Link Love: December 29, 2010

Sending a lot of link love your way before the year ends! You will find tons of information on skin care, hair style, blogging, writing, and great reading material. Enjoy!

5 Sure-Fire Winter Skin Moisturizers Under $15 by BellaSugar
When it comes to hydrating skin dried out by cold wind and indoor heating, you don't have to go high-end to get something soothing and highly hydrating. Perfect choices for a budget-conscious person like myself!

Get Natasha Bedingfield's Sweetly Shaggy Hairstyle by BellaSugar
The stylist who created Natasha Bedingfield's messy look, Caile Noble of the Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon in LA, gave a step-by-step breakdown on getting this look right. This was the basis of my new hair style.

6 Reasons Why I Am Thankful for Blogging by BLOGGINGPRO
Andrew G. Rosen resonates by own feelings why I am grateful to be given an opportunity to have a voice in this crazy, online universe.

50 Free Resources That Will Improve Your Writing Skills by SMASHING MAGAZINE
Smashing Magazine collected over 50 useful and practical tools and resources that will help us to improve our writing skills.

The Lure of Public Productivity by catalystspace
I just loved Pete Wilson's insights on John Piper's recent announcement to step down from his ministry role to work on his marriage. I also can't wait to visit his church when we move to Nashville!

The God Who Is There by THE GOSPEL COALITION
In February 2009, Don Carson presented a 14-part seminar entitled “The God Who Is There” at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis. This series will serve the church well because it simultaneously evangelizes non-Christians and edifies Christians by explaining the Bible’s storyline in a non-reductionistic way. Full audio and video are available for free on the website.

My Twitter Toolbox by Chris Brogan
Brogan has mastered productivity in using social media tools. His in-depth description on how he uses and manages his Twitter account has challenged me to evaluate how I interact with mine.

3 Ways to Groom Your Eyebrows by EVERYDAY with Rachael Ray
Everything any girl needs to know about having well-groomed eyebrows. Ladies, this is something we must be on top of every day.

How to Grow a Leader by CHURCHLEADERS.COM
This one page PDF article by KidLead gives parents practical tips on how to develop the leadership qualities of their kids.

Catalyst Dallas
The famous (and rightly so) Catalyst Conference is opening its third location in Dallas, Texas on May 11 to 13. The theme is 'Take Courage.' We are praying about being a part of this gathering.

God Uses Critics to Help Us by Josh Harris
Being criticized is a good thing! My constant prayer is to always receive them graciously and never have the desire to 'put anyone in their place.'

Preaching Notes Series by Josh Harris
This is a great learning series. Why? Josh Harris was able to obtain manuscripts of preaching notes by well-known preachers such as Mark Dever, Mike Bullmore, C.J. Mahaney and Tim Keller.

13 e-books to Put on Your Brand-New Kindle by Michael Hyatt
Kind of biased because most books are from the publishing company that he leads but since I have read 10 out of those 13 titles this year, it is still a great list to look at!

15 Books That Have IMPACTED Me Personally by Perry Noble
Great reading list! Just started reading #13 -- The Grace of God by Andy Stanley. I love how it is making an impact on me as well.

5 Books I Want to Read Before 2011 by Neli Atiga
And another reading list worth sharing! I got 'Decoded' by Jay-Z for Robert on Christmas and we just started  going through it. I cannot say I am a hiphop expert (because I'm not) but I have found myself really connected to a couple of songs in that genre in 2010. One them being 'Not Afraid' by Eminem. While a lot of Christians give a lot of grief to fellow believers who listen to hiphop, I love listening to a person's life story and being exposed to the kind of pain/suffering he went through.

iPad Guide: 25+ Essential Resources for Your Apple Tablet by Mashable
The ultimate, non-manual guide to one of the best inventions! I got my iPad in April 2010 and it is now an indispensable tool to my work and personal productivity.

Get Started With a Reading Plan by YouVersion
Ready for a new Bible reading plan for 2011? This link is a great starting point.

Lasting Student Ministry
A 64-page e-Book for youth pastors that has been buzzing with great reviews. Bought this for Rob and excited to learn from the wisdom of great 14 youth leaders.

(Note: I have a new 'feature' on this blog called 'On The Radar.' You will see it on the right side of the blog. You will discover more links to valuable content that I feel is worth sharing right away, instead of waiting for it to be featured on 'Link Love.' Hope you enjoy the stuff I share with you!)

Haircut: Results Are In!

Sometime last week I told you that I was planning to get a new haircut before I leave for the States. I badly needed one because of the following reasons.

• I haven't had a decent haircut since August 2009
• My hair has grown into a chin-length bob. Hot Manila summer has dried it out so badly that it looks unhealthy.
• I need to turn my hair into the wash and wear kind because I won't have the luxury of cheap (only $2 here in Manila) shampoo + blow dry services in the United States.
• My husband Robert prefers that I have a shorter hairstyle.

Here is how my hair looked like before going to the salon. A stick-straight bob (styled a bit with the help of a hair dryer) with a new base color in Medium Golden Brown.



Here is how my hair normally looks like without help of a styling tool and humidity takes over. Yes, it is as rough as it looks!



Last week, I asked for your thoughts about the two hairstyles I was trying to choose from. Thank you so much for responding! This style won by a landslide!



I went to my favorite Hairshaft Salon at The Podium and asked for an appointment with Fred Penales mid-afternoon. I expressed to him the reasons for the haircut and the look that I was going for.

I showed him the "winning" picture and said that I prefer to skip the bangs because these are hard to have if I am going for a wash-and-wear style. The bangs will have to wait until I get back.

I love that it is so easy to communicate with Fred! And I love that The Podium has free WIFI!



Fred worked so hard to get my hair back into a glorious shape.





This is the result of Fred's magic.









I went back to Hairshaft Salon the following day to get my highlights. I told Fred that I have no reservations when it comes to color.

He put in two colors and I loved the result!









Robert was also very happy with the result and that's what matters the most!


Fred Penales
Hairshaft Salon
The Podium 5th Level 18 ADB Ave. Ortigas Center Mandaluyong City
+6326382040

Help Me Choose My Next Haircut

I need your help in choosing which haircut I should go for. I haven't had a good haircut since August 2009 in Singapore by my friend Jackie.


I was so happy with that last haircut. It has grown into a chin-length bob since then and has kept its shape.


I plan to get a haircut, color and highlights before I leave for the States next week. Salon services are very expensive there (And very affordable over here! Non-Filipinos: $10 for a fantastic haircut by a reputable hairstylist is very common in Metro Manila).

I thought it would be nice to groom my hair into a style that does not need a lot of maintenance when I am in the U.S. I need your help with my decision! :-)

Please remember that I have naturally stick straight hair.


I have two pictures that you can choose from:

Style #1 (Edgy, thick, straight ends with chunky highlights)


Style #2 (Thin, layered ends with subtle highlights)


Disclaimer: I don't plan to go blonde!

Please let me know what YOU think because I value your opinion. You can cast your vote on the poll found on the right side of this blog (just below the "About Me" section).

I am getting my haircut on Thursday so you have two days to tell me which style will work better for me. If you have additional comments, please leave your thoughts in the Comments Section below this blog entry.

I am excited to hear from you!

The Bob

I am now ready for the next phase of my hair style!  Growing it now into a bob which I hope will turn into this:

What do you think?

Going Short

I have long, black, straight hair.

Photo Credit: Liz Claudio

In a couple of days, it is going to be chopped off. While I prefer my current hair and how it doesn't require a lot of maintenance, it is Robert's least favorite.

The "gandang-Rejoice" commercials don't do anything for him. His favorite look is short and funky.

I started looking around on the different styles I can do with my hair.

Interesting hairstyle times ahead!

A Day of New Things!

Robert joined this golf tournament to benefit the local Hope Center and although he did not win, he got a gift card of $50 of salon services in Reaction Salon.

Reaction Salon is considered one of the best salons for cut and color in the United States. Yesterday, I decided to go for a nice, new haircut.

I asked the stylist Cherie (she was so pretty!!) to give me an emo-style haircut. Emo haircuts look something like this:


I wanted something similar but a lot softer, which I feel is more appropriate for my age. Cute di ba?

Here is my before picture:


And here is the after picture:


I love!!!!

And then when Robert and I got home, I saw this box by the door:


It was taking my breath away:


Yahooooo! It’s here!!!!!!!!!!! I love it love it love it.