Cooking staycations

You know you're getting old when you want to stay at home more than usual. Pre-marriage, my partner and I would always go out everyday, eat out, watch movies, attend events, and meet with friends. Now I observe we usually only go out when work is involved or if it's a family thing.

The increasing population inside malls and other places really puts us off. Especially when you're traveling with a kid, lining up for food or to pay for purchases becomes very time and energy consuming. Not to mention, the horrible traffic.

We've succumbed to staycations which means I'd cook food and make snacks, and we'll enjoy watching a movie all together - cocooned inside our house.

Husband's version of budget meal at home - for snacks

Frosted cupcakes for midnight snacks aka last full show at home

I also recently discovered how to make a quickie macaroni and cheese using the new Del Monte Cheese Magic. The TV ad really got me! Just cook the pasta, put some butter on it, some milk, and pour cheese magic. You can top it with sliced spam or bacon bits. We had this last night while watching 700 club! :)

We're surprisingly happy staying more at home and saving a lot while at it. I will need to read up more about quick cooking at tim ferriss blog. I know how to cook but with a busy schedule everyone needs to master the art of the 4 hour chef! 

Stress-relieving aromatherapy

We rarely notice it but scents do affect our moods. Whether we're at home trying to relax or at the office working. It's the same thing as when the smell of your favorite food cooking in the kitchen instantly lifts you up. Although the scent of food is appetizing, you don't really want it to linger especially in air-conditioned environment.

I love how some houses and offices I have been to have the expensive Lampe Berger that emits fragrance of different flavors. Thank goodness much more affordable choices are now available. It's been about a year since I purchased my oil diffuser, it's called airoma and I kind of miss it because my mom borrowed it to treat her cough. We drop eucalyptus essential oils in it and it diffuses the calming scent instantly plus it feels really good in the lungs.

There are plentiful of similar products, I even heard of a vaporizer volcano  and some desktop vaporizer for the office. I guess people are becoming really stressed these days and want their aromatherapy in their pockets :)

If you have been to Foot for the Gods (the foot spa in Mall of Asia), they really have calming eucalyptus and I'm sure it's why I instantly relax when I get inside. I'd love to replicate that feeling at home but I imagine if you are living in a condo unit - it's much easier to achieve compared to an ordinary house with windows and lots of space.

Dressing up for your interview

Believe it or not, the dress or outfit you wear to your interview has a strong impact on whether you'll be hired or told to go home. It is the reality we must all face unless the world converge and repent for its judgmental ways. But hey, you want a job then prepare for it the best as you can. And that includes the way you look!

Let me be your big sister and listen to my tips:

1. Collars are your best friends - you can actually get away without a blazer or coat (who wears that during summer right?) if you can get a decent collared button down. Go for clean plain colored blouses, white is the most flexible and can serve you well in any occasion. If you must buy, buy quality branded clothing because you'll be using this before and after you get hired - hopefully.

Stay away from trendy, weird, and overwhelming tops. Think classic, neat, and clean.

2. Black pants and skirt - again as flexible as white and the two are so great together. Whether you take your own car or commute to your interview, you don't have to worry if your pants got dirty with dust - it's not obvious when it's black!

Ditch your skirts from high school that make you look too young and not ready for some real office responsibility. Go for cuts that are clean and sharp, with the right length to avoid looking lousy.



3. Eyeglasses - if you must wear eyeglasses, make sure you've cleaned them and are the right frames for your face. Check out the Warby Parker website to get an idea of how to wear your glasses smart. Never leave home without your glasses or you can opt for a fresher look with contact lenses. They help you look wide awake and refreshed!

4. High heels - there is no other way but up, you have to have black pumps if you want to be sitting pretty inside your own office space. They are painful to walk in (I know) but bag them and slip in your killer high heels for an instant confidence boost. This helps you appear taller obviously and walk in good posture.

Many newly grads I see on the street nowadays are obviously newly grads - if you know what I mean. Don't be like them! Have a lot of confidence in the way you dress, walk, talk, and conduct yourself. It is all about packaging yourself and marketing your skills so being shy and lousy won't get you anywhere. Go get them tigers! :)