how to change your favicon

Last Sunday I successfully changed my favicon (it's not that big of an achievement, but I got confused at first). Anyway...I decided to make a tutorial on how to change your favicon (also for my future reference)

If you're like me who has a slight case of OCD and is very particular about minute details (and also if you want to change that boring Blogger favicon).

But first, what is a favicon?

A favicon is a small 16x16 icon that you see beside a URL. 

Why change it?

I read that it's easier to spot something in your bookmarks list if you have a more customized favicon. And also to make it more personal :)

So let's get started!

If you have noticed in the layout tab you can upload your image to be used as your favicon. I tried that way but it doesn't seem to work. 

1.)  The first thing you have to do is prepare the image you want for your favicon. You can create one in Photoshop. I also suggest that you save it as a .PNG format so it doesn't have a white background. Set your image size to 16x16. And I think your file size shouldn't exceed 100 k

2.) Once you're done with your icon, upload it to an image hosting site (I used Photobucket). Get the URL of your icon.

3.) Copy-paste your icon URL in the 'URL of your icon file'

(please go to this site so you can easily copy the icon's url on the code you need)

4.) Once you've done that, copy the code. Going back to Blogger, go to the template tab and click "Backup/ Restore" so you can get your layout code. I don't know how it goes for Windows (maybe it will be saved as a notepad file). But for Mac users it will be saved and opened in Dreamweaver. Just paste the code under the title tags. (correction: if you have Dreamweaver installed the codes will open there. If not, I'm not sure but I think it will open in notepad)

After that, save it and go back to the template tab, click Backup/ Restore again and upload your html code. And that's it! You have just changed your favicon :)

and oh, I  learned how to do this from http://tips-for-new-bloggers.blogspot.com/2007/02/adding-favicon-icon-to-blogger-url.html

Leave Nothing But Footprints

     Aahh the summer season...what other perfect time is there to go out, relax and take a vacation?The warm sun that summer brings makes the trip more cheerful and vibrant.  Either you're with a group of friends or classmates dying to pick out a summer spot after a year of grueling school work or you're with your officemates wanting to take a break from all the paperwork, our country the Philippines offers the most beautiful places for you to relax and have fun while at the same time marvel at nature's awesome sights. 

(Pearl Farm Beach Resort in Davao)

    But during the trip, all the fun can overwhelm us and we may end up causing harm to the environment. Being a responsible traveler will go a long way in helping the environment and to the people in the community.

But how can you be a responsible traveler? The Footprints Project listed 6 easy tips to make your trip unforgettable and at the same time worthwhile.

The Footprints Project: Leave nothing but footprints

1. Research your destination.

(while in the boarding area do some researching)

       If it's your first time to visit a place, doing some research will make your trip more memorable. You will appreciate more the things you will see in the place. When you know more, you can list more activities to add to your itinerary and maximize your trip. You can prepare your schedule if you want to participate in upcoming festivals or other activities that the people in the place usually hold. You'll be surprised that the place you are visiting offers a whole lot more than what you just imagined it to be.  If you're at a wifi zone while waiting for your flight or ferry boat trip, make your idle time a bit more productive and do some researching on the Internet. 

        

2. Recognize rules.   

     You wouldn't like it when your guests will have their way when their in your house, right? The same thing when visiting your vacation spot. There are always rules that are established to be respected and observed. One of the important things that tip # 1 can bring about is that you will know the things you can and cannot do in the place. For example, if you're visiting Davao, there is a strict no-smoking policy that is observed. 

Remember, we do have a saying "ignorance of the law excuses no one". So learn as much as you can to stay out of trouble. 

But I think it all boils down to respect. Just because you're a paying tourist doesn't mean you can do everything and anything you want.

       

3. Reduce waste.

    If you have been awed by the majestic scenes of the place, help keep it that way by the simple act of reducing your waste.  Always opt for the recyclable when purchasing necessities for your trip.  I really like these Vapur bottles because it really pains me to dispose of plastic water bottles and I don't even want to know where they end up if it isn't disposed properly. 

With these Vapur bottles you can refill them with water or tasty juices to keep you hydrated and fueled for your trip. When it's already empty, just roll and secure it with the metal ring that's attached to it for easy storing. 

 4. Respect wildlife. 

       You may feel that unrelenting urge to cradle that cute and fuzzy tarsier you saw on your trip to Bohol, or you want to pluck that rare flower you saw on during your hiking trip to Cotabato as souvenir. But please do restrain yourself. Yes, the Philippines is home to one of the key biodiversity areas in the whole world and thus is rich in exotic and endemic flora and fauna, which most are already endangered. So please keep this in mind as you are also visiting the homes of these wildlife. Keep their homes clean and leave it the way you first came.

5. Report illegal activities.

     Harness the power of your portable gadgets and social media to bring awareness of illegal activities you may have witnessed during your trip. Be vigilant and don't be apathetic when you see these things happening. Post the pictures on your blog or Facebook and narrate the harm that's taking place. The key words here are DO SOMETHING! Your report may just help bring an end to the illegal activities that are happening.

 6. Repost/ retweet.  

       And last but not the least, share your wonderful experiences with your friends online! Post it in your blog and share your fun activities, it will encourage your friends to take the same adventures you did. If you're more active in Twitter, send excited tweets of your recent escapade to keep your friends updated of your vacation adventures. It will also help if you share your distasteful experiences to give your friends a heads up on what to avoid.

So that's it! 6 short and easy tips to keep in mind in becoming a more responsible traveler. These tips will greatly benefit not just you but also the people and wildlife that you will interact with during your trip.  Remember:

"Take nothing but pictures.

Leave nothing but footprints.

Kill nothing but time."

(I do not own any of the photos in this post. This is my entry for The Footprints Project Blog Contest)

Project Runway Philippines Season 3

Project Runway Philippines is on its 3rd season and just had its 9th episode. Gosh I really missed a lot of episodes because I don't really keep track with the schedule of the shows in ETC. Anyway...good thing I didn't miss this episode (I should really do some catching up).

The theme of the latest episode was "Waste Not, Want Not". The challenge for the designes was to rammage through a pile of discarded materials and come up with an avant garde outfit. I've got to hand it to the designers, they did their best with what their hands could get on and came up with jaw- dropping designs.

Cheetah Rivera was the winner of the challenge. When the model strutted down the catwalk I think I had the similar reaction with the judges. I was amazed and impressed with what she came up with. Tweetie de Leon commented that she was "floored". Rajo Laurel was equally impressed and told Cheetah her work was a winner.

 If could remember correctly, she used plastic bottles, I think, and melted them and used glue gun to achieve a glassy effect (I'm not too sure about this, I have to research about this soon)

My second favorite outfit from the episode was made by Amor Albano. He used paper (again, I'm not too sure about this because I forgot) and applied gradient effect- ish on the skirt. It's really amazing what the designers made with the limited and seemingly impossible materials to work with. 

As with every episode, Tweetie de Leon enumerates the prizes that the winning designer will receive. He or she will receive half a million pesos prize money, P120,000 worth of cash and beauty products from Pond’s; a fashion spread featuring their final collection in Mega Magazine; a brand new Intuos4 Wacom pen tablet and a full-4-year fashion design and technology scholarship from iAcademy; sewing machines worth P300,000 from Brother International; and an all-expense paid trip to Paris to experience Paris Fashion Week courtesy of L’Oreal Paris. I think the shows offers the sweetest prizes than any other reality- competition shows (that is, if you're an aspiring designer!). Honestly, the show inspired me to consider learning fashion design (Project Runway with Heidi Klum but it was Tim Gunn that ultimately inspired me. I love the way he coaches the designers and isn't apathetic or arrogant about it).

Some girls want to be models; Others want to be the genius behind what the models are wearing.

(Project Runway Philippines is on ETC every Sunday at 8pm (original telecast). Reruns on Monday at 3pm. Primetime telecast is on Saturday at 7pm)

my 3rd blog reconstruction

okay so I redesigned my blog for the 3rd time...There are a lot of things that has been going around my mind and I don't think my previous blog theme could encapsulate it. I wanted to incorporate nature in my blog I still want to have a dainty feel to it...so yeah hence La Bella Flora. Yes it's also because of my capricious whims and also because of my slight case of OCD (I cannot tell you how many times I did trial- and- error on the layout just to achieve the right color)

Princess Anne's Gown

I was just searching for some Audrey Hepburn photos when I came across this one

(wait a minute..where is her right glove?)

My favorite AH movie of all time is Roman Holiday (Sorry Breakfast at Tiffany's. I love you too but I just love Roman Holiday a bit more). I just love the whole theme of bief carefree joy and romance and how things would have been for Princess Anne if she didn't not have to comply with

her duties. And I'm pretty sure that the princess in this movie is not a helpless damsel- in- distress but one who is well aware of her role. 

Anyway...I always wondered how the dress looked like since Roman Holiday is in black and white.

I always thought that it was in cream. 

The dress is perfect. I was mesmerized, astonished (and any other word that is synonymous to amazed). Her gown was perfectly tailored. I can't put any more words to how much I love it.

I think all of the costumes for Roman Holiday was made perfectly and magnificently. Truly fit for a royalty. 

  

Parity check please

While I reviewed my past posts I noticed that most of them are grammatically incorrect because I sometime miss out typing a word. I usually just type away and do not rechecking them. (I feel ashamed because in our Journalism class its always SOP to recheck our articles) *sigh* You know that embarrassing feeling when you discovered something is wrong and many people will see it?D: I'm going to be more vigilant next time :)

Corset love

I fell in love at first sight by an ensamble of white corset and a 

maxi skirt on pinterest. I'm thinking of hunting down a cute corset before summer is over.

Corsets have a vintage-y feel to it and at the same time you can't help but feel sexy when you're wearing one

I do agree that corsets are best paired with maxi skirts...how would you put together an ensemble with a corset?:)

Happy Sunday

My parents just came back from Manila after having their visas for US renewed. 

 And they came back with four boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts! One donut is enough for me, but looking at the donuts makes me want to eat more. Restraint is really difficult to carry out at times like this.

This one reminds me of Max's cupcake with bacon. I find pastries with bacon strange...

On an unrelated note, it was the puppies' first time to take in something aside from their mom's milk. We were supposed to spoonfeed them but they ended up working their way to the bowl and gobbling up the baby food all by themselves.

Cinderella- Steven Curtis Chapman

Cinderella- Steven Curtis Chapman

I've been listening to a Christian radio station almost everyday and there I discovered the beautiful and inspirational talent that is Steven Curtis Chapman, a contemporary Christian singer and songwriter.  His song "Do Everything" picked my interest because it had a catchy and fun way of delivering his message about God. I browsed more of his songs and the song "Cinderella" made my tears fall from my eyes. Who wouldn't be able to resist shedding a few tears while listening to this song?

She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders

It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need you

There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

She will be gone

Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone 

new art from Koralie

As always, everything she makes bring such pleasure to the eyes. Aside from her art she recently finished, I loovvee her outfit. 

Flower Salad

While going through my old pictures I came across my vacation album last year. I've been visiting the same place over and  over again when taking my vacation, that is, my mom's province (which is in Bohol). So nothing really excites me when I go back there. But when my cousins brought me to this superb cafe, it was all I could think of and I could remember about that trip. Buzz cafe has its own organic farm where it grows its ingredients for the exquisite menu that they offer.

One word to describe this salad: AMAZING. First of all, I didn't know some flowers were edible. There was this orange flower that had a stingy taste when you eat it. I remembered my body clamoring for more of this divine treat because it was so good and healthy. I haven't even started on the dressing yet. It was marvelous! It complimented the salad well, having a sweet and smooth taste. I would kill if I could get my hands on the recipe...

(the little pitcher holds the green dressing for the salad). And then there was the pizza. The taste was not too strong, in a sense that other popular pizza brands douse their pizza with lots of toppings. If I could remember, this was a veggie pizza.

Buzz Cafe inspired me in my dream of opening my own restaurant/ cafe and having my own organic farm for the ingredients. The ambience of the cafe was also very homey and relaxing. They had a bench swing and on the other side of the room they sold other organic ingredients from their farm. 

I wish Buzz Cafe had other branches too and one would open here in Davao. :)

DIY project over the week

 Finally I finished the diy projects I wanted to make since last week. I go a holdup finishing it because the leather strap thingy of the sewing machine broke and I had a hard time looking for one (the sewing machine I'm using is realllyy old..maybe older than me. My mom used it when she was just in college I think). So yeah..I do really really want a new electric sewing machine (the one which you can choose what type of stitch you want). It will be in the "list to buy" once I get out of college and have my first paycheck :) annyywhoooo...on to the projects..

lace shorts by rosehorseshoe, lace back tank by foundintheali and bow belt (I can't locate the blog where I found the tutorial for it :( 

instead of sewing the lace in the inner part of the shorts, I sewed it on the outside. The first thing I did was to hem the shorts (I cut it out from an old pair of jeans) and sewed the lace overlapping the stitches.  I had to resort to this as I didn't not have the thread with the same color as the jeans.

While I was ransacking my closet with anything I could find to revamp, I saw a yard of green fabric laying around. So it became my victim and made it into a green bow belt :)

Oh the wonderful feeling of free fabric :) My brother bought the lace fabric thingy which was supposedly used for a parasol. The tailor just used a small part of the fabric we provided and there were some extra. I also had a plain and boring blue racerback tank laying around. Since I am a beginner at sewing, I had to do a lot of trial and error, but it was all worth it when I finished the projects :) 

mother's day gone bad

Last Saturday I was really excited for Mother's day and prepared how to celebrate it on Sunday. But when I got home (I got home around 8:00pm) and both of my parents scolded me for arriving home late. Just when I bought flowers (and arranged it myself with the help of my boyfriend) for my mom and was excited to give it to her, I got a scolding instead. I got so depressed (wich added fuel to my menstrual mood swings), I was a total wreck. Now Mother's Day is coming to an end and I never spoke a single word to my mom. I feel really bad about it and letting my pride consume me. They gave me a chance to make up with all the bad things that happened but I shunned it away. I feel really guilty and now I don't really know how to patch things up with my parents. :(

Mother's day gift ideas

Mother's day is coming. When it comes to giving gifts, I prefer to make the them myself than to buy one, because I want to make it more special and sentimental (plus it saves me money too ;). So here are some tutorials that I find really good to make to give to my mom on her special day :)

How about making paper roses like these, put them on a vase and also cut out a bright "Happy Mother's day" and hang them on the stems?

I found the next tutorials in marthastewart.com

Heart- shaped and cube soaps

                     

sewing kit in a jar

I really find this cute and I want to make one for myself :)

tea tubs

I also love this and I would want this for myself. I have a thing for scents and it makes me happy and calm when I am surrounded with good aroma. I can just imagine relaxing and enjoying a nice warm bath with these tea tubs after a stressful week :)

Tyra's gown by Rajo Laurel

When this photo came in to my newsfeed in Facebook I couldn't help but feel proud and happy. 

Part of her series photoshoot "Random Acts of Modeling"- Hooverin' and Twerkin'

Rajo Laurel is an esteemed Filipino fashion designer who's regular clients are big- named stars here in the Philippines. It's really good to know that the Philippines is starting to be recognized for its creative fashion talents :)

May is Ocean Month

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources here in the Philippines appointed May as the Ocean Month. The month- long celebration aims to increase the awareness of the importance of the relationship between marine and human life. 

My boyfriend is a passionate environmentalist and he does whatever he can to help out Mother Nature, even in his small ways, like recycling used plastic wrapper. We visited a dolphin mural on the elementary building of our school and took some shots. 

We visited a turtle sanctuary where the pawikans  visit the shores to lay eggs. But I was really surprised that the place was really dirty and there were so many garbage laying around. It was supposed to be a protected area but it puzzled me why those trashes found its way there.

I think everyone knows the current state of our marine life and it's not looking good. Though how vast the ocean is, our activities have adversely affected it.

We can always do something, in our own little way, to help out. Here are some tips to keep in mind to keep our marine environment clean and sea creatures happy :)

Limit Your Use of Plastics, Disposables and Single-Use Projects

Never Release Balloons

Balloons may look pretty when you release them, but they are a danger to wildlife, who can swallow them accidentally, mistake them for food, or get tangled up in their strings. After your party, pop the balloons and throw them in the trash instead of releasing them. 

Be water- wise

Don't just let the faucet run with water. If you're not using the water, just turn it off. Simple as that. Another great idea is to save rain water and use it for washing the car or watering the plants.

The Help dress love

I just completely watched The Help last night (I know I'm really late) and I immediately fell in love with all of their outfits. I love how crisp and clean their costume was on their actresses (thought I'm really loving Emma Stone's noodle- like hair XD ). And I will forever adore southern accents.

Hilly Holbrook

Celia Foote

She's my favorite character in the movie. I love how her ignorance seems charming and how nice she was to Minny

Skeeter Phelan

The movie's costumes! *drool*

and oh here's a site where you can see the movie's costumes in a gallery. it's here