Gold Facial, Anyone?

I love gold. In fact, I’m so fascinated of this metal that I started collecting small pieces of jewelry when I begun earning my own money. You can never get wrong for wearing a gold, it’s elegant and timeless. But what about using them for facial? Yes, as in facial. Would you?

If you think that wearing gold jewelry is the only way to shimmer and make heads turn, think again. There has been a lot of news and advertisement lately about gold for improving skin and beauty. It has been claimed by cosmetic companies that this desirable metal really works magic on skin as it can make one look younger and considered to be a powerful anti-ageing treatment. Who wouldn't one a younger looking skin?

Then one day, I got a window of chance to experience this promise of a “sparkling smooth skin” and “without wrinkles” when I bumped into an Orogold Cosmetics promoter along the newly-opened mall in Singapore (Westgate). The promoter or sales person invited me to their newly-opened shop and had me sit down. He started asking my beauty regimen, products I'm using and other stuff while he was applying some sort of gold scrub on my hand. We waited for a few seconds then he tried rubbing it off taking some of my dead skin. He asked me to rinse it off quickly and wipe it dry. Afterwards he held my two hands together asking whether I can see the difference. At that time, I can hardly see the difference maybe because I regularly scrub my skin with my “trusted” beauty brand.

He then showed me another one, a facial scrub which he said were made of 24k gold. He started applying it on my face while talking about the benefits. According to him, this gold facial reduce fine lines, prevent ageing, enhance elasticity and among other things. After a while, he asked me to rinse it off and feel my rejuvenated skin. In fairness, it smoothen and lightened my skin a bit. Somehow, it may have removed some of the wastes and toxins in my skin. And it was just one application. Imagine the difference if the product will be used in a regular basis.

There’s one catch though, the price. It is gold, literally gold. I decided not to take any of the products the sales person offered. Even though their gold facial scrub products do actually work, I wouldn’t buy one. I know I could find an alternative facial that will give me same or better results without paying a gold price.

I will still buy 24k gold though, only jewelries. 

Would you like to try Oro Gold Cosmetics for yourself? You can find them at the following locations:

Orchard Gateway

218 Orchard Road SINGAPORE 238851

Directions

Raffles City	252 North Bridge Road Raffles City , SINGAPORE 179103	Directions
Suntec City mall	3 Temasek Blvd. Suntec City, SINGAPORE 038983	Directions

Marina Bay Sands Hotel	10 Bayfront Ave Singapore, 018956	Directions
West Gate	39 Robinson Road West Gate, SINGAPORE 068911	Directions

Putting Some Orange in Life, Literally & Figuratively



"Happiness doesn't depend on any external conditions,
it is governed by our mental attitude." -- Dale Carnegie

In today's fast-paced living environment, every one of us is facing myriads of tough life's challenges such as demands from works, families, peers or friends. As a person with multiple roles in life, we are expected to do more than what seems we can do. We are required to fulfill duties and responsibilities beyond our available resources and even beyond our preferences.





More often than not, these demands create more pressures to our already stressful life. We either embrace or shun away from these demands. When we try to clinch too hard on these, we could end up sabotaging our own health and sometimes, even our relationships with other people. And when we try to avoid these additional stresses, we’re running away from changes, possibilities and opportunities that can help us grow further. If too often, we continue to resist change and always do the same thing over and over again, we will get bored, we will languish. It’s fine to welcome additional responsibilities and demands in life, as long as we can keep up in caring ourselves and others. It’s also ok to do things over and over again, especially if the method is a proven success, but we must welcome change and improvement. It is important to spice things up in our lives once in awhile to discover new things and find new successes. As some say, we need to put some orange in our lives. If I say “orange”, I mean, literally and figuratively.



"When life gives you lemons, make orange juice
and leave everyone wondering." - Anonymous

In color psychology, orange is the color of adventure, cheerfulness and inquisitiveness. It has a “freeing action upon the body and mind, relieving repressions”. So whenever life feels dragging, it’s time to get some orange to refresh, reenergize and relax.

Below are some of the “oranges” that can improve our lives in some way or another: 

Orange for Relationships

Happiness – not necessary smiling at all times or getting what we want, but rather its being contented with what we have and living with a thought and meaning

Kindness - practice random acts of compassion at any time, in anywhere to anyone.

Encouragement – praise others even for a small success and inspire to do better

Orange for Work

To order g3, please leave a message.

Creativity & Energy – inject new ideas to what we do; put some humor at work; play and celebrate good times

Optimism – never lose hope and keep positive.

Motivation – learn the “whys” of what we do to keep us going.

Orange for Health

Orange/Citrus – take powerful natural antioxidant which helps the body develop resistance against harmful body agents.

G3Juice – take Superfruit blend that contains so much good stuff to increase energy and enhance longevity; promotes health in muscles and joints protecting and strengthening vital tissues.

Last but not the least; try to wear orange from time to time. Based on color psychology, wearing orange can help to balance your emotions. Especially if you are in distress, it can lift up your spirit. If you are not a fan of bright or colorful dress, just try once and have some fun.

Power Up Day

Simple Fun - Playing with Angles & Lens

Recently, I suggested two ways to relieve stress by "being creative" -- painting and writing poems. Well, if you're not into playing with colours or playing with words, try another one - playing with angles and lens or photography.

Exploring photography is another way to unwind. If you have a camera, get out and shoot for the fun of it. See the world through the eyes of a photographer; you will be amazed how you can make dull things interesting through your camera lens. 

Photography can be a great hobby as well. And with today's technology, you don't need to learn all the "professional stuff" to capture great photos. For a start, you can just use a point-and-shoot camera. It has many pre-set modes and settings that shooters can use in different situations. Why not give yourself a chance to be a "photographer for a day"?

If you don't feel like being a "photographer for a day", you might want to be a "model for a day" instead. I do fun shoots from time to time to hone my skills and to relax. Give me a chance to be your "photographer for a day" and experience what it's like to be a "model" without any cost.

All you need to prepare are three sets of outfit, a little confidence, a smile on your face and about 3-4 hours of your time.  If you're in Singapore, let's hang out sometime. Drop me a note and let's see how we can schedule a photo-shoot.

However, if you are looking for a professional photography for your upcoming engagement or wedding, please contact KuatroMedya Photography. They offer a quality photography at a very competitive price. They have covered our simple celebration of love (wedding) last year and we were happy with the results of the images and album.

Hope you will find time to go out and take photos of some ants, flowers, buildings, people on the street or whatever you like. Good luck and have fun, fun, fun!

Getting Rid of Stress by Being Creative

Simple relaxation exercise - Breathe in/out

Are you feeling so tired and stressed out about your job, situation or people around you? Chillax, breathe in and breathe out. Pack your luggage and go on a short vacation somewhere else. Go to the mall and shop around. Or you can also go to spa with your friends. Have your hair and nails done at the salon.

However, if you don't want to hurt your pocket in managing stress, you can also try cheap activities right at the comfort of your own home such as do movie marathon, take a longer shower, take a leisurely walk at the nearby park, pray or meditate, read a book, play with your kids or pet, enjoy a cup of tea, turn on the music and dance and among other simple things that can help you feel refresh and rejuvenate. 

You can also get rid of stress by being creative like doing art crafts or painting. Another way of releasing stress is putting words in poems. Poetry for me is playing with words and phrases with whatever I can think of when I decided to start writing one. Start creating one poetry journal today and relieve stress by putting your inner thoughts on words. You'll be amazed how this can be so fun and relaxing. The good thing about writing a letter or poem is you can express your emotions and thoughts but you have the option not to share it.

Poetry is a form of expression, so either you use your personal experience or use your imagination. If you don't know where to start in writing a poem, the following steps might help:

• Think of a positive experience. How do you feel about it? Why do think it is a beautiful experience? 
• You can also use negative experience to write a poems. Write down your frustrations, angers and hatred. 
• Try what "ifs" or write about your wildest dreams.
• If you have limited experience, use your senses - smell, feel, look, listen and taste. Describe what you sensed.

Don't think of the styles, structures or choice of words; just write what’s in your heart. Start alleviating stress now, write a poem and have fun!

Below is a poem I wrote. This is inspired by my painting, "Wide Open", it's about grace and how I have been ungrateful to the great provider. It's a poem I dedicate to the one above.


Wide Open

Wide Open - Acrylic paint on a canvas 101412

How I often forget that the sun still shines
Even if it's so dark and rain at times
Oh Your embrace how I missed
Though You're always there and never left
On my walk how often times I stumble
Please allow me trust You and make me humble

You offered a love as clear as the blue sky
What else can I ask for in life
Your arms are wide open wider than the fields
In You alone my heart and mind should yield
Set my eyes upon You, I beg and pray
Stay with me always and even after my days

If somewhere somehow I lost my way in this journey
Hope I can remember to look up and see
That Your care is higher that the beam of clouds
And Your provisions is greener than the green fields.

Colour You, Colour Me

"Rise Up" - Acrylic Paint on a Canvass

Painting is for everyone, not just for the "talented" or "artist". It is a form of expression and it enriches one's lives. Creating art can divert your attention from what's stressing you for certain period of time and once you're done with your art therapy, you can have a clearer mind.

According to Elizabeth Scott, M.S., a wellness coach, "you can experience 'flow' when doing creative activities. There’s a certain quality of being called “flow”, that experts say is very beneficial for us. This refers to a state of being completely engaged in something to the point of being in a near meditative state. It carries many of the benefits of meditation, leaving you much less stressed when you’re done." So if you feeling stressed, lonely, happy, in love or in despair try to get brush, colour and paper or a canvas. Relieve stress, release your emotions and turn it to an art piece. Here are simple steps if you would like to try our painting to relieve your stress:

"Black Day" - Acrylic on a Canvass

• Buy some colour/paints. Get something that you can be comfortable to use - crayons, pencil colour, watercolour, acrylic or oil paint.

• You will need a medium, paper or canvas which is the most common.

• Get some paint brushes if you are going to use acrylic, oil paint or poster colour.

• Once you have all your materials, think of a subject and choose the colour you want to use.

• Unleash your creativity. Start playing with the colours on your paper/canvas.

• Enjoy the process. Then stop when you think it's done.

• You can show it to others or give as gift.

Try it once and have fun!

Here are some of the paintings I did during the most stressful days in my life. I'm glad I turned to painting, now I don't need to buy stuff to hang on my living room.

"Stand Still" - Acrylic Paint on a Canvas 

"Lampas Kalendaryo" - Acrylic Paint on a Canvas

"Woman's Mind" - Acrylic on a Canvas