Productive Ways to Spend Your Summer

What is the good thing about buying for sale property or condo in Baguio? You’ll have no problem planning a summer getaway because you’re now living in the “Summer Capital of the Philippines.” How convenient, right? And, yes, the summer season has already begun! It is the time you wish you’re in the beach or somewhere cool, like Baguio, doing summer-y activities.

But did you know that there is no such thing as “summer” in the Philippines?

We live in a tropical country. According to Panahon TV Blog, a tropical country only has two seasons: the wet (rainy) and hot (dry) season. Summer only occurs at temperate regions with four seasons, the other three are winter, fall, and spring. Yet the word “summer” is more appealing to use than “hot” or “dry”, so for the rest of this article, will refer the dry season as “summer”, alright?

Moving on, summer months are vacation months; the period we feel a bit lazy because of the sweltering heat; the time our body craves for an outdoor adventure and be away from the four corners of the office. All we could imagine are powdery white shores, green wilderness, and rocky terrains. It seems both of our mind and body is in a far, far away place. This mind-set may affect our productivity at work.

According to a study by Captive Network entitled “Captive Office Pulse Finds Summer Hours are Bad for Business”, in summertime, “productivity goes down (20%), attendance slips (19%), project turnaround times increase (13%) and they are more distracted (45%).” This is based on the response of more than 600 white-collar employees in North America last 2012.

How can we make summer breaks more productive and meaningful in a way that we can prevent from slacking off at work?

Wait up! Before we proceed, you must perform the “deed” to have a truly productive summer away from distractions like these:

Are you willing and ready to do the “deed”? Here are some blocking tools to have a digital detox during summer:

• Freedom for iPhone
• SelfControl for Mac OS
• FocalFilter for Windows
• Keep Focus or the more sinister, Procrastination Punisher for Android

We definitely hear some whines and groans there. Even if we don’t back this up with scientific studies and facts, Internet and social media are indisputably the modern distractions of our era. One of the simple and classic examples we could relate to is the “Marshmallow Experiment” by a former Standord University professor, Walter Mischel, in 1960s. This is how you’re going to look like while on digital detox:

The “marshmallows” of today is not just the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow. We are also referring to the social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest, and Instagram. What is the reward? You can regain your focus; get back on track and have an opportunity to do something worthwhile.

After you’ve done the No.1 prerequisite of having a productive summer, you may try out the following activities:

Read Real Books

Books you can flip the page of, not swipe. Reading increases intelligence, boosts brain power, makes you more empathetic, fights Alzheimer’s disease, and can help you relax and sleep, Real Simple divulges.

Exercise

Summertime is the best time to burn those fats. Go swimming, water aerobics or exergaming (exercise gaming). Keep rehydrated, wear lightweight clothes and don’t exercise excessively to avoid dehydration or suffering from heat stroke.

Take an Online Class

Enrol at Coursera, edX, Udemy, Standord University or even at Harvard online. Allow these sites to bypass the blocking app you’ve installed in your device.

Pick up a Hobby

Do you want to be the next Da Vinci? Join Drawspace. Do you like taking pictures? Take a photography lessons. Do you like baking cakes? There are tons of recipes online. Or, simply do what you’re passionate about.

Volunteer

According to Forbes, volunteering helps you develop new skills; helps you to have a healthy body; helps you build experience and empathy. Visit Habitat for Humanity, Philippine Red Cross or Gawad Kalinga for starters.

We are not killjoys, okay? Plan ahead and schedule a summer getaway! Nope, this activity is not an excuse to turn off that blocking tool. Have a REAL vacation. Or buy for sale property or condo in Baguio to have a year-round vacation. Tuck away those digital devices. Just enjoy and live the moment just like what granny did at the premiere of Black Mass last year:

Image Source: Twitter/ Wayne Dahlberg

Granny Rocks!

Taking the Closest Step to your Brand New Condo

Brand New Davao Condo

Image Source: http://ppchero.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/

Finally! From the number of options you have considered, you’ve already decided to buy a condo unit for sale in Davao City. Yeah! It means you have gone through checking the possible locations, weighing career and family life, choosing the applicable payment scheme based on your current financial status and have fully understand about the property’s association fees. 

Your friendly guide list

And now, it is the time to insert your key into your brand new home. Though, there are some limitations about customizing your newly bought condo unit for sale in Davao, with today’s modern and better interior design ideas, you can make your new home an extension of yourself. It may seem smaller in terms of space compared to a house and lot; but the live-work-play condo lifestyle could be deeply enjoyed. Moreover, before dwelling into your newly bought for sale condo unit in Davao, make sure you have prepared (and also think about) the things and appliances you’ll bring all the while considering the size of your condo. For the last time (in choosing a condo unit as your home) before finally moving, keep this list as a guide.


1. Acquire your condo unit’s measurements. Since, you have bought a fully furnished condo for sale in Davao, there’s a need to get the unit’s measurement to avoid hassle in choosing your furniture, and as well as deciding how to move your things into your new home. This would help you refrain from buying oversized items that would make your sanctuary overcrowded. Also, this would be of great help in styling your condo.

2. Pack your things as early as possible. Don’t wait for a week or two. It’s advisable to slowly (but surely) pack your things, ASAP! This will keep you from being rushed and overwhelmed as the day gets closer. Also, packing things beforehand will help you determine other things you need and saves you from stressing yourself out in searching where you put certain items.

3. Update your address. This is indeed one of the most important aspect of moving out – unless you are running away from some sort of stalker. It includes your bank, employer, and other billing subscriptions. Updating your address will help you keep track of your bills and utilities.

4. Look for a reliable moving service. Like packing things, this should be done beforehand (especially, if you are moving to a distant place). There are a lot of moving companies out there you can outsource, but make sure that you have confirmed your moving schedule to avoid mishaps.

5. Have an elevator reservation. Yes! Since, condo properties are designed to save space by extending a property upwards, elevators are important. Elevator will help you bring your things conveniently (though, there could also be another way— by using the stairs), so to avoid interruption with other residents, talk about your moving with the management.

At Last

So, this is it! You’re totally ready to move into your newly bought condo for sale in Davao City. The next thing to do is to unpack your things, play with your creativity in interior designing and live comfortably in your brand new home.

More on Condos in Davao.

New Year, New Condo Look

If you were able to afford one of the condo properties in Quezon City, then you are just one of them—a statistic of condo unit owner data. Make your condo stand out from the rest by doing a complete overhaul of its interior design, even though it is only your family, close friends and your loyal pet dog who will see the condo property in Quezon City.

This New Year signifies new beginnings and exciting changes. Your condo space is no exception and the possibilities are endless. All you need are the tools, materials, and imagination (which is unlimited) to fulfill it. And – cough – money, of course.

Do you want a spark of inspiration that will motivate you to update your condo’s interior design? You may look at the ideas below because are going to be the hottest interior design trends this 2016:

Pantone’s Color(s) of the Year

Many of us have trouble picking out colors or combining them. Thanks to Pantone, the authority in color matching system, they’ve already announced the colors of the year from their palette. The Rose Quartz (Pantone 13-1520) and Serenity (Pantone 15-3919). Normally, Pantone releases only a single color every year but now they’ve experimented quite a bit. According to Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of Pantone Color Institute, when “joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.”  

In the kitchen

Don’t let your kitchen feel left out even if it only occupies an eighth of your living space. The Forbes says you may forgo the white tiles because a splash of muted hues is in. These are charcoal, grays, pale blue, pale green gray and tinted whites. This year, it is okay not to draw a line between your living space and kitchen. You can merge these two areas in a sense that it would create a comfy and homey feel. This is an ideal setup for condos that struggles with limited space. Are you planning to buy a new kitchen appliance? Then feel free to try colored stainless steel pieces, Houzz recommends. 

Textures to Play With

Architects will surely have tons of fun this 2016 as there is a wide variety of materials they could choose from. Do you want a tinge of shimmer or shine in your abode? Go for mixed metals like platinum, gold, copper and/or steel, HouseBeautiful suggests. Not your taste? You could blend any kind of metal with wood and/or glass to soften the effect. Brass and marble are included as well, according to Interior Design Media.

Pimp up Your Wall

Are you itching to peel off your wall paint or wallpaper? Redecorate it with fabric wall art, says HouseBeautiful. Do you want to spare yourself from such an exhausting task? They’ve recommend alternatives such as hanging DIY typography art, woven wall décor, and/or artisan goods that add dimension and depth to the flat surface. You may visit this link for more ideas.

The Small but Important Details

Even the tiniest décor can make an impact on your living quarters. Whether it is a lamp, a piece of furniture, carpet, or a lone wall clock, it adds personality that resonates through the entire space. Since 2016 is a mix and match year, exchange monotone pillowcases for graphic throw pillows, Elle Décor suggests. Another suggestion from HouseBeautiful is pedestals and pendants. Pedestals can squeeze in your tiny space either for decoration or for functional use. Chandeliers are too bulky; instead hang pendants for a minimalist appeal.


As you can see, you may “dress up” your condo property in Quezon City in a number of ways. Just don’t steer away from redesigning it based on your tastes and preferences. A reminder though, alteration must conform to the management’s rules and regulations to avoid any disputes.

4 Christmas Decoration Tips for your Condominium

We recently bought a condominium for sale at Vistaland International as a present for me, given by my parents! Yes its Christmas time and I want to look my fresh condo unit festive for the season. Typically, units are small and I don’t want to have an eight-foot Christmas tree on it. So I researched the internet to look for some ideas that will surely help me to make my unit feel Christmas. Check them out!

Wall Christmas tree

Image Source: http://pixel.brit.co/

As I said earlier, I don’t want to have a tall Christmas tree inside my unit, and with that I found a replacement – Wall Christmas tree. It is not the traditional 3d Christmas tree but for me it looks better than that! I like that it is pinched on the wall, which is a great space saver!

What I like about this is that it is very easy to do, affordable and most of all, you can use recycle materials to do this! You can use your old toys, hair pins, combs, empty bottles and everything you see on your drawer will work perfectly fine. You’ll just need to run your imagination and you are on the right track for a perfect Christmas tree.

Ornaments on Tray

Image Source: http://www.nuhomeinterior.com/

You may not want to throw those old Christmas balls, candy cane toys and ornaments, because they will be a perfect table-top Christmas décor! Very simple, fast and time saver! Just gather those old ornaments, put them on a tray, a bowl or a glass, place it on top of your side table, or maybe on your dining table or in any place you want, then there you have it! An amazing Christmas décor in just minutes! Perfect for your condo!

Decorative Christmas Pillows

Image Source: http://www.homextextiles.com/

This is one of my favorite! Fortunately when I saw this on the internet, I don’t have yet pillows for my sofa, so I decided to buy Christmas themed pillows, those that are colored, green, red and yellow, which will I use all the year out and also bring home some Christmas inspired pillows from department stores. They are great for my sofa and my bed. Yes, maybe costly but I love it!

Ribbons and Ribbons and Ribbons

Image Source: http://www.holidaymom.com/

Don’t belittle those ribbons. They will make a huge impact to your room! You may tie red ribbons on your chairs, window curtains and pillows. They will look like presents and gifts which are very much associated with Christmas.

This is another, cheap and space saver activity. You’ll just need those old ribbons, regardless of the size, colors and shapes. Just be creative and your unit can look like a room full of presents!



Hope you will try one of these! Have a Merry Christmas! Please share this to everyone! Let’s make the season very festive, happy and peaceful!

I found more tips here: 6 DIY Christmas Decorations for Your Condo Unit