My goal for the next 3 months is to start eating better fo rthe most part and then allowing myself cheat days.

I love food, and what happens is I end up eating whatever I want, whenever I want. I don't have a big appetite but I'm a huge grazer-meaning, I like to try a little bit of this and a little of that throughout the day. The big problem is I don't really consider what it is I'm eating. It could be half a muffin in the morning, a cupcake after a small lunch, chips at some point in the afternoon, then frozen yogurt as dessert after dinner----none of which are exactly healthy!

The plan now is to not deprive myself of eating multiple times a day (i get grouchy when im hungry) but instead ot have healthy snacks that I can munch on (hopefully not excessively) when I feel like eating. Dr. Jean-Michel Cohen was right all along after all. Maybe the Bon Appetit Diet will work? I want to lose about 5-8 lbs. I know it's not a whole lot but I just need to get rid of the icky bits that have grown on me the past year- without starving myself.

Im going on a 1200 calorie a day diet for 10 days to jumpstart this mission of mine. I start on Saturday to wish me luck!!!

My last week was spent in blistering cold London. I guess spring decided to completely skip out of town this year and the UK is going straight from an extended winter to summer (hopefully in a few weeks) Weather reports weren't very encouraging as most of them announced the below 10C weather to last until June. Nevertheless, London is still one of my favorite cities in the world and it is always a pleasure for me to go. This trip was no different despite the freezing temperature. I soldiered it out with four layers of clothes and thick scarves and boots while I visited old haunts from my short school stint a few years back.

London is a beautiful city with lots to do. Although first timers really should see the sights such as Buckingham Palace and Big Ben, there is so much more to it than the things you see in books and travel magazines. London is a vibrant city, with each area different from the other. For instance, you will see the difference in shops, building structures and general vibe between London's West End and North London, or Shoreditch and Knightsbridge, Brixton and Angel. It's really worth it to head out of Central London to see it more from a local's pov.

I don't know when I will be back, hopefully soon. There's no other place I love more than this...well, except maybe New york :)

Omg. It's been so so so hot lately. Soe days, I don't even want to get out of bed because it means turning off the airconditioner and having to face the sweltering heat outside. Unfortunately, we all have responsibilities to fulfill and bills to pay so hibernating isn't an option on most days, so here's what I've been doing to beat the heat.

1. Make fresh fruit shakes- When it gets too hot to cook or even think of eating hot food, I make myself a fruit shake instead. Mangos, strawberries, kiwi, orange-pick your favorite and hydrate! If you don't have fresh fruit on hand, even juice mixed with crushed ice will help a lot.

2.Swim- Not only will you feel refreshed, you'll get your daily dose of exercise too! It's the perfect pick me up on a hot day!

3. Hang out at a park- I know Manila is in desperate need of more outdoor areas ot hang out but if you are fortuate enough to have one near you, bring a book and a cold drink and hea don over there. The trees will hopefully bring the breeze in and it wont be as hot as staying indoors (hey you can't have the ac on 247!)

4. Get a hair cut- For real! Now is the time. It's so hot, that your had will thank you for getting rid of the extra weight! Don't worry, it's just hair. It will grow back!

My birthday is coming up in a couple weeks, and I was feeling out of sorts for awhile because no one form my immediate family is in the country now. I didn't feel like celebrating, and I'm one of those people who usually goes all out partying when it's my day. So I started thinking, what should one do to shake of the birthday blues when it's that time of year you should be celebrating your life but you feel so blah?

1. Leave. The one thing you can do if you don't feel like havign a party is to leave. Go out of town or out of the country and experience new things! Have some me time on your special day instead of stressing and worrying about everyone else having a good time at your party.

2.Buy. Get yourself something nice instead of throwing a big bash. Sometimes we spend too much time saving and not enough enjoying the fruits of our labor. So one day a year, splurge on yourself whether you want a full on all-day spa treatment or a shiny new ipod, go for it.

3. Reflect. Sometimes birthdays aren't just about celebrating but also reflecting on the past year, and think of your goals for the next. Pick a quiet place for you to spend the day by yourself, or with just your best friends. Write. Laugh. Eat.

For someone like me whose mind is always racing,boredom is probably the worst enemy. When I have nothing to do, or at least nothing exciting, I start getting fidgety. This is probably the effect of a life that has constant unexpected traveling involved so when I finally settle down for more than a month, I start getting antsy.

So last week, I brought my daughter to get the haircut she had been wanting for months- a side shave. MInd you, she is only 7, but I am not one to inhibit anyone's creative juices specially personal style. Since It's summer anyway, I figured she'd have two months to grow it out before school starts.

As she sat on the chair at the salon and one of my faves Lourd Ramos started chopping and shaving a quarter of her head, I started thinking, "Hey, maybe I should do that too." It's been so hot lately and also I wanted something different. SO when Ananda was done, I decided to go for it too. I was a spur of the moment decision but one I don't regret. I love how it looks and I think I'll keep it for the rest of the summer!

Doing something unexpected helps build yoir confidence in yourself. If it's something you thought you would never do (in my case, get a haircut that can be considered a bit extreme) it makes you feel good when you do it and realize you love it! As long as it won't hurt anyone including yourself, I say go for it. Hair will grow back, make up will wash off and if a fashion choice turns out to be a mistake, heck, people will forget about it. The point is, you create your own fun, so go out and make things happen! :)