my samsung galaxy ace

I don’t have an iPad or a tablet computer though I hanker for one but I do have my Samsung Galaxy Ace phone.

After I got my Samsung Galaxy Ace, I discovered Zinio and I love it! Zinio is a free magazine app for reading magazines on the Android device. However, you would have to subscribe to the magazines. The titles available are very comprehensive and subscription is easy. I would certainly subscribe to some magazines if I had a tablet computer because reading would be so much easier then.

In the meantime I am enjoying my free magazines from Zinio. After I registered with Zinio, I received a $30 coupon which I immediately used for purchasing some magazines. Later on, I received another $10 promotional coupon which I used up too. In addition to these you can browse and download free magazines to read.

I love reading the magazines digitally. Some of the magazines have a text only section for you to select so you have a choice of reading the magazine as it is or text only. It’s like reading the real thing because you can flip the magazine and what I love the most is it does not take up my shelf space at home which is exploding with books. It helps save the environment too.

At the moment, I currently have these on my Zinio library. Some of them are single issues, some are one year’s subscription. The best part is… they’re all free!

I am currently reading these on my zinio..

OWL Magazine

OWL magazine for 9 to 13 year olds. It includes the science behind how things work, quizzes, contests, and topics on everyday life. My boy likes the comics in them.

Women's Health magazine

Women’s Health Magazine is for the woman who places importance on being healthy-physically and emotionally. I like to read mostly the fitness, nutrition and weight loss part.

Glamour UK Edition

I read Glamour for fashion and beauty advice. Well, even a SAHM needs a little Glamour now and then.

American Girl

American Girl Magazine is Created especially for girls age 8 and up, American Girl is an appealing, age-appropriate alternative to teen magazines. It features advice, crafts (I like this part),  puzzles, games, giggles, and more. This one’s for my girl naturally.

Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitan is  the largest selling young women’s magazine in the world, Cosmopolitan is famous for its upbeat style. It focusses on the young career woman and often has candid and open discussions on the contemporary male/female relationship. Well, I’m still young at heart so I can read this one though targetted at the younger working woman.

Parent and Child

Scholastic’s Parent & Child magazine is an useful resource for parents who want to play an active role in all aspects of their child’s development and learning. I find Parenting Magazines boring usually but sometimes I read them to get some much needed advice and ideas on Parenting.

marie claire

Marie Claire offers solutions for the time pressed busy woman on fashion and beauty. It also includes global and cultural issues. Marie Claire is also targetted towards the younger working woman.

new scientist

New Scientist magazine has the latest science and technology news, putting discoveries and advances in the context of everyday life. New Scientist relates the advancements of human knowledge to the broader impacts on society and culture, making it  an interesting read for inquisitive people who wants to know why. This is one of the magazines I selected when I browsed for free magazines to download and read. It’s not what I would normally read but it is interesting.

I also have the local Her World Magazine and the WebMd Magazine on my Zinio Magazine reader for my Android Phone. I am currently reading all of them at the same time. What I like about a digital magazine reader is the fact that it automatically leaves a bookmark on the page where you are reading. The next time I read, I just continue from where I left off. My magazines are all downloaded for offline reading on my Android but I can choose to read them on  my PC as well if I like. I prefer my Android because it is more portable, that is all.

I also like the fact that Zinio delivers magazines from all over the world directly to me. Some of these magazines are not available to me on the local news stand.

So many magazines to read and all for free!

Don’t believe me? Take a look at the screenshot of my Zinio library below:

My Zinio Library

If you haven’t got it already, you just have to check it out. You won’t regret it. Here’s the Zinio link.

Recently I won some skincare products in a contest. Previously I had not bothered with skincare before because it was expensive, I didn’t have the time and I’m lazy. Since, I have this set of expensive skincare, I might as well use it and so I did.

Naturally the kids became curious to see me applying stuff on my face. I explained that the products were supposed to make my skin look better.

The little one came closer to have a better look at my face and said “Mummy, actually your face is quite ugly” in all seriousness. I was trying hard not to laugh as I explained to him that my face is ugly because of all the pores whereas his skin is young and smooth.

A week later….

The little one came and peered at my face again and said “Mummy, how come you are not yet beautiful?” This time I couldn’t stand it anymore and I burst out laughing. Kids really can be painfully honest at times.

That’s why I don’t buy skincare products. However, I shall continue using this one since I won it and it is very expensive. Thankfully I didn’t pay any money for it, otherwise I would be heartbroken to hear that remark from my son.

I’ll be loving you eternally….. With a heart thats true eternally….. While doing research (yes, I do research) for my Squidoo lens on the Top 10 gifts for Women, I learned about Eternity Rings.

What is an Eternity Ring? The meaning of Eternity Ring

In the Wikipedia, an Eternity Ring is defined as “a lady’s ring, worn on the hand, comprising a band of precious metal (usually gold) set with a continuous line of identically cut gemstones (usually diamonds) to symbolize never-ending love, usually given from a husband to his wife on the occassion of a significant anniversary. Ooooh… how perfectly romantic and pretty too. I want one!

I suppose this  Yellow Gold Diamond Eternity Band Ring best fits the above description of an Eternity Ring.

However, even though I generally prefer gold to silver, I find this White Gold Diamond Eternity Ring above much more attractive and lovely. I wonder if I will ever get one from my dearest. Well, a girl can always dream. I might as well dream along with some romantic I love you music. Here’s Eternally by Engelbert Humperdinck. If you’re a girl reading this, you can dream along with me. If you are a man reading this, well, its time to go shopping.

The Cheongsam is such a beautiful garment…….. if you have the figure for it, that is. Nevertheless, I still like to dorn a Cheongsam for Chinese New Year. It is all part of the fun and tradition.

It is easy to find a Cheongsam during Chinese New Year as most stores will carry it. I have quite a collection over the years. All worn during the first and perhaps 15th day of Chinese New Year then hung somewhere in the clothes cupboard for the rest of the year. Silly. Still, I can’t resist it.

Being pear shaped, it is rather difficult to find a Cheongsam that fits. Quite often, the top would be hanging losely while the bottom would literally split at the seams. Some of the cheongsams has sexy splits at the side or back, well those may split an inch or two higher too to make way for plump thighs and a big bum! Thankfully, some tailors have recognised that not everyone is shaped equally so some designers have come up with some contemporary designs that allow some of us who are not shaped like hour glasses to hide the flab. Yay!

In my younger days, I could still slip into a little black cheongsam (not on Chinese New Year of course or I will be chased out of the house by the elders by a broomstick. Haha.). Now, I have to stick to those errm “contemporary designs” to fit my pear shape but you won’t catch me in a samfoo, those Chinese looking blouses with matching trousers, well not just yet anyway but I have to watch my diet. Otherwise, even “contemporary designs” can’t save or hide my shape.

Well, since Chinese New Year is just round the corner, I better go do my workouts now, so that I have more choices when going Cheongsam hunting.

The ladies at my child’s school are fond of wearing Fedora Hats. I think they wear it as a protection from the sun rather than for style because at the same time they also wear long sleeved shirts, plus extra pull-up sleeves and gloves!

Actually, I think Fedora Hats can be stylish if worn at the beach with a bikini and wide sunnies for example. Not many can carry off that look. You have to have a certain self assuredness and confidence. Self confidence is the best style any woman can have. With self confidence, you can carry off almost any look with style, even a Fedora Hat with a bikini!

A Fedora Hat also looks nice and cool with a white tee and the latest skinny jeans. This is just nice for hot summer days and almost everyone can have this look.

I personally prefer the Fedora Hat compared to Panama Hats. I think Panama Hats are more manly and masculine because of its straight rim. The rim of a Fedora Hat usually curls up lending it that more feminine curvious look. However, depending on the style and accessories that decorate the hat, it can still look nice.

A hat can perk up any outfit. You just have to know how to pick the right one.