For thousands of years, humans have been using healing crystals for various purposes. Some people wore them as amulet for protection in battles, others use them for attracting love into their lives, and entrepreneurs display them for bringing luck into their businesses and homes. Some people might hesitate in believing in their "power" but looking at them is mesmerizing and holding them feels energizing! Whether you believe in them or not, you gotta admit that there is something magical about them anyway!

A year ago, I found an article saying that having a "prosperity bowl" in one's place can help in attracting money, wealth, and abundance. I didn't know at first how that will really work out but I told myself that I've got nothing to lose anyway so I created one to have in our house.

This New Year, I created this prosperity bowl to attract blessings. My husband used to place this beside him every time he trades cryptocurrency. He mentioned that whenever he looks at it, he felt good which positively affected him in making better deals in trading. I know, some might say that it's just the placebo effect or what but healing crystals affect us by deflecting negative emotions and removing bad energy.

According to @thecrystalsdiva's post in Instagram before, what's basically needed in making a prosperity bowl are:
- 168 pieces of coins
- Citrine and Green Aventurine 
- Prayer of intention so your wishes will manifest
- Faith in God (or the Higher Power, the Universe, etc.)

However, I added more "lucky charms" that I already own to make it more powerful! Here are the crystals that I have added in our prosperity bowl:

Citrine is a powerful cleansing tool. It carries within the power of the Sun, and as such, it is very creative. It will disperse and ground all negative energies and cleanse all your chakras. It purifies your astral and mental body. If you have problems turning your thoughts into words and emotional expression put on a piece of nice citrine jewelry. This stone will reduce your anger and diminish your fear of responsibility.

In Feng Shui, it is recommended to keep most of the citrine stones in the wealth corner of your house. It is usually the far left corner from the main entrance door of your house. Throughout history and in many cultures citrine was known as the merchant's stone. This sure explains its associations with the energy of money. This also explains why citrine is considered a wealth attracting stone in feng shui.

Green-colored crystals balance the Heart Chakra.

Green Aventurine brings luck by attracting opportunities for a person to grab and earn from. Green jade promotes the flow of prosperity and abundance into its owner's life. Peridot generates the frequency of increase in one's wealth.

When they are combined together, they boost each other's energy making them more effective.

These crystals are good for accessorizing too for it is said that they also protect its wearer from harm. For example, jade also absorbs negative energy so instead of the person getting hit by the negativity, it is the jade that "takes it" therefore the wearer gets no harm.

Ever since I started working with the crystals in oir prosperity bowl, I have felt a certain energy that keeps me motivated. Plus I have noticed that I have been receiving a lot more sponsorship deals and collaborations lately for my blog and microblog compared to the past few months!

Hmmmm.. it may be placebo, it may really be the effect of the crystals, it might be just coincidence or luck, or the famous Law of Attraction BUT we should always remember that crystals are only tools that we can use to help ourselves and though they might affect the energy of those around them, only we, our very own selves, can make things possible and get things done in order to achieve our own success. 

As they said, no matter how many crystals you own, if you don't get your ass off the couch, you won't get anything else done. We gotta work, work, work, work, work, so we can make our lives prosperous! 

For more of my beauty and crystal-related posts, follow me on Instagram too: www.instagram.com/iamkrishenriquez

Mothers Day is being celebrated annually worldwide to honor not just the women who gave birth to us but also the people who took the role and responsibility of a mother to take care of us. Let us make this one day more special as a reward in exchange of what our mothers have done and sacrificed for our family and our home. 

There are many gifts to choose from but if you are tight on a budget, Anding's Toys and Flowers Inc. has a solution for you!

One of the surefire ways to make your mom smile is to give her flowers! Flowers are effortlessly beautiful and their presence could give a feminine touch to any place. I for one really loves it whenever I receive flowers for when I do, I feel loved and cherished.

However, for other women, they feel like receiving genuine flowers will be such a waste for they will wither anyway anytime soon. That's why artificial flowers were invented for they look pretty as well and they come with a more affordable price. The best thing is that they will stay permenantly blooming as long as they are regularly cleaned and taken good care of.

Anding's Toys & Flowers offers 5 different floral arrangements that they will offer for this upcoming Mother's Day season including the free shipping. These are all made with good quality artificial flowers and are packaged pretty well. 

This small sized bouquet is being sold for only Php 219 including the free shipping. You may choose a different design for the artificial flowers and for the packaging. It also comes with a card where you can write a sweet, short message.

If your mom prefers something that she can hang on the wall, they also have this design.

This arrangement comes with a wooden board with a short Mother's Day greeting. They sell it for only Php329 plus free shipping.

Each floral arrangement will be delivered in a protective plastic cover to avoid damage to the item. These are the other variants that you can choose from in this floral arrangement:

Here are 3 more floral arrangements that Anding's offer:

Anding's Toys and Flowers Inc.has been operating since 1972, in Divisoria, Manila. They now have 3 branches - opening another one in May. This year, they have decided to take it up a notch and offer their items online.

I was really excited when I got the Ultimate Carbon Kit from Carbon Coco AU, it contains the activated charcoal toothpaste, activated charcoal tooth polish, and toothbrush with black/grey bamboo bristles. I used it right away after being delivered to our house. But before making a product review, I wanted to try the product out for at least a month so I will see the effects.

Carbon Coco Natural Teeth Whitening Activated Charcoal comes in two variants: the ORIGINAL, which is tasteless and odorless, and SWEET MINT, which has a mild mint taste and scent. The latter leaves a bit cold sensation in the mouth when used. 

1) Wet toothbrush the dip into the jar.

Using the Activated Charcoal Tooth Polish is honestly, a bit messy. I had to carefully get a veryyyyyyy small amount on the toothbrush so they won't scatter all over the place. While brushing it on my teeth, some powders were falling down so I used a napkin to protect my clothes from getting "dirty". 

Compared to the two variants, I like the Sweet Mint even better because of its taste! This is perfect for those who hate the lack of taste of the original version. 

After using it, I was surprised on how clean my teeth felt like although it doesn't feel that fresh just yet so here's the second step:

Brush with the Activated Charcoal Toothpaste!

Carbon Coco’s new Activated Carbon Toothpaste has a unique Activated Charcoal fluoride free formula that fights cavities, plaque, gingivitis, bad breath, keeps your mouth refreshed and replaces your everyday toothpaste. This tooth paste reduces bacteria build-up by up to 90 percent for 12 hours and penetrates deep between teeth to fight bacteria plaque. ​

I used the activated charcoal toothpaste just like how I used any other commercial toothpaste. I like that it has a minty taste and leaves my mouth with a cool feeling since that sensation makes me feel like my mouth is way cleaner than ever before, haha! Also, the scent gives me the full satisfaction of having a fresh breath!

This toothbrush looks pretty cool with its see-through blue coloring and black bristles but prior to using this, I asked what else is unique about this?
While using it, I have noticed that the fine bamboo bristles are really soft and gentle on the gums. It can also clean the spaces in between my teeth. I tried using a different toothbrush for the activated charcoal powder but it couldn't hold onto them properly as much as this Bamboo Charcoal Toothbrush. I guess it was really made to be able to do that purpose!

Now for the results!

Was it an effective teeth cleanser?
Yes. The powder dissolves the food particles stuck in between my teeth. The toothpaste completely removed any residues left behind!

Was it able to remove bad breath?
Yes, The activated charcoal powder neutralizes the smell of the mouth and the toothpaste has a minty scent and cooling sensation that removes bad odor and leaves me with a fresh breath.

Was it an effective teeth whitener?
My teeth has naturally white-yellowish coloring. After using it for a month, I have not noticed that much difference in my teeth coloring. However, it was able to instantly remove the stains caused by applying my long-lasting lip tints and by drinking coffee.

Was it worth buying?
Yes, if you are very particular in using cruelty-free products, this is a good purchase. I have sensitive teeth and gums, and using these products were able to reduce the sensitivity. The activated charcoal powder is will last for a veryyyyyyyyyy long time and it has so many other medicinal uses such as for face masks, etc. so it is well worth it! It was proven safe to be used daily that even if you digest some tiny amount, it won't do any harm (at least for adults, I don't think the powder is recommended for kids, I still have to study that!)

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PROS:
- Effective teeth polisher and cleanser.
- Removes bad breath and has minty flavor.
- Effectively removes teeth stains.
- Easy to wash off and doesn't stain the sink.
- the amount of activated charcoal powder in their container will last for years if used solely as a tooth polisher.
- activated charcoal powder can be used for other purposes aside from tooth polisher.

CONS:
- Activated charcoal powder could get very messy to use. It might stain the clothes especially the white and light-colored ones soooo cover up!
- It might take a while before it arrives if you are in another country as the products will come from Australia.

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