An Online Shopping Solution thanks to Western Union

Have you always wanted to shop at Amazon:

 

J. Crew:

Shopbop:

or Net-a-Porter:

but can’t, because: 

1. You are always close to the brink of going over your credit card limit 
2. You do not have a credit card
3. You have a willing accomplice who will shop for you but you do not have a US bank account or Paypal account that you can do online transfers with.

Well, I found a great workaround for you. *wink wink!* 

Thanks to Western Union, who invited me to try out their Send Money Abroad Service, I saw for myself how fast, easy and reliable it is for anyone to shop and pay for purchases abroad even without a credit/debit card or a bank account.

All I needed was: 

1. A friend who was happy to shop for me, in this case my good friend Me-an 
2. A valid photo ID and 
3. some shopping money 

Curious to know how this goes? Here’s what I did.

STEP 1: I emailed Me-an a list of the things I wanted her to buy. To make it easier for her, I sent a screencap of my actual shopping cart.

Here’s a tip: To save your friend some time, after all she is doing you a favor, register for an account and keep everything you want in your cart. Then, give her the password so she can simply check out for you. 

STEP 2: Upon checkout, and receipt of order confirmation, Me-an gave me the total amount charged for my purchase.

STEP 3: I went to my nearest Western Union agent so I can send Me-an my payment:

I filled out an International “Send Money” form:

I submitted the filled-out form along with just one, yes one, ID. In this case, my driver’s license.

You may submit any valid ID such as any one of these. For the full list of acceptable IDs, click HERE

The lady at the counter asked me if I wanted to send dollars or pesos. I chose to have pesos converted to US $, so she gave me the peso conversion of the amount I wanted to send.

Remember to ask how they computed the amount, just so you know.

I was then asked to pay the service fee, which in my case was $14, based on this table:

Yes, given this fee structure, it makes more sense to send bigger amounts to justify the cost of sending

I was asked to take a look at the receipt and to verify the information. Seeing no need for corrections, I signed it. 

The lady encircled the MTCN number, which is the reference number that Me-an needed to mention when picking up the money I sent her. 

I then texted Me-an the MTCN, and gave her the complete name as signed in the 'To Send Money' form, and the amount I sent. 

 
STEP 4: Me-an messaged me to say she got the money. Woohoo! Easy as pie!

While it took Me-an a few days to claim her money, she actually could have received it minutes after I gave her the MTCN number. Minutes vs 2-4 days if sent via bank? Huge difference. 

Apart from the ease and speed of sending money via Western Union, it is also safe in the sense that you can track the status of your money online or through the customer service hotline. 

It is very convenient to send and receive money too because there are close to 490,000 Western Union locations worldwide, most of which are open 7 days a week vs. a bank which is only open on weekdays and during banking hours. 

Which only means why just shop in the US when you can shop anywhere in the world? For as long as you have friends and family all over who will indulge your shopping requests, there are no holds barred. Which is both good news and bad news, depending on how you look at it. 

Haha and hala!

Scotch Naturals for Maarte Pregnant Mommies

Scotch Naturals in Flying Scotsman 

To be honest, it wasn't until I got pregnant with Xavi that I realized how much I like putting on polish. I mean, yeah, I do collect Chanel polishes and I really do watch out for new colors to add to my collection each season, but when I was pregnant with Berry, going to the salon was the last thing on my mind. Salon services are so expensive abroad, I accepted the fact that it was an indulgence I could do without.

Not here in Manila.

I could get a manicure with polish for Php220, even if it meant bringing my own polish. Which I don't mind. Because I do have my own color and brand preferences. Especially now that I need something safe for pregnancy. I started off using Berry's Hopscotch Kids, but then I realized I wanted sophisticated, more "adult" colors.

Enter the grown-up counterpart of Hopscotch Kids: Scotch Naturals

Scotch Naturals in Troya 

Like Hopscotch Kids, the line is water-based. It is in fact "the premier non-toxic, eco-friendly alternative to conventional solvent-based nail polish. Their revolutionary water-based formula conditions nails and delivers long-lasting, salon-quality color." 

It contains no toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, acetone, or heavy metals. But since it is water-based, it kind of chips easily, especially if you have "working hands". Surprisingly, I find that the polish lasts longer on my feet. With barely a chip towards the third week.

WEEK 1: Bright, shiny lacquered and cheery (paired with sandals from See by Chloe)

WEEK 2: Still looking good! (paired with Saltwater sandals)

WEEK 3: A bit dull, but still barely chipped! (paired with Anthology's Hudsons)

In fact, when I took off the polish after several weeks, using the accompanying Soy Polish Remover from Scotch Naturals, it was a bit of a struggle taking it out. The polish really is strong and lasts long! And what's best, my toe nails still looked pinkish and healthy, when it would have turned yellow with the standard nail polish brands in the market.

Whether you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or you just prefer using water-based, harsh-chemicals free polish as a lifestyle choice, Scotch Naturals is your best bet. I swear by it! And best of all, it's available in the Philippines. From the prettiest pastel shades, to classic neutrals like gray, olive green, and beige as well as bright juicy colors like orange and red.

Check out the full line composed of the base coat, top coat, polish remover and yummy colors available online via www.Ava.ph! When you do get the polish, I suggest you get the base coat and top coat as well. The base coat protects your nails, while the top coat strengthens the polish like no other. 

Fresh Produce

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by and introduced to Fresh Produce, a casual/resort clothing line based in the US, which was founded in Long Beach, CA back in 1984. What started as a graphic tee/custom jewelry venture that sold out of the parking lot of the Los Angels Coliseum during the 1984 Summer Olympics has become one of the most widely available sportswear brands in the US. It is also worth mentioning that even after three decades, while other brands have shifted production overseas due to rising costs, Fresh Produce clothes are still made in the USA.

And while it has relocated its headquarters to Boulder, Colorado today, it continues to design simple, comfortable clothing that evoke a summer state of mind. 

The fabric is indeed super soft and comfortable - feels like a lived-in sweater that I've had for years.

Fresh Produce may often be associated with resort or summer fashion, but in fact, their clothes can actually be worn year round. I was sent the Standing Ovation Cardigan in black, a lightweight cardigan and one of the nicest in their collection of women's cardigans, so I could try it out and O.M.G. it is love! It is a simple piece, but so stylish and versatile - I can wear it with leggings, shorts, jeans, loose tanks  and tees whatever. Just throw it on, and its a great look in a snap. I think this piece works for traveling too.

Plus, it is long enough and drape-y enough that I could even wear it as a wrap around dress. As long as I secure it with a belt and two safety pins.

Fresh Produce can be found online, in Nordstrom and over 500 specialty boutiques and resort retailers, as well as company-owned stores and factory outlets throughout the US, including exclusive seashore resorts in North America and the Caribbean.

Fresh Produce also ships internationally to over 200 countries. Please read the Shipping FAQ on the Fresh Produce site for details!

Blog Giveaway: Orient Automatic Watch

Note: Blog Giveaway open to US residents or those with US addresses only

Orient Watch USA is sponsoring this month's giveaway! Orient Watch is a Japanese watch company that dates back to 1950 and prides itself for their mechanical watches, which are built by combining single precision parts. Knowing how the Japanese manufacture their goods with a strict attention to quality and detail, these are the sort of watches that can be handed down from one generation to another. 

YFH02001B

CTD09003D

The best part of all? Orient Watches are reasonably priced, and for one lucky reader, can be had at no cost at all.

Here's how. Leave a comment on this post and tell us:

1. Which one of these watches do you want to win? (FYI: khaki is a man's watch and the rest are ladies watches)

 2. Tell us how you're going to wear your new watch! If you plan to gift your prize, tell us who you'll give it to!

3. To get an extra entry, follow @OrientWatchUSA and myself, @CD_MFO on Twitter and tweet "I want an Orient Watch!". Don't forget to mention your Twitter ID so I can take note!
 
Entries must be in by March 30, 11:59 PM EST. We will announce the winner by March 31, 2011! (Note: Blog Giveaway open to US residents or those with US addresses only)