On online shopping: Why Net-a-porter is better than LuisaviaRoma

This year I discovered online shopping. I can't tell you how much my wallet, my credit card and my husband protested.. But since last year and the first part of this year had been the busiest for me (school, work, work, travel, work) the Internet had been my best friend as it allowed me to save precious time from going to the stores.

I started with outnet.com, discounted online store of net-a-porter.com and bought several items. Service was good, I enjoyed my purchases and when they go on weekend sale, I just couldn't resist buying.  Here I got a beautiful red bag from Alexander McQueen which makes me swoon until now and an orange dress which turns head at parties.

There was one time that I got somehow tired of outnet.com. So I switched to its mother company for my purchases. And it had been a harmonious relationship since then. Net-a-porter is fast in approving my purchases, customer service is great and returns are not a problem.

But then the fickle me tried another online store, luisaviaroma.com. They have the same market and services as net-a-porter.com but they have more sales. And from these sales I saw another shoes which was selling from almost 80% off. Women are always excited to get new pairs of shoes and waiting for it is just painful.

Unfortunately if you use a credit card, Luisaviaroma will verify your account first through your bank which can delay the approval of your order. After exchanging emails with Luisaviaroma, with which they promise to send the tracking number right away, Im still not sure when my purchase will arrive. I've never experience it with net-a-porter and the one time my purchase was delayed, they gave me a credit note.

I guess this is something I have to get used to when buying online - the waiting time. Online shopping reduces the "instant gratification" which normal stores allow you to have.

What about you? Which is your favorite online store?

Back go blogging: The NT2 diploma

Ready to follow a new road in my Dutch integration

 It's been a very busy year for me - juggling one full time jobs and two part time, going to school, travelling, being a wife and a trying to met expectations. I guess you notice it from the lack of blog posts. But finally I can breath again with a little free time on my hand before I start getting busy again. I miss this blog.

Pat of my crazy schedule last year and early this year was the one year inburgering cursus that I took in preparation for my Nederlands als Tweede Taal exams. I signed a one-year contract with the gemeente who gave me the free course. I was very thankful to the Dutch government of course, for that opportunity but it took toll on my energy and my time. I was stressed every week and at some point I wanted to stop already. According to my contract, I need to pass my exams before May 2013 so I didn't need to hurry. I was saying the state should cut me some slack because I've only been in the country for two years and has only started school in May 2010.

But the sooner I passed, the sooner I can concentrate on other things - for example building my career. I gave up my driving lessons and tried to concentrate on my jobs and school. And this July, I took the dreaded exam, along with hundreds of students who are required to learn the complicated Dutch language.

I was already prepared to fail at least two of the four parts - the speaking and writing. I had a terrible case of mouth sores, which manifest itself whenever I am stressed. And during exam weeks, I had mouth sore the whole month and was mostly on soup and soft diet. My concentration was not at best.

I was only thankful that finally, classes are over and I can focus my energy on other things. Fortunately luck was on my side and on August 1oth, a day before my birthday, I received one of the best gifts in my 27th year on Earth - my NT2 diploma!

Before I got the diploma, I can converse in Dutch but only to select people and whenever I am under chocolate or when I want to impress and acquittance after saying that I've only been here for two years. For usual conversations, I'd rather talk in English. I was dead afraid of making mistakes. But now I am more confident speaking Dutch to just anybody - even customers and suppliers at my office. The proof from the government gave me that freedom not to be afraid and just continue on building on my skills. In a way, it made me happier.

The last year had taught me a lot and gave me adventures that I never imagined I'd have. But that's for the next post. I can say that Im now well immersed but true to the spirit of this blog - I never stop shopping and cooking, only now I tend to overspend a little bit. Take that as a reward of all the efforts in living in my new home.

Internet shopping: trying out glasses at Zenni Optical

It's almost been two years since I had my glasses made. It made such a difference in watching TV and hopping on the proper bus but unfortunately, whenever I take my glasses off, I feel quite incomplete. I also noticed that my measurements might not be the same anymore, my left eye sees better than the right. I'm thinking of getting a new pair but I just don't have time to go to my optometrist. Luckily I found Zenni Optical where I can try on and order prescription glasses. How convenient!


Lately I've been doing my shopping through the internet, from clothes to gadgets (I've got tons to share but that's for another post) and so far it has been good. There were a few misses but that's because I wasn't able to try on the products I was buying. At Zennie Optical I can see how the glasses will look on me, choose colors and designs (which are a lot) and best part of it, they are affordable prescription eyeglasses. Just look at me above trying on this white and red glasses. I figured, this might be my new look soon. And look at the price just almost $30 dollars compared to the 150euros I paid for my pair here in the Netherlands.

Honestly I haven't bought this pair yet. I am still looking up reviews and feedback about the site's product and their customer service. I'd like to know how satisfied customers are and if they can really be trusted. So far, the feedback were good especially from people who joined Share your Zenni story section of their blog. You can share your story there too, if you are a customer and maybe help me decide if I should give it a go?

Planning my future in Holland

Two years and five months. That is how long I've already lived in Holland. A lot of things have definitely changed in my life since I came here in 2009, more notably my character as an Asian adapting to the Dutch lifestyle and culture. It doesn't look like I am living soon. But honestly, with the widespread economic problems that Europe is facing now, there is a doubt on whether I would spend the rest of my life here in the Netherlands. That's why lately I am considering getting term life insurance.

There is bezuiniging or budget cut in every sector in the Netherlands, particularly in health,education and even the pension fund. There is no assurance that the good life here will continue in the next 10-20 years. It is probably a good idea, especially for immigrants like me to already scout for life insurance quotes on the internet and start planning ahead for my future. It's better to do that while I am still young and still in the pink of my health.

There are a lot of tools in the internet to get the suitable term life insurance quotes for you. And if you are like me who is working hard and wants to be sure about here future, I suggest you start planning for your future as well. Especially if you are an immigrant in a country where rules are very strict and the economy is getting shaky.

This post is brought to you by the kindness of people at Free Life Term Quote

Free Dior Vanity pouch: Promo at Douglas

You get this beauty pouch with every purchase of 25euro or more at Douglas

Gratis Dior schoonheid tasje bij een aankoop van 25euro of meer bij Douglas!

Douglas, one of the two of the biggest beauty store in the Netherlands (the other is ICI Paris XL) is having a promo these days. I did not know it when I purchased a some douche creme (shower cream) later plus a Douglas card (which cost 12,50) so I was pleasantly surprise to receive a beauty pouch that has three items inside.

These are the three tiny loot inside. A five-color eye shadow with a cute mirror, a Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating liquid foundation with SPF 10  and a Dior mascara. They will probably not last that long with me but they are so adorable.

What are these freebies?

Nude Natural Glow Hydrating Makeup SPF 10
A natural hydrating liquid foundation.

What it does:
Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating Makeup SPF 10 blends 100% natural mineral pigments with Dior's exclusive, active mineralized water to deliver flawless, glowing skin that actually improves over time. By using advances in mineral makeup technology, this product will take your complexion to a whole new level.

DiorShow Mascara
A cult-followed mascara that leaves lashes ultra thick, long, and curled.

What it is formulated to do:
DiorShow Mascara is Dior's original, must-have mascara that delivers ultra-glam, catwalk-length lashes. Makeup artists all over the world use this product to create the longest, thickest, curviest lashes ever.

copy from Sephora.com

I am not really a make up person so I will probably not be using the eye-shadow but the mascara and the liquid can come in handy. The tiny mirror will also be very helpful because I never had one in my bag. These items will go nicely with the Max Faxtor red lipstick that the mother-in-law gave me for Christmas. If only I can located where it is.

The best part of that sweet unexpected deal is probably the flashy bling in the zipper. It is a big gold D with tiny Dior Beauty engraved on it. My name happens to start with the same letter. Kind made the bag a bit more personal.

Specialists in recrimination art

Striving for global competitiveness:K+12 Proposal

In the Philippines, there has been an on-going debate whether the government should increase the country's basic education to 12 years from the 10-year system that it has now. Some say that it will help in the global competitiveness of the Filipino graduates because it is the Standard form of education in almost all nations but the opposition says that it will only cost a lot of money and will decrease the chances of kids getting an education.

One good argument of the pro's that I've heard is that students who wants to enter science and mathematics in college field should spend more time studying related subjects. She pointed out that in other countries, children already take Pre Algebra subjects in high school. But in the Philippines, students in college, which is more or less equivalent to high school in other countries, must solve  the most difficult Algebra equations in the very little time that they have in college.

Those who can afford hires tutors for their Math Questions and other related topics while others make do with what they can find in the library and with the help of their professors. Personally, I think it is really time that the Philippine educational landscape should have a face lift.

Brought to you by friends from Tutornext.com