LONDON DIARY : 5 TIPS TO SPRUCE UP YOUR SPACE + MY CURRENT SUMMER MAKEUP FAVES

Apart from trying out healthy recipes, spinning and going around every weekend... I'm currently obsessing over decorating my space. It took me a month to finally settle down and move over my stuff to the Wimby flat. I realised that I need to do some spring cleaning because there's just too many stuff hanging around and I'm trying to keep only the things that I need.

So where should I start?

√ Create your own photo collage. Notice the wall behind me. That's it! It's so easy to put together! Just a) print your pictures b) on a free wall, paste your prints using a double sided tape and voila! It's a great centre piece specially if your room canvass is white. Not to mention it's a good way to display your memories. Imagine you get to see your trips everyday!

√ Make it an effort to leave a blank space. I don't know about you but it's therapeutic for me to see spaces that don't have anything on it (ala Japanese minimalist style). A little shout out to my alkaline pitcher! London water is not the purest and unlike in Manila where we have mineral water, it's usual here to get the water from the tap. I got the pitcher from Amazon for £30. I'll use it for a long time and it comes with another cartridge so hooray for this good deal. Most of all, good to know that alkaline water is best for you (cancer cells live in acidic environment)!

√ Display the things you need (keep the things you don't). And I'm talking about an everyday-basis-type-of need here. It's easy to get lost over 20 lipsticks when factually, you only need one a day, at least for me. I'd like to promise another post about my current makeup faves but I reckon it's best to list them briefly now:

• Primer - L'Oreal Paris Infallible Primer Matte Base (£7.99)
• Foundation - MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 (£22.00)
• Eyebrow Mascara - Nichido (Php 180.00 or £2.50)
• Eye Primer - MAC Cosmetics Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base (£16.00)
• Eye Shadow - Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette (£38.50)
• Concealer - MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter, Light Boost (£19.50), I also use Maybelline Fit Me! Concealer 15 interchangeably (£5.99)
• Bronzer - NARS Laguna (£28.00)
• Cream Blush - H&M in Peachy Rose (£6.99)
• Lipstick - MAC (I have my top 5 but my summer shade is Pink Nouveau) (£15.50)
• Highlighter - MAC  Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft & Gentle (£24.00)
• Mist - L'Oreal Paris Infallible Fixing Mist (£7.99)

√ 'Box' them. Somehow, putting your stuff in compartments make them appear in order when in fact they're still cluttered? You know? :D It makes it easier to move around your trinkets when they're in group. It's totally up to you whether you want to splurge on boxes. We got Daiso in Makati, PH whilst we get Tiger in the UK. I bought the makeup organiser from TK Maxx whilst the jewelry holder is from H&M. The pink pen brush holder is from Landmark PH.

SCRIBBLED NOTES #39: BE KIND TO YOURSELF

These thoughts resonated in me for days. It was inspired by a message that I've heard some days ago and there's just so much truth in them. I've been told that these four areas need to be nourished and well taken care of. Without one, life can be a struggle. Example, without health you'll have a hard time enjoying your money, relationships and spiritual life.

HEALTH. Put it this way: you only have one body. Not three, not two but one. That is the same body that you have to live into from when you are 1 year old up to 99 years of age, or till you expire! Same heart, liver, pair of eyes, everything! Point is: we should take care of our health. I can't think of a better way to put it across than to suggest you watch this VIDEO.

It's as old as time and the answer is always right under our nose but somehow we fail to recognise it or worse, we choose to ignore it. Eat healthy, fresh food and stay away from meat and processed food as much as you can. I know this can be an overkill for most of us but we can try. One meal at a time. If you have Netflix, go and watch Fork Over Knives too.
 
I've been making minor switches and I noticed I feel lighter and livelier. It can be as easy as replacing dairy cow's milk to nut milk like almond milk. Whatever your initial feel about it, please give it a try.

MONEY. It started off as this: Money is the answer to everything. What's more scandalous is it is written in the Bible. To wit: A feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry, and money is the answer for everything. -Ecclesiastes 10:19

Inevitably here goes yet another controversial issue: tithing (a 10% of your earnings). Questions like: Where shall I base my tithes - should it be gross or net of tax? Well, how do you want GOD to bless you? Should He bless you gross or net of tax?

Another usual question is: Will GOD still love me if I don't tithe? Of course he does! The only difference is when you tithe, you honor GOD with your money and in turn, He promised to put a blessing on you. That's the beauty of God's word. More often than not, it's transactional. GOD is not a genie that grants all our wishes. He wants us to do our part too. When you tithe, it's like God's sphere of blessing is around you. If you don't tithe - he loves you just the same - but don't expect that kind of blessing poured over your lap.

RELATIONSHIPS. Relationships cover a broad spectrum of our interaction with other people. The quality of our relationships determine whether we will be stressed or chilled, at ease or agitated and this happens every single moment. For example, you need to go to the office 5 days a week. Are you excited or are you dreading the moment? Same is true for family and romantic partner.

Personally, I think I'm in a point in my life that I appreciate the beauty of being in a romantic relationship. Not to say it's perfect, but the positives far outweighs the negatives absolutely! I grew up in a family that is closely knitted together. Much to the point that I don't see any reason to go out often because I'm just happy inside our home. Things changed when I moved in London last 2014 of course.

There was an adjustment period and it took me a long while to finally be in a proper relationship. It's lovely! Suddenly, you have a best friend and a partner. You can talk about things to your heart's content. One piece of advice I can give is never mind other people's opinion (more of that HERE). At the end of the day, it will be you and your loved one who'll spend a life together. Make sure you have GOD in the picture, do good and be happy!

SPIRITUAL LIFE. Everyone has a GOD. Be it money, fame, people or GOD. When I heard that phrase the first time, I was blown away. Very true. You have the option to believe or not to believe in GOD and that's okay. What I'm trying to say is there's no getting away with the fact that now or sooner, you'll need to have a higher anchor in your life. To me, it's GOD all the way. He has our best interest at heart and I can't explain the feeling. You yourself can experience it when you have a personal relationship with JESUS.

I hope you've learned a thing or two. Catch you later! -CMK

MONEY MATTERS : SHOULD YOU INVEST ON INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS (IPO)?

This post is apt this month as PSE opens its doors to another initial public offering (IPO) by the name of Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. (CHP). Pardon the specifics for CHP but if you want more information, feel free to visit these sites. This is interesting because these 2 articles present 2 sides of a coin:

• http://www.alphainvestments.ph/cemex-ipo-not-opportunity/
• http://business.inquirer.net/211504/cemex-ipo-priced-p10-75

I'll leave the nitty gritty details with you but here are my thoughts on IPO as a whole:

 * Because there are no precedent for IPOs, it's difficult to predict the market. That's one of the risks one has to take when investing on these type of stocks. It's not a blue-chip but it's not a trash stock either. Nobody knows just yet. You have to bet in one way or another. However, don't dive into it blindly. Once Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the first trading date, several news clips will go around via usual channels.

* As IPO's are inherently volatile, the potential for growth is immense compared to its old timer competitors. I personally have much of my gains from IPO but you know the usual caveat: there's no absolute law in stock investing.

* Previous cases*: Jollibee's (JFC) IPO price was Php 7.00 per share now it's trading above Php 230 (after 10 years). Double Dragon's (DD) opening price was Php 7.00 (I think) now it's Php 60-ish after less than 5 years. Think about it: if you've set aside a portion of your savings and invest in these stocks, you're looking at 900% (your money x 9) by now. *All amounts are approximates. Check Bloomberg for exact prices.

Some tips:

1. Invest with an amount that you're comfortable to part with.
2. Set a specific target (say, if I doubled my money, which is 100% return, I'll cash it in).
3. Whenever you can, trade on the first day, first hour. With online banking, that's possible.
4. This may sound a bit controversial but depending on your conviction - give back. It can be a tithe, charity, whatever.

To answer the question above, I think we should participate in IPO's. It's a good avenue to grow your funds. I personally have invested on different types of instruments and I can say factually that direct stock market investment yields more gain than any other vehicles. Truth be told, I've been seriously thinking of redeeming my shares on some of my mutual funds and UITF. However, that's a separate topic altogether.

How's your finances? Remember, don't be disheartened by how tiny your startup money is. What's important is you're doing something to grow your funds, in the best way you know how. -CMK

LONDON DIARY : BRITISH SUMMER {GOOD} TIMES 2016

Kensington Gardens. I'm such a happy bunny lately because London weather ranges around 15 to 23 degrees. Yeah, that's proper summer people! :) Seriously, even when everyone seems to moan about how bipolar fantastic the weather is... London is a wonderful place to thrive.

Recently, I've been reading my own blog posts (is that weird?). It dawned on me that there was a month last 2012 that I've written 13 articles?! Wow. I got lots of times in my hands back then. But you know what? I'll never trade it for the life I have today. My heart is bursting with thankfulness looking back in hindsight.

I miss jotting down some thoughts on my London diary series so here goes on what's keeping me busy lately.

NEW FLAT
I've moved to my new place at Wimbledon. It's 20 minutes away from work (by foot) and the size of my bedroom is about thrice than what I had before. If time warrants, I can give you a quick tour soon. There's a garden with roses, a nice vanity area and I bought some glass table and red sofa to spruce up the place. This change meant so much to me. It seems to me that life gets better and better each time.

HELLOS AND GOODBYES
Well, most of my friends are going back to Manila these days. I feel sad because I'll miss them but happy because I'm aware that not everyone was given a chance to have get-togethers in a foreign land. You know me, I'm not very good at goodbyes (see the pun?) but that's a fact of life. Click HERE for some retro-post.

SUMMER TRIPS
Oh, if only I have the time and patience to chronicle my trips! But one has to work! :) The first two quarters of 2016, I've visited Plzen (Czech Republic), Paris (France), North Wales (UK) and Edinburgh (Scotland, UK). Let's not forget our mini-trips to London, which in my opinion, are equally cool! We're planning to visit (Vienna) Austria and (Budapest) Hungary soon, God's willing.

HEALTHY EATING
This month was such a mind boggling revelation for me in terms of lifestyle and food choices. Oh my daze! I thought I was eating healthy before but no, I could do better. I don't even know where to start talking about eating nice food and sharing my yummy recipes but who knows! My friends are teasing me that this blog has morphed from beauty to travel to finance and now... cooking platform. Why not? :D

Alrighty, that's it for now. Did I mention that the sun rises at 4:58 am and sets at 9:15 pm these days? Happy days! -CMK