The 30-day Blog Challenge

Fluid thoughts, right on time.

I recently read this over at my friend (and former boss) Maya's blog, Walastik Holistic:

"Do something regularly over a period of 30 days
and you will create a habit."

The first thing that came to mind was, "Ah, that can apply to my blogging."

Initially I'd intended to wake up everyday at 5am and churn out an entry by daybreak. Unfortunately, I still lack the EQ to unglue myself from the comforter that early in the morning and I have no intention of making blog posting a stress-inducing experience. So for now I'll stick to the schedule I know best: writing at night.

If and when I am successful with coming up with 30 posts in daily succession, I'll keep adding more 30-day Challenges to my repertoire, e.g. "The 30-day Pilates Challenge," The 30-day Apple Cider With Every Meal Challenge," and so forth. And probably down the line be primed for the 5am thing. Eep!

I'm on Day Three so far. Please cheer for me everybody!

(The Bedol Eco-friendly Water-powered Clock. Photo courtesy of http://www.bedolwhatsnext.com.)

Haute Summer!

I'm excited for all outfits nautical and blue. And these three pieces are kick-starting my summer love affair part two (part one, already languidly spent in Manila!).

There's a classic white top that's stretchy and comfy—perfect with a bright scarf or statement necklace.

The striped collared shirt features tiny embossed gold buttons that add a classy touch to an otherwise ordinary top. (The buttons were actually the main reason why I ended up buying the shirt).

I thought twice about getting the French-print sheer cotton caftan, for a number of reasons. But just looking at it already got me imagining wearing my swimsuit underneath and lounging by a pool on a hot day.

Cybershot

Lately I started taking pictures again for my beauty column...

Not bad for a four-year-old, point-and-shoot.

Tweet, tweet

Image source: http://www.inkygirl.com

This is an anorexic blog post. Or in this day and age, I should just call it a 'Tweet' or a 'Plurk.'

I am seriously pondering how so many people are able to do all these things online ON TOP of work and everything else in life. My friend Frances has two blogs, edits a magazine (she's editor-in-chief!), runs a household, takes on freelance writing assignments, and attends media events left and right.

Kate White edits Cosmo U.S., writes mystery novels, and takes on speaking engagements, on top of what I could only guess is a mega-hectic social schedule. (I've read she also bakes for her family.)

Me? I've always juggled several things at once. I attribute this to being a former Summit employee where one is trained to just do as many things as one can (also to supplement a meager editor income). In New York, I was in constant fear of losing my day job so I always kept busy writing and editing on nights and weekends.

But these days, I feel that I can only get things done if I tunnel-vision and focus all my efforts on one thing at a time. I seem to be taking forever with a beauty catalog project, which is delaying some editing work on a fitness booklet, which is pushing back the start of a new novel, and so forth. Am I just biting off more than I can chew?

As for blogging, to this day I grapple with the commitment of a daily diary-like entry, no matter how brief. As a youngster I remember having all sorts of notebooks that served as journals and I would usually start the year with a gung-ho I-will-document-my-everyday-life attitude, and watch the entries fizzle by midyear.

My point is, if any of you can share useful time management and multi-tasking tips, please send them this way! (Or do that whole "@" thing via Twitter, Facebook, or Plurk.)

Aww Revoir

I haven't been blogging because I've been working/jetlagging/lazying. I do have some posts brewing but I am most inclined to keep them on hold until they can be properly (publicly) scrutinized and worth your reading time (thanks!).

Meanwhile, here's my latest beauty article in the Inquirer. I'm posting it here because 1) I always do regardless, and 2) It's gone through discerning editing eyes so I can buy time while I edit other things.

Just some background info, this was inspired by my sadness after buying the April issues of Seventeen and Marie Claire Philippines and realizing they were, indeed, the last ones. Sniff. As many of you know, Seventeen has a very, very special place in my heart. I'd spent the best years of my editor-adult life working there.


BEAUTY IN THE BIG APPLE
Look good even after shedding tears
First Posted 21:42:00 05/21/2009

I am absolutely terrible at goodbyes. At times, I manage a chirpy “Bye! See you soon!” and a nondescript wave, but more often than not, I go full-on drama queen a la Sharon Cuneta in the ’80s (short of crying in the shower and sliding to the ground, sobbing).

I could recall times when I drove in the rain, vision blurred due to tears; or reeled over a breakup, eyes bloodshot. Whatever the reason, it’s safe to say that nobody looks good after a sob session.

And speaking of breakups and goodbyes, it saddens me that the April issues were the last for Seventeen and Marie Claire Philippines. These I consider among the best written and edited reads in the country, staffed by incredibly talented teams I have had the pleasure of working with in the past.

But alas, everyone must move on. So while we reluctantly say our goodbyes and wipe the tears, here are some beauty strategies to keep the drama on the down-low, and somehow look like a ray of sunshine despite having bawled buckets.

1. Shower your woes away. The folks at Johnson’s know a thing or two about not aggravating babies’ tear ducts during a bath. And if you’ve just cried like a child and finally managed to get out of bed, employ the ingenious no-more-tears formula of a baby wash to instantly freshen up.

2. Always carry eye drops in your purse. Not only does a tiny trusty bottle of Visine (or Eye-Mo) “get the red out” in a flash, it helps relieve itchy eyes and cleanse the area, especially if you’re prone to scratching and touching your eyes—which is what you do when you weep. (So pack the Kleenex as well.)

3. Blot foundation on the right places. Perhaps the only great thing about having cried your heart out is that you no longer need blush for a come-hither flush. The downside is, your whole face is this cranberry shade. Tone down the redness by dabbing face base under your eyes, T-zone, and a tiny bit on the cheeks. Be sure to blend well to even-out all traces of blotchiness.

4. Employ eye-opening makeup. It’s hard to tell when the next batch of tears will come up in a volatile situation. The best way to look presentable without risking runny mascara and smudged eyeliner in the event of round two is to pick waterproof formulas—or to skip them altogether. Instead, curl lashes and apply sparkly eye shadow up to the crease. Groom brows with a little gel, and swipe on bright lipstick to offset the somber eye makeup.

5. Streamline your tresses. Depressing times call for drastic hair measures. There are two ways to liven up a sad face via hairdo: One is to head to the salon and ask for a straightforward bob. This entails chopping off all the dangling strands that tend to get in the way and stick to your face when tear-stricken. A less abrupt face-brightener is a ponytail worn high and tight. This gently tugs the hairline, creating a mini-facelift that also forces one to walk headstrong.

Mariel Chua is the former beauty editor of Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, and Ok! Magazine Philippines. Visit her blog at http://NyMinuteNow.com.