Books turned into Movies

As a Hip Mom I love Books! Even with so little "me" time I still make a way to read by beloved novels.  I am very excited when I see books turned into movies and like many I am such a critic! But I do love few book based movies or some that I remember because the movie ruined the story line of the book. Here are some :)

1. Norwegian Wood 

Haruki Murakami is my favorite author and when I heard that Norwegian Wood was turned into a movie, I had butterflies in my stomach. The movie was very close to how it was written minus some thoughts of the characters that of course only the book can capture. But I love how the japanese actors and actresses who played, they somehow look like how I imagined the faces of the characters. I super like the vintage feeling of the movie and the beautiful sceneries of Japan.  I love the movie!

2. Gone Girl

This movie is still showing while I am writing this and I just saw it last night! I read the book last year so my experience was not like I know every detail of the scenes. I am not a big fan of Ben Afflect and this is the only movie that made me see that he is a good actor. I remember having Goosebumps when I saw Gone Girl's trailer.  There were so many questions when I was reading the book and it was really jumpy but the movie was clear and direct to what was happening. I love the movie!

3. The Fault in Our Stars 

Another recent movie from a book is The Fault in our stars.  The story is sad but I love the movie because it did not alter that feeling.  But as a book reader, there is always this scene that was imbedded in your mind, a special scene that you wait to happen in the movie and if it did not happen you will feel so disappointed. This is what I felt about The Fault in our stars the movie.

4. Silver Linings Playbook 

This movie was an Oscar award with Jennifer Lawrence receiving her Best Actress award. I wasn't able to move on after this movie because it was way different from the book. I loved the Book and I was super disappointed watching the movie. I think I wrote a blog about it before. The important scenes where different especially "The Dance" and also how the ending played. My jaw dropped with disappointments!

5. Mortal Instrument 

Mortal Instrument is another book franchise and I was surprised that I got hooked with the books. I love the story with all the vampires, ware wolfs and shadow hunters. I saw the film when I was half way with the first book. The first disappointment was the leading actor. We all know that if you read a teen buff movie you are expecting a handsome guy but in this film many thinks and I personally think he was not.  I think this was really the epic fail of this movie.  Also the book is very long, it is really hard to squeeze everything in 2 hours or so.  Latest news: Mortal Instrument will be turned to a TV series instead of a movie franchise. 

HipMom Hip Bags!

I love Bags! I want to buy all the bags in the world :)  I spend most of my extra cash buying bags and it's like I never have enough.  When I was younger I was not in particular with brands but when I had my hard earn money, of course it matters. But the "wants" will change once you become a HipMom, loving bags did not change especially I am working full time but how I look for a bag became different.

While walking at the Ayala's under pass with my bag that is quite heavy, I realize I should not really get into the brands especially its not practical, also I should consider comfort. As mom, our bags should always be on the go for office days or a regular days but should still be stylish.

Upon my search for hip bags, I found bags that will surely fit a HipMomCoolMom!

1. Long champ 

I know that Long champ is very common. I used to not like this bag, there is nothing special and I can see a lot of pirated.  But once I got one, it's one of my favorite bags. It's simple but very convenient. The bag doesn't have much weight that makes it comfortable to use.  There are also many colors to choose from.

2. Grizzly Gear

A brand and design made from the Philippines! I super love Grizzly Gear especially for my traveling.

The bags are very affordable but very durable.  I have backpack and sling bag in Camouflage. It can fit 

laptops plus your other everyday things.  Funny how I use the bag pack Camouflage as a baby bag when 

went to Hongkong Disneyland.  I put the bottles with water in the laptop compartment and since it's compact

there were no water spill. 

https://www.facebook.com/grizzlygearph/timeline

3. Bagsbyrubbertree

I've neen eyeing this brand for months now. I love leather bags! I found this brand via Instagram which is also a Filipino brand.  All bags are handmade and I think hand stitched that makes it super hip and cool.  Bags by Rubber Tree has various designs and I can see much comfort in using one on a weekend or a shopping day. 

http://bagsbyrubbertree.com/

4. Ni Qua 

Another Instagram great finds is Ni Qua.  Our very own leather bags with really sleek styles. What I love with Ni Qua is its affordablity comparing to other leather bag brand I've seen.  They have vibrant bag colors as well like a big blue bag that will really fit moms on the go!  

 http://www.ni-qua.com 

5. Tannery Manila 

I discovered this really cool bag when a friend invited me to a private sale.  My jaw dropped seeing Tannery Manila's line of bags. Their production and styles are really world class and I am proud as a Filipino having this brand as our own. I want one for my Birthday! 

http://www.thetannerymanila.com

CoolMom Healthy Mom

My daughter is now 3 years old and 4 months and she is growing fast.  I work 8 hours a day and during weekends I feel so drained. Makati is sucking the energy out of me. Also I am heavier than my pre-pregnancy weight.  I had hopes that I can go back to my sexy body but it never happened.  I have heavier upper body that can cause my leg pain that I suffer from every day.  My husband mostly make fun of my weight but doesn't really bother me much.

With my active daughter I feel like I need more energy, I need to be more healthy and lighter so I can spend more time with her rather than influencing her with my bad habits of eating junk foods and soft drinks which is now her favorite as well. Rather than going to the park to have a family activity, there are times when we spend long weekends just at home because I feel tired .

I woke up one Monday morning and told myself that I need some change! This change needs a lot of discipline and will power, the good thing is that I can talk to people who inspires me on how I can start to eat healthy.  Few months back I started exercising. I downloaded some home exercise videos like Zumba but I did not change my way of eating. I do feel better after my excercise but I feel soreness in my body. I stopped after a week. 

Again I am trying to loose weight and have more energy but this time I am challenge to EAT right! Just this week I committed on not eating Pork, JunkFoods and stop drinking soft drinks. I also feel that the lesser sugar intake, the more energy I have. I am now drinking sugar free coffee and stop drinking instant ice tea drinks which I really love.  The good part is that I love salads so I am happy eating the greens though there are times that the options are not cheap. 

Eating healthy is easy but changing from unhealthy eating habits is not easy. You need to focus and to be really mentally ready. Food is happiness so when you start avoiding the regular comfort foods, it seems impossible or frustrating. My advise is to look for inspiration. Talk to people having the same goal so you do not feel alone ;) You can also get trips and tricks on the food alternatives.  

Some changes I did:

1. Eating brown rice rather than white - at first it seems like brown rice doesn't have taste but when you get use to it white rice is not appealing anymore.  What I love about brown rice is the texture. 

2. Find an exercise that you enjoy - I like Yoga and Zumba better than going to the gym. 

3. Take baby steps - do not elimnate all your unhealthy foods at the same time.  Choose one and start from there. 

4. Talk to the health nerds, they can teach you the alternative and they are really inspiring

5. Portion food -  eat half of what you use to eat, this is really a good start 

6. Allow yourself to have a cheat day- once in a while enjoy the food you love but still better if you can eat in portions 

7.  After six diet - not eating heavy dinner is really good especially on your digestive system 

8. Read inspiring blogs and stories - I actually love "The Fat Kid Inside" http://www.thefatkidinside.com

In just few days I feel lighter. I also feel that I have more energy than before. I am very determined to continue my new eating habits and also get back to doing some exercise. 

Remember that being a CoolMomHipMom, you need to be healthy! 

As I am writing this blog I am around 70 Kilos.  Hopefully when I look back it will be lesser. 

xoxo

HipMomCoolMom

Cooking is cool: Beef Caldereta

As a cool working mom it is hard for me to cook everyday. Time is always a challenge. But I can cook and I actually love cooking. I think this is one thing I am good at, its like I know how to cook when I was born. Maybe It's my kapangpangan genes :)

Since it's a long weekend, I prepared myself to be an awesome mom and cook!

I love beef Caldereta but I never tried to cook this dish so since last week I've been asking around about the recipe.

Recipe:
Beef
Tomato Sauce
Liver spread
Cheese
Beef cubes
Potato
Red bell pepper
Garlic
Onion
pepper
hot sauce


Take note that the procedure is my own style of cooking my Beef Cardereta 

Saute garlic and onion and add some pepper. Add the beef and saute and add half of the liver spread. Once the beef is cooked add tomato sauce and add potato. Wait for the potato to be soft then add red bell pepper. Once simmering, add half of the liver spread and beef cubes. Let it simmer for 5 mins or wait for beef and potato to be tender then add cheese and simmer for 2 mins.  Hot sauce or chili is optional.

I actually love the result of my first attempt of Caldereta!! It's very tasty especially with the texture of the liver spread. The cheese also added flavor and sweetness to this dish. :) Happy Tummy!


xoxo
HipMomCoolMom

Movie Review: Begin Again

I am such a movie lover! I enjoy watching movies and tv series and I love sharing good movies or tv series I've seen so I am writing about it!

Big part of me is how I love films and I am also a communication graduate. I dreamed of becoming a movie director or maybe just MTV director but when I had my on the job training in one of the biggest network, I hated it! So I moved on with my life, grab a popcorn and watch every movie as possible. :)  Years back I was doing movie review for a SEO writing job and it was the perfect writing project for me. And now I'm back as HipMomCoolMom!

Movies and TV series I enjoyed!

Begin Again 

I was seriously in love with this movie.  At first I just want to see Adam Lavine acting skills and I was not aware of the movie plot. I did not know that the writer and the director of Begin again is the same the one who created one of my favorite musical movie Once - John Carney. I was super happy when I knew about this later on.  

I love that this movie because it is about music, friendship, failure,family, love, heart break and how to begin again. Keira Knightly is one good touch as the lead gal even though I don't think she is a real musician. Her voice was kinda cute and her British vintage style.  This movie was not just about love but more on seeing people who really got the "music" in them. I was amazed with the characters communicating their feeling with their music and lyrics. There are also some undefined feelings and connections between characters.

This movie also created a super cool OST and you must have heard of Lost Stars  :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyT-oGDnMqE

Kulot Salot No More!

I was born with a very straight hair but over time it became wavy and dry. So I spent my teenage years until my semi adult years trying to straighten my hair. From the very harsh hair straigthening chemicals to hair relax to rebond, been there done that!

I got fed up and thought maybe embracing my curls will be better. But in order to embrace my curls, I really need to find a good hair product for my thick and dry hair. Also, if you have big wavy hair, it is still best to have hair perming to have more defined curls. So this i want to share: 

Cold Perm vs Digi Perm - I recently again tried cold perm since last year I had Digi perm. Cold perm is really cheaper but it will leave your hair super dry. So after the Cold Perm you must really find a good conditioner or hair treatment for your hair to be softer.  I tried Digi perm from Tony and Jackey Salon last year and I was really happy and very pleased with my hair. Lesson learned, I will not consider money again when it comes to perming my hair!  

Hair products - I really recommend Human Nature's Sun Flower Oil. I've been using this product for years now even when I had rebonded hair. It is an oil type of product but its not heavy on your hair and it doesn't smell like oil. The best thing about it is that it keeps my hair shiny and in place. One problem with thick and wavy hair is having frizzy strand.  Human Nature's Sun Flower Oil is really well recommended! 

Ps: Thanks to the Korean Novela's that curly hair is now fashionable forgetting the saying "Kulot Salot" :) 

xoxo

HipMomCoolMom

The intro of a HipMomCoolMom

A
gain I am writing, and this time I want to write about my daily adventures and the best part of being me which is being a mom. I have a 3 years old daughter and working full time. I am also not so old yet so I am still as cool and hip as I can be with a long hair hubby and his hair is seriously nicer than mine!

I'm a frustrated rockstar, writer, painter and photographer and all are still frustrations.

I actually named my daughter Hayley Grey from "Hayley" the vocalist of the band Paramore and "Grey" from Jean Grey of Xmen. Some said that my daughters name is not well thought, I was like the hell Hayley is the coolest girl vocalist and Jean Grey is the coolest mutant and that is well thought! Then a Norwegian guy actually noticed that my daughter's name sounded like "Holly Grail" which I never thought about but made sense and double the coolesness of my daughters name!

I'm really happy to start blogging again. I really like writing even most I am nonsense but that is the best part of it!