Yoga Essentials

Review: PIONEER VSX-1223-k

Last January, Pioneer Philippines was kind enough to send me their SC-1223-k AV Receiver just in time for my birthday! With a bit of help from my uncle I had a chance to set it up and try it out to put up a semi-decent review for you guys. A bit technical but I wanted to cover everything in case any of you will be getting a new AV receiver soon.

Review: AIAIAI Tracks headphones w/ mic (BLOG GIVEAWAY!)

I was recently given a pair of AIAIAI Tracks headphones (w/ mic) by Digits Trading. I own a pair of AIAIAI TMA-1 DJ Headphones w/ mic and til now I just can't travel without them. Apart from delivering great sound, AIAIAI headphones are really sleek and stylish so I was excited about getting a chance to give one lucky reader a pair. 

I won’t get into the technical/geeky stuff too much, but basically here's what I think of the Tracks headphones:

• It's really cool how the ear cups are detachable and the "buttons" can be interchanged
• Even without padding, they're really comfortable
• Not having specific clasps the headband can latch onto allows the user to adjust the headphones more.
• Buttons feel a bit too hard at first, but you get used to them eventually.
• Sound-wise, the headphones are pretty nice. I was afraid it would deliver too much of the highs or bring the bass up, but after using them to listen to songs from different genres, everything seems pretty fair and "true".

Final notes:

• If you're particular about wanting unbiased sound, you might like this!
• Be careful not to wear the ball and joints out if you don't want to keep the ear pads falling from time to time. It's not really a big problem but this may be an issue for some people. 
• It's the perfect pair to have on the go! 

Aiaiai Tracks HP w/ Mic Blush Plum color

http://www.aiaiai.dk/store/headphones/tracks

Visit AIAIAI's website

http://www.aiaiai.dk/

Distributor Philippines: Digits Trading

https://www.facebook.com/digitstrading

https://www.facebook.com/beyondthebox.ph

https://www.facebook.com/digitalwalkerstore

https://www.facebook.com/digitalhub.ph

https://twitter.com/digitstrading

https://twitter.com/beyondtheboxph

https://twitter.com/digitalwalkerph

https://twitter.com/DigitalHub_RP

Price:

AIAIAI Tracks - P2450

You can also get a pair from their resellers:

Astroplus

Astrovision

Beyond the Box

Digital Hub

Digital Walker

Egghead

iShop

Buzz

Music Colony

Quicksound 

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HOW TO WIN THIS PAIR : 

1. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter 

2. Tweet or Instagram my photo of the headphones above (2nd photo) and state why you'd like to win a pair of AIAIAI Tracks headphones from @raleene @digitstrading
3. You should be from the Philippines  

THAT'S IT! 

This contest ends on FEB. 28. 

I'm looking forward to reading your answers- the most creative one will win! You can even state why you appreciate good sound quality or why good headphones really affect the way you experience music. 

Good luck! :) 

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cam ham

I get asked a lot about all the cameras I use and it's on the top of my FAQ page. What I can't stress enough is that the type you own doesn't matter without a basic knowledge in framing, composition and lighting, apart from the basic functions of your camera. 

After browsing through my Flickr page I came across photos of all the cameras I've used and I decided to post the ones I've owned through the years...

i conquer claustrophobia

Today I discovered my contacts were ripped so I had to wear my glasses out the whole day. 

They're so heavy and I probably almost tripped thrice. Thick-rimmed glasses are cute but not practical especially when going down stairs. I can't even do something as simple as running/sprinting bec. super blurry vision messes with my balance on the treadmill!

But the camwhorage continues despite my blindness because I finally got my new Oly! 

Hi, please take this pasty girl to the beach. 

A lot of micro four thirds cameras are going back to that retro look, replicating film + cross-processed + pinhole effects.  But I'm not complaining. 

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Don't have a lot to say today... But please watch our gig tomorrow.  :) 

For gig scheds, follow us on Tumblr, Twitter & Facebook!

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what I do at the exhibit

We take turns in guarding our booth and I get to go thrice a week. I was obviously bored during my last shift since the visitors weren't asking questions about our design rationale and main materials anymore. 

I took some photos before realizing that this may be the last time I'll be using my Lumix GF1. 

Found decent and comfortable "walking shoes" at Pedro the other day. I needed a new pair for days when I have to run errands. I'm slowly trying to refrain from wearing TOMS everyday (but I still love them) since I'm no longer a uni/college girl. I love sandals with heels a bit higher than kitten heels (I could never wear those, they make me cringe).


I don't wear my sky-high heels on normal days since I'm a bit taller than the average Filipina and people get mad at me for wearing them. Plus of course, heels hurt when you have to walk/run/skip on the roads around here. I don't work in a carpet-laden office. 

Yani was obviously bored, too. She gamely posed for me and did our "offering" pose, haha!
 Sometimes I forget how nice the bokeh is from the 20mm pancake lens of the GF1.

Everyone loves the tall mirros in our booth. They're for sale (as well as our customized shelves) so contact me if you want to buy them!

My hair's getting longer. :)

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Recently cleaned up my blog a bit since I was getting tired of looking at colorful badges and endless links at the sidebar. I think I've lost touch of why I started this in the first place-- it's a mere documentation of my life and everything I like. I've always wanted it simple. 

What's new: 

• I basically just added pages on top that includes my long list of links, FAQs + redirecting links to my Twitter/Formspring. 
• My other blog posts have a "read more" option so all the photos don't have to load when you're on the main site, but I still have to fix the spacing before and after that link
• I've also added a search box and a drop-down list of categories to get rid of the annoying cloud of tags that I had. I still have to edit the tags on each post since some of them are unnecessary (the ones that only have one post attached to them). 
• Still have to fix the space in between each post. I'm not satisfied with the crowding of the text. 
• As much as I want to edit the template, I can't let go of the all-white background and placement of the side bar on the right. I might change my banner if ever I take a decent monochromatic photo of myself. Or should I just make it a huge "raleene.com" header? 

I'll stop right here since I don't want to badger you all with these things about the whole look of the site!


Anyways, I really just want to tell you all that I am trying to get myself to post better photos! I am hating myself for leaving my camera behind, but then again I've been really busy with school-related events that just keeps me from going around taking photos. I hope you all understand. 


I am also excited about getting a new camera! My brother's getting my old micro 4/3s Lumix GF1 since he's taking photography lessons in school (I know, they offer it in my high school now. How unfair!) and he needs a "decent" one. I can't let go of my DSLR since it's my first baby and the my first purchase ever since I started earning when I first came here for college.

I'm getting an Olympus PEN E-P3. (photo isn't mine)
Thank God for online shopping! I can't wait to get my newest baby!

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Lytro: shoot now, focus later.

This is pretty cool.

the Lytro field camera
 Lytro is the only camera that captures life in living pictures. Visit http://lytro.com

* Capture everything - instantly. Capture living pictures with the press of a single button.

* Focus after the fact. Focus and re-focus, anywhere in the picture. You can refocus your pictures at anytime, after the fact.

* Share the love. Easily share from the desktop or from Lytro.com to friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, email or your blog.

CHECK THESE OUT: -photo gallery (Click anywhere to focus on something! Super cool)
-the science inside

I want new/pretty toys.

Blackberry bold 9900

I KNOW you all know I'm a sucker for all things Mac. Recently got the iPad 2 and I've been screaming "Team Apple" since forever BUT you can't imagine how many times I've gotten the "What's your BB pin?" question and honestly, I don't think WhatsApp is up to par with the BBM. I want this model since I instantly LOVED its design! I really don't have time to compare the long list of BB models right now, so please tell me if this sucks or what. I don't want the Torch since it's bulky and slide phones have never been my thing... I want something sleek and fast.

Fuji Finepix X100

Because I know I'll never be CRAZY enough to buy the limited edition titanium Leica M9 for $29000 (or any Leica M series cam for that matter-- I'm too rough on my cameras!),I'll settle for this. It's pretty cool and even if I know I won't be able to change the lens (I don't even change my Lumix GF1's), this would be a pretty awesome pocket camera. The viewfinder and built-in flash is something my Lumix lacks (the flash pops up on the GF1/2) and this has a rangefinder system thing going on... You won't be able to use it properly if you don't know how to use a manual camera, though... There are no intelligent auto settings. I want to be able to practice fixing the settings on a camera again! Whenever I shoot or pick up my DSLR, I keep having to force myself to stay away from my Lumix.

And just look at it... It looks so cool and oldschool! PRETTEH!

Nikon D7000

I'm not a pro, so I'm not touching any of those FX cameras. For now, I can only wish to upgrade my Nikon D80 to this DX camera. Google the specs if you please...

I know you're all going to grill me for saying "Oh please, the camera doesn't matter." But the noise levels and grain once I pump up the ISO's (for clients, not my blog) starting to bug me. I never thought I was going to do a lot of things when I first purchased my D80 way back when I was in first year college. I mean, why would we need a camera in Interior Design? Oh that's right, we don't.

But now that I plan on actually pursuing photography after school, I'm considering investing on a better camera. I have Nikon lenses so it only makes sense to stick to Nikon. I've never had a problem shooting with my D80 and my grandpa was a Nikon guy.

This is priced at $1,200 (body only) but hmmm if I am dead serious about pursuing a phophographyyy why not go for an FX cam like the D700? Priced at $2,700... Hmmm...

GAH I wish I didn't have to earn and pay for my own gadgets. I wish I loved clothes more than gadgets since they're far more expensive, your world will crumble if they get stolen, and unlike clothes, they don't make YOU pretty. HAH..

Okay these are accessories... But...

Why, Nixon? Why???

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new app: SPELLDIAL!

A couple of my good friends from high school have been investing so much time, effort, money, blood, sweat and tears into this brilliant invention. I wouldn't blog about it if I didn't believe in it and if I didn't think it would be something that could make things easier for a lot of people. I can totally see big businesses using this, too- instead of those supposedly easy to remember numeric combinations that, i for one, still can't manage to memorize since I don't order food (or any other thing) for delivery on a regular basis.
I was fortunate enough to have witnessed the development of this. I remember Albert (the brains!) and Steven (also brainy, my other good friend from HS. LOL) giving me a run-through of the concept and plans sometime last year. They asked about my thoughts on patenting, privacy issues (I think I have enough stories about my accounts getting hacked) and other things a person like me (techy and highly dependent on the interwebz and my gadgets) would think about this new app. I quickly called dibs and registered the names I wanted, and did that again when they revamped their site and officially went to register/process SpellDial.

Imagine just having to type CHUCKS, TOPSHOP, RISTRAS, KFC, MCDO, JOLLIBEE, JUSTINBIEBER, ANNEHATHAWAY, etc. to reach different establishments/people!!! If you have a growing business, this will be super useful in getting clients/customers to remember how to reach you! No more country codes, no more "interesting" number combinations!

You guys should totally register your names already. As for privacy settings and concerns on how one can't be disturbed/bugged by annoying people anonymous callers- they're working on that right now. So what's there to lose? REGISTER NOW. I'm going to stop babbling and use their own words to explain to you this fancy new web app better:


WHAT IS SPELLDIAL?

We've been used to contacting each other through phone numbers for years. We frequently ask people we meet, "What's your number?". However, unless we save it in our phonebook, we barely remember their numbers. That's because our brains are not used to memorizing numbers, but we're pretty good with remembering names! That's why SpellDial was made.

SpellDial is a technology that allows you to call a person through a name, rather than a number. So you can actually say to your friends, "Call me at joninahottie! That's my spelldial." And that's way easier to remember.

Think that's cool? Get your own spelldial name. There's free and paid versions. SO GET THE NAME YOU WANT BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE TAKES IT!!!





Here's a live preview of the SpellDial WebApp widget you can try (shows you how it works, it won't really dial the names- do that after downloading the web app!)



So why is it only a web app? Well sadly, iPhone/android/BB apps take YEARS to develop and register, so for now we can all enjoy this through a web app! At least it's FREE and super easy to install!


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And so you can send them your concerns/find out more about the app:
Like SpellDial on Facebookvisit their website

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Some of my shots for Audioclef Inc.

I've been getting TONS of questions about the cameras I use...

For photo shoots, I use my Nikon D80 + Nikon VR 18-200 OR 50mm F1.8 lens +

SB900 (flash)

For everyday photos, I use my Panasonic Lumix GF1 + 20mm F1.7 pancake lens

I almost always edit the colors of my photos here to give it my mark or a certain feel, so NO- they don't come out of my camera as they look like on my blog posts... I used my Canon Ixus for a couple of months before getting the GF1 (since I sold my Lumix LX3 too early on) and NOBODY noticed that I was using a simple digicam... It all depends on the settings, composition, angle and editing. You don't necessarily need the best camera.

I'm always the photographer with the simplest DSLR/equipment during photo shoots, but that's never stopped young photographers (like moi) from producing nicely-done photos which clients can appreciate ;) I'm not even satisfied with my own work all the time and I admit I have TONS to learn, but that will come in time... Hopefully I can take basic classes about lighting when I graduate with Interior Design.

I will not entertain any more questions about the cameras I use, or if I edit my photos or not because I get those types of questions at least 5 times a week (I am not even exaggerating, but don't feel bad if you're one of them cos that means you think my photos are nice? Haha!) through comments, e-mails, formspring, twitter, facebook messaging and replies on my Tumblr (which is weird cos I can never even reply to those without having to screencap, answer, etc).

So those are my tools and I will be putting a list of them somewhere around each of my websites. And of course, I will always blog about new cameras/additions to my camera collection. :)

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Amber Davis, singer

Rizza Cabrera, 2/3 of the Walkie Talkies

2/3 because she sings and plays the guitar. I'm only 1/3 of the band cos I only sing. LOL!

AND I obviously couldn't take a photo of myself... Will have to rely on the 2 other photographers for my solo shots :)

Salamin

Paolo Valenciano- lead vocals

Emilio Marcos- drums

Miks Bersales- bass

Sho Hikino, guitars

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There are more photos but the site will be launched this January, so I'm hoping I can post the others by then. I've seen our photos from the other photographers and I absolutely love them!

Will let you guys know about Audioclef soon when everything's ironed out... I'm excited!!!

Oh, and here are some BEHIND THE SCENES photos they asked me to take from Indios Bravos studio:

Creepy eyes of mine

Hopefully you all had a lovely weekend, because I sure haven't experienced that in a while. :))

♥

My new GirlFriend(1), Pancake.

I got a haircut today!

Clearer photo of the white GF1. Isn't it so pretty???

[source]

After our photo shoot at Heima last night, I decided to just cancel my LX5 order and looked for a white GF1 online. My LX5 didn't get delivered to my house that night too, because of "traffic" (psshhh) so I took that as a sign... Initially, I didn't want it since I had a DSLR (the GF1 is considered to be the smallest DSLR in the world) plus I just really wanted a pocket camera to bring with me everyday. The LX3 proved to be a really excellent camera before I sold it to Vito, so I thought that upgrading to the LX5 was fine for me. Sulit.com.ph proved to be really helpful since Henry's in Quiapo didn't have white ones on hand, and the ones I found online were cheaper (and offered free delivery) by a couple of thousands. Everyone kept saying that the white version was rare, but luckily I only had to ask 3 stores til I found one that still carried it. It's slightly more expensive than the black or red ones, but Inez advised me to just get it since it would be worth a lot in the future (if ever I decide to sell it).

I've been wearing bracelets from Charmed Life

Here's the team! Grabbed these photos from Tricia. YAY! And that was my hair before having it cut (which I should've done before this shoot, grr). My hair grows out really fast! The stylist was even shocked and told me that I had to go back every two weeks. Say whuttt?!

Can't wait to see the final catalogue! I took photos of BJ and BJ was the main photog who took photos of Tricia and I.

And ooooh fun iPhone photos from the shoot! Tricia and BJ took clearer BTS pics but I was too busy using my Flip cam to capture videos (video post soon) so I didn't bother taking my DSLR around. Heeee :)

My first makeup look. I had to be a "hands-on housewife" for my first two looks!

Cute cootie catchers made for Tricia's bedroom set-up

So many cute set-ups!

Ryan asked if we could Facetime since we were the only ones with the iPhone 4! LOLZ

Ryan and Garovs!

I really wanna buy this pillow! Cute :)