Category: Home & Living

A lot of people have been asking me what group buying sites are.  I decided to just put up a list here in HeaRty’s Haven.  This can serve as a reference for all of us.  I myself have to clean up my bookmarks and create a folder just for this alone.  The group buying sites are increasing (really increasing in number).  It’s very hard to catch up.

My experience with group buying sites started when I saw one of my Facebook friends post a link about a discount in a restaurant.  Since I’m a self-professed foodie (hehe!), I immediately clicked on it.  I found out that I don’t need to buy those yearly discount cards (e.g., enjoyPH) and limit myself with discount coupons listed there.  I can just go through this group buying site and choose whatever I’m interested in and buy them.

But, hey, there are more group buying sites!  Wow!  Those sites just kept popping up.  I got overwhelmed a bit after buying too many vouchers.  I had to control myself or else, I would be spending too much money for stuff I don’t really need.

So, what are Group Buying Sites?

Group Buying Sites are websites that offer products & services at a significantly low price.  It can go from 30% discount to as much as 100% discount!  Yeah it happens!  There’s a catch though.  The deal will only be activated if there are minimum number of people buying the promo.

Group Buying Sites work with retailers promising them more customers/clients in exchange for discounts.

So, how does a Group Buying Site work?

1. Log in to the group buying site (registration is free!).
2. Browse through available promos/deals.
3. Choose the one you like and confirm purchase by clicking on the “BUY” link.
4. Pay through any of the options listed by the group buying site.  Most of them offer PayPal, bank deposits and credit card payments.
5. Confirmation will be sent via email or the site itself.
6. You can print voucher through the email they sent you or under your account page in the site.
7. Bring the voucher with you when claiming with establishment.
8. Enjoy your discount!

Now, the information a lot of people have been waiting for: the list of Group Buying & Shopping Sites in the Philippines.  If I missed any group buying sites, do let me know by commenting here 🙂

Updated: September 23, 2015

As 2011 is fast approaching, more and more companies are releasing their own versions of personal planners.  Most have too much stuff going on with the planners: too many ads, too many coupons, too many photos, etc.

I recently discovered a new planner which is quite the opposite compared to what we see with other personal planners today.  I had to have a copy myself before I wrote this blog post.  And now that I have it, I understood why the people behind this initiative created Planner People.

The goal is pretty simple.  They wanted to create a basic planner that we can just put in our bag, write important schedule and notes on.  I believe it’s exactly what the 2011 planners they created are.

Here are the reasons why:

• It’s lightweight at 5″ x 7″, very small indeed.  Not much to worry about with regards to space in our bags.
• It has yearly and monthly views which are things needed in a planner.  Sometimes, we just want to see, in one glance, all the dates in that year.  Or for a summary of important dates in a month, we don’t need to see page per page for the information, the monthly view can give us such information at 1st glance.

• Weekly views and notes section.  For more details on certain events in a day, the weekly views provide sufficient space for us to put information on.  The notes section, on the other hand, provides us space for any thoughts we want to take note of.  Plain and simple.  Truly consistent with the goal.

• It has a ribbon marker so you can always go back to the page that you last written on.

That’s it.  No extras!  Old school planner in a modern world.  If you’re the type who wants a no frills, straight to the point planner then Planner People’s 2011 planner is for you!  It’s very affordable at only Php 200.

I’m not surprised that my ex-colleague Mela is one of the people behind Planner People.  She’s smart and very creative!  She and her 2 friends-Kris & Reg created the 2011 planners as they didn’t like any of the planners out there in the market.

You might share the same sentiments with Planner People.  If you do, then better go to their website and order.  The planners do come in 9 different designs that are very unique, choose the ones that fit your personality and you’re good to go for an organized 2011! 🙂

——————–
Planner People
+639174905875
http://planner.wedgienet.net
plannerpeople@gmail.com

Last friday, I attended the Real Living’s Room by Room Makeover Book Launch.  I was really excited to attend this event as I have wanted to renovate our house.

I have been struggling for months to renovate my house due to water leaks in my upstairs bathroom.  To repair would be substantial & so I’ve been looking for better ways to fix it.

Real Living is a magazine that gives its readers makeovers to their home.  Now, they came up with a book that compiled amazing room-by-room transformations w/ before & after pictures.

In partnership w/ Robinson’s Handyman, Real Living Room by Room Makeover book was launched at Robinson’s Ermita.

Real Living managing director Tisha Alvarez-Angluben gave a talk on how NOT to win a makeover.

I remember specifically these items which she noted like providing pictures of:

• an empty space
• intentionally messed up space/area

Designer Hannah Acab-Faustino discussed instant makeovers & shared spaces.  She showed us some before & after pictures as well as how she designed to make it look so good.

My takeaway from this talk are these steps to a successful home makeover:
R – Re-think
E – Establish
D – Design
O – Order

Pictures from the event can be found here.

For just Php120, the book will definitely give you lots of tips on space planning, organizing, color schemes and a lot more.  The Do-It-Yourself projects will show us how we can transform our home even with just a short amount of time & money.  Now available at bookstores & newsstands.  I have a copy myself! 🙂

Real Living is offering a contest for readers whose homes have been damaged by the Ondoy Typhoon.  It’s called Project Ondoy: Real Living Gives Back.

Project Ondoy is a special contest that is open to Real Living readers residing in Metro Manila, Marikina, Cainta & Antipolo.

Qualified readers are given the chance to win over Php100,000 worth of home makeover!  It is Real Living’s way of giving back to the community.

Here are the requirements:

• Baranggay clearance stating that the reader’s home was affected by Typhoon Ondoy
• Provide at least 3 clear photos of the rooms during or after the typhoon damage (photos should show clear evidence of flood or typhoon damage).
• Include a photo of yourself and/or your family.
• Provide full name, birth date, occupation, mobile number, landline number.
• Short paragraph composed of 50 words or less about how you survived typhoon Ondoy & what damage it has done to your home.
• Promo doesn’t cover houses that have structural damage & electrical damage.

Good luck to everyone!  🙂

While walking around the new Eastwood mall, saw this super cool shop called Me&U – Stuff for togetherness.

Located at the 3rd floor, it showcases things for couples. Every material has its partner. Things like mugs, pillows, lamps, shirts, etc.

I think it is the 1st in the Philippines. I haven’t seen a shop that specializes in couples stuff. Really cool, I was just browsing through their products for 30 minutes! hahaha

Anyway, can’t help it… I really like the pillows! So eventually bought them 😛

So here they are:

• Couple Pillow (Case only – Php 880)

• matching Body Pillow (Php 1,480)

Using them now and I love it! hahahaha Especially the body pillow! I’ll surely have a smile on my face every time I sleep 😛