This pandemic introduced us to the new normal where we spend more time at home. One of the major activities that helped us keep the lockdown fatigue at bay was growing healthy plants and tending to our gardens and indoor plants. Not only does it keep us busy during these uncertain times but it also allowed us to become full-fledged “plant parents” and grow a green thumb.

There are many ways to grow healthy plants because each kind of plant has a different requirement. Soil is one of the most crucial steps in growing plants because it holds the plant from its root and stores the nutrients for the plants to grow. Composting is a way to ensure that the soil you use has the necessary nutrients to grow your plant. Not only does it help produce healthy plants but also aids in sustainability efforts. These plants can help our mental health and improve and purify the air quality.

What is Composting?

Composting is a means for producing nutrient-rich soil for plants.

Composting is the method of collecting food scraps and other materials that can be broken down and become a fertilizer for your plants. Not only does composting help grow healthy plants, but it also benefits our environment because segregating food scraps and other materials from our household waste prevents them from being dumped in landfills. Eliminating these materials in landfills can reduce the amount of carbon monoxide, methane, formaldehyde from the air, and greenhouse gases thus lessening our carbon footprint.

So you’re not only growing healthy plants but you’re also contributing to the environment. Interested to know how to compost? Let’s go find out!

Suggested Read: Low Maintenance Plants for your Luxury Condominium | Brittany

Step 1 : Choose Your Location and “Container”

Knowing where to place your compost is an important step to beginning your composting journey.

The first step in preparing your compost is to choose where to place it. You can either have a compost bin or an open pile. If you have house plants, you can simply bury your food scraps and work your way from there.

It is also important to plan where to place your compost bin. The recommendation of experts is that you situate your compost near a water source and an area in your house that receives an ample amount of sunlight. You would want to avoid dried-out compost and too much sunlight may cause just that. You also want to avoid making your compost too wet. It is important to keep these elements balanced to have effective compost and ergo, have healthy plants.

Step 2: Choose What To Put In Your Compost to Grow Your Healthy Plants

What materials you put in your compost will make or break the growth of your healthy plants.

A crucial step in making compost is what you put in it. An easy rule to remember, you can separate them into kinds: green and brown. The proportion is also important so you must keep the ratio at 1:2 of greens to browns. Green refers to wet materials while brown refers to dry materials. I know what you might be thinking, what are the examples of greens and browns? We have you covered.

The green list consists of vegetable and fruit scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags, and grass clippings to name a few. Meanwhile, the brown list consists of dead leaves, branches, tissues, newspapers, and even wine corks. These are just a few examples because there are plenty more.

It is important to take note if a material is considered compostable in the first place. You must be vigilant about what you include in your compost because one mistake can be detrimental to your growing plant. Proportion is also important because if you put too much decomposing material, your plants may be infected with diseases that can cause them to wither and die.

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Step 3: Layering Them Down

Putting the green and brown materials together in your bin is the start of the composting process.

Now that you are armored with what you put in your compost, it is now time to plan the spread and layering. There is no right or wrong way to do this, just make sure you combine all materials adhering to the recommended ratio. Experts suggest you should make your pile at least 3-ft deep.

If you want to be creative, you can try the lasagna layering technique when composting. Just as the name says, you can layer your green and brown materials as you would when making lasagna. Although the last layer must be brown materials as this will serve as a “protective layer” from insects.

If you observe that your compost is too wet, you should add more brown materials and vice versa if the compost is too dry. Remember to remove any food waste that has been cooked as it attracts vermin. Instead of aiding the growth of healthy plants, the compost might yield adverse effects on your plant.

Step 4: Ventilation and Drainage

Your compost bin must allow air circulation in order for microorganisms to break down the green and brown materials.

Your bin should allow air circulation. Ventilation is also an important step in creating your compost because oxygen is essential in decomposition. Turning or fluffing it like an expert can also maintain your good bacteria count. You can also poke some holes on the sides of your bin for extra air pockets to prevent the compost from storing too much heat from the metabolic activity.

You can also have additional air pockets by using sunflower stalks, sticks or corn in your compost.

Step 5: Watering Your Compost to Grow Your Healthy Plants

Watering your plants is vital to get them healthy

It is common knowledge that all life needs water. The same goes for our compost as the decomposition process needs water in order for the green and brown materials to be broken down. With the right amount of water, microorganisms will be able to function well and turn your compost to a plant-friendly fertilizer.

Water also regulates the temperature of your compost. As mentioned previously, the process causes heat and if water is not sufficient, it can cause dryness to your compost and in severe cases, cause fire.

The desired moisture level must be a “wrung-out sponge.” If the compost is too dry, add water accordingly. If it is too wet, then you must add more dry materials as needed. Healthy plants heavily rely on the moisture of the soil so it is important to know if the level of moisture is enough.

Step 6: “Stir” Your Compost

Turning your compost with the use of a garden rake or shovel will help speed up the breaking down of the process of your food and household waste.

After watering, stirring your compost is the next step.

Although there is no specific rule when it comes to stirring your compost, doing so every few days will fasten the decomposition process. This is highly recommended if you are trying to produce a large volume of compost. As a guide, you should only start raking your compost once your bin is full.

If you plan on producing nutrient-sufficient soil for your healthy plants, it is good to make them in a large volume since it does take time to fully decompose organic matter.

Final Step: Feeding Time

In order to assess if your compost was a success and is ready to be used to foster the growth of your healthy plants, you must check all the clues that indicate compost maturity.

After leaving your compost to do its magic, you check your bin and ask yourself, how would I know if my compost is ready to be used for my plants? Well, the answer there is simple. Once you open your compost and see that you no longer recognize the individual materials you have placed in it, it means your composting worked!

Another clue you need to look for is the smell. If your compost smells earthy, it means it is ready. You will also know if your compost has matured enough when it no longer produces heat. This signals that the decomposition process has been accomplished. Once you’ve checked all these indications, voila, it’s feeding time for your plants!

Healthy Plants For Life

Even though the topic of this article is centered on composting, the goal is to grow healthy plants for your home. Undeniably, growing plants became a fad in this pandemic to keep us occupied. But for other people, growing plants is more than just a hobby. It is scientifically proven that plants eliminate toxins in the air which is why it is ideal to have plants in your home.

Consider a snake plant, peace lily, or an aloe vera for your luxury home

Other than leisure and health purposes, plants also add aesthetic value to our homes. It adds character, personality, and sophistication. You can never go wrong with decorating your place with plants because it is sustainable, timeless, and relevant.

Similar to Brittany, our luxury homes are also sophisticated and timeless. Our properties are inspired by some of the world’s most scenic destinations. Nature-lovers will admire our homes and communities because of their closeness to nature.  We in Brittany do not only want the best for our residents but also for our community and the environment.

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The National Museum in Manila houses some of the most expensive paintings in the Philippines.

The history of the Philippines has always been rich in culture and arts. From Juan Luna to Ben Cab, the state of the Philippine art scene is ever-growing. Art will always have a voice no matter the time or place. Artists have created art through paintings, sculptures, and performances.

Themes of the most expensive paintings

Their themes range from the daily, mundane life of a Filipino farmer to more political topics like the essence of feminism. Having their work displayed in a museum is probably one of the biggest honors there ever is. Their works are available for everyone to marvel at. When masterpieces are made they don’t always go to a museum. Some of them are bought in private sales and displayed in the luxury mansions of the elite as part of a private collection. 

What Makes an Expensive Painting in the Art World?

One would wonder how some paint on canvas could fetch a hefty amount of money. What makes the most expensive paintings in the Philippines, well, expensive? It is, in general, difficult to place value on art. When you visit museums in Manila, art is something that someone makes a connection with. It is something that can be worth millions to one person and can be worth nothing at all to the next. When you’ve connected to a piece of art, its value increases for you and it all boils down to whether you like it or not.

We can, however, look at art objectively. There are also technical aspects that can appreciate the value of an artwork and make it one of the most expensive paintings there is. 

Juan Luna’s Spolarium as seen in the National Museum | Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Condition

The condition of a painting is very important. Just like care for luxury items, paintings, especially old ones, have specific conditions to stay in pristine condition. When an artwork is damaged, regardless of historic value, its standing as one of the most expensive paintings can instantly fall. Its price can plummet. This is why art restoration facilities take their time to fully preserve and restore paintings to their former glory.

One of the most iconic paintings – Red Square, Painterly Realism of a Peasant Woman in Two Dimensions, 1915 by Kazimir Malevich was sold for a record of $60 Million. | Photo from Wikicommons

Color

Some color pigments are more difficult to obtain, making them more expensive. An example of this would be the color red. It is considered to be one of the most expensive colors because of where the red pigment originates from. Imagine it as purchasing the top luxury cars, but for paint.

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Subject Matter

The subject matter or the focus of a painting can also affect its price. Typically, paintings of women would be worth more than that of men– the same goes for sunny landscapes. Abstract contemporary art and the minimalist movement by young Filipino artists questioned our perception of the subject in art. How does someone visualize abstract ideas like love and despair? These things put together can affect the final price of a given work.

Medium

Where famous paintings are painted also affects the price and value of the work. Artwork on canvas would usually sell higher than work on paper. This is because canvas would, ideally, last longer than paper.

At the end of the day, an art piece’s value would depend on how much someone is willing to pay. Because art should be admired, it cannot be bound by economical rules or money. When collectors deem the price of an artwork, it can go over and beyond how much effort and money the artist put into the piece.

Suggested Read: Up and Coming Tagaytay Artists | Brittany Corporation

The Modern Art World, a $64 Billion Market

Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci was more expensive than a luxury house and lot and a luxury condominium combined. | Photo from Wikipedia

The global art market is currently priced at around $64 Billion. Salvator Mundi by Leonardo Da Vinci, one of the most expensive paintings in the world, sold for a world auction record purchase price of $450.3 million alone.

In 2018, a painting by Joya Jose sold for a whopping P112,128,000! This broke records for the Philippine contemporary art scene as the most expensive painting sold for that year! This was a great addition to any private collection.

Art Market and Auctions

These works of art are usually sold at art auctions where the highest bidders would get to take home the item on sale. They happen in auction houses like Sotheby’s in New York where the most elite would gather to bid for the most expensive paintings. In the Philippines, our art market is Leon Gallery Fine Art & Antiques where they have yearly auctions. Even with the recent pandemic, art auctions found a way to keep the tradition by going digital.

Jose Joya (1931-1995) “Space Transfiguration” signed and dated 1959, oil on canvas | Photo from Leon Art Gallery

With the value we put on paintings, can we then consider functional items like fashion and architecture of real estate art? Pieces from famous artists have been sold to a select few. An exclusive group of art connoisseurs fights to get the best paintings through auctions. This creates a well-curated collection of the most expensive paintings in the Philippines.

What are the Most Expensive Paintings of 2021

Here are some of the most expensive paintings ever sold in the Philippines. These were sold at auction in Leon Art Gallery.

Tinapa Vendors (1955) by Anita Magsaysay-Ho (1914-2012), egg tempera | Photo from Leon Art Gallery

Tinapa Vendors (1955) by Anita Magsaysay-Ho (1914-2012)

Php 84,096,000

This was the highest price sold at auction and most expensive painting in the Leon Gallery Asian Culture Council.

Anita Magsaysay-Ho is the first woman to win the grand prize in the Art Association of the Philippines competition in 1952. Her winning entry, The Cooks, would be the first in a series of paintings depicting women in the simplest of tasks. She then created a marketplace collection where the women are depicted as cunning yet generous. She showed the strength, mysticism, and love of the women she painted. It is by far one of the most expensive paintings sold this year.

A quote from the official write-up of the painting from Leon Gallery Asian Culture Council Auction.

“The central figure holds up a slim fish to her nose, delicately sniffing it as expertly as a French perfumer to divine its properties. The other women have various reverent expressions as they tend to the flat baskets filled to the brim with the fish, an auspicious symbolism of the plentifulness that can be found even in the simplest of lives.”

Women with Baskets, Fish, and Crab (1980) by Anita Magsaysay-Ho (1914-2012), egg tempera | Photo from Leon Gallery

Women with Baskets, Fish, and Crab (1980) by Anita Magsaysay-Ho (1914-2012) 

Php 52,560,000

The second-highest price sold at auction and second most expensive painting in the collection was another Anita Magsaysay-Ho piece.

Another piece from the marketplace collection of Anita Magsaysay-Ho. Women with Baskets, Fish, and Crab was one of the favorites of the artist. Before being bought by a friend, this work was displayed in her living room.

A quote from the official write-up of the painting from Leon Gallery:

“The baskets depicted invoke the industriousness and dedication involved in basket weaving—a practice Anita considered among the most beautiful of Filipino handicrafts.”

Dance of Isadora (2003) by Benedicto Cabrera (b.1942), acrylic on canvas | Photo from Leon Gallery

Dance of Isadora (2003) by Benedicto Cabrera (b. 1942)

Php 40,880,000

Isadora Duncan was one of Benedicto Cabrera’s (or more popularly known as BenCab) favorite muses. As an artist, Isadora revolutionized the world of dance by synthesizing the traditional forms with more modern movements and rhythms. BenCab captured her movements through a series of photographs and sketches. It is easy to understand why this was one of the most expensive paintings sold in The Asian Cultural Council Auction 2021.

A quote from the official write-up of the painting from Leon Gallery:

“Inasmuch as Isadora is the character in this work, the flouncing and dynamic fabric that enshrouds the body of the acclaimed American dancer is also an important ally in emphasizing motion.”

Sorprendidos (1887) by Juan Luna (1857-1899), oil on canvas | Photo from Leon Gallery

Sorprendidos (1887) by Juan Luna (1857-1899)

Php 35,040,000

Juan Luna’s Sorprendidos is a commentary on the social divide of his time. As the story goes, it was inspired by the social divide he experienced as a Filipino in Paris. After marrying Paz Pardo de Tavera, in his trial, a journalist wrote that they are entertained when they see M. Luna with Mme. Luna because he was a short man with heavy Malay features with a tall and well-proportioned woman.

A quote from the official write-up of the painting from Leon Gallery:

“The boatman of Sorprendidos, who is perhaps actually a flower vendor, faces a similar social divide. Like Luna, he is someone who works hard with his hands, steering his boat with his pole. He is the lowest figure in the frame, although the lady in red, who is perched on higher ground, stoops down almost to his height.

He crouches slightly forward and whispers intimately into her ear – when they are caught as if in flagrante delicto by the older woman. A social divide is represented here by the Rio del Paradiso, the Venitian canal traversing the frame diagonally, splitting the ground between them.”

Pila sa Bigas (1975) by Vivente Manansala (1910-1988), oil on canvas | Photo from Leon Gallery.

Pila sa Bigas (1975) by Vicente Manansala (1910-1988)

Php 32,704,000

A quote from the official write-up of the painting from Leon Gallery:

“The scene depicted here is undoubtedly one of Manansala’s most iconic. Featuring a group of commonfolk lining up for their fill of rice, Pila sa Bigas captures Manansala at his technical and conceptual prime.

The piece features Manansala’s characteristic form of cubism, one that is defined by its noticeable sense of transparency and downward brushstrokes. In it, his figures are rendered through distinct and angular lines, exemplifying the nuanced complexity of his central forms.”

Sabel (2008) by Benedicto Cabrera (b. 1942), acrylic on canvas | Photo from Leon Gallery

Sabel (2008) by Benedicto Cabrera (b. 1942)

Php 23,360,000

Sabel was a real-life scavenger and one of BenCab’s most iconic muses. She was regularly seen and photographed by the artist in 1965. BenCab used Sabel as a representation of beauty, grace, longing, and hope.

Fish Vendors (1972) by Vicente Manansala (1910-1981), oil on canvas | Photo from Leon Gallery

Fish Vendors (1972) by Vicente Manansala (1910-1981)

Php 21,024,000

Vicente Manansala’s works are inspired by rural living and affinity to the people that lived this life. The subjects of his works were usually people, things, and scenes that depicted rural life amidst the jungle that is Manila. 

A quote from the official write-up of the painting from Leon Gallery:

“In Fish Vendors, Manansala’s enthusiasm to simplify his compositions reflected the analytic phase of Cubism – its formative years – between 1907 to 1910. Evident in this piece is the diminution of its surface and composition and the dilution of color to a single hue or its most analogous combinations, specifically an amalgamation of green and yellow hues.

Manansala’s women vendors entwine themselves around their goods, with their block-like faces rendered in broad planes. His celebration of folk and peasant lifestyle gives us an indication of his Filipino sensibility and intimate connection with its traditional culture and heritage.”

Are Functional Items Art?

As Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” There is an ongoing debate on art and utility. Art by definition is the expression or application of human creative skill in a visual form producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty. It means that art is something that should not be used but only looked at.

One of the beautiful, luxury mansions in the Philippines, the Raphael, can be found in Portofino Alabang

Take for example a beautiful, luxury mansion in Portofino Alabang, crafted by the most skilled artisans. Its design was sketched and revised to perfection. Made to capture the intricate beauty of Italian-inspired homes, we cannot disagree that these luxury houses are works or art.  But, when something is lived in or used, does its beauty lessen?

This is why we ask: is architecture art? When art is something that we make a connection to, why do we need to stop ourselves from appreciating art just because it is something we can use? This is something really up for debate

Art and Architecture in the Philippines

Here in the Philippines, we consider architecture as art. We value architecture so much that we have national artists for architecture. The Order of National Artists is the highest national recognition given to a Filipino that has significantly contributed to the development of the Philippines art.

This is a joint project of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). The individuals recommended by both institutions will then be conferred by the President of the Philippines. Just like how certain aspects affect the value of an artwork, architecture influences the value of your luxury mansion and luxury condo. 

Lausanne at Crosswinds looks like an expensive painting.

Luxury Properties by Brittany Corporation

The picturesque beauty of the properties of Brittany is akin to paintings of the grandmasters. From properties inspired by the Swiss mountainside of Crosswinds to the classic themed mansions of Portofino Heights and Promenade, these liveable paintings are available only for a discerning few.

Just like art, when you experience the beauty of a Brittany luxury property, you’ll instantly fall in love and tell yourself that you want it. Live the life you dream of in a luxury mansion and experience the joys of owning your very own piece of art.

Your Definition of Luxury Defines Beauty

At the end of the day, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Whether we consider something art or not, if we find it beautiful, it will always make its way into our hearts and our lives. These paintings can be a reflection of our personalities and our beliefs. It is an extension of our definition of our own luxury.

These masterpieces deserve only the best of spaces. Magnificent luxury houses and lots are places where we can hang the expensive paintings in the world we’ve added to our private collection. Just like the way you deserve the best, Brittany Corporation offers the most beautiful luxury houses and lots for the discerning few.

Discover how art inspired Brittany’s luxury properties for sale in creating the vividly beautiful luxury houses and lots by sending us a message or calling us at +63917 883 8103. Live within your own painting and live in your own luxury.

Everybody knows that you need eight 8-ounce glasses of drinking water a day to be healthy. It seems to be a good rule to abide by–simple, easy to remember, and good for the body.

But is it really that simple? Are we expected to believe that drinking 8 glasses of water a day is all we have to do to stay hydrated?

If you think about it, it feels too simple, like something you tell kids who misbehave. After all, everyone’s bodies are different. What if people need more drinking water than others?

Here in Brittany, we care about your lifestyle. We want you to live a healthy, beautiful life in your luxury house and lot in the Philippines. Thus, we’re going to dive deep into how much water you need based on your lifestyle.

Is the 8×8 rule of drinking water real or just a myth?

If you’ve never heard of it before, the 8-hour rule says that you must drink 8 glasses of water a day, each glass containing about 8-ounce of water. This makes a total of about half a gallon or about 2 liters.

Where exactly did this rule come from? In the next section, we’ll examine where it originated and whether the 8×8 rule is really something that we should live by.

Is drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily really enough?

Where the 8×8 rule started

One of the earliest mentions of the 8×8 rule can be attributed to one Vincent Priessnitz, who founded a practice and institution in Austria called “Hydropathy,” also called the Cold Water Cure, in 1829. His method promoted drinking excessive amounts of water, along with cascading waterfalls and various forms of baths. This trend swept through the United States and Europe at the time.

A hundred years later, the 1945 Food and Nutrition Board of the United States Echoed the same principles in releasing guidelines that stated a minimum of 2.5L of water daily is the ideal amount of consumption.

The 8-glasses a day theory can also be traced back to one Dr. Irwin Stillman, who published a diet method called The Stillman Diet in 1967. This diet method specified that dieters should drink at least 8 glasses containing 10 ounces of water a day. He claimed that this helped remove the fatty acids in the body. 

In 1974, a doctor called Dr. Frederick Stare co-authored another bestseller that also recommended drinking 6-8 glasses of water every day.

This craze was repeated in 1992, when a popular book called Your Body’s Many Cries for Water, written by MD Fereydoon Batmanghelidj, called for the consumption of 10 glasses of water in a day. The author claimed that the lack of water is the primary source of bodily pains such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension, and much more.

Many people also attributed the craze to the bottled-water industry, which boomed in the 1980s and continued to rake in billions even until now.

And so we can see that the concept of the 8×8 rule has enjoyed a popular history, spanning at least 200 years. But does it hold much ground at all, or is it just another popular but unfounded health craze?

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What studies say about drinking water with the 8×8 rule

We all need water to survive – this is an undeniable fact.

Brittany wants you to have the best lifestyle possible – and if something as mundane as drinking water elevates your health, then we want to do our best to contribute to that. We want you to be able to enjoy your luxury home for decades to come.

Seeing as this belief got popular to the point that it’s now “common knowledge,” it’s only fitting for us to evaluate if it’s actually backed by science.

Heinz Valtin

One of the earliest scientifically valid criticisms of this belief comes from a 2002 study done by Heinz Valtin.

In the study, he criticized the claims that one should drink the standard 8×8 (8 glasses of 8 ounces of water) amount of water daily. He concluded that “rigorous proof of that counsel appears to be lacking.”

From the analysis made from hundreds of peer-reviewed journals, both electronic and otherwise, there’s no evidence that an authoritative body ever said that 8×8 glasses of pure water every day is necessary for a healthier life.

In addition to this, Valtin mentioned that water intake from other sources, such as caffeinated drinks, hot beverages, and even fruits and vegetables, also contributes to the water balance in the body – not just plain drinking water alone.

Valtin concluded that the recommendation is vague in the first place. It’s not specific about what kind of water should be drunk 8 times a day, such as bottled, tap, or even soup dishes. The environment is also not accounted for (temperate or tropical), nor is the physical makeup (healthy, unhealthy, or anywhere in between) and lifestyle (active or passive) of the individual discussed.

The 1945 Food and Nutrition Board

One can find the main arguments of this idea in the 1945 Food and Nutrition Board discussed earlier, which advocated for consuming 2.5 Liters of water every day.

However, the section also contained a sentence that said the quantity of that water could come from most prepared food. You don’t have to drink 2.5L of pure water, but any combination of fluids is OK, as long as you maintain an overall 2.5L water level in the body. The actual publication reads:

“A suitable allowance of water for adults is 2.5 liters daily in most instances. An ordinary standard for diverse persons is 1 milliliter for each calorie of food. Most of this quantity is contained in prepared foods.”

You don’t have to get all the water you need from drinking water alone.

Joshua Dewald

Joshua Dewald is the owner of a blog called Skepticink.com that evaluated popular beliefs by matching their claims with existing scientific studies.

He concluded that the standard recommendation of 8×8 glasses of drinking water a day is inaccurate. In the first place, the Institute of Medicine published that normal female adults should have a water intake of about 2.7L and normal adult males should have about 3.7L of water.

But the publication also said that more or less 20% would come from food, and it never said anything about drinking only pure water.

So this comes down to a recommended water intake of 2.16L for women and 2.96L for men – some of which can come from other beverages that contain liquids, not just pure water. In reality, pure water intake can be kept even lower.

Also, take note that this is also just an estimated average. The recommendation also stressed that water intake should differ based on various factors, such as body weight. The more you weigh, the more your water intake should be, which basically means the recommended water intake levels vary from person to person.

Factors that determine how much water you should drink

Now that we know the 8×8 rule is not entirely accurate, how much water should we actually drink?

This depends on quite a few things: our activity level, weight, diet, health, environment, and condition. In this section, we will examine exactly how they all affect the amount of water we should drink.

Activity Level

The more active you are, the more water you need.

This is one of the most significant determinants of the amount of water that we should drink. The more you move, the more water you lose. Not just because we sweat – although that’s also one factor. Actually, the cells in our muscles also expend minerals in our blood to perform the work we demand of them.

This is why we get thirsty after some time when exercising or doing something strenuous. And the best way to replenish lost fluids and minerals burned up during the activity is through drinking water.

So, in other words, the more active you are, the more water you will need. If you live a sedentary lifestyle, then you wouldn’t lose as much water and minerals, which means you don’t need as much water as someone with an active lifestyle.

Weight

The amount of water you should drink also depends on your weight. This is because most of our body mass is made up of water (averaging 44% to 75%), depending on the body structure. Thus, the more you weigh, the more you are composed of water. And to maintain a healthy water level in your system, you need to drink more water in turn.

Diet

The kind of food and beverages you usually drink affects how much drinking water you need. For example, if you frequently drink caffeinated drinks, such as coffee or soda, you probably urinate a lot and thus need to replenish your body’s water levels more often.

The same principle applies if you have a salty, spicy, or sugary diet. If you don’t eat a lot of food containing water, such as vegetables and fruit, you should also compensate for this by drinking a lot of water.

Health

Any illness that includes vomiting, diarrhea, or fever will cause you to lose water and electrolytes. This is true for UTI, urinary tract stones, heart conditions, and diabetes, among many others. If you have a health condition that frequently results in loss of fluids, then you should compensate by drinking more water to replenish it.

Environment

People who live in hot and humid places, like the Philippines, need to drink a lot of water.

You will need to drink a lot more water in environments where you lose more water. As an archipelago positioned below the equator, the Philippines is a great example. If you’re planning to buy luxury homes for sale in the Philippines, keep in mind that the hot and humid weather will make you sweat more, so replenishment is necessary.

In temperate climates, you will most likely need more water in the warmer months of the year compared to the colder months. The same principle applies to your immediate environment, such as being in a hotter room compared to a cooler one.

Condition

The other bodily conditions, such as breastfeeding or pregnancy, can cause a healthy person to lose more fluid. Thus, they would also need to be more cautious about maintaining their water levels and drink plenty of water.

A Healthier Life is a Beautiful Life

In the end, we can’t give you the exact amount of water that you need to drink every day. There are just too many factors that vary from person to person to provide a blanket statement such as “drink 8 glasses of water a day.”

We’ve provided clear and scientific evidence that the 8×8 rule is not the best standard to tell us how much water we can drink. As an alternative, the factors that affect the amount of water we should drink daily were also discussed.

Here at Brittany, your health is of utmost importance to us. Brittany is a premier development in the Philippines known for luxury houses and lots amidst exclusive enclaves. In Brittany, we strive for everything to be beautiful, from our communities, to our homes, and even to the lives of our residents. This is why health is important to us.

After all, how can you enjoy a glamorous lifestyle in one of our luxury homes if you’re not as healthy as you can be? Health is wealth, so they say, and we should all do our best to be wealthy in that regard.

Being one with nature gets a little tricky when your summer vacation is frequented by rainy days. Gone are the beach plans, for the meantime, taking advantage of the cold weather in someplace cozy. Tagaytay is one of the most accessible spots for quick staycation activities. It’s your life away from your hectic schedule in the metro. In a pandemic, staying inside is almost a requirement, but days can quickly turn boring or stagnant. If you’re looking for a change of scenery, property is the perfect investment.

Crosswinds Tagaytay by Brittany Corporation is an experience like no other, by the trusted real-estate company, Vista Land Inc. It is a hidden paradise, the place to be during weekend getaways or maybe even calling it home. Within it is Alpine Villas condominiums. A beautiful living space, peaceful environment, and convenience in just a few steps. Most would have Swiss hot chocolate on their list of rainy-day activities, but why settle for the ordinary if you can live it up by owning a luxury condominium with the best view of Tagaytay? If you’ve always wanted to experience a Swiss-inspired wonderland, Alpine Villas offers that and more.

Perfect for the breezy weather, a hot chocolate is much more enjoyable in your new luxury Swiss-inspired condominium inside the exclusive setting of Crosswinds Tagaytay.

Alpine Villas: The Perfect Investment for your Staycation Activities

Think about this: a midrise condominium offers something better than high-rise condominiums we’re used to in the city; most of which almost look alike or don’t live up to their hype. Alpine Villas give you a homier feel, especially with Tagaytay’s uphill and downhill land development that is perfect for outdoor activities and strolls, alone, or with family and friends. This is perfect to get you in the mood for staycation activities. It won’t feel cramped, small, or lonely because it’s not busy streets with traffic greeting you first thing in the morning, but the sound of birds chirping and beautiful greens. Exclusive condo living, after all, is the height of luxury. You deserve to settle in one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines. It’s right in the middle of Metro Manila and near provinces in the South. Have friends come over so they can live their best lives too, maybe even become your neighbors!

Since Tagaytay is a tourist spot, it’s a place that grows and develops with its community. Everything you need is within reach, which makes it perfect for staycation activities. While different cities have malls, Tagaytay takes pride in local businesses, wide open areas, and an appreciation for nature. You are more likely to be safe in places that aren’t overcrowded and provide crisp, fresh air. Rainy season, especially in Metro Manila, can get stressful because there is the threat of having to endure flooding or power outages. Here, that could be a thing of the past.

Being a condo unit owner is an incredible investment: you can turn it into anything you want it to be! Make the big move and have it your permanent residence, turn it into a summer home, or rent it out to frequent vacationers looking for staycation activites from time to time. It’s yours! Some properties feel stuffy after some time, the routines become boring, and you never know what new developments in the city will change your lifestyle. In choosing a property, it’s best to also consider the location. In Crosswinds Tagaytay, you can have the best of both worlds, work and play, with a little bit more of comfort and style. It’s the perfect mix of city and country life.

 Alpine Villas can help you choose between a studio or a 1-bedroom unit for an intimate experience, both come with balconies overlooking the property. Watching the sunrise or sunset in the comfort of your home without the obstructed view of other buildings is a bonus. The condominium buildings themselves are near each other and inspired by the Swiss Alps, inside and out. There are three you may choose from: Bernese, Blanc, and Brienz. However, it’s about time to settle in as one of the first homeowners this year when Bernese finally opens its doors! Christmas vacation will be something to look forward to, and Tagaytay won’t just be another weekend getaway: it will be a place you can call home.

With the signature cold weather of Tagaytay and easy access to your daily needs, it’s easy to live comfortably, especially within a community surrounded by high-end eateries. So, if you’ve made the right choice in investing for yourself and your future, how do you make the best out of your stay at Alpine Villas? Staying in your luxurious condo unit sounds tempting, especially with state-of-the-art facilities and the comfort of safety, but you can also get your money’s worth in discovering the different staycation activities Crosswinds Tagaytay has to offer.

Suggested Read: Alpine Villas: Your Luxury Condominium Resort Living | Brittany Homes

Eight Staycation Activities to Take Self-Care on a Different Level

1. Start your staycation activities with a hearty breakfast at Café Viola

Enjoy the vast views of the European countryside at Crosswinds while dining on all-day breakfast favorites at Cafe Voi La. Image by Cafe Voi La / Zomato

With their selection of all-day breakfast meals with international and local treats, you can start your day right or end it perfectly! Whether you’re in the mood for silog or pancakes, they will not disappoint. The cozy and colorful interior also adds to the experience, especially when you need a little energy boost. This also may be the perfect spot to have lunch and dinner dates if you’re looking for all-around-the-world cuisine!

Suggested Read: Must-Try Dishes in Cafe Voi La | Brittany Corporation

2. Jog and admire the scenery at Pine Cone Trail

Did you know that there are 35,000 pine trees in the area? This makes Crosswinds Tagaytay an eco-friendly place and a luxurious escape from the busy streets of the city. With clean, fresh air and safe roads to travel in, get yourself familiar with your surroundings while having the health benefits of more steps in a day. Jog during early mornings or at night, you’re good to go. The place is both safe and mesmerizing in different hours. Your safety and health remain top priority, on vacation and every day!

3. Play with your pet at the Prairie Dog Park

For fur moms and dads, it’s a relief to have a place that is pet friendly when most establishments won’t allow them inside, limiting the places you can go to. Near your condo is a dog park with fun activities to do with your precious pet. Get to know other pet owners and set your play dates. A social life and daily exercise aren’t exclusive for humans, right?

4. Have a romantic time at NAPA

NAPA at Crosswinds Tagaytay is a sight to behold at night time as much as it is during the daytime.

Inspired by Napa Valley in Northern California, this café gives a fantastic view of Tagaytay with their outdoor dining area and an ambiance of cozy romance inside the cabin-like establishment. Aside from their wide range of food that include pizzas, burgers, and the like, they have drinks available for everyone: children and teens may enjoy frappes, while the adults can have their fun with glasses of wine over dinner. Sample their best ones!

5. Read your favorite book or do your work at Coffee Project

Need a change of scenery from your usual spot on the bed or your dining table at home? Spend your afternoon reading a book or in front of your laptop at Coffee Project! It’s a familiar coffee shop, known for its interiors, also gracing the streets of Metro Manila. Now at Crosswinds Tagaytay, you can experience it in a different light. Get to know what your favorite cup of coffee is, or which snack is will help you power through the day with their friendly baristas ready to help make your experience better.

6. Stroll around the area and take photos at the Trone Giant

Feel like royalty and admire the view while sitting on the Trone Giant! Since the area is so big, bringing family and friends together is also ideal, even with social distancing in place. As a bonus: you can even reenact Alice in Wonderland!

7. Catch up with friends and update your IG feed at Ruined Project?

The best memories are remembered through photos, especially in the age of Instagram. Spice up your feed with the interiors of this IG-worthy café while having a well-deserved hangout with your besties. This viral café is a familiar yet still underrated spot to tourists, so make the most out of your day by making this visit a part of it!

8. Take a dip at the pool in Amenities

If the weather is too bad for a beach trip, you can still have it all at Alpine Villas: a playground and a pool are within reach! It’s the perfect weather for a dip in the pool, hangout on the sidelines, or relive your childhood at the playground. A stressful workday is usually cured by having the best time in the safety of your community!

Even with this definitive guide to living your best life, there is a lot more to discover by becoming a resident at Alpine Villas in Crosswinds Tagaytay. Quarantine life, especially in the summer, won’t feel repetitive because there are various activities to do and places to go to every day. After all, there is no one way to experience luxury; but being in a Switzerland inspired place without having to endure long travel hours on a plane is close to a dream!

If you look outside the window, you can see high-rise buildings and structures, both basic and sophisticated. These all symbolize wealth, power, and creativity. There are many famous buildings and structures around the world such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, and the Taj Mahal in India, to name a few. 

In this article, we will tackle top structures in the world that are not considered mainstream or as famous as the ones previously mentioned. If you are an architectural enthusiast, you might want to visit these top structures once travel restrictions are lifted. For those who just happen to pass by, take a chance and read this and you might discover a newfound love for architecture. 

Must-visit Top Structures And Where To Find Them 

1. Calle Crisologo – Top Structures in the Philippines

Imagine being transported back in time and experience the preserved Calle Crisologo while riding a kalesa. Photo courtesy: Wikipedia.org

Let us begin the list with the gem that is located in the Northern Luzon area, Ilocos Sur. Calle Crisologo (Crisologo Street) is a feast for your eyes because of its ancestral homes and cobblestone streets that were preserved from the Spanish occupation period. Whether you’re walking down the street or riding the kalesa, you’ll surely appreciate its beauty and history combined. 

It was established in the 16th century and was considered the home of the most influential Chinese-Ilocano families during the time. Calle Crisologo, also referred to as “The Heritage Village” is also considered a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Heritage Site. You can take a trip down memory lane in Calle Crisologo to see firsthand the design and architecture during the Spanish influence. 

If you visit Calle Crisologo today, you will notice that much of its original architectural, structural elements are still intact. 

2. St. La Salle Hall, De La Salle University-Manila, Philippines

Photographed here is the facade of the St. La Salle Hall, located in the campus of De La Salle University-Manila. Photo courtesy: Wikipedia.org

Traveling south from Vigan,  the next in our top structures list is located in the country’s capital, Manila.  If you are an architectural enthusiast and familiar with the local must-visit sites, you must be familiar with the St. La Salle Hall. It is the only Philippine entry included in the book “1001 Buildings You Must See Before You Die: The World’s Architectural Masterpieces” written by Mark Irving. 

The Lasallian education commenced as the brothers established De La Salle College in Paco, Manila. As student occupation grew after a few years, they relocated to Malate, Manila where the campus still stands today. The Lasallian brothers held a design competition for the new building and Tomas Mapúa, the very first registered architect in the Philippines, was hailed the winner. The St. La Salle Hall is a 4-story, H-shaped, neoclassical building. 

Tomas Mapúa is also known for being the founder of Mapua Institute of Technology and the architect behind PGH (Philippine General Hospital) both located in Manila. 

3. Museum of Contemporary Arts Kiasma in Helsinki, Finland – Top Structures in the World

The Museum of Contemporary Arts Kiasma is located in Helsinki, Finland. Not only does it house art, but the actual building itself is also an actual work of art with its intricate, irregular-shaped construction. Photo courtesy: Wikipedia.org

Erected in the heart of Helsinki, the Museum of Contemporary Arts Kiasma is the brainchild of American architect Steven Scholl. The name “Kiasma” is derived from the Greek word for “crossing.” This is because the inspiration for the concept of the museum is the phenomenon of “intertwining and exchange” with regard to connecting the museum as a structure to the city. In the same vein, Scholl also wanted to magnify the idea of the museum being the melting pot for cultural exchanges. 

The sophisticated, unconventional shape of the museum is what makes it one of a kind. Although it is closed and is scheduled to reopen in the Spring of 2022, it won’t stop us from appreciating its exterior beauty. 

4. Dancing House – Prague, Czech Republic

The Dancing House, also known as the Nationale-Nederlanden office building pictured in street view. Photo courtesy: Wikipedia.org

This top structure located in Prague is inspired by the art nouveau movement. As made obvious by its name, the irregularity of its shape is inspired by a pair of dancers. It was designed by architects Vlado Milunić and Frank Gehry. The concept was a nod to 1930s dancers Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers. 

The dancing house was completed in 1996. Surrounded by a highly conservative community, it received criticism for its modern, deconstructivist concept. The 9-story structure is supported by 99 pillars with an unconventional structure design. The architects arranged the fenestrations in such a way that it creates an illusion of additional floors and the phantasm of the dancer’s skirt moving along the wind. 

Meanwhile, the other part of the building is peaked with a steel-wire formation to mimic the hat of the male dancer. 

5. Vasconcelos Library – Mexico City, Mexico 

The Vasconcelos Library in Mexico City is also known as the “most contemporary building in Mexico City. Photo courtesy: Wikipedia.org

In the next list of top structures, we visit Mexico City to take a glimpse of the Vasconcelos Library. Designed by Alberto Kalach, this library doesn’t put books on shelves but instead, they are in cages that hang from the ceiling. Alberto Kalach’s vision for the Vasconcelos is that it is a “container”, a vessel that stores human knowledge. 

The Vasconcelos is not only a library but it is also a botanical garden. Before construction began, the land area where it was to be erected was barren. From there, Alberto Kalach got the idea of building a botanical garden that will surround the structure. 

The Vasconcelos is operating through natural light and ventilation. This top structure has glass windows, translucent floors and is properly ventilated so it does not have air conditioning units inside. It does not get hot in the library because the ventilation is supplemented by a brisé soleil, a technology that can control the amount of sunlight and heat that enters inside a building. 

6. Casa Mila – Barcelona, Spain

Casa Mila, also famously known as La Pedrera or “the quarry,” is situated in Barcelona, Spain.

From Mexico, we travel to the last in our list of top structures which is the Casa Mila in Barcelona, Spain. This building is truly picturesque and is considered as a modernist product. At first glance, it captures the admiration of tourists because of its facade which creates a wave, an “undulating” illusion. But the Casa Mila has more tricks up its sleeve. 

Casa Mila is a two apartment, nine-story building connected by two courtyards and the famous moving facade. The roof deck is also famous for its innovativeness. The sculpture terrace is graced by the ornate chimneys and skylights which are made out of lime-covered bricks, marbles, and other ceramics. 

Antoni Gaudi is the man behind the design of Casa Mila. His creation has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1984. Today, it serves as a multi-purpose venue for cultural events and activities. 

Top Structures: Where do Luxury and Architecture meet?

The simple definition of architecture is the art of designing and constructing buildings. So when we talk about luxury, is architecture included? Yes, and as a matter of fact, it plays a crucial role. As we listed the top structures architectural enthusiasts must see, we can tell if something is classic and luxurious based on how it was designed and built. 

In other words, architecture is one of the many factors that determines what is luxurious. If you appreciate and understand architecture, you can distinguish the ornate designs and even the intersection of creativity and science. 

As we take inspiration from these grand architectural designs, they influence and help fuel our ideas when it comes to designing our own luxury homes.

In Brittany Corporation, we also take pride in the aesthetic value of our properties. Brittany specializes in luxury real estate in the Philippines. Just like the top structures listed above, our properties are meticulously designed by experts in the field, making sure that there is beauty in every detail. 

Own a luxury home in Brittany and feel transported to these top structures we listed. Find out more about our properties here. 

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The Tokyo Olympics is just around the corner, and there have been mixed reactions from both Japanese citizens and spectators from around the world. The World Olympics is a major international multisport event, the last one held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in the year 2016. Normally, the following Olympics would come four years later, but then the COVID-19 pandemic struck. This left Japan, and the whole world, paralyzed.

The famous Olympic Symbol in Odaiba, Japan.

The Tokyo Olympics Pushes Through in July 2021

This year, there has been various news about another postponement, given that the COVID-19 situation in Japan isn’t plateauing yet. However, the most recent and official update from the International Olympic Committee is that the much anticipated Tokyo Olympics 2021 is finally pushing through with its original dates from July 23 to August 8 while the Paralympic Games to be held between August 24 and September 5, without further delays.

With Japan’s State of Emergency still in place, however, the International Olympic Committee has decided to commence this year’s Olympics without a physical audience. The health restrictions mandated by the Japanese government will only allow the entry of foreign athletes with negative COVID-19 results. There is a new wave of the virus in Tokyo, so even local fans will have to stay at home to watch it.

The hustling and bustling Tokyo City

Tokyo Olympics 2021 Timeline of Events

Tokyo is Awarded the 2020 Olympics in 2013

Plans for the 2020 Olympics started as early as 2013 when Tokyo was awarded rights to stage the global event in September. Other cities vying for the slot were Istanbul, Turkey, and Madrid, Spain. This would be the second Tokyo Olympics in history, with the first one held in 1964. Ever since then, both the International Olympic Committee and the Japanese government have been planning for its eventual release.

The 2020 Olympics is Heavily Promoted in 2019

By January in the year 2019, more than 200 thousand people have registered as volunteers, exceeding the organizing committee’s goal of 80 thousand. In May, the first round of lottery tickets awarded 96 thousand event passes to winners from a pool of 5.1 million applicants—roughly one-seventh of the 35 million people in the metropolitan area of Japan.

The Tokyo Olympics also drew attention for its sustainable efforts, most famous for producing all 5 thousand Olympic medals made from 100 percent recycled metal harvested from 6.2 million disposed or used mobile phones and other IT gadgets collected nationwide. It’s worth noting that chemical substances used in the manufacture of these gadgets are some of the worst environmental hazards.

From plastic bottle recycling to zero-emission fleets, all wheels are in motion to promote Tokyo as a technologically advanced and environmentally conscious city. This is an important message particularly in the face of the global climate crisis that took the year by storm.

The 2020 Olympics is Postponed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak

Seven years after Japan won the bid for the 2020 Olympics, the Tokyo Olympics is well on its way to being the most technologically advanced Olympics in history, successfully promoting it all throughout the previous year. The acclaimed international event was set to be held in July 2020.

In January 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a public health emergency. With expectations that the virus would be contained in a few weeks, the international scene, including the US government, paid this little to no mind. A number of international sporting events, including Olympic qualifying tournaments, were announced either canceled or postponed until further notice in February. At this point, the virus was spreading rapidly worldwide.

In March of 2020, the majority of the world either went on lockdown or started preparing for it. The Philippines, in particular, began its lockdown on March 15, blocking all land, domestic air, and domestic sea travels in and out of Metro Manila, the Philippines’ most populous region with about 12 million people. What was supposedly a one-month lockdown exceeded one year, becoming the world’s longest lockdown in history. 

In the same month, the International Olympic Committee finally announced the one-year postponement of the Tokyo Olympics.

The Official Announcement of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics

In January of 2021, the Japanese government made it a point to announce that this year, the Tokyo Olympics would commence without further delay, in hopes that the COVID-19 cases will have significantly decreased by then. This was not well received by Japanese citizens as over 80 percent of the population voted against the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to health risks, based on a national survey by The Asahi Shimbun news, which is an official partner of the Tokyo Olympics. Some citizens even took to the streets and have begun protesting against the said event.

The traditional Olympic torch relay kicked off in March, beginning the four month countdown to the Tokyo Olympics. However, this normally momentous event went almost unnoticed as celebrations were heavily limited to avoid further backlash from the public. It was also announced that Japan would be banning foreign fans from entering the country in respect of the Japanese government mandated state of emergency. As of today, July 14, there is still no final decision on whether or not local fans would be allowed to spectate, and if refunds will be processed.

The US Presidential White House Declares Support for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics Amidst Overwhelmed Japanese Hospitals

In May, the US White House affirmed its support for the Tokyo Olympics by publicly agreeing to send competing US athletes who have been training for years for the event, despite issuing a government advisory banning travel from the US to Japan. This was publicized one week after the Tokyo Medical Practitioners’ Association pleaded with the Japanese government to postpone the Olympics once more, claiming that hospitals are overwhelmed by the continued spike in COVID-19 cases.

The head of a Japanese doctor’s union publicly said that allowing the Tokyo Olympics to push through this year would lead to another spike in COVID-19 cases, as the numbers are still bleak at that point. International Olympic Committee responded by assuring the public that there would be no foreign spectators and that the country’s state of emergency would still be in place so that health protocols will still be followed.

In June, the Group of Seven wealthy nations (G7) backed up Japan’s decision to resume plans for the Tokyo Olympics after a leaders’ summit. The G7 is an informal grouping of seven of the world’s advanced economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.

Tokyo Olympics 2021 to Officially Become an Online Event

A month left before the Tokyo Olympics and COVID-19 cases still haven’t even at least plateaued. On June 23, the International Olympic Committee released new event guidelines banning alcohol, high-fives, and talking loudly. They have also banned surrounding establishments from selling alcohol and obliged them to close earlier than usual. At first they reduced the number of Olympic ticket holders that would be allowed into the venues, but now they have banned physical audience altogether.

With the controversial Tokyo Olympics officially pushing through online, it has become a more acceptable event given the current health situation in Japan. Although public support may have waned the past couple of months, it continues to aim for a more competitive and engaging spirit amongst nations even if the public has to watch at home.

The lavish living room of the Chatelard fully furnished home.

The Tokyo Olympics from the Comforts of Your Luxury Home

With travel restrictions in place, banning foreigners from watching the Tokyo Olympics or even visiting Japan at all, the said event would have to be enjoyed safely at home. After all, celebrating safely may not be possible in usual watch party venues such as sports bars. This may not be as enjoyable as it should have been without a global pandemic, but you might be surprised by the comfort and privacy that your own luxury home living room can offer.

Brittany Corporation provides Filipino families with scenic vacation homes, as well as ready-for-occupancy luxury houses and lots in key locations. With five exclusive themed master-planned developments, each home is perfectly convenient for a month-long celebration or a lifetime stay. In exclusive luxury properties such as Crosswinds in Tagaytay, Promenade in Sta. Rosa Laguna, and Portofino in Vista Alabang, the Tokyo Olympics can indeed be just as exciting indoors with family and loved ones.

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When you think about beauty, you think about a person who embodies it or a place that has an untouched and sometimes unreal attractiveness. You think of luxury living. Most of the time, beauty is defined as what is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Sometimes, you think of beauty as a feeling evoked because of how a certain person, place, or situation treats you.

Interior of a luxury house featuring a stylish staircase.

The same is true in the world of luxury real estate. As that famous adage goes, beauty is now being decided on the details – features such as the living room, garden, kitchen, bathrooms, and everything else in between should be attractive and aesthetically pleasing to the beholder; and the beholder, in this case, are the homebuyer and property investor. Luxury properties are now being deemed of their quality to become timeless, which is a concept that goes beyond their high-end amenities, impeccable designs, or even five-star additions that you can see. Beauty, especially in luxury real estate, is now defined on how the property evokes a desire to live and flourish – that you not only call your future home a status symbol but a sensible decision towards a high quality of living.

Vista Land, one of the Philippines’ leading integrated property developers and the largest homebuilder, has been at the forefront of building and realizing the Filipino dream of owning one’s very own residential property. Through Brittany, its luxury residential arm, premier themed developments serve up a feast for your senses as it seeks to address the demand for such definitions of beautiful properties in the lap of luxury. From lush, premium house and lot residential communities to high-end condominium enclaves, Brittany Corporation aims to offer the most sought-after bespoke lifestyle that allows an extravagant, effortless quality of life, both indoors and outdoors.

The opulent exterior of Brittany Corporation’s Michelangelo luxury house model

The world’s finest destinations are right at your doorstep and Brittany does not fail to surprise at what it can offer: from breathtaking themes ranging from classic Italy to charming San Francisco, from the feeling of being in cool Switzerland to the fun Caribbean, Brittany’s promise of giving you the luxury home you deserve goes past the high, guarded gates of the villages, and extends deep within master-planned communities that aim to give you a truly good time. It creates masterpieces of upscale living for sophisticated home buyers with a taste for artful living. 

What is luxury living all about?

For one, it’s not all price tags. While price is a significant factor, it’s by no means the only one. There are a variety of factors at play when deciding what constitutes luxury living in the Philippines. Luxury properties are mainly defined by their uniqueness and exclusivity, which raise far more value than the cost of the construction and materials alone.

A Prestigious Location and Address

The residence’s proximity to another luxury home, to the community, and to famous and storied parts of a city all contribute to the value behind a luxury investment. This is the case for trophy addresses such as New York City’s Park Avenue and Los Angeles’ Hollywood.

Being a stone’s throw away from the city’s hottest go-to destinations featuring high-end activities such as shopping districts, museums, fine dining, and centers for art is essential.

Beyond this, it counts when it satisfies the discerning crowd’s taste for panoramic views of beautiful landscapes, such as lakes, oceans, rivers, mountainsides, and countryside view

Meticulous Architecture

A house is a significant investment, not just financially but also emotionally. A home is a sanctuary, a personal anchor, and a statement. 

If a home is a reflection of those who live in it, then architecture is the mirror that holds up this image. Here at Brittany, we place prime value on architecture as our way of bringing out the beauty of a space. From the roof to the windowsill and doorknobs, every aspect of a Brittany creation is crafted with utmost passion and skill, all to give true beauty to those that may live in it.

A view of Brittany’s classic Italian-inspired luxury house and lot development in Alabang

Distinctiveness

Luxury properties aren’t just pleasant to look at; they are also works of art, capable of stirring emotion from anyone who beholds and experiences it.

This form of expression and the expertise involved naturally form something beautiful—something that we all want to keep for a lifetime. Because of this, homes that make a unique or aesthetically pleasing statement will always be valued much higher than those with cookie-cutter designs. 

Structurally and functionally sound

Outstanding design maximizes the space and have every bit of the property serve its purpose unhindered. 

The shape of a house serves the everyday needs of the dwellers, while the building materials are chosen for their specific properties. The properties of those building materials, in turn, must influence and work together with the specific purpose of the house, resulting in a stronger and more functional home.

Safety and Security

Indeed, nothing beats sound sleep endowed by peace of mind. Having CCTV and electric fences installed in a gated community safeguarded by roaming patrols is top priority in quiet and peaceful neighborhoods.

Sustainability

Sustainability also sets luxury developments apart from the rest of the pack as it equates to delivering enduring value. To be sustainable means to be occupied both now and for the foreseeable future, delivering an acceptable return to the investors. As such, private enclaves equipped with garbage disposal, materials recovery and other sustainability systems ensure the preservation of their well-manicured properties and the lush surroundings, including the flora and fauna it also supports.

Looking for the best spots for luxury living here in the Philippines? Check out these highly coveted luxury themed developments.

Portofino in Alabang

Portofino in Alabang offers Italian-inspired luxury homes that give off an old-world charm. Offering stunning luxury homes in the South, Portofino offers an elegant and unparalleled experience that is inspired by the chic style of cosmopolitan Italy. Its classic architectural feats and beautiful amenities have become Brittany’s signature for its luxury developments in Vista Alabang.

La Posada in The Lakefront

La Posada in Lakefront Sucat offers luxury homes that are a fusion of Victorian opulence and a modern-day sophistication that beckons people of refined tastes. It becomes one’s everyday escape, surrounded by the luxury of enjoying the peace and serenity in a charming San Franciscan atmosphere.

Brittany Sta. Rosa

Owning a luxury home in Brittany Sta. Rosa, Laguna brings to mind the classic old-world lifestyle in luxurious dwellings amidst a nature reserve, surrounded by the top golf courses in the country – Canlubang Golf and Country Club, the Sta. Elena Golf Club, and The Country Club. Its signature developments are reminiscent of charming country abodes in Southern American style and are offered in the beautiful and exclusive communities of Georgia Club and Augusta; while the Promenade embodies the elegant aesthetic in the Old English theme.

Crosswinds in Tagaytay

Crosswinds is the premier destination for travel, leisure, and luxury living in the country’s second summer capital of Tagaytay City. It is an exclusive, high-end development, and evidently so. Its luxury homes are found deep in the mountains, amidst over 35,000 lush pine trees overlooking gorgeous views. It occupies a hundred hectares of prime real estate offering your slice of mountain paradise while within reach of modern living’s conveniences.

With these luxurious themed developments pioneering Brittany’s tradition of being the premier name for high-end properties, homeowners enjoy the experience of luxury living in their dream home set in the most stunning settings, rich in character and sophisticated in their thematic appeal. Inspired by the world’s most scenic destinations, Brittany’s luxury communities bring these beautiful places closer to the homes of the privileged few.

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Are you sick and tired of being confined within the walls of your house? The good news is, there are museums in Metro Manila that have recently reopened! Even though we are at a delicate moment right now because of the pandemic, these museums, art exhibits, and galleries make sure COVID-19 guidelines implemented by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) are strictly reinforced to ensure the safety of its patrons. 

It’s time to feast your eyes for the very first time in a long, long while. Let this list guide you to a couple of museums in Metro Manila and a few art exhibits and galleries you can visit for creative inspiration, a fun hang-out spot, or just a breath of fresh air to cure that lockdown fatigue, as defined by Independent.

1. National Museum of Fine Arts

The National Museum of Fine Arts is one of the many divisions of the national museum complex in Manila. This museum houses the country’s most prized-possessed paintings and sculptures made by famous Filipino artists. Photo courtesy: Wikipedia.org.

First on the list of museums in Metro Manila is the National Museum of Fine Arts. Catch a glimpse of Filipino talent through the works of renowned Filipino painters and sculptors such as Felix Resurrection Hidalgo, Fernando Amorsolo, and Isabelo Tampinco. Located in Padre Burgos Ave, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila, the museum opened its doors again to the public last June 19, 2021, to commemorate the birthday of our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. 

The National Museum of Fine Arts is open Tuesdays to Sundays, 9:00 am  – 12:00 pm for the morning session. They resume operations in the afternoon from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. They only accept 100 people per session and do not accept walk-ins as of now so interested patrons can visit their website to pre-book. 

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This museum in Metro Manila strictly reinforces COVID-19 safety protocols and patrons must wear face masks and face shields once inside the premises. Only patrons aged 15-years-old and above will be allowed to enter. They also allow senior citizens who are fully vaccinated but will need to show their vaccination cards upon entry. 

You will be asked to fill out a health declaration form through the StaySafe app. Visitors who have flu-like symptoms and those who have a body temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius and above will not be permitted to enter. All visitors need to present a valid ID with date of birth and picture upon entering.

2. National Museum of Anthropology

The National Museum of Anthropology is a museum in Metro Manila that houses fossils and artifacts collected in the country. Photo courtesy: Wikipedia.org

Venturing onto another division of the national museum of the Philippines, we take up the National Museum of Anthropology. This division houses fossils and ethnographic artifacts collected through excavations in the archipelago.  This museum in Metro Manila truly shows the richness of culture and the evolution of Filipinos. 

The National Museum of Anthropology strictly reinforces COVID-19 safety protocols, and patrons must wear face masks and face shields once inside the premises. Similar to the other parts of the national museum complex, they only admit patrons aged 15 years old and up. Fully vaccinated senior citizens are allowed to enter provided they present their vaccination cards.

Before entering, you will be asked to present a valid ID and fill out a health declaration form through the StaySafe app. They also do not accept walk-ins so if you intend on visiting, you can visit their website to pre-book.  

Visitors who have flu-like symptoms and those who have a body temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius and above will not be permitted to enter.

3. National Museum of Natural History

The National Museum of Natural History is the newest addition to the national museum complex. It capsulizes the abundance of the Philippines’ biodiversity. Photo courtesy: Wikipedia.org

Continuing on the national museum divisions, we move on to the National Museum of Natural History. One of the newly opened museums in Metro Manila was unveiled just last 2018, this museum houses 6 floors of botanical, geological, and zoological collections, proving the rich biodiversity existing and thriving in the country since time immemorial. 

Famous collections you can find include the Tree of Life, the Marine realm, and the skeletal remains of Lolong, the Guinness World Record “the world’s largest crocodile in captivity.” 

The museum strictly reinforces COVID-19 safety protocols, and patrons must wear face masks and face shields once inside the premises. Visitors who have flu-like symptoms and those who have a body temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius and above will not be permitted to enter. 

Only visitors aged 15 and up will be admitted. You will be asked to present a valid ID with date of birth and picture upon entering. The museum’s operating hours are the same as the fine arts complex of the national museum.

4. Metropolitan Museum of Manila

The Metropolitan Museum of Manila is located at the BSP Complex in Roxas Boulevard. Photo courtesy: Wikipedia.org

Moving onto our next in the list of museums in Metro Manila, we take on the Metropolitan Museum of Manila (MET) located in the BSP Complex, Roxas Blvd, Malate, Manila, Metro Manila The MET displays permanent and temporary exhibits focusing on Filipino artists’ pre-colonial, contemporary, and modern works of art. 

Their collections are diverse, ranging from paintings, sculptures, and prints. It is also the home of some of the retrieved pre-Hispanic national treasures such as gold, pottery artifacts, ritual paraphernalia, jewelry, and vases to name a few. 

However, the museum is currently closed until further notice. But do not fret because they have virtual art exhibits! The current feature is “Celebrating the Artistic Journeys of Betsy Westendorp” Passages – A Retrospective Exhibition. This exhibit showcases her artworks accumulated throughout the years which explains why she is considered an active contributor to the Philippine fine art scene. To view and learn more, visit the Metropolitan Museum of Manila’s website and catch the 3D virtual tour! 

If you plan on visiting once the MET opens its doors again, their regular schedule of operations is Mondays to Saturdays, 10 AM to 5:30 PM. The adult admission fee is at P100, students are charged at P90 while senior citizens and PWD fees are at P80. COVID-19 safety protocols are strictly implemented and patrons must fill out a health declaration form before entering.

5. Museum of Contemporary Art and Design

This museum in Metro Manila is located on the campus of De La Salle College of St. Benilde School of Design and Arts building. Photo courtesy: Yelp.com

The next number on our list is the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD). MCAD is located on the ground floor of De La Salle College of St. Benilde School of Design and Arts campus. MCAD’s exhibitions and collections mainly focus on the power of technological advancements in art production and content that aims to disrupt the conventional interpretations of art and culture. 

In collaboration with the Independent Curators International (ICI) New York, the newest exhibition launch of MCAD is entitled do it,  which launched last May 13, 2021. The exhibit is about the reconstruction of understanding and was deeply inspired by curator Hans Ulrich Obrist and artists Christian Boltanski and Bertrand Lavier. This will run from June 23, 2021, to August 15, 2021. 

MCAD is currently operating on limited capacity. Therefore, if you plan on paying a visit, you need to send an email to [email protected] to pre-book your online tours. MCAD also implements strict COVID-19 safety protocols. Face masks and face shields are required to be worn at all times and health declaration forms are to be filled out before entering the museum. 

Their regular operating schedule is Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

6. Vinyl on vinyl

This avant-garde museum in Metro Manila is located in Makati City in the compound of La Fuerza. Photo courtesy: Vinyl on Vinyl Gallery

Veering away from museums in Metro Manila, we delve into Vinyl on Vinyl, which is an independent art gallery located in La Fuerza, Makati City. Its initial mission was to assist Avante Garde artists who wanted to join international competitions and have a platform in the local art scene, which was highly saturated with the mainstream. 

From the name itself, the gallery prides itself on being a space where art, toys, and music intersect. Works of art displayed in Vinyl on Vinyl are inspired by art movements such as pop surrealism, after-modernism,  post-internet, kinetic art, and avant-garde.

Vinyl on Vinyl is open on Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You need to book an appointment for your visit by contacting this number +63 945 833 3824. They strictly implement COVID-19 guidelines so patrons are required to wear their face masks and face shields at all times, as well as maintain social distancing measures while inside the premises. 

What do museums in Metro Manila and art exhibits teach and remind us?

These art exhibits, and galleries, and museums in Metro Manila house different kinds of art forms that remind us of many things. It makes us recall that we are talented and capable people with a strong and rich culture. It is important that we expose and familiarize ourselves with various works of art and we should learn to appreciate the talent and creativity of our fellow Filipinos. 

On the other hand, we also recognize the museum and art gallery to protect and preserve these works of art. Without them, we wouldn’t have learned the invaluable contributions of our artists. 

Speaking of structures that house precious works of art, all our luxury homes are also made to perfection by expert designers and engineers here at Brittany Corporation. Here, we make sure that there is beauty in every detail and we aim to deliver a luxurious experience to our clients. 

Brittany itself respects the beauty of art with its developments. As the pioneering brand for thematic developments, Brittany is inspired by worldly art and architecture, and that living in it makes you feel like you don’t have to visit the world museums but one can already be surrounded by it at their luxury homes. If you’re an avid art collector and have invested in some collections, they can be displayed and flaunted in the spacious luxury homes of Brittany! 

To learn more about the most beautiful houses in the Philippines, Brittany is the place to start.  Explore our properties and learn more about Brittany Corporation here.

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You may still be feeling a little overwhelmed about this uncertain period of time, but remaining optimistic has never been more important and rewarding than at this very moment. Canceling or postponing all the trips, collecting credits and managing travel funds from flying companies, and feeling anxious about not being able to discover all the places on your wanderlust and bucket list.

If you are a frequent traveler and you miss flying out, now is the best time to delve into the depths of your imagination, your intuitiveness, and your most cherished travel moments to keep the passion alive and burning for everything that you do. 

Portofino Vista Alabang is one of the many thematic luxury residential enclaves by Brittany, boasting of its awe-inspiring scenery and an impressive selection of house and lots for sale.

Ever heard of sofa travel? This trend provides the perfect alternative to being able to “see and travel” the world, safely and conveniently from the comfort of your own home. 

Who says you cannot travel at this time? We can all at least pretend like we are traveling because after all, traveling is also a state of mind. From having a unique and almost-real travel experience through virtual reality headsets to travelling the world through the pages of a book, there are many ways to traverse to new and exciting locations without leaving your home. 

Now is the best time to reignite that intrigue and make plans for some of your dream travel destinations. We have enlisted some of our favorite ways to keep you imagining and daydreaming for your next adventure.

Travel in style with Pinterest

Spend some time browsing through Pinterest and get fascinated by all the aesthetics and pegs that you can pin onto the boards. Make it your daily source of inspiration for everything and anything travel – be it your dream travel destinations, the latest travel style, and fashion, or the different local cuisines and culture. 

Aside from enjoying a mental vacation as you scroll through all these beautiful travel photos, you can also use it to start planning your trips by simply pinning the photos with links to guides, local food spots, and accommodation. Isn’t it a much more fun way of relaxing your mind, boosting your creativity and imagination, and planning for your next getaway?

Travelling through pages

While there are a lot of travel resources available online, nothing compares to flipping the pages of your favorite travel magazine. Read and get lost in beautiful pictures and discover the latest travel news, trends, and guides. You can also learn from the different people featured in these travel magazines and be inspired by their unique travel stories. Plus, you can get amazing tips for the places you plan to visit or are visiting frequently.

Installing your own bookshelf is a great way to utilize your homeroom space efficiently.

Some of the best travel magazines to read include Conde Nast Traveller, Yolo Journal, and National Geographic, among others.

You can also delve into inspiring travel books. Whether you’re a real book lover or you just simply enjoy the comfort that comes with sitting down and getting lost every now and again, you know that there is something quite magical about getting into a well-written and thought-provoking read. 

Read through some of these fascinating books: Where Architects Sleep: The Most Stylish Hotels in the World, which will take you on a wonderful journey through some of the most beautiful design-led places to stay and destinations from the insights of some of the world’s leading architects; 150 Restaurants You Need to Visit Before You Die, which will give you a great list of some of the best restaurants to try and will make your mouth water with its featured places and cuisines; The Art of Looking Up, which, showcases beautiful ceilings around the world that are absolutely breathtaking. 

Travel with videos & podcasts

It’s interesting how today’s online platforms are full of various content like documentaries, shows, and vlogs from traveling.

Netflix offers different travel documentaries and series, DocumentaryTube has amazing travel videos that you can access for free, and YouTube has thousands of cool travel vlogs. These travel videos will not only give you travel inspiration but also additional learning about different cultures, politics, and habits around the world.

You can also tune in on travel podcasts as a way to entertain yourself while getting a wealth of knowledge for your next trip. Watching a travel documentary or listening to a destination-related podcast is just another one of the creative ways that can make us move our mind, body, and soul around the globe from the comfort of our home. 

Watching or listening to the travel experiences of others can even bring equally as much joy. Some of the podcasts to listen to are Zero To Travel and Women Who Travel. For travel documentaries, you can watch Dark Tourist, Pedal The World, World’s Busiest Cities, and Chef’s Table, among others. 

Travelling with food

Do you also think that travel and food go hand in hand? Traveling is nothing without tasting the local country cuisine. Think about and try to remember the taste and smell of those favorite meals that you have tried in your travels.  

And while you are staying at home, try to browse through some cookbooks and allow yourself to be transported anytime, in any culture. Check out My Cooking Inspiration Online, The Travel Kitchen by Lonely Planet, Kitchen Quarantine: Massimo Bottura, London’s Borough Market: Online Cooking Classes, and Nona Live: Virtual Cooking Class with Italian Granny for some cooking tips and techniques. 

You may also want to check out Street Food, which takes viewers on a journey to some of the most vibrant cities around the world, showcasing their rich cultures and food offerings. The episodes feature the traditions and perseverance that go into many cultures’ cuisines reflecting the personal connections that the people who make the food have with it. 

Meanwhile, if you don’t enjoy cooking, you can just order from your favorite restaurant and support local businesses. Open your favorite bottle of wine or get yourself a cocktail drink that would take you to a special place. 

Travel with Google 

Have you ever thought about visiting the world’s best museums? Good news for you. You can now visit some of them through Google. 

Think British Museum in London, Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Uffizi Gallery in Florence, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul and many more. You can prepare yourself a drink and get ready for a little cultural education.  Meanwhile, if you are not interested in art, you can explore virtual street views or cultural heritage sites instead. If you are a great outdoor lover, you can virtually explore national parks and attractions on Google like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, and Alcatraz Island. 

Have fun and remember, you don’t have to wait in line to visit these amazing places. 

Travelling with films

Staying at home enables us to catch up on movies in our must-seen list or re-watch our favorite films. Good movies have the power to transport us to different places, to different moments and make us feel adventurous. They can also make us want to buy a plane ticket and just escape immediately. 

A home theater or a media room allows homeowners to have that surround sound, cinematic experience any time of the day.

You can check out a bunch of travel movies that will show you the most beautiful places to visit and inspire you on your next travel journey. Some of the best travel movies to watch include Roman Holiday, Into The Wild, Under The Tuscan Sun, Roma, Eat Pray Love, Copenhagen, and The Talented Mr. Ripley. 

Travel through previous adventures and travel experiences

What our situation now tells us is that we don’t need to go to new places to discover new and meaningful things. We can always go back and tap into the memories we’ve had in the past, the amazing adventures we’ve done in our previous travels. Whichever your favorite travel experience is, why not revisit it by browsing through your collection of photographs from your trips. 

Use this time to reminisce and reflect on your past adventures and go back in time as you’re doing it. It’s a great way to remind yourself of the fascinating experiences you already have in your mind, rather than looking for more experiences which just are not possible at the moment. 

Travelling with virtual reality

With virtual reality, you can now go to your dream destinations without leaving your comfort zone. It doesn’t matter where you are, you can hike Mount Everest, lounge on a beach in Thailand or snorkel beside large manta rays in the ocean, without actually being there. 

Since travelling is still limited, virtual travel is the next best thing, allowing us to switch off for just a minute and immerse ourselves in these beautiful places through the magical potential of digital. Some of the VR travel experiences to try for yourself include Northern Lights over Lapland, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and Underwater Experience. Aside from enjoying sofa travel from the comfort of your own home, you can also get a feel of various luxury destinations by browsing through Brittany Corporation’s roster of thematic luxury homes. 

Brittany Corporation is the premier name in luxury real estate development in the Philippines and a subsidiary of the largest homebuilder Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. that offers Old European and American-themed projects and creates masterpieces of upscale living for luxury homebuyers with a taste for artful living.  Brittany Corporation offers a fine selection of home designs in excellent locations: Portofino in Alabang, La Posada in Sucat, Augusta, Georgia Club, and Promenade in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, and Crosswinds in Tagaytay.

Brittany Corporation continues to offer luxury properties that are rich in character and sophisticated in thematic appeal. For more information on Brittany Corporation and its roster of luxury-themed properties, visit their official Facebook page.

If you want to know more about these luxury properties, you may consult Brittany Corporation’s official selling arm, Brittany SalesForce. Brittany SalesForce is composed of real estate sales professionals with vast experience in luxury real estate and a proven track record in handling and servicing the most prestigious clientele in the country. For more information on Brittany Salesforce and its luxury properties, visit Brittany Salesforce Facebook Page, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

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In this new normal, there’s no better time to catch up on the things that you always want to do – and perhaps even need. After all, accomplishing the tasks you keep putting off can make anyone feel better, such as when you clean your room or organize your vanity, for instance.

In this article, we’ll tell you how to organize your vanity and how to be a more organized individual in general.

Why It Is Important to Organize Your Vanity?

An organized vanity can be very relaxing.

There’s no luxury condo or luxury house and lot for sale in the Philippines that doesn’t have space for a vanity. In fact, for many people, their bedroom vanity or dressing table is one of the most comfortable, most personal spots in the entire house.

After all, you get to use it every morning and every night. And while it’s true that you can always just store your items in your bathroom and start and end your day there, it’s also true that doing these rituals in a dedicated area makes everything more fun and special.

In other words, organizing your vanity is important simply because you spend so much time there doing self-care.

How can putting on makeup and using skincare products be relaxing when you’ve got so many things cluttering up your area? It would be so much better for your mental health to have a nice, neat, and orderly vanity.

5 Ways to Organize Your Vanity

That said, like many other things that are used on a daily basis, it’s easy to let your vanity become messy and fall into disarray every now and then. And we’re not going to lie; once it has fallen into this state, it can be mentally difficult to prep yourself for the clean-up afterward.

In this section, we’ll discuss the different ways that you can organize your vanity easily and efficiently.

1. Organize your vanity by using different compartments

Compartments are very helpful for smaller items.

Compartments can go a long way when it comes to organizing your vanity.

Vanity tables typically hold plenty of smaller items, like cosmetics and accessories, that are notorious for cluttering up areas. Unlike bigger items that can hold their own, smaller items are very easy to accidentally roll, fall, or basically disappear from places where you could’ve sworn you put them in.

To organize your vanity, you can get compartments to put your smaller items in. This can help keep the space organized by lessening the space that they can move in, which also prevents them from accidentally getting lost.

Also, if you have accessories like necklaces or bracelets, compartments can also help keep them untangled while keeping them all together in the same place.

The best type of container for your vanity items would be the clear, acrylic, or lucite ones. This type of container allows you to easily see what’s inside, which reduces the time you need to spend looking for your items in case you forget.

2. Set some space aside for not-so-pretty things

Not everything we own on our vanity table deserves a photoshoot and confetti.

Some may have been with us for years. Others may be nearing their end but still have some fight left. While that doesn’t mean they’re no longer valuable or useful, it does mean that you might want to keep them away from sight.

For instance, that tube of BB cream you got last year may be your daily driver, but its chewed-up, “I’ve been squeezed a thousand times in the past” appearance will make your vanity look messy and even dirty.

A dedicated container can solve this problem while keeping your vanity organized at the same time.

3. Make use of vertical space

Luxury house and lot or not, there’s a way to make your home feel more spacious in terms of storage, and that’s through the use of vertical space.

Your vanity may feel big now, but once you get more items, it will start to feel more and more cramped. If you only use the horizontal space, there’s no doubt that it will run out before long.

To combat this, make sure to use valuable vertical space by employing drawers or shelves. You can use this space for less frequently used items or other items that you’d like to keep inside a container. This frees up the horizontal space in your vanity, allowing it to look and feel more spacious.

4. Put your brushes in containers

Keeping brushes in containers will help you stay organized.

There’s practically a brush for every single step in the makeup process. While there’s nothing wrong with this, it does mean that you’ll be dealing with a lot of brushes on a daily basis. Sadly, this also means that you’re likely to leave a brush or two lying around when you’re done, especially if you don’t want to put your used brushes with your washed brushes.

Having at least two different containers will help keep your vanity free of idle brushes. You can designate one of them to house your used brushes, while the other one can be used for clean brushes. You can also use differently sized containers to house brushes of different sizes. Not only will this look cleaner, but it will also make it easier for you to get the brushes and see even the smaller brushes better.

Another option would be to use different containers for brushes of the same purpose. However, depending on how complex your makeup and skincare rituals are, this may not be a smart choice. Having cluttered brushes is one thing, but cluttering up your own vanity with too many containers is another.

5. Opt for light colors

Why do you think so many design guides for luxury homes and luxury lots make use of white or cream so much?

Lighter colors make the room look much bigger than it actually is. That’s because they reflect light, which bounces against the walls and the furniture and gives a spacious illusion. On the other hand, darker colors absorb light. This makes the area look more cramped than it actually is.

You can further improve this by using good lighting on your vanity table. Together, light-colored background and good lighting will make your space look more elegant and much more pleasing to the eyes.

Tips and Tricks to Becoming More Organized

Even if you organize your vanity now, it won’t stay that way for long if you personally don’t know how to clean up after yourself and be organized. After all, it only takes 10 minutes of simply placing one thing here and another thing there to undo all the cleaning and organizing you need.

So, how exactly do you become more organized and maintain a neat vanity area?

1. Always put items back where they belong

Give a dedicated space for your items and always return them after use.

It may sound strange, but this is the easiest, and yet at the same time, the hardest part of becoming more organized. Thinking about it, it seems easy enough. After all, it’s not difficult to return items where you get them, right? But while it’s easy to do that, it’s just as easy to leave them right where you’re currently standing.

For instance, maybe you’re running late, and you don’t have time to put back your lippies in their case. Maybe you used your stuff outside of your bedroom, and you’re too busy to return them right now so you make a mental note to return them later. 

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But by the time you remember to do so, something else has already taken up its place, and you’re forced to just leave them where available. Your vanity becomes more cluttered as time goes by, and you’ve successfully added yourself to the list of luxury homes with a messy vanity.

If you really want to be an organized person, make it a habit to always put things back where they belong. By doing this, we guarantee that cleaning will become much easier.

2. Throw out old products

Contrary to what you always tell yourself, no, you don’t need that foundation and blush from 2011.

One of the biggest culprits to making our vanity look more cluttered is our stack of old, will-never-get-used-again products. If you really want to stay organized, regularly check your products to know which ones you should throw out and which ones you should keep.

Two things that will determine this are the expiration dates and how frequently you use the products. If a product is expired, then there’s certainly no need to keep it around. But even if something’s not yet expired, if you only use it once in a blue moon, then it’s worth considering if you should still keep it anyway.

3. Stop buying too many products

It’s no secret that the world is becoming more and more consumerist as the years go by. It doesn’t matter if you’re buying something as big as a luxury house and lot for sale or something as small as lipstick. 

The obsession with buying and owning everything that strikes our fancy, regardless if we already own so many things, is something that almost everyone in this world suffers from to some extent. While this isn’t always a bad thing, especially if you’re purchasing luxury homes for sale for investment purposes, it can be quite troublesome and downright wasteful, as well.

For instance, consider the items on your vanity. How many blushers do you have? How many highlighters? Brushes? Mascara? Toners? And that does not even consider the other non-beauty, non-skincare items that may have made their way onto your vanity.

So if you really want to organize your vanity, stop buying too many products. Finish your current tube first–or at least make sure it’s down to its last few uses–before eyeing another one. This way, you’re not only helping your vanity stay organized, but you’re also helping the world by reducing additional waste.

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4. Organize your vanity every day as a habit

Maintain your organized space with daily cleaning.

It’s always much better to spend 10-20 minutes every day organizing your things than to spend an entire weekend (or two) trying to clean up a half year’s worth of mess.

Not only is daily cleaning more effective, but it’s also less taxing on your mind. Doing only huge spring cleaning sessions, however, is much more likely to stress you out. It will also make you hate cleaning and organizing in the long run, which is not something you want to happen.

If you think it’s difficult, start by doing something small. For instance, try making it your habit to return things where they belong, as mentioned above.

Also, if you don’t have one yet, you can start incorporating containers into your vanity. You don’t need to go overboard and buy a dozen containers immediately, but even just one neatly organized container is already a small success.

Organizing Your Vanity At Brittany

All luxury homes by Brittany give you the freedom and opportunity to personalize your own space.

Your vanity can be one of these – a safe spot where you can relax, practice self-care, and not think of anything else but what you’re doing in front of you. By keeping your vanity organized at all times, you can make sure that your self-care sessions are always relaxing, peaceful, and special.

But if you haven’t been keeping up with your cleaning recently, remember to take it one day at a time. You’re not gonna go from messy and disorganized one day to neat and organized on the next – and even if this happens, a change as quick and drastic as this isn’t bound to last. Rome wasn’t built in a day, so they say. Cut yourself some slack, keep putting in the work every day, and you’ll be looking at a more organized vanity – and home – before you know it.

Interested in one of the luxury properties at Brittany? Visit Brittany Corporation’s official Facebook Page, Instagram, Spotify, and LinkedIn and stay updated on the latest Brittany developments!

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