Becoming a first-time plant mom

There’s nothing like getting in touch with your inner Tita by adopting your first ever plant baby! Whether it’s for the office or for your home, here the best indoor plants you’ll want to have:

• Pothos – It’s air-purifying, and can thrive in any lighting condition. Great to display on shelves or desks as the leaves can get really long.
• Succulents – Low-maintenance, small and portable, and doesn’t need that much watering. Thrives in sunny spots.
• Philodendron – Get this when you want a much bigger indoor plant as room décor. Rarely attracts pests and only needs watering once a week.
• Snake plant – Needs only minimal care, adaptable in any location, and thrives well in dry air. Can be watered once every other week.

Always keep these in your bag

A mark of a true Tita is what can be found inside her bag. Contents may differ according to what type of Tita you are, but here are just some of the items you should always have with you wherever you go: White Flower ointment or Vicks inhaler, a pack of mints, a ballpen and small notebook, a medicine kit, an umbrella, hand sanitizer and wet wipes, a tote bag for your shopping, a pocket mirror, and a water tumbler.

A guide on what’s in season

It pays to be aware of what ingredients are in season so you can plan your meals and desserts for parties or special dinners accordingly. Look for nifty guides online like this one by local recipe website BiteSized.ph so you can keep stock of the freshest ingredients in your pantry.

How to tell Pinots apart

Titas are quick to ditch the liquor they’ve loved in their college years for the more sophisticated drink: wine. Impress your girl friends with pinot knowledge with this quick primer on how to tell which is which!

Reds

• Cabernet Sauvignon – The most popular red wine. Typically had with heavier dishes and red meats.
• Merlot – Less bold than the Cabernet Sauvignon and is comparatively smoother and easier to drink.
• Pinot Noir – A rare type of wine because of how difficult it is to grow the Pinot Noir grape. It’s much lighter and goes well with all types of food, making it a great choice for parties and celebrations.

Whites

• Chardonnay – The most popular white wine that is best paired with light and delicate food like fish and shellfish.
• Riesling – A semi-sweet wine that is distinguished by its floral aroma. Pairs so well with spicy food that the combo may surprise you!
• Pinot Grigio or Gris – The second most popular white wine well-loved for its refreshing flavor. Best had ice cold on a summer day.

Rosé

Rosé wines have gotten a lot popular over the recent years and we don’t necessarily owe it to its Instagrammable millennial pink color. They’re dry, light, and quite refreshing, making it the perfect wine to drink on a warm, sunny day.

Sparkling

• Champagne – Hails from France and is expensive because of the way it’s made.
• Prosecco – Hails from Italy and is a much sweeter and lighter option.
• Cava – Hails from Spain and is very similar to champagne, only more affordable.

Which card to use for what situation?

Being a Tita means having a lot more to spend on and on a regular basis. It pays to understand the role of the three cards we can use for payments, the prepaid card, the debit card, and the credit card.

The prepaid card is great for budgeting your spending; you can just load the maximum amount you’re willing to spend on a certain category (e.g. shopping, groceries, romantic dates) for a month, kind of like envelope budgeting. It’s also really easy to own and is a good alternative to credit cards if you don’t want that big of a commitment yet.

Debit cards are good for situations wherein you’ll only need to pay small, everyday transactions like buying supplies from National Bookstore or buying your morning cup of coffee — you could pay in cash for them, but why would you when you could just conveniently go cashless?

Credit cards are best for, of course, the large, big-ticket expenses in-store or online. But remember: don’t bite off more than you can chew!

Having all three may not be required, but would definitely help make your life and your monthly budgeting much easier!

Anti-aging 101

Looking young is one of the top concerns of Titas, and it’s not as difficult as you make think it is. Always put on sunscreen as your last step in your morning skincare routine to defend yourself against damaging UVA/UVB rays and exfoliate weekly to help your face regenerate newer skin cells much faster. As a bonus, use an eye cream to care for your under-eyes and a Vitamin C serum to brighten your face.

Read more foolproof tips here!

The rewards cards that matter the most

True Titas of Manila will have a tiny booklet holding all the rewards cards they’ve ever hoarded in their lives. But for a certified Tita in Training, you don’t really need to start collecting them this early. But, it pays to know which rewards cards matter the most at this time: SM Advantage Card for groceries and shopping, Starbucks Rewards Card for your afternoon pick-me-ups, GetGo or Mabuhay Miles Membership Card to earn and redeem miles, and Watsons Card for your beauty and wellness essentials.

How to save on holiday gift-giving

The holidays are coming up fast, and the stress that comes with having to buy gifts for everyone in your life is coming up even faster.

True titas will know how to take advantage of time in order to save money on holiday expenses. Check out weekend markets and special bazaars as early as now to find great gifts that don’t cost much. You should also allow yourself to be tempted a little bit by sales and discounts because you may get great deals out of them.

Try buying locally made products as well. Or, if you are one of those blessed with the luxury of time, you can also try taking up a new hobby and create DIY gifts!

Got more tips and hacks to share? Share them in the comments section below!