Another gift-giving holiday

Valentine's is no longer just a day for lovers. It has also become the Single Awareness Day. To celebrate the event, both couples and groups of friends date each other and give each other sweet, heartbeat-stopping presents. I have listed several categories to help you decide which gifts to give your friends or special someone.

TIMELESS/CLASSIC
These are the usual gifts given during Valentine's. Some might say that these gifts are already 'rusty' but on the contrary, being traditional gives off a sense of elegance. It makes you feel the purity of the romance. If you're the conservative, traditional type I suggest you give your loved one something from this list:

1. Stuffed Toy
When I was in high school I've received numerous teddy bears and I distinctly remember that I'd get really happy (just like a child who receives a lollipop) to get one. No matter how tiny or huge the bear I get, I get giddy. The thought of being given a stuffed teddy bear, something that's supposed to represent the person whenever you need or want a hug, makes you feel like you're reliving your childhood. Ideally, you give your friends the smaller ones and you give your love the bigger ones.

2. Chocolates
Nothing tells your sweetie that they're the sweetest better than chocolates. Chocolates are said to contain an ingredient which makes you produce an enzyme that is similar to the enyzme produced by people who are in love. That being said, chocolates are wonderful gifts for your co-single friends, too. These would not only satisfy their sweet tooth, these would also let them get the feel of being in love!

3. Flowers

Flowers are usually given by guys who are courting the girls. However, as it is the Hearts day, why don't we PK girls turn the table and give our guy some flowers? I know, it's a bit risque but I'm sure they'd think it's sweet once they find a single blue rose on their bed. For the single girls who wish to give their friends flowers, go right ahead. Flowers have certain meanings, so why don't you try giving your friends a white carnation for good luck or red rosebuds which means pure and lovely?

4.Jewelry

Yes, expensive jewelry such as a Tiffany and Co. necklace means it's only meant for your special someone but if you're the artsy fartsy type, then why not make bracelets for your friends? Customized accessories are definitely appreciated by all.

5.Candlelight Dinner
I imagine eating dinner by the candlelight at a fancy restaurant with my loved one to be one of the most divine experiences to have. In the mean time, as I wait for my prince, I'd also love to eat a candlelit dinner with my loved oneS, my friends. Surely, that dinner would be loads of fun and we'd surely find things to make each and every one of us feel special and loved.

ADVENTUROUS

This type of gifts or treats are for the young couples, young-at-heart lovers, and youthful singles out there. These are out of the ordinary ideas but are still normal enough to do. If you think your friends or loved one would love to get an adventurous gift then check the list.

1. Out-of-town trip

Why don't you go on a road trip to Tagaytay, Laguna, or Subic? Single girls go with your single friends, hooked girls go with your corresponding partners. Explore the place you choose.

For the lovers: In Tagaytay, go to the Picnic Grove and while you're at it, secretly put little notes for your guy inside the picnic basket. In Laguna, why not go to Enchanted Kingdom, ride the Wheel of Fate and whisper sweet nothings to each other? And in Subic, I suggest you try one of the many trails or go to Ocean Adventure.

For the single and mingling: In Tagaytay, try horseback riding! In Laguna, try the Pansol Hot Springs. In Subic, check out the Zoobic Safari. Use this holiday to bond like Mighty Bond with your friends!

2.Spa
Most spas, like The Spa Jupiter Makati, have rooms for couples. Treat each other to a day full of spa services. This would not only get you two relaxed, this would also give you time to recollect on how lucky you are to have each other. However, if you wish to treat your single friends to a spa, try Nail Spa or Tips n' Toes. I have yet to try Nailicious' services. The last spa is a home-service one. If you wish to invite your friends over and have a spa day at your place, then call up Nailicious.

3.Bar

For couples who like to par-tay with other couples then bars like Embassy The Fort is the place to go to. If you and your single friends are up for some dancing and are looking for Valentine's day dance partners then bars are your thing.

4.Lingerie
It is the 21st century and in this century, friends could give their other girl friends underwear as gifts without being seen as someone who is too graphic or explicit. There are a lot of cute undies in the market nowadays. Bench, Top Shop, and Penshoppe are some stores that have cute undies you could give to your friends. For couples, however, fancier underwear (more commonly known as lingerie) could be given as gifts.

5. Concert
There are a lot of Valentine Concerts this year. If your loved one appreciates good music, then why not treat him/her to a Valentine Concert? If you and your friends are audiophiles then I suggest you date each other to a concert as well. Singing (as well as good food) is one surefire way to a person's heart, you know.

BE CREATIVE!

This hearts day why don't you try something really unexpected, something extraordinary? Here's some ideas if you've already tried the traditional and adventurous ones in the past.

1.Serenade

Although this suggestion is more applicable to the lovers, we could still modify this so that it would apply to you and your friends. It would really touch a person's heart to be serenaded...old school style! I know this usually means your guy playing a guitar in his Barong but since PK girls are innovative, why not turn the table once again? Why don't you sing a sweet tune to your lover while you're playing a guitar. If you don't know how to play one, ask a friend who knows how to. If you can't find anyone to play the guitar for you, use your ipod and your speakers or your boombox! Now how to modify this for you and your girls? Why not go to a KTV such as Red Box (there's one in Greenbelt and in Trinoma) and dedicate a song for each friend? Now that would be adorable!

2. Cribs

Why don't you go to an orphanage or an advocacy agency? Cribs Philippines is an excellent example! Why cribs, you ask? Well simply because babies babies babies are love love love!! Don't you find love, joy and hope when you see infants laughing? I do!

Lovers would appreciate babies because some of them pretend the baby's theirs. Others would love this experience because babies are just simply charming! Singles would also appreciate this because they get to share a different kind of love, something more profound. A nurturing love the babies greatly need and deserve.

3. Skating
Since we are in a tropical country, we do not get the luxury of experiencing snow. If you wish to live your Koreanovela-slash- Serendipity dreams then head to SM Megamall or SM Mall of Asia for some skating action with your loves. Isn't it just enchanting to hold your loved one's hand while you go around the rink. Or, you and your friends could help each other out and learn how to properly skate.

Whoever you choose to go with, I'm pretty sure you'll have loads of fun! :)

LAST CHANCE

I'm sure that there's the one thing (no matter how silly) your special someone or your friend keeps on saying that he/she "WANTS"... This might be hard because you'd have to think really well and really deep. Try to remember what he/she keeps on mentioning. For example, your loved one lost his Nike Lance Armstrong Livestrong baller band. It's been two months since he lost it and he still keeps on mentioning how much he misses it and how much he wants to have a new one, it's just not in his budget. *Ding ding ding!* Instant gift idea! Go ahead and buy him a new one! Before giving it to him, add a love letter so as to give it more oomph. Now go and see how your handsome guy turns into a cute little boy once he opens your present.

Remember, no matter what you do or what you give your love or your friends what would make it sweet as honey is the way you give it. The context of the present is what matters. Okie dokie? Okie dokie! Chop, chop girls...we gotta go shopping!

Mushy flicks part 1

With February as the love month, it becomes the perfect time to indulge ourselves in everything sweet and cheesy! No one would find you weird because everyone's acting all mushy anyway! So we at PK have decided to dedicate the remaining weekends of February to love! We have compiled here a list of some of the greatest romantic movies you can watch during the weekends!

For this week, we listed some slightly old romantic flicks:

1. Serendipity - Aaahhh.. fate. Who has never been swept away by your charm? Dreaming of that perfect chance meeting with the love of your life is the dream of almost every girl. Admit it, even once in your life, you have believed in "the one" and fantasized of your perfect meeting with him, right? Well, Serendipity is a story about that! What started with a pair of gloves in bloomingdales led Jonathan (John Cusack) and Sara (Kate Beckinsale) all around New York for a lovely night which they spent talking about themselves and subsequently falling in love. However, instead of traditionally exchanging numbers, they decided to test fate by not giving each other their contacts and instead wrote them in a book and a five dollar bill in the belief that if they're meant to find each other again, they will.

2. You've got Mail - Ever thought of finding love through the internet? Well, even if you haven't, this movie will surely make you give that thought a second chance!

Two business rivals begin to fall in love with each other after talking and exchanging messages online. This is very old school because they hate each other in real life but are acting like real lovers online. Who would have thought the internet would eventually lead two souls who professed their hate for each other in a pact of love? Proof that Cupid has turned high tech!


3. Sleepless in seattle - What if you turn on the television and suddenly see a guy and believe he is your soulmate? Would you go, leave your sweet, dependable, dull fiance in exchange for an adventure in the search of the man of your dreams? Well, that's what Annie Reed (Meg Ryan) in this movie did! Her action may be really surprising and somehow dumb in some ways but watching her follow her instinct and finding out she was right all along will make you believe and trust yourself more! This movie has a lot of awww moments in them as the lines and background music are really very sweet. Plus, shooting it in picturesque Seattle adds to its quintessential appeal.

4. Pretty woman - Yes, this is a love story!-- and a pretty romantic one too! Here, Julia Roberts plays a hooker who pretends to be Richard Gere's "girl" and companion as he stays in a luxurious hotel. Instead of making Julia perform "hooker" acts, he pays Julia to merely be his companion. In the process, we see Julia transfrom from a hooker into a glamorous and intelligent woman. This movie tells us that love sees beyond a person's imperfections. It sees the soul, not the body nor one's stature in life. The sweetest part of this movie comes when Richard Gere arrives at Julia's beat down apartment in a limousine with a rose in tow a la Prince Charming.

5. A walk in the clouds - Set in a Grape plantation, this movie screams romance in every way! A young woman heading back home meets up with a chocolate salesman. She is pregnant (but not married) and cannot bare to face her father. Paul (Keanu Reeves) then agrees to pretend to be his husband and goes home with her. He is welcomed to her world and the two gets to know each other better and eventually falls in love. The picturesque setting of the grape farm and the acting of the two makes this movie a very romantic flick and one that would make you dream of walking in a grape farm with the man of your dreams by your side. Yes, that stroll with your man would really be like a walk in the clouds. :)

6. City of angels - Have you found yourself singing Angel by Sarah Mclachlan or Iris by the goo goo dolls? Well if you have, do you know that these songs actually became famous because of the movie City of angels? Well, now you do! Iris was even a song the Goo goo dolls was commissioned to write especially for this flick!

Well, aside from the obvious great soundtrack of the film, this movie also gets its appeal from the quintessential and brilliant combination of fantasy and reality. It tells the story of impossible turned possible love between a mortal and an angel. Moving, romantic and a total tearjerker, this flick really is one of the best romance movies of all time!

7. While you were sleeping - Sometimes the one you think is right for you might not be the one you'll end up with. Yes, sometimes, it is the wrongs that lead us to Mr. Right-- that is exactly the core message of this film.

Sandra Bullock pines after a man she sees everyday in the train station and when one day that man met an accident, she immediately grabbed the chance and came to his rescue. At the hospital, she told the aids that she was his girlfriend just so they could permit her in with him. That little lie of hers ballooned after Peter's (Peter Gallagher) family assumed her to be Peter's true girlfriend. The problem escalated after they found out that Peter got amnesia too!

The story is entangled with a lot of funny twists which is so typical in a Sandra Bullock flick but what makes this movie romantic is not the things that happened between Sandra and Peter but with Sandra and Peter's brother Jack (Bill Pullman)! (confusing, ey?) While Peter was in ICU, Sandra and Jack got to know each other better and fell in love giving meaning to Sandra's answer to Peter when he asked "when did you fall in love with Jack?" and answered, "while you were sleeping". The movie is great mix of comedy, realism, drama and of course good old fashioned l-o-v-e!

There you go girls! A variety of films to give you a lot of "kilig" moments this weekend as we all prepare for that day of hearts and kisses!

Six more days 'til Valentines! ♥

Bikini-worthy body, here we come!

With summer just a few months away, now is the perfect time to get back in shape to achieve that bikini-worthy bod! Changing your diet or regulating food intake is of course effective but it can only do so much-- it won't give you firm and flat tummies that can only be achieved through exercise. Yes, I know, I know. Most of us hate hearing that E word but that E word is your sure fire way of getting that beautiful body so I suggest giving it a second chance. :)

Well, I for one is a very athletic person so exercise for me is fun. But of course when you're already very busy with school work, getting down to business of exercising becomes a task as you often would opt to spend that little "free time" you have relaxing and enjoying yourself. But what if I tell you that you can exercise, have fun and relax all at the same time?

Introducing the revolutionary Hip hop abs! (ha, I sound like an informercial!)

Designed by Shaun T., hip hop abs promises to give you the abs that you want while teaching you some very cool hiphop steps. It has 4 unique workouts which are designed for specific problem areas. The four parts of the dvd are: fat burning cardio, ab sculpt, thighs and legs, and total body burn. Aside from these, the cd also includes bonuses such as: key to flat abs, last minute abs and even a "learn to dance with Shaun T." portion.

I have never seen the informercial of this but S kept on talking about it since December last year that I somehow became curious. Well, S bought her copy from a tiangge but didn't get to try it until I slept over her house. It was hilarious because everything happened so fast. First we were only half-joking that we'd exercise that morning and then in a few minutes, we found ourselves groovin with Shaun T.'s voice as background. My first reaction to the workout was nothing. I mean, I hardly had time to react anymore as the workout was so fast! It won't leave you any time to stop or even relax a little as Shaun T. keeps pushing you to "groove and work it". In a matter of 25 minutes, we finished the first workout. Wow. I didn't even realize then that I was already exercising!

I think that's also the appeal of the exercise. You won't realize you're exercising already because it's fast plus you'd feel like you're merely in dance class with a very persistent Shaun T. as your teacher. It's a really a great thing because sometimes when exercises are slow, it makes you give up faster as your mind realizes you're exercising and tells you it's hard work (counting how many push ups you do for example versus when you do hip hop abs and not realizing you have already done more than a hundred crunches). Another very cool thing about the workout program is that you get to dance and have fun! It doesn't really matter if you know how to dance or not. It's more of having attitude and pouting! (haha! you'll get what I mean when you try it for yourself) Lastly, the workouts are relatively short so now you won't be able to say you don't have time for it!

S and I are so loving our newly-found exercise program. The dancers in us are especially happy about it because we get to practice our dance moves again. Plus! The "learn to dance" portion of the cds give us cool new steps that we can use to show off to all our friends. lol! :) This workout truly is one that any energetic, lively and fun-loving girl would enjoy as there would be no dull moments ever.

So girls, go get your copies of hip hop abs now! You won't regret it especially after exercising as the endorphines you'd secrete would also make you feel so much more happier and fulfilled :)

Here's to having the perfect bikini body! Cheers! :)

If you need to cram

...do it well!

We've all been guilty of this-- y'know, last minute studying. It's quite natural now to see students put off studying for an exam until the very last minute because of one, they're too busy or two, they just don't feel like it. Whatever the reason, you end up cramming for that test. Well, no use regretting now much more putting blame elsewhere. It's better to use that little time you have wisely and cram the right way!


disclaimer: We at peppermintkiss have compiled some tips that would help you in cramming. We still of course do not encourage you to cram because it is the hardest ever and nothing good ever comes out of it. So, read on, but keep in mind that these tips should only be used in emergency cases. Besides, it girls are smart and smart girls prepare ahead. :)

1. Start by creating a timetable. Most of us do not like the idea of time tables because everything seems so precise and timed. However, if you're already cramming, setting deadlines for yourself is very important as you cannot afford to waste a single minute! Try to stick to your timetable so that you would be able to study everything you need to study. It doesn't matter if you're not yet finished with one part of lesson and your time is up already. Go to the next topic! It's better to know all the fundamentals rather than not knowing some lessons because you chose to finish other topics. You can always return and read them again once you're done with the ones in your timetable.

2. If you need to read a thick book, think of it as a magazine. You don't have time anymore to read everything written in the book. You have to be able to pick out important details immediately. How do you that? Read the book like you're reading a magazine. When you read a magazine, you tend to immediately gravitate towards topics of your interest. Same goes with a book. The reason you "notice" that topic is because it looks interesting which may subsequently mean, it is an important thing to know! If you don't think it's important, skip it!

3. If you really don't have time to read a thick book, go for the summary! Chapter summaries are saviors! They give you the highlight of the chapters so if you really do not have time to skim the chapter, this is the next best thing!

4. Try to write down important key words in a separate paper. It doesn't matter if you include the definitions or not, just write down the concepts. If you have been listening to your teachers, you don't really need to have the definitions beside the words themselves. Their meaning will come naturally to you. Just have the list ready and reread it to yourself before the exam.

5. For multiple choice questions, practice elimination. You're already lucky you're given choices here so choose wisely! The best thing to do is eliminate the ones you do not think is the answer first so you'd be left with lesser options to choose from, increasing your chances of getting a correct answer.

6. Study up to the last minute. Although it has been said that it's not advised to study a few minutes before the exam, if you're cramming, that saying does not apply! Read and reread until you're asked to keep your stuff already. Just make sure not to panic as it is really nervousness which makes you forget.

7. Try to keep your cool. Take a couple of deep breaths and drink water before sitting in that exam chair. Having a relaxed mind before the exam helps you in retaining more information in your short term memory and would also help you concentrate in the test.

8. Read carefully everything. Sometimes the answers to some questions can be found in the question themselves or in another part of the exam. Read everything carefully so you'd know exactly what is needed from you so if you do have to guess, your guess would still fall within the category of the expected answer.

9. Believe you're a smartass! Believe you can answer the test even if you didn't get to study enough for it. Sometimes, it is this disposition of yours which could alter the result of the exam. It would push you to make intelligent guesses which might be correct! I have personally tried this in an essay exam and although I didn't know the exact terms being asked from me, I got an above average grade because I still answered it and twisted my answers making them sound really logical. Ha! :)

10. Pray, pray, pray!-- that you may have a retentive memory and recall all the things you have actually studied. You cannot afford to forget the things you have studied because that would mean disaster! Pray that you may retain your little knowledge and that they may be enough to secure you a passing grade.

Well, Good luck to you PK girl! Remember, it is not advisable to cram so avoid it as much as you can, okay?

p.s. If you have other cramming tips, just comment back :)

Movie Review: 27 Dresses

*warning: may contain spoilers*

We've been feeling sad for James Marsden for a while now. Why, you ask? Well, because in almost all of his 2007 films, he was the 'guy who didn't get the girl'. But with 27 Dresses we're having high hopes for him! It finally turns out differently for him.

Katherine Heigl, on the other hand, was just so perfect for this role. Although it is quite unbelievable that she of all women is single and is 'always always always a bridesmaid', she played her part spot on. I loved how she showed the emotions of a bridesmaid who hopes to be the next bride, or the emotion a girl with an unrequited love for "the perfect guy" gives when the guy talks to her.

27 Dresses is perfect to watch with your girl friends. It's a lighthearted, feel good movie that has comedy, romance and a bit of drama in it. However, this film is also great for the cynics out there, I'm sure you'd be able to relate to our leading man. Jane was the hopeless romantic while Kevin was the pessimist. I assure you this is a good movie to prep you (both single and coupled individuals) for Valentine's.

So what are you waiting for? Go to the nearest cinema, buy some popcorn and watch watch watch! Don't forget to share to us what funny or sweet lines you get, okay?

Peppermintkiss rating: ♥♥♥