err, baggage that you’re trying to get rid of and are definitely a hot pick this season. We give you simple steps into choosing a blazer that will look perfect on you and last you long enough to make an impression.

The most important step when it comes to getting the right blazer is the measurement aspect. Your blazer’s fit can make or break your outfit. Remember, if it’s shapeless, it’s useless. We understand that your blazer should have enough room for movement and not let you feel all suffocated, but we surely don’t understand why you would get a size bigger just to let it loosely and shapelessly hang on your body! Your blazer should just smoothly follow the natural shape of your body without being too tight or loose. The shoulders of your blazer should end at the shoulder, the length should be just above your bottom covering just an inch of it and the arms should be tapering towards your wrist. Isn’t that simple? Blazer fit is definitely not complicated if you remember these simple steps while getting one made or selecting one from a store.

A blazer comes in many styles that you can choose from like the American style blazer with two buttons in the front with soft shoulders, an English blazer that is more suppressed or an Italian blazer that is more relaxed, flexible and less structured. Choose your style according to your personality and comfort.

A blazer can be made of different fabrics, the most common one being the flannel wool that is good for colder climates. The corduroy is also a smart choice for a classy evening while linen blazers are perfect for a hot summer’s afternoon. Different patterns or woven wool is also preferred for the winters.

Navy blue blazers are definitely the classic choice with or without brass buttons. If you’re wearing the buttons, accessorize it with a gold watch and a gold belt buckle to complete the look. This type of blazer can be paired with any coloured pants like brown, beige, olive and black. Its versatility is quite prominent once worn.

Your overall comfort is very important. So once you have worn your entire outfit, look and in the mirror and see if you feel good. If your mind makes no complaints, you’re definitely on the right track!

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Complete Rules of Style for Men's Suit (Part 2)

On Complete Rules of Style for Men's Suit (Part 1), we already list down 18 rules you need to know about suits. Here is the 2nd part of my blogpost on Complete Rules of Style for Men's Suit.

Rule #19
When you go without a tie, it's best to keep your shirt collar on the smaller side.

Rule #20
Call attention to special suit material—like this marled wool—by keeping your accessories to a minimum.

Rule #21
Tailoring your pants a little bit short will add distinctiveness to your simple look.

Advice from a Suit-Maker

Rule #22
Get a Uniform. Men do well when they find something that works for them and stick to it, rather than continually try to reinvent the wheel—one of our customers must have 20 double-breasted jackets in the same cut. If you establish your own sense of style, you don't subject yourself to the vagaries of fashion.

Rule #23
You Can't Beat English Tailoring. English tailoring gives suits more shape and a well-defined shoulder. It just looks sharper.

Rule #24
Mind Your Silhouette. "You can tell a good handmade suit by looking at it from 50 yards off—it's about overall harmony and balance. The trousers should be slim, the shoulders narrow, the waist nipped."

Rule #25
Don't Go Too Short. A suit jacket should come down to the first knuckle on your thumb. Too many people are cutting short jackets now, and they just make men look too heavy in the middle.

Rule #26
Keep Your Cuff Buttons Buttoned.  Undoing the button on your cuff looks kind of naff. It doesn't signify quality anymore because there are plenty of working buttonholes done by machines.

Rule #27
Go For Side Vents. Most of the suits being made on Savile Row have two vents because it's considered almost cheap work to do fewer. A jacket with one vent or no vents uses much less cloth, and it's much less sewing.

Rule #28
Gray-Flannel Suits Always Look Good. They just work brilliantly with everything. They're elegant without being stuffy and look beautifully luxurious.

What to Look for Before You Buy

Rule #29
When your jacket is buttoned, you should be able to fit a fist between your chest and the fabric—no more, no less.

Rule #30
Before buying a suit online, try it on in a store first to make sure the shoulders fit, as sizing varies widely among brands.

Rule #31
Your jacket sleeves should reveal about half an inch of shirt cuff. If they don't, try a short size instead—you could save yourself a trip to the tailor later on.

Rule #32
Choose fabric according to how often you'll wear the suit. The most versatile option is a soft but durable wool like super 120 (a measure of yarn fineness; any higher is too delicate for daily use).

Rule #33
Your pants should sit at your waist (not your hips). You should be able to fit one finger into the waistband comfortably.

Coats
Remember, people see your coat before they see your suit. If you've gone to the trouble of putting together the perfect ensemble, you owe it to yourself to finish the look with the right top layer. Whether you want single- or double-breasted, a classic or a bold color, a solid shade or a pattern, there's a well-cut coat to suit you.

Rule #34
A double-breasted overcoat should be slim so it doesn't billow when open.

Rule #35
A slightly cropped overcoat will elongate your silhouette.

Rule #36
A pattern is a great complement to a neutral suit.

Rule #37
Like a gray suit, a gray overcoat is always in fashion.

Rule #38
Navy goes with any suit in your wardrobe—including black.

Rule #39
Camel will give you the ultimate luxe look.

Find out 18 more rules on the last part of my blogpost about Complete Rules of Style for Men's Suit.

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Complete Rules of Style for Men's Suit (Part 1)

Here is the 1st part of my blogpost about everything you need to know about suits; including what to look for when buying them, how to get them tailored, and the coats, shirts, ties, shoes, and watches to wear with them. 

Rule #1

We've said it before and we'll say it again: Fit is everything. Even the world's most expensive suit will look bad if it isn't tailored to the contours of your body.

Rule #2 

Some think button-down collars are for casual wear only, but they can work great with dressier looks as well.

Rule #3

Polka dots are a great way to bring energy to a suit. Make sure they're big enough to be recognizable, but not so large that they're goofy.

Rule #4

A tried-and-true pattern like herringbone or glen plaid in a muted shade makes an impression without crossing into the realm of garishness.

Rule #5

Visible stitches around the edges of your lapels (called pick-stitching) aren't necessarily a sign of a well-made garment anymore. However, they can be an attractive decorative flourish—as long as they're subtle. No contrast stitching!

Rule #6

Some say you shouldn't cut the stitching in your jacket pockets, because putting objects in them will cause your jacket to lose its shape. Don't listen. It's pointless to have nonfunctional pockets, and a concert ticket or a business-card holder certainly won't do any damage.

Rule #7

Some think three-pieces are stodgy, but when the waistcoat is cut close to the body and hemmed to the belt line, you'll look slim and modern.

Rule #8 

Your tie bar should never be wider than your tie.

Rule #9

The difference between classic and cliché is often in the material. The timeless appeal of this gray suit begins with its super-luxe cashmere wool.

Rule #10

Always unfasten your jacket buttons when you sit. No exceptions.

Rule #11

Never fasten the bottom button of a double-breasted jacket (unless it has only a single row of buttons).

Rule #12

Avoid over-accessorizing. If you're already wearing a pocket square and a tie bar, you'll want to reconsider that clever lapel pin.

Rule #13

When wearing corduroy, steer clear of fusty wide wales, but don't go so narrow that the material starts to look like velvet.

Rule #14

A dark, patterned pocket square provides a welcome visual anchor to a light-colored suit.

Rule #15

When it comes in a sandy tan rather than the usual rust or chocolate brown, this cold-weather suit gets a dose of sunny energy.

Rule #16

Save the bulky shock-resistant sports watch for the gym or your outdoor-adventure excursions. It has no place with a suit.

Rule #17

Save yourself some embarrassment: Always remove the stitching on the vents and the label on the left sleeve before wearing a new suit.

Rule #18

It's fine to flip up the collar of a casual cotton jacket, but when you're dressed more formally (say, in a black suit), you should always leave the collar down.

Check out the part 2 of Complete Rules of Style for Men's Suit.

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2012 Halloween Costume Ideas

Halloween for the year 2012 is just about to bash! So, it is obvious for you to look for the trendiest Halloween costumes. The month of September is the best time to plan for the most whimsical holiday, and that checking out the latest trends of the costumes is just one of the vital tasks of the plan. This year the great costume picks include your most preferred Super Heroes, games you love to play, monsters of all kinds, and your favorite pets. Dress up to look like Lady Gaga, show off your reverence for Angry Birds, or play funny wicked tricks by being a Dracula – the choice is perfectly yours! Well, to make your task of picking the best costume easier, here are our top 10 Halloween costume Ideas – 2012.

10 – The Avengers Costumes

This collection will fit both kids and teens who would love to look like the Iron Man and Captain America. And yes, even women can be in with the Black Widow costume. Since Captain America, the superheroes have really dominated the designs of Halloween costumes, which allows a common man to look like a superhuman. A person of any age can enter into this blockbuster-inspired style to dress up like their preferred heroes and heroines.

9 – Zombie Costumes

How about looking like a zombie priest? If you love to have a monstrous look in the black priest dress, this is the collection to look for!

8 – Teddy Costumes

This is one such collection that is loved and admired by people of all ages. Right from kids to senior citizens, being a teddy has always been a fun way to enjoy and make others enjoy a festive occasion. Such costumes are also very effective for playing the trick or treat game.

7 – Political Costumes

How about representing and behaving like the President Obama at the festival venue? All you have to do is wear his mask and coat and start acting like him! Usually, parents themselves prefer to dress their children in a political getup so that the kids can campaign in the entire locality as they fulfill the old tradition of trick or treat. Now, this can be cute or annoying, and you will feel as if it is the time of the election, and not Halloween! Then, how about tricking everybody by declaring the presidential nominees of 2013?

6 – Disney Costumes

Dressing up like a Disney character has always been trendy. There is no year in this century when anybody had believed that the Disney costumes have gone out of fashion. Both kids and adults always dream to look prince or princess. And if you are one among them, this collection is just made for you! You can really find very cute designs and several sizes.

 5 – Angry Birds Costumes

Did you love to play this smartphone game? It is agreeable that a few such birds were there in the costume stores. This time, the reserved and dormant birds are now out in those stores. These addictive Angry Birds costumes are sure to burst out laughs when you enter into a Halloween party hall with a feathery look. Right now, these costumers are available mainly in red and yellow colors.

4 – Monster High Costumes

This collection seems to be specifically made for Halloween. Can there be a Halloween without monsters and spirits? Well, the name of this collection makes you of the ‘Monster High’ TV series that features those classic monsters such as the paranormally amazing Dracula, Clawdeen Wolf, and Frankie Stein. It is certain that looking like one of these monsters with wigs, leggings, and other ghoul-friendly accessories is going to make you the focal point of the dark night.

3 – Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson Costume

Wow! This dress will be the most beloved one of those individuals who are the crazy fans of Lady Gaga. By the way, she is once more into the breaking news this year for her several number 1 singles and sales of millions of albums. So, why not rock the party floor by representing this beautiful lady? Of course, this costume is for the females. So, what about the males? Well, they can be in sync by representing Michael Jackson on the floor.

2 – Twilight Costume

No, this costume does not represent the twilight time. But even more interestingly, it allows you to dress up as the famous Twilight characters such as Kristen, Edward, Pattinson, or Bella. An apologetic Kirsten dress with full black and sad look is one choice, while dressing up like a pregnant Bella is another. Even more suitable will be the look of a Vampire, the role played by Edward. If you want to look like Pattison, his mask is just amazing to wear it!

1 – Steve Jobs Costume

The hottest trend for Halloween Costumes 2012 is to represent this tech spirit whose death will just make up a year this October. So, why not revere the late Apple maker by dressing up as an iPhone, iPad, or iPod? Even more interesting would be to have the keypad active so that it turns up bright when somebody touches it. Or to be simple, just wear his style – a black turtle neck, his face mask, glasses, and blue jeans. You can choose either of the ways or can even come out with your own idea of representing the superhero behind Apple.

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Holiday Rush Bazaar 4 at SMX Convention Center (December 14-23, 2012)

As Christmas Season is getting near, Cad Concepts; in partnership with SMX Convention Center; are inviting all concessionaires to join "The Holiday Bazaar 4".  

Last year, The Holiday Rush 3  featured over 140 concessionaires selling clothing apparel, shoes, accessories, toys, gadgets, specialty food/pastries and many more gift items for the Holidays. There are also tons of giveways and surprises such as photo ops with Santa Claus and his Elves.

This year, The Holiday Bazaar 4 will features not only Santa Claus and his Elves, but also there will be acrobats and magician show, PAGCOR mobile bingo, and the BIGGEST Gingerbread display. The Holiday Bazaar 4 will be held at SMX Convention Center on December 14-23, 2012.

For more bazaar details and booking reservations, you may reach Cad Concepts thru the following:

Mobile Number: 0905-3157778 (Globe), 0933-1630622 (Sun), 0908-3429889 (Smart)

Landline: 542-1480

Email: holidayrushbazaar@gmail.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HolidayRush4

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HolidayRushBazaar4

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