One Year Free Web-hosting Giveaway!

Free...Free?Ahh, Free!

Does Gellie of the "So Gelleesh" blog possess ESP powers? How did she know I neeeeeed to have a web-hosting site for this (Chopstick Lady) blog I've just recently given birth to? Yeah, I know you're thinking the same thing too! Apparently, I think I'm not the one who needs such free service - that's why I'm sharing the scoop!

So Gelleesh = So Genuine

"So Gelleesh" is one of the blogs that I follow. I like the theme of the blog (beauty and fashion), the simple words that the author uses for her posts, and the fluent and non-exaggerated flow of her style ideas. In other words, I find So Gelleesh a blog that reflects everyday life - the typical events that occur in the life of a NORMAL individual fashionista. I find her blog so true to her personality because Gellie is so bold and straightforward when it comes to her fashion preference. You better check her out.

Free Web Hosting Giveaway

Okay, 'nuff for the praises. Gellie might think I'm giving praises to enhance my winning chances (duh, as if it'll help?Winners win by random). Anyway, I'll write more about So Gelleesh in my future BOTW (Blog of the Week) posts so you can wait for that. As of this time I want you all to focus on her blog giveaway - a free web-hosting for one whole year!

Yes, you read it right. That'll be a www.YOURSITEHERE.com for the next 365 days. Isn't that lovely, bloggers/blogger-wannabes (like me)??? If you're interested in joining this giveaway contest, then don't laze around! Free gifts don't just fall from the sky! Exercise your digits and find your way through So Gelleesh's blog.

 I joined too. Goodluck!

BOTW: Budget Fashionista

BOTW = Blog of the Week


Hello, friends! Meet The Budget Fashionista, a beauty and fashion site that can instantly become your bestfriend!

The Budget Fashionista

Owner: Kathryn Finney

I came across this site when I was scouting for resources for one of my cosmetic entries, the "Yes Girl, Make-ups Expire." Although the site's over-all appearance and format is simple (just a white background and sporadic pictures), my peepers instantly gave it attention because it looks very classy. I think that The Budget Fashionista is a rather gigantic girl-site already (it has a book, by the way) - and so I won't be surprised why this online space is so well-pulled together.

Why you must visit it:

• Budget Fashionista will teach you how to become beautiful while keeping your wallet intact


• It is a one-stop place for all things you need to know regarding beauty, fashion, shopping, steals, and deals


• You'll get the latest scoop about celebrity fashion styles


• It provides heavenly tips for clueless femmes about using make-up and creating a look


• You'll be updated about fashion trends - what's hot, and what's not!


• The page is clean, there aren't too many (or humongous) ads grazing the whole screen


• It shouts girl power!

The Drawbacks:

• Deals posted are only for US-based consumers (sigh)


• It caters more to mature young/old adults - young teens can't relate to some posts that much

Most favorite category: Celebrity Look for Less

Least favorite category: Online Sample Sales

(because I can't avail of it)

Chopstick Lady's Rating: Subscription Magnet

How about you?

[polldaddy poll=5647406]

NaBloPoMo Prompt: When you are writing, do you prefer to use a pen or a computer?

I use both. I guess either a pen or a computer extends a helping hand to a writer. However, each one has its own bull's eye and misses too. For instance, a pen is much more readily available than a computer. It costs nothing to use, spending only the writer's own energy. On the other hand, a computer is a more advanced companion that can serve as your editor too. However, if I will have to choose just one, I'd go for the techie assistant. Yes, the humble pen is a lot mightier in many ways, but can it alert you of a wrong spelling? Let you browse resources? Make you delete without wasting ink? Help you submit a flawless work? I bet not.

Besides, we should all save paper!

How about you, what's your pick?

or

Related articles

• Pen or Computer - What's Your Preference for Writing? (imaginemechanix.com)


• NaBloPoMo (Day 4): Not a South Paw (curlybookworm.wordpress.com)


• Day 4 ~WHEN YOU ARE WRITING, DO YOU PREFER TO USE A PEN OR A COMPUTER?~ (thebloggingvalley.wordpress.com)


• Power of the Pen (imperfecthappiness.wordpress.com)

NaBloPoMo Fever!

Just yesterday, I signed myself into BlogHer's NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) challenge. It's an event that encourages writers to make a post each day on their blog for one whole month! When I made my yes to this, a giant thought bubble automatically popped out: What the hell was I thinkin'? Posting everyday for one whole month? How the hell can I possibly do that?

Okay, 'nuff with the ranting. It's a voluntary choice actually. Besides, I was thinking that this challenge shall serve as my motivation to really keep my blog alive and poppin' for the whole month of November. And perhaps, if I get used to it I'd probably blog everyday until the following years!

What is NaBloPoMo?

As what I've said, this is an event sponsored by BlogHer where a particular blogger is forced challenged/encouraged to write something on his or her blog for one whole month (In this case, the whole month of November). In a way, it resembles Wordpress' Post a Day/Post a Week challenge.



Hundreds, and even thousands of bloggers join in this event. And what's even meatier about it is that the organizer (BlogHer) spruced the event up by having prizes at stake! Unfortunately, the prizes are for US residents only (sigh).

BlogHer chose the theme: Blogging for Blogging's Sake this November and I think it really suits the season well.

The Difficult Part of NaBloPoMo

As a new blogger (see my post about it), I'm still learning my way through the ins and outs of the whole "blogsphere" and I'm just in the process of testing out my wings, flapping it a little, secretly wishing that I can already fly - so I guess my biggest challenge for this event is the writing itself.

I'm afraid I'm not a consistent writer. I mean, I always do suffer from what they call the "writer's block." My brain and digits don't really synchronize well with each other unless a huge inspiration hits me - and when I say huge, I really mean something HUGE like a) when I've read a really good book and I wanted to make a review out of it, b) when good news knocked on my door, and c) whenever my sleeping creativity awakes.

Good thing though, BlogHer provides NoBloPoMo prompts each day for those writers who can't really think of something to blog about. The questions are really nice and it'll provoke your mind to write.

I'm really having my fingers crossed right now that I can live up to this situation I've gotten myself into. Nevertheless, I guess joining NaBloPoMo is actually a good idea, especially since I'm an aspiring writer.

The Plus Points of Joining NaBloPoMo

There are two good things NaBloPoMo grants to bloggers. One, each blogger will be able to practice his or her writing skills. Second, each blogger will be able to increase his or her site stats because of daily posting.

In many ways, I think NaBloPoMo is a great event for bloggers to showcase themselves, gain friends, read other blogs, improve, and just have fun writing!

If you're interested in joining NaBloPoMo for this December (Sorry, November signing ended up yesterday), you may visit BlogHer and subscribe to their newsletter for updates.

[caption id="attachment_223" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Click the image if you wanna know more about NaBloPoMo"][/caption]

In addition, you can check out the blog entries of NaBloPoMo participants. I'm smiling right now because I just did my first post! One down. How many posts left?

By the way, I'm blogger number 2187 in NaBloPoMo!

Related articles

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• NaBloPoMo Soup: Open Thread for November NaBloPoMo Posts (blogher.com)


• Will You NaBloPoMo? (findingchutzpah.wordpress.com)

Fashion Blog Finds

Today, I did some blog-searching over the net to find inspiration from other bloggers and to just sneak around in their world. I've found blogs that are REALLY so fabulous and adorable I couldn't help but get jealous! If my blog is compared to theirs, mine will be like a tiny seed and theirs will be like a tall, sturdy, tree already!

I'm not really into fashion, but  I really adore these blogs that I came across with.

Camille Tries to Blog

I don't know if it's just me or Camille is just one hot Siren blogger!

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="169" caption="Camille, owner of Camille Tries to Blog"][/caption]

Her blog is really "high-fashion." She posts about her latest fash activities and ultra-feminine looks. I'm not really a trend guru but if I can rate her style I'd label it as classy and glamorous. Check out her blog giveaways too - super expensive items! I just sooooo wish my blog can be like hers someday!

Female Network

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="226" caption="Female Network, the site for online Filipinas"][/caption]

Actually, Female Network is not just a blog - it is a site sponsored by Summit Media (the leading publisher of popular Philippine magazines). I definitely love this site. It's very informative, girly, and fun to read! It has categories of almost all things that interest girls like fashion, beauty, relationships, etc. It offers tips from simply taking care of your body to repairing a broken relationship. And what I really adore about this site are the freebies and contests! Seriously, I can spend the whole day reading posts in this online network. If you are a smart gal, then you'd really love this!

I ultimately like one of the site's posts about single women. You can check out the link and read the post about songs that reveal the power of being single.

Bookmarked

Don't give me that look - I know this one is not a fashion blog, but I just think it deserves to be in my list here today. This blog is all about books. It is owned and managed solely by Blooey Singson , a self-confessed book addict who claims to hoard tons of books wherein she can almost make a house out of it.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960" caption="Click image to visit the site"][/caption]

I know there are gazillions more blogs out there which are just sitting pretty in the nooks and crannies of the Internet (like what Chopstick Lady is doing). I know I wouldn't be able to explore everything - but taking a peak from time to time of what bloggers before me are doing with their blog gives me the inspiration to just continue my writing interest.

If you've got blogs to share, do give me a quick message!

That's it - till next blog-spotting!

Note: All pictures used in this post belong to the blog owners. A direct link to their site is available upon clicking the photo.

The BIG Move

 

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="221" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

Chopstick Lady is perhaps my nth attempt to really maintain an online space where I can share my interests and rant about anything in my life. Since the great volcano of blogging erupted, I found myself attracted to the lava and ashes that having a blog grants to an aspiring writer. However, I'm always having a hard time maintaining a blog, especially since I have a lot of interests and I'm a slacker sometimes. Good thing, I decided to put up Chopstick Lady and declared to myself that from now on I'm going to place all the things I want to write about in this small space. Well, goodluck to me and I hope this blog is for good!

Moved items: these posts are from my previous blogs

First and Final WP Blog (Or so I thought)

The Story Behind “My-Then” Blog

Fighting for Literature Amidst A Sea of Trash

Book Review: The Broker by John Grisham

 

 

Do check out my related links below. If you are experiencing the same blogging issue as mine, perhaps you can get some inspiration from these posts about seriously keeping an online journal or blog.

Please share!



 

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First and Final WP Blog (Or so I thought)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

Note: C'mon, yet another forgotten blog? This is another of my past blogs that I'm now moving in here. Read my words, I just ate them all up! lol

This is it. Yes, precisely the last and final blog that I swore to myself I will ever make – at least until Worpress lasts.

I’ve created two other blogs in WordPress already, and two more from other sites but they were all shaken into nothing because I’m just so downright “slob-ish” to update any of them.

My first blog was supposed to be a guide about “freelance writing” as this happens to be my work. But I was too busy with my freelance work that I couldn’t even give a second of my time to update the poor little, deserted, spacious site.

Secondly, I created another blog entitled “I love Classic Books” dedicated to my love for – I’ve named it – classic books. I promised to myself that I will update it weekly and that I’ll never let it wither unlike the sad predicament that my previous site embraced. Unfortunately, I am one freakish liar to myself and so again my little I-love-classic-books site turned into where’s-your-classic-book site drama.

But then, let bygones be over. Right now, I am quite positive (fingers crossed) that I will stick to my words and dare live up to my promises that this “My Favorites” BLOG will survive – at least even for a year!

So what’s the catch with this site then? I’m planning to make this a bit of a drop box of all my favorite pieces in the world. Perhaps largely about classic books and what I have on my bedside table, a little about the products I use, and a fair amount of what’s on my mind.

I hope this works – because I really love to blog about things but time is one arrogant master, it’s so frugal to me . . . But it seems like I am on the guilty side of things, actually.

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The Story Behind "My-Then" Blog

Note: This post is from my old blog - iloveclassicbooks. I'm making a move here in my new blog though but I do wish to share this story about why I came up with that blog before.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="311" caption="Photo source: www.artsjournal.com"][/caption]

"Books. . . What for?"

Never will I forget this line from one of our recited poems back in fifth grade - back from the time when the Internet was still flourishing, when our minds are swept by words bound on books and not on mere computer screens, when our eyes get so excited to read another installment of Sweet Valley High and not from some cheap teen-age shows that don't even add up to one's vocabulary and back when books have been more essential than reading fashion magazines. Where were those days?

Indeed, my time is through - but the passion that I have for books will always haunt me till this very day.

Confessions

I am not an avid reader. I must say, that though I love books - I have read roughly just quite a few. But I am a self-confessed classic books fan. I love to read books that lived years before me, thrived centuries ago, and were known to men for ages. I don't know what mystique lies within these kinds of books - but I must say, that I am clearly smitten.

Favorite Book

Among the classics that I will really love is a book I've read in high school written by Harper Lee, and which, by the way, is the only book she's written; "To Kill A Mocking Bird". I remember reading it for the sake of passing my book report. But eventually, I've realized, that I loved the whole story and writing something about my experience upon reading it was magical. I never really did a book report for the sake of passing my requirements, I made the report because I want to write in words the feelings that I felt after reading the piece - and until now, the report is still with me, and all the preserved feelings are still there kept in each word I've written.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="271" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

Neglected Passion

Though I love classic books, there came a time when I was too busy --- and I never read any book for how many years. . . . Until one day, I came across a book sale.

Revived

I searched through piles of books in one of the book sales of a prestigious bookstore here in our country. I found one that caught my attention. I didn't really paid enough credit for the title, as it says "Don't Know Much About Literature". For me it was like, "Yeah, no big deal." But when I opened the contents, I was automatically caught by it - it's all about classic books. I checked the price and saw that it costs only P50, maybe roughly 1.19 USD. I bought the book. And started reading it.... Then I realized, I miss reading. And so I kind of made a resolution to myself that I will change my long-forgotten wordpress blog into something useful. . . Something that will make me constantly thrilled to pursue my passion, and here it is. Here I am, determined to write about classic books!

Perhaps

Perhaps one day I might get too busy again that I will fall short of the resolution I've made now. Maybe I'll even find other book "genres" that I will like. . . . But one thing's for sure - once a classic, will always be a classic. Wink.

Related articles

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• Classic Reading (lynnmcmo.com)


• Banned Books Week: Harper Lee's Classic "To Kill a Mockingbird" (blogher.com)

My Whole Life in Sentences

Right now, I was inspired by Wordpress to answer these three questions:


I am actually sleepy already after having finished my previous entry of a thousand words and above. But then, something in these questions really perked me up and gave me an instant boost to make another post.

Hmmmmmm. . . . . Miss Universe-type of questions?

Let's pretend I am a Miss Universe candidate who should answer the question:

Would you rather have one free trip to space or free international travel for life? . . .

What would my answer be?

Here it goes. . .

I'd rather have  the free international travel for life than the one free trip to space because I believe that the Earth, our home, is such a wonderful, beautiful, and amazing place - and not even a whole lifetime is enough for me to explore it.

(Then. . . . . . . .  I ranked fourth!) - Just kidding! wink

Now here's the second question:

Cake or Pie?

Cake. There are more cake varieties than pie. Plus, I think it's more "high-class" to eat cake in a restaurant rather than swallow a big chunk of pie in a picnic.

- And for the one I really like -

Write one sentence that summarizes each year of your life so far.

Okay, this one's very exciting, but very hard to do. I mean, I'm not even aware what my life was when I was 2 years old! But since this is some sort of a challenge, I'd gladly take it.

Year:

1. My infancy period began on the 21st of November, 1988 and all I did was eat, sleep, poop, and grow up!


2. I'm not sure of I really know how to distinguish myself from the world during this year.


3. Fringster starts to say her first word - "Momma, big!"


4. I started nursery!


5. Kinder days with my best friend - Conrad were so memorable!


6. School, play, eat, sleep - I don't care what happens to the world!


7. A year where I've found an enemy (I got bullied) but then I also found a bestfriend (Alexis)!


8. All my days sort-of revolved with school and my crush.


9.  I was a teacher's pet, I guess?


10. Finally, I started being serious with my studies!


11. Those were 12 months of fun, laughter, acting, and craziness with my Grade 5 classmates!


12. Being a grade 6 wisdom student, life was a blast.


13. Saw my first love and became a flirt (lol).


14. Sophomore days: A mixture of fun and heartaches! =(


15. It's the time I've handled a lot of LOVE issues.


16. This year was where my life as a high school student in all aspects was at its fullest ('Guess highschool never ends!)


17. I've just realized that college is a jungle and even your one true love can leave you.


18. The year of rest and changes!


19. I was culture-shocked after transferring to another school but I've handled it well as a LADY.


20. My last year of being a teen (twen-teen...duh!) was spent always daydreaming about my crush (who ignored my existence) while trying to direct my attention to the Nursing topic of my teacher at the same time.


21. SNA and Nursing are the only two words I know of during this year.


22. This was the sickest, toughest, most painful year of my life where everything and everyone and every decision I've made just never fitted well on the picture - this was when my whole life crumbled but thankfully, was also brought back to life with the grace of Jesus.


23. ... Still coming up this November 21, 2011 - so far, everything seems to be in place again.