Cord Control

Cute "donuts" for the home.

If you go to ContainerStore.com, you'll find a section specifically for organizing cords: Homepage > Shop Now > Office > Desk Accessories > Cord Control.

Ever since we moved, I've been fixating on this subject. I'm quite good at keeping things kempt in the cord department—given that between Alvs and myself, we have a fair amount of gadgets around the house. These Cable Turtles though, take organization up a notch and beat my go-to hair elastics for managing dangling wiring. I love them!

I got these punchy-hued "donuts" last weekend. Made in the Netherlands (not surprising!), each one features a soft rubber casing that easily flips out to make winding a breeze, and then flips back in for the full cord-keeping effect.

Just make sure you get the right size for what you need.
I'd recommend buying an assortment!

I'm pretty sure you'll find versions of these in Greenhills or CD-R King in Manila. Or, the exact same ones in Make Room. I remember spotting my cousin with something similar when she visited New York. Having said that, I guess this cord organization fixation runs in the family!

Steve Jobs—who favored an uncluttered aesthetic—would be happy. 
(If you go to the Apple store, you'll find that all cords for five, seven computers neatly meet at the center of the table and run down in the same hole housed in one thick tube. I wish I'd taken a picture!)

Did the ChaCha!

Ta-da!

I first blogged about the HTC Status, a.k.a. ChaCha, back in early August, in my "Gadgets 'n' Things post (Day 17 of this year's 30-Day Blog Challenge). In the U.S., the marketing folks at AT&T probably thought "Status" would be more apt given that this phone is the first one with a dedicated Facebook button. But, personally, ChaCha would've been alright especially if SEO were a consideration. Anyway, two weeks after my post, I dropped my Nokia C5 in the rain and later discovered that my older, backup phone's (also a trusty Nokia) mic finally gave out after four years. Alas, it seemed like my subconscious prevailed and manifested a need for a new phone.

Hence, I now am a proud owner of an Android device...with a QWERTY keyboard. I never knew that the day would ever come—I'm old school, as you can probably tell.

I've had the phone for almost two weeks now and I'm telling you, the first five days felt like befriending a foreigner who speaks little English. That, or learning German (or even shopping for men's clothing). Both fruitful and fulfilling once you get past the learning curve. It took some time to navigate the features and settings, and if my husband hadn't lovingly Fedexed the package over and if the phone weren't so pretty, I would've probably flung it those first few days.

Most unique Fedex box from the husband :)

So, thoughts:

1) If you don't like Facebook...
...Then the HTC Status is not for you. It's not called the "Facebook Phone" for naught. You get social media integration practically every step of the way, and the phone syncs with anything and everything related to your account. You can turn certain features off, with some maneuvering.

2) If this is your first QWERTY phone...
...It's great! One of the main reasons I was drawn to the ChaCha/Status was its keyboard. From the magazine ad alone and photos, it looked tactile and clackety enough—the way I like my text-inputting gadgets to be. As I've always used a numeric keypad, it took me about five days to be completely comfortable and to type at a pretty decent speed. And, even now, I still fumble a little bit with the function and shift keys.

The only drawback to this otherwise perfect keyboard is it's now more of a challenge to text using one hand (the cute phone is wideset) and to touch-type. It's not entirely impossible, but it'll take practice.

Unboxing the ChaCha.

3) If you've never used an Android phone...
...Then prepare to study. Well, fine, you don't necessarily have to plow through the 183-page user manual (available online, no longer in the box, as I've noticed with gadgets these days). But, if, like me, you've always had a Nokia and used either Windows or a Mac; or have Apple products, Android is quite the new beast to tackle—a good thing, just like learning a new skill.

If you look closer at my desk, my phone came with dried pickled mangoes :)

IT'S A WRAP!

DAY 30

of the 30-Day Blog Challenge, 2011

"Celebrate good times, come on!" [tanananant-tant-tanantant] "Woo hoo!"

Ooh la la! I've made it to the last day of this year's 30-Day Blog Challenge! This has been my third year of doing this around mid-July and I can truly say that the longer I do it, the more challenging it feels…which is a little surprising because one would expect things to be easier after having done it a few times. I am quickly reminded of my first major, Business Economics, wherein my third year, I still struggled with the economics subjects (hence, the shift to the more apt—for my personality and inclinations, at least—to Journalism). And, like college, I should probably keep at this until the fourth year, or even beyond.

Anyhow, sharing my thoughts about this whole process of blogging for 30 days straight!

1) Super (Mommy) Bloggers
I have newfound respect for daily bloggers in general. I know for many people out there, publishing a post everyday is the norm rather than the exception. Whereas I strive to follow a decent personal writing schedule, many of you just do it. I particularly admire the moms who find time to write posts on a regular basis, and even find the time to read blogs like mine (you know who you are!). While doing the Challenge, I struggled with getting everything done in one day—a full-time job, yoga (I've skipped some classes), my online part-time job (I've already missed a deadline…or two), updating my accounting Excel sheet (it's backlogged/back-dated as I write this), the occasional magazine article, and making it to the 12 midnight blogging deadline. I can only imagine what it's like for busy mommies out there who juggle jobs, PTA meetings, birthday parties, breastfeeding, and so forth. Hence, my virtual salute to all of ya!

2) Car Service
I recently asked a new friend how her boss—a famous person in the publishing world whom I shall not name here—managed her time and how it was possible for said boss to do everything that she did (books, magazines, speaking engagements). Even without asking, it's quite obvious that in order to successfully multi-task, one has to have top-notch staff. That's a given. But my friend gave two answers: One, the publishing executive woke up early and went to bed late. Two—and literally, two words: "car service."

You see, we all spend an inordinate amount of time commuting, running errands, and going from point A to point B on a daily basis. Being chauffeured to wherever means having pockets of space and time to zone out with one's Blackberry, iPhone, laptop, or iPad and do what one has to do…like blog! Even if it's as simple as doing your hair and makeup, being able to tick off something on your agenda while in motion gives you plus points in the productivity department. So, here's my friend's advice, and I paraphrase: "If you're negotiating a new job and it comes down to benefits and less money offered, ask for the car service."

Noted!

3) Gadgets To Go
Speaking of the things above, there have been times in the last 30 days that I've typed up drafts in my phone, or ducked into Starbucks and tip-tapped on the iPad (I recommend the Blogpress app, by the way). Once, I even worked on a post on the bus. If you're planning to do the Challenge, great gadgets are a big help, especially on days when you're pressed for time or when your schedule is packed; or even when you're just being lazy.

4) Bloggerjuice, Bloggerjuice, Bloggerjuice
I've said—or read?—this time and again: Writing is a muscle, and it needs regular exercise. I'd say it's like going to the bathroom; you need to do it everyday. The nice thing about having to blog everyday is that ideas flow and even when you're stumped for a post, something still comes up; the blogger juices flow. While I've mentioned that the Challenge gets harder every year, it's actually more of a function of time and scheduling, because it's more difficult to write after a long day when you're tired or sleepy, or, again, lazy. But, in terms of ideas presenting themselves or sentences/phrases/paragraphs forming in your head as you wait for the train to arrive, you get more of those as you write more often.

5) What's Next?
Truth be told, I doubt if I'll ever get to blog daily. It also comes down to quality vs. quantity. And my take on that is to have hearty helpings of both: quality, for when you want to tone that muscle and hone this skill; quantity, for when cardio and consistency are called for.

If you don't hear from me as often, that means I'm actually spending time finishing my long overdue Manila novel…and then hopefully have the discipline and fortitude to start the next one for here in New York. Friend and former Seventeen boss, Maya Calica, blogged about writing a novel in 30 days in her post, "Who wants to write a novel?" You'll also find her Suite 101 article linked up, "Writer's Block Be Gone—Tips on How to Write Your First Novel," which is very insightful and a must-read.

A bit of trivia, it was actually a blog post of Maya's that prompted the 30-Day Blog Challenge back in 2009. In it, she said, "Do something regularly over a period of 30 days and you will create a habit."

So, off I go, and onto the next challenge! Thank you, everyone, for the pep-comments and, of course, for reading my blog! It means a lot and it makes sense out of what I do and why I should keep doing this. Again, thank you, from the bottom of my heart (and chocolate-starved stomach).

Stop, Look, and Take a Picture

DAY 22

of the 30-Day Blog Challenge, 2011

Walk this way.

It's true that in Manhattan, you do have to walk fast—especially during rush hour, oh boy. For those of you in the West Coast or elsewhere that requires you to hop in a car and drive to get to work, the NYC morning commute on foot is the pedestrian equivalent of getting on the L.A. freeway. You'll probably encounter a similar version of road rage, and you wouldn't want to be in the way of a speeding, work-bound New Yorker.

That said, you'll still find pockets of time, moments wherein you could walk at a more leisurely pace. Evenings and Sundays are great for cruising along the city streets. While I have a keen appreciation for getting to point A to point B in the swiftest possible manner en route to the office, I equally welcome the languid opportunities to walk less frantically. Also, I happen to always have a camera in my purse (save for tonight, in which case, my Nokia phone comes in handy), and when people aren't busy trying to clock in at a certain time, the city is wide open for great photo ops.

Here are some pics I took on my way home from the library earlier:

Always photogenic. The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building library on Fifth Avenue.

This somewhat reminds me of 6750 Ayala Avenue in Makati City.

Take as many photos as you want. At night, Manhattan is your studio.

Stars and stripes. And lights.

Sounds Klipsch

DAY 21

of the 30-Day Blog Challenge, 2011

Image courtesy of www.klipsch.com.

In my "Street Shopping" post, I'd mentioned spotting purple Justbeats Solo headphones—the Justin Bieber version of the ultra-popular Beats by Dr. Dre—in one of the stalls. I am not kidding when I say that no train ride is complete without seeing the ubiquitous "b" on someone's ear. (For the record, I have yet to find someone wearing the ube Biebers.)

Ube, Baby, Baby, Baby, Oh...

A while back, an uncle of mine said that to get good headphones, one must be prepared to spend. And, I somewhat agree with him. That said, I've had the same Sennheiser earpieces for quite some time now, two of them actually: one, in-ear buds purchased on a press trip in Amsterdam back 2006; and two, larger, DJ-type on-ear ones from 2009 that I left with Mom. Both are priced mid-range and offer great sound quality. The smaller ones, however, seem to be no longer in optimal condition, given that they're five years old. Again, you know how I feel about gadgets.

But ever since I tried on a demo unit of the super cute red Solo Beats a couple of weeks ago, I've been extra fascinated by the prospect of getting new headphones. Hence, I wouldn't say that coming out of Best Buy yesterday with new Klipsch Image ONE Stereo Headphones was exactly an impulse purchase. Up until the last minute at the registers, I turned around and returned them on the rack, only to head back to the store after a quick trip to Starbucks and finally getting them.

So, what made me decide to make the splurge and take the "audiophile" plunge? Apart from an imminent need (thanks, Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry), I did spend almost an hour at the store comparing sound quality of several sample units, including one of the newer Bose on-ear models. The Klipsch ones didn't actually call out to me at first glance, but imagine my surprise when, upon testing them, they turned out to produce better-quality sound than the more popular Beats. (The Bose pair, by the way, was quite excellent—expectedly—but didn't look good on me. Yes, I'm part of the female shopping demographic.) Aesthetically though, Dr. Dre wins in that department. Bottomline is, before buying anything that clocks in at over a certain price range, make sure to be extra scrutinizing so you lessen your chances of buyer's remorse. Speaking of which, I need to finish an article on fashion finds that do exactly that—let you shop without feeling guilty. Signing off for now. Cue: Super Bass.

A song that makes a great headphone tester.

TV Talk

Lights, camera, action!

DAY 9
of the 30-Day Blog Challenge, 2011

For someone who doesn't own a television set, I happen to love watching TV. Not owning a cable box and the whole flat-screen-DVR package isn't an effort to seem "cool" or "detached" but rather, a function of limited space. Plus, I'm afraid that if I had a TV in my room, I'd enjoy it too much and that's all I'd do. Come to think of it, I already shy away from big shenanigans of the mingling and drinking kind, and if I start getting glued to the tube, there goes my (modest) social life.

Anyhow, I do get around watching my favorite shows, thanks to online streaming. ABC has an app on the iPad that lets you see their shows, including sitcoms like Happy Endings (super funny!) and Modern Family (I have yet to get on board).

My three faves at the moment happen to be on USA Network and are as follows (I read somewhere recently that they're still in the middle of having their app approved by Apple):

1) White Collar
2) Burn Notice
3) SUITS(!)

If you haven't seen #3, you have to ASAP! It's about two lawyers: one legit graduate from Harvard, and one who passed the bar without having gone to any law school. It's hilarious and entertaining. Hotshot closer Harvey Specter hires Mike Ross, who wows him at an accidental and well-timed job interview. The former covers up for the latter's lack of a law degree and the rest is bromance history. It's TV candy, alright. Both men are handsome—Specter in a dashing-debonair kind of way, and Ross, in a cute-hipster-who-wears-skinny-ties kind of way (the latter's character lives in Williamsburg and rides a bike to work). I love the New York street and office scenes in the show and get a kick out of recognizing areas where they shot.

Here's the trailer of the show. It's on every Thursday night. Happy viewing!

San Francisco

Third post of the Travel Series

Got bread?

Before the recent holiday season, would you believe I had never set foot in the city of San Francisco other than its airport?

So, when my sister-in-law invited us over to spend New Year's with them, I was actually excited: The prospect of visiting the Golden State—plus a side trip to Sonoma County and Napa Valley, which I shall talk about in the next post of the Travel Series—definitely caught my fancy. That, and of course, hopping on a plane with Alvs and spending more time together.

I'll let the pictures do the talking/blogging :)

Canon PowerShot S95

OH, and I almost forgot to mention, you may have noticed my extra-vibrant and inspired photos in recent posts. That's because, over the holidays, my husband gifted me with the Canon PowerShot S95 I listed in my All I Want for Christmas post! I'm still keeping my old and trusty Cybershot for posterity (I doubt if I'll ever get rid of it; it's one sturdy gadget). So, I hope you're enjoying the new pics as much as I have taking them!

There were plenty of things to get excited about in SFO...

1) New Year's Eve with the husband.

2) Japantown with all its quaint trinkets and delicious food.

3) Cute and entertaining things from a store in Sausalito.

4) Sourdough bread, clam chowder, and shrimp sandwiches from Boudin.

5) Seeing One Big Table for the first time in a small bookstore
in the bay area!

READ the Travel Series starting with...

1. DENVER
2. SILVERTHORNE & BRECKENRIDGE
3. SAN FRANCISCO
4. SONOMA COUNTY
5. NAPA VALLEY
6. CHICAGO
7. NEW YORK

All I Want for Christmas

Budget limits and practical reasoning aside (at least for certain items), here's what's on my holiday wishlist:

1) An ergonomic chair
For my back. For my writing. Enough said. I did finally manage to buy a desk from Ikea. I went to the store twice: the first day, to get the legs; the second day, to buy the tabletop. Up until then I didn't realize how easy it was to commute to the store in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

The new Canon PowerShot S95.

2) A new camera
I'm not too thrilled to say that my new Nokia phone seems to take better photos than my six-year-old Sony Cybershot, at least for certain shots in low light. And, since blogging is part of my livelihood, it's probably about time to do an upgrade.

3) A TV
I do not own a television set. I can go for months without seeing live broadcast. In fact, the first thing I did when I moved to the Bronx was remove the TV and cable box in my new room. The Food Network is the only channel that I've consistently watched whenever I've had television access. And, I catch up on favorite shows like 30 Rock, White Collar, and Burn Notice via Hulu.com, the NBC and USA Network websites, and others.

Yet, if I want to eventually work in TV, I need to watch TV and have daily access to it.

4) A citrine ring
Just because. Well, ever since I'd dropped my faux citrine cocktail ring two years ago, I've been on the lookout for a replacement. I saw a real, precious one while walking home from the library, and simply got reminded of this bejeweled craving.

Bialetti 3-Cup Moka Express

5) A Bialetti Moka Express...
...That I finally got to buy on Amazon! I initially lusted after a Nespresso machine or any of those pod-ready coffee contraptions, however, upon giving it some thought, I realized I preferred the Moka pot's natural approach to good espresso. Hence, I gifted myself with the shiny silver brewer (it's much, much more affordable, too, than the former!).

6) A manual pasta machine
There is an attachment for the Kitchenaid mixer but I would actually prefer a good ol' pasta maker.

7) A new daytime, full-time job.
For me to actually afford all of the above (not counting the Moka pot).

A new daytime job, where I could work for at least a year. While working as a consultant and freelancer has been FUN—and my writing plate has never ever been empty despite the lack of an office cubicle/corner office—I now desire something more long-term. It reminds me of dating—that stage when both parties decide to commit and go for the long haul.

Born Champagne Metallic flats.

Hence, it's all (cyber) window shopping and wishlists for now.

(Speaking of online shopping, check out Zappos.com for cute Born flats, clogs, and women's Oxfords.)

Images courtesy of Friedchillies.com, Canon.com.au, and Zappos.com.

Gadgeteering

My latest 'tech-quisitions.'

I am most inclined to leave the gadget-speak to former T3 Magazine EIC Vince Sales who now writes the blog, Third World Nerd. He also happens to be the husband of my very good friend Frances of Topaz Horizon and MORE (by that I mean author of two other popular blogs and EIC of entertainment mag, Ok!).

So, for you techies out there, the disclaimer for this post is simply, you won't find technical specifications here; Google and Amazon would be better for that.

Anyway, the two above are my latest 'tech-quisitions': a Nokia C5-00—a gift from my husband who knows me too well to not have gotten me a QWERTY phone, as I am old school that way—and a Western Digital My Passport Essential Ultra-portable Hard Drive, Robot Limited Edition (isn't it so cute?).

Two things:

1) If you regularly read this blog, you'd know that I'm not once to switch up or buy gadgets very frequently. But, since my Acer netbook has been with me for close to two years now (time flies!) I've started to get that nagging feeling to back up. Up until today, I've never owned an external hard drive, unless you'd count my old iPod, the one with the black-and-white screen. The Western Digital My Passport 'Robot' actually feels like a wider white iPod. Again, very cute. It's plug-and-play meaning I have to get used to not manually dragging and dropping files for back up.

2) I've had the same Nokia 6300 phone (photo here) since 2007—it still works great, is mega-sturdy, and reliable. Hence, it will be a little bit of a challenge to transition to the new C5-00, as I've come to rely on my 6300 for many things, which includes cooking and baking (for the countdown timer), notes (for blog ideas), calculating, etc. It will now house my Smart SIM card for roaming. That's all for now. I wanted to write about an aborted iPad purchase, but the details are kind of boring, so I'll save the iPad talk until I actually own one; which, by the looks of it, won't be until January.

Cute little things.

HK by the way

At the Hong Kong airport last week, the first thing that came to mind was "I want to buy a [Canon] G11 camera." But, with a pending green card renewal that would set me back at least $800, plus, new expenses relating to my next NY move, a new gadget is definitely out of the question.

For those who know me, I'm not big on big-ticket items and fancy electronics. While my purchases seem to be done out of impulse—as in the case of my Nokia phone and Acer netbook—the splurges usually 'pay' for themselves in the form of the number of years I use them (very much like that famous fashion equation when justifying a purchase). I still have the same phone mentioned above bought back in 2007, and the only reason I bought a netbook was because a new battery for my seven-year-old iBook cost half of the price of my new computer. And, I needed something more portable for the new 'mobile' lifestyle I'd aimed for at the start of my freelance career.

Going back to the subject of cameras, I still have my trusty, sturdy, Sony Cybershot, now five years old! It fits the palm of my hand and still takes beautiful pictures (like the one above and most on this blog). It only occurred to me to upgrade when I saw how the newly-launched cameras featured ridiculously amazing and precise Auto settings, as seen in the G11, or my friends Frances and Vince's Olympus E-PL1. Oh well, for now, a new camera will have to wait.

Anyway, here are some thoughts on my recent layover in HK:

1) It's huge!

Other big airports are the way they are because they accommodate larger locales, but for a small country, this one had plenty of space. I flew out on a Monday and it felt like a VIP, as if the terminals were cleared for me to walk in peace! Anna Wintour alone on the elevator immediately came to mind.

One can do cartwheels in here.

2) So many stylish women!

I noticed a handful young ladies in heels, while the older women were in custom pantsuits and spring jackets in lovely prints. I spotted one in a black knit (or lace?) bolero paired with pearls. Good thing I've made it a personal policy to be dressed at the airport, ever since I started flying regularly almost a decade ago. (For the first two years, I always wore comfy sweatpants and trainers on long-haul flights. One time, I decided to experiment by wearing a tailored jacket and pointy kitten-heels—and I noticed everyone became nicer!)

3) It has a cute food court.

By 'cute' I mean it has substantial offerings in the form of hefty bowls of noodle soup, freshly-baked cookies and muffins, and the sort of things I like to eat and tote along when traveling. Anyhow, for more on food, visit my other blog, AllMySugar.com, where I've just written about finally making buttercream frosting. I'm in a baking frenzy! But more on that on my next blog post.

Beyond Shoes and Bags

A world beyond shoes and clothes.

At my own internship experience 10 years ago, I looked forward to coming to work everyday. Each opportunity presented a new learning experience, and I was happy to take in as much as I could. The magazine industry in Manila back then was still somewhat in its infancy, and we were all still finding our feet. I reckon it was a great time to have been able to dip my toe in, and then jump (and swim) in the growing magazine pool. Among friends, we still refer to a certain time as the Golden Age of Glossies.

Fast-forward to 2010, it's nice to know that magazines are standing the test of time (in a not-so-glossy economy) and have evolved to breathtaking, awe-inspiring, and excellently edited works compiled by the most talented and hardworking people in the business. And most importantly, they are still very much FUN. True, the demands have grown, the responsibilities are more vast, and the consequences to delinquent behavior are more magnified, but I still see it as one happy and dynamic capsule, exploding with infinite opportunities.

When I see interns Alex, Gaile, and Yen at work, I catch a glimpse of this sense of wonder and eagerness to be part of something bigger than themselves; to explore the world beyond their comfort zones. I notice Alex arrive 30 minutes before everybody else; Gaile, quietly and diligently helping our fashion editor with her pages; and Yen discovering the wonderful—and tedious—world of beauty. So much to take in, so little time.

I ended up staying on board as an intern for four months, eventually becoming an editor for many years. Magazine publishing remains my first love and forever home, wherever I am in the world, and however it is presented (online, over the iPad, in the moon...). And for Alex, Gaile, and Yen, I paraphrase the words of Stanley Tucci's character, Nigel, in The Devil Wears Prada: I only hope for the best—I have to.


Originally published at Cosmo.ph/FlawlessatWork. Image courtesy of Cinecon.com and 20th Century Fox

A Clutter-free Life

When I decided to finally move abroad, I had to tackle eight years’ worth of belongings back at my old apartment. This included trinkets and mementos from high school, stacked notebooks from college, and paper calendars, photos, and cards collected over time. Not included here are shoes, clothes, handbags, and accessories amassed from working all those years as a magazine editor.

It also didn’t help that I was a classic hoarder and easily found sentimental value in anything and everything.

A few months before I’d planned to leave, I was walking out of Mall of Asia from a lunch event and passed through National Bookstore to get to the exit. And then this book called out to me: It’s All Too Much by Peter Walsh [FREE PRESS/Simon & Schuster]. In bright tangerine, its cover wasn’t hard to miss. Immediately I picked it up and impulse-bought into “An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff.”

And boy-oh-boy was this book life-changing! (It’s also one of my favorite books to date.) Not only did it help make sense out of letting go of things I’ve collected, it also de-mystified my age-long struggle with hoarding. Walsh, a professional organizer and host of TLC’s Clean Sweep, shares a systematic approach to getting rid of emotional and physical clutter so that one can create a happier, more stress-free home and life.

“Clutter stops us from living in the present,” says Walsh. “The future is important. But you have to consider the quality of your life today and strike a balance between the life you are living today and the multitude of possible paths your life may take in the future.”

This means, say, you find a little black dress you love but doesn’t fit, don’t buy just because you may (or may not) lose weight in the future. Same goes for those jeans you’ve had in first year college that you’re still hoping to fit into “someday.”

“The clutter somehow becomes a life raft for all the ‘just in cases’ we can imagine,” explains Walsh.

Other than the I-might-need-it-one-day excuse, the book lists other excuses we make for keeping things we don’t need around in our homes, work desks, and anywhere there is space. Walsh also walks the reader through each room, sharing tips and strategies for establishing zones, determining function, and dealing with sentimental objects you do want to keep: giving them places of honor in your home and not somewhere gathering dust.

For example, if you’ve inherited heirloom pieces from a loved one, don’t keep them stashed, forgotten in boxes. Instead, start using them already or put them up in display shelves. “You can’t own everything so you have to pick and choose,” says Walsh. “The value you say an item holds for you must be reflected in the place you give that item in your life, otherwise your words have no meaning and the object is little more than clutter.”

As for unused ‘special’ plates and kubyertos sitting pretty in dining room cabinets, here’s what Walsh has to say on the subject (you might want to clue Mom in on this):

“If you have formal china, do you guard it as if it were a national treasure? China can be expensive and beautiful, but what’s the point of owning it if you never use it? This is not to say that you should serve your three-year-old hot dogs on a Royal Copenhagen platter, but please try to use and enjoy it.”

One of the memorable sections in the book is the quiz, “How Clutter Free Are You?” When I first took it more than two years ago, I turned out to be a “Hard-core Hoarder.” Yikes.

While writing this blog post I went through the questions again. And I’m happy to say that I’m now in between “Clutter Victim” and “Clutter Free”—a huge leap from the hoarder that I was years ago.

True, even if I still hold on to precious trinkets, gadgets, and mementos here and there, and haven’t followed Walsh’s advice to the letter, plenty of the things I’d picked up from his book have afforded me a more mobile lifestyle mostly free of useless clutter to lug around.

(And just so all of you know, I’m never ever going to get rid of my seven-year-old iBook in the event that it finally conks out for real in the future. I reckon, it would still make for a lovely, shiny white paper weight.)

Part of this month's Cosmo Series, 11th of 16 posts also published at Cosmo.ph.

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Seven for Womankind

I realized the other day that my 12" iBook finally turned seven! If you remember I posted an entry here saying that when this happens, I'll throw a party. Well, I'm miles away from friends or anybody who will attend said shindig, but I'm thinking I'll simply keep this in mind during today's Fourth of July festivities at the park. I'm quite excited about the fireworks. In 2007 we saw some amazing ones out of town. Last year I got so busy in New York that the holiday barely registered a blip in my radar; or I probably just didn't have anywhere to go.

I've since February switched to my blue Acer Aspire One netbook. But that doesn't mean the iBook is a sitting paperweight, oh no. Whenever I look at it, I still think it's one of the most beautiful things ever made by Apple. It does need a new battery which is a hefty $120 for something that in the techworld is supposedly "vintage." In the seven years I've had my white iBook, it has only crashed twice or thrice. Only once I actually had to take it to a service center (see my post, No Ordinary Morning) and even then, it only needed to be reformatted, and I was still able to save my files and programs in the process. Cool, huh?

The Apple Store on Fifth Avenue, New York.

The main reason why I never upgraded to a newer Mac, apart from the obvious sturdiness and reliability of the one I have, is that I never really liked the models that came out after mine (with the exception of the silver G4 iBooks and Powerbooks). The big drawback for me are the new chiclet keyboards—they're not 'crunchy' enough, for lack of a better term. And I keep thinking, how do you clean those things? Everyone I know covers them with a thin silicone pad that makes typing... well, less tactile of an experience. And in my line of work, those little things matter.

Anyway, I did briefly consider the Macbook Air, but surprisingly, the Acer Aspire One has quite a lot of impressive features that I don't see in the former. I am curious though about what's coming out next year at Apple. Just like how I've felt in the last seven years.

Reflection has won!

Thank you to everyone who voted for the new template. My personal fave was Blue Glide, but Reflection had tabs and a distinct header, so perhaps that's why it won by one point. I found both templates at Ipietoon.com, whose owner/designer has just been very helpful. I am in talks with him to combine the two so I actually get the best of both templates! So I'll be busy 'renovating' over here and brushing up on my HTML. If you find any bugs or missing links, please be patient with me, and also feel free to leave feedback in the comment boxes. Also, do tell me about your blogs so I can link you up in the sidebar. I just loove makeovers!

On another note, the Waring Pro Juice Extractor is the latest addition to the kitchen. Just this afternoon I drank: fresh carrot-apple juice, orange juice, and apple-watermelon juice. So good! I also got a late start with work because I spent half the day in the kitchen making Baked Butter Chicken Fillets (a recipe from Gourmeted.com), which I blogged about here, and a big batch of lentil soup. I took long processing the mirepoix of carrots, celery, and onion—I do this by chopping up more than what I need and putting the rest in zip-top bags to be stashed in the freezer for future use. It also helps that I do all the chopping (when it's this big a batch) in the food processor. I noticed though that after processing the carrots, it tinted the clear bowl orange.