tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17824489088573962632024-03-14T03:39:58.211+08:00 NON.STOP.BABBLEThis is my happy place!Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.comBlogger1261125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-56237372270550613922013-05-06T11:17:00.000+08:002013-05-06T11:17:59.227+08:00New week, new home!<br />
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In preparation for the really exciting things that are about to happen, Non Stop Babble has moved to a new home. Please bookmark this new site and I'll see you there! </div>
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<a href="http://www.nonstopbabble.com/">Non Stop Babble</a></div>
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Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-23701299605331505142013-05-05T08:13:00.000+08:002013-05-05T08:13:00.156+08:00What's your social media personality?<br />
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This is really interesting. Take a look at the results of a study made on the types of personalities you'll find in social media networks. I don't think there's one personality that best describes me. I'm probably a combination of an Ultra, Informer and Approval Seeker. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9skH2unqrOTcYdzGh3QvtfNDGYx89kfw5PDo2IdBfnJjUIdn96cybMcbMVJ9PooOyxtD_UhC0eelpykFO6AgTCRYU1D-FAG15J7cPq9JmBVNchZzgnQnGUzbKggg8ehNvzRg8sn4uiTo/s1600/socialmediapersonalities.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9skH2unqrOTcYdzGh3QvtfNDGYx89kfw5PDo2IdBfnJjUIdn96cybMcbMVJ9PooOyxtD_UhC0eelpykFO6AgTCRYU1D-FAG15J7cPq9JmBVNchZzgnQnGUzbKggg8ehNvzRg8sn4uiTo/s1600/socialmediapersonalities.jpg" /></a></div>
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I'm an ULTRA because, I'm hardly ever offline. Even if I'm out of the house, I'm still connected to social media via my phone (used to be an iPhone5 and now a Note II which I am loving even more and is largely the reason behind the time I spend tracking my social media accounts these days). I'm only quiet when focused on a certain activity that requires my undivided attention or when I'm in a place that has really poor or no signal haha! </div>
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I'm partly an INFORMER because I notice that I'm always eager to share news. When I'm in the mall and I spot something interesting to me or what I know would be interesting to my circle or followers, it's on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook in just a few minutes. </div>
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Lastly, I'm also an APPROVAL SEEKER. I know it sounds so juvenile. It's mostly kids who keep asking people to follow them and talk to them. In my case, I don't care much for "likes". I like checking to see if people have commented or reacted to any of my posts because I'm basically an engaging person and I like interaction. I'm most alive when I'm interactive. Ask anyone who knows me well.</div>
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I know that there are sooooooo many LURKERS out there. I wish the number for this type would go down drastically soon. It's so much fun to "talk" and interact in social media sites. I've discovered that this is a surefire way to expand one's network ... whether it's personal or professional. So many people start out nowadays as Twitter or Facebook friends and then evolve into being friends in "real" life, outside of social media. It's happened to me many times now and it's always so gratifying, really. </div>
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So ... let's interact shall we? Which personality fits you? </div>
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<i>Source for the above photo is <a href="http://pinterest.com/docgoy/infografiken/">here </a></i></div>
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Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-75394381495050716562013-05-05T06:28:00.000+08:002013-05-05T06:28:39.741+08:00Sunday Thought<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mErKFzmFy0f9l60niLoDzv6I-umKUaqPrlrD1VeyVJBelWv2fsnlLTYzZv_6eGcPG8OVxXsBL0vJybNhKWuzZc75MflTxC0-usHXobt9xNhEx_hMN6Qy5HYNMtjpFxCbIZOjucaf_s0/s1600/memorylane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mErKFzmFy0f9l60niLoDzv6I-umKUaqPrlrD1VeyVJBelWv2fsnlLTYzZv_6eGcPG8OVxXsBL0vJybNhKWuzZc75MflTxC0-usHXobt9xNhEx_hMN6Qy5HYNMtjpFxCbIZOjucaf_s0/s640/memorylane.jpg" width="416" /></a></div>
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There are days when I think about my Dad more than usual. </div>
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Today is one of them. </div>
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I miss you sooooooooooo much, Daddy. </div>
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Have a blessed Sunday, everyone. </div>
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Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-11923701538599925182013-05-04T15:47:00.000+08:002013-05-04T15:47:52.506+08:00Spotted Online : Oryspa's Rice Water Aromatic Essence<br />
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I saw this via a blog whose owner I can't even remember anymore :) </div>
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That was around last year, but even before I could go to the nearest Echostore to buy a bottle, a friend already gave me one (plus their massage oil) soon after I was diagnosed with breast cancer. </div>
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Oryspa carries spa products that have rice bran as its main ingredient. According to their website, "rice bran is high in omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin B which are natural anti-oxidants. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Used my Samsung Galaxy Note II to create this</td></tr>
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This is my 3rd bottle. When I like the smell of something, I really stick to it for a while. I don't like strong scents so I'm not really a perfume person. Colognes and EDTs are more my thing. Yeah, I think my nose has always been over-sensitive. </div>
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The 30ml bottle is also the perfect size to be carried around. P295 for this. Not bad, right? </div>
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(I buy mine from Echostore branches but you can purchase <a href="http://www.oryspa.com/">online</a>.)</div>
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Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-88336827730084318082013-05-04T11:12:00.000+08:002013-05-04T11:12:58.153+08:00Sabine's 7th (Rating) : For Keeps Photography<br />
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Other than food, this is the one thing I won't compromise. There is no way it's going to work if you ask a family member or a friend to do it for free or as pakiusap. Of course they're going to agree to doing it. But the output will be a story you don't want to be looking at. Trust me, I've done it before. You have to pay for the service to get the kind of output you expect. In my case, I want a photographer to be : hardworking, creative and on a personal level, very easy to deal with. </div>
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I honestly didn't know where to start when I was looking for one. I was afraid someone might recommend a really expensive photographer or outfit. I've seen what the rates are like these days and even those for kiddie parties make me dizzy! Whaaaaaaat??? 35k for a 7th birthday package??? I won't mention the photographer's name but I've seen his work and he's good. I'm just not in a position to shell out that much just for photography. I don't think that kind of fee will ever sit well with me hihi!<br />
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Anyway, I came across FOR KEEPS in old reliable GirlTalk, where I spent many many years posting my opinon, advice and making friends. There's an entire board that's dedicated to topics pertaining to kiddie parties. I clicked on the Photo and Video thread and the rest is history.<br />
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It was Jet Lamosa who responded to my text -- very promptly, I was impressed from the start. We exchanged a couple of messages and in no time, I received a detailed emailed proposal from him. Even more impressed! Basically, all it took was a few email messages and we were all set. My gut feel talaga is always so spot on. I felt comfortable even if we were communicating only via texts and emails.<br />
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There are sooooo many photos from the party and I had a hard time choosing the best ones to showcase in this post. Here you go!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7u39YGZkPziJEBq8ieMUcFP2lipFq1exCRNwrntXOD9YHuE5fSNNpQWTBrF8uB_JkVnGrEsdmjquWkCEP3VXutUEvCHFgomvPQ5kSwtSJb30x4HrsQajmcBRkd61Hinelk1NVy2Bf7Y/s1600/stillscollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7u39YGZkPziJEBq8ieMUcFP2lipFq1exCRNwrntXOD9YHuE5fSNNpQWTBrF8uB_JkVnGrEsdmjquWkCEP3VXutUEvCHFgomvPQ5kSwtSJb30x4HrsQajmcBRkd61Hinelk1NVy2Bf7Y/s640/stillscollage.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Venue styling and set-up</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnimaAqPJzHQDJ1mnO7LIWggNSFebAU08hQ-8F_yMsCEF1NuxZbCoB0zCXBR5KbGoKa-AdwZSRYkQatdAuP1dYsElveSBJzHzjabHhMYJNCOhzvTxULtruas9awl6CWHuvSJ5LR0Ryb6c/s1600/peoplecollage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnimaAqPJzHQDJ1mnO7LIWggNSFebAU08hQ-8F_yMsCEF1NuxZbCoB0zCXBR5KbGoKa-AdwZSRYkQatdAuP1dYsElveSBJzHzjabHhMYJNCOhzvTxULtruas9awl6CWHuvSJ5LR0Ryb6c/s640/peoplecollage1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5LaWn905mZG5qx_rCdGCPGP4SVfHtGUcWVZxxVscb6LWyWikvnDSvahS7q4ghlCjellEyI3yQE9qpY3tRZv6nJy0oakPkhQ90jZqIqK0jf04V0OuTsB5nZ9-ysBX1_G-K-7Lu5VThaM/s1600/peoplecollage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5LaWn905mZG5qx_rCdGCPGP4SVfHtGUcWVZxxVscb6LWyWikvnDSvahS7q4ghlCjellEyI3yQE9qpY3tRZv6nJy0oakPkhQ90jZqIqK0jf04V0OuTsB5nZ9-ysBX1_G-K-7Lu5VThaM/s640/peoplecollage2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More people shots</td></tr>
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My favorite of them all ... the candid shots!</div>
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Jet is hardworking. He was all over the place! Mind you, he covered Sabine's party alone. Just look at these outdoor shots.</div>
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For your appreciation, here are the package inclusions:</div>
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Maximum 4 hours coverage</div>
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50 pcs 5R size matte finish prints</div>
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6 x 8 photo book</div>
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All photos in large digital format stored in DVD/CD medium as proof</div>
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Free editing of photos</div>
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Free delivery via courier</div>
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All for the very reasonable price of Php 3,500. The main perk though is that Jet was so easy to talk to. No fuss, no headaches. I'm so happy with our over-all experience with Jet of FOR KEEPS.</div>
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If you wish to contact and book them (please do, you won't regret it!) : </div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/forkeepsphoto?fref=ts">For Keeps on Facebook</a></div>
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Thank you, FOR KEEPS and Jet, for all these wonderful photos! </div>
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Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-78682459402556891522013-05-04T09:17:00.000+08:002013-05-04T09:17:49.778+08:00How was your Friday?<br />
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If I were to sum it up in one word? TOXIC. </div>
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Anissa and I left the house before 9am because her dance class all the way in QC was at 10. We got there early, but along Edsa I saw the sign. There's going to be a Mega 3-day sale this weekend. It was like a premonition of sorts. Since Anissa's class was going to be over in 1.5 hours and it was a Friday (Metro Manila peeps, you know what this means right?), I decided to just stay in the area and wait. Anissa suggested Centris. I was like ... what? where? I found it nonetheless and was pleasantly surprised. It was so early, most of the restos were still closed but I found my way to Pancake House because unlike the rest, they were already serving breakfast at this time. </div>
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I don't like fancy waffles. This is always what I get when I'm in one of my breakfast moods. The Golden Brown.</div>
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Soon enough, the 1.5 hrs was up and I had to leave. By this time, I knew that traffic was already bad because people were tweeting about it. Before I left Centris Walk, I spotted an Echostore! It was already 11am so they were open. As always, I can't ever leave an Echostore without buying anything. It's really one of my favorite stores to waste time in, and yet, it never feels like a waste being there. So much useful stuff to buy. I didn't find anything new, just replenished a couple of things I always get from them. </div>
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And then the nightmare began! Traffic jams everywhere! I picked up Anissa and her friend Denise and had to take them to Katipunan for review classes. We passed through Quezon Ave and then UP but crawled almost all the way to Loyola Heights. Horrors!!! It was not the day to not have a driver but that was the sad fact ... I didn't have a driver yesterday. After dropping them both off, I had to call the house to tell Mama (thank God she was in my neck of the woods yesterday) to please go ahead to Power Plant with Sabine because she was graduating from the McDonald's Kiddie Crew program at 2pm. It was 1:15 and I was (again) crawling on Meralco Avenue approaching Shaw Blvd in Pasig. DAMMIT. I was going to be late to my own daughter's "graduation". I had to stop myself several times from swearing out loud in the car. Even the car's air-conditioning was acting up because it was just too hot outside. I finally got home, made a quick change of clothes and headed quickly to Power Plant Mall. This time, no traffic jams ALLELUIA! </div>
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I literally plopped on one of the chairs in McDonald's and was just so glad I made it in time to see all the important parts of the afternoon's ceremonies. We made it back home sometime around 5:30pm. I was never happier seeing my bed! Took a quick nap which I didn't have to force myself into, and after dinner, N and I were off to our weekly bible study group, just 3 doors away from where we stay. </div>
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What an exhausting Friday. Yes, I hate Metro Manila traffic just like the rest of Metro Manila does. I'm just so happy I ended the day well. </div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/133/FF49E92EEA75665C5F56D09A26FB3856.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-60328679414038069132013-05-02T10:16:00.000+08:002013-05-02T10:16:22.540+08:00Sabine's 7th (Rating) : Verleo Catering <br />
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First time to get Verleo to cater, but I've been to parties they've catered, heard and read many good reviews about their food and service. So when Olive of Let's Party said this was the caterer she was going for (rate included in Let's Party's package), I immediately told her I was all for it. </div>
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<u>The Menu</u></div>
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Fried Rice</div>
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Pasta Carbonara</div>
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Garlic Fried Chicken</div>
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Buttered Vegetables</div>
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Fish Fillet w/ Lemon Butter Sauce</div>
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The famous Verleo Mango Crepe! </div>
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They also provided the tulle ribbons for the chairs, of course. See photos <a href="http://nonstopbabble.blogspot.com/2013/05/sabines-7th-ratings-venue-and-venue.html">here</a>. </div>
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I didn't choose a separate buffet selection for the kids anymore and it's a good thing I did that, because we would have a problem with the space otherwise. Besides, Verleo is good. It doesn't really matter how many menus you go for. </div>
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Like I said, I didn't talk to Verleo directly. It was Let's Party who dealt with them for me, because the caterer was part of Let's Party's package. But you can always go to their <a href="http://www.verleo.com/">website</a> to look at their menus and inquire about their rates. </div>
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Rating : 4 stars! Food is always soooooo important in any party. You don't want people remembering that you served yucky food, do you? I'm so OC about that!</div>
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P.S.</div>
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This is what happens at my kids' parties ... I don't get to eat. This time though, I had a few bites of the Pasta Carbonara and the Fish Fillet w/ Lemon Butter Sauce --- nom nom nom! I also HAD to have the Mango Crepe, of course. Still a winner after all these years!</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/133/FF49E92EEA75665C5F56D09A26FB3856.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-19003306146699624012013-05-02T09:49:00.001+08:002013-05-02T09:49:19.150+08:00Sabine's 7th (Rating) : Dessert Station by Design Avenue<br />
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I looked high and low for someone to do the dessert station for the party. I went through forums and reviews and managed to note down a few suppliers. In all fairness to these suppliers, their rates were good enough to consider. But the reason I went with Kris Pestanas-Lopez of Design Avenue is that she's Olive Q.'s (owner of Let's Party) sister. This was a no-brainer! Getting a sister tandem made a lot of sense to me. They've been working on parties together and can read each other's minds. </div>
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I didn't meet Kris until the day of the party itself. I talked to Olive the whole time and Olive took charge of relaying all my requests to Kris. Despite this odd arrangement, everything went so well. </div>
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The dessert station was the party's main attraction. I know because I can't remember how many of the guests complimented the set-up and asked me who did it. </div>
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Mini cupcakes, macarons, meringue, eclairs, mallow pops, cream puffs, assorted candies and gummies PLUS the simple yet flirty, ruffled birthday cake. These are what Kris included in the package, other than the lovely styling. </div>
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Details details details ... I can't stress enough how important details are --- in anything! It's the details that make a huge difference. </div>
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Everything looked so pretty. So perfect. </div>
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The station was a photographer's dream. That's why Jet Lamosa of For Keeps (official photog who's going to get his own spanking review later!) was able to churn out all these lovely photos of the table and everything on it. I joked Kris about having to keep an eye out for all the accessories which party guests might think are for taking home with them hihihi!</div>
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Unfortunately for me, other than the birthday cake which I had a slice of, I didn't get to taste any of it. It was enough to know though, that way before the party ended, the set up was totally devoid of food hahaha. The kids raided it even before they went to the main buffet set-up by Verleo. The table looked like a typhoon had swept through it. In fact, that OC 2nd person who lives somewhere inside this body wanted to clean things up immediately after the last kid left the area. Don't worry, I walked away and let Kris and Olive do their thing. I didn't want to be that client from h*ll. :))</div>
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It's been 4 days since the day of the party and I still haven't stopped staring at these photos. I wish I had the creative knack to go into a business as creative as this. Kris is super talented and super hands on! </div>
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Rating : 4 stars for Kris and her staff for being so involved in everything</div>
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Rate : My lips are sealed hehe! (ask me in private if you wish)</div>
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Contact Kris Pestanas-Lopez of Design Avenue via their Facebook page</div>
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www.facebook.com/kdesignavenue</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/133/FF49E92EEA75665C5F56D09A26FB3856.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
<br />Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-26620614667516639292013-05-02T08:17:00.000+08:002013-05-02T09:16:54.102+08:00Sabine's 7th (Ratings) : Venue and Venue Styling <br />
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I can finally start writing my supplier reviews and share my ratings. First of all, it's never easy to plan and organize a party, more so if it's as special as the one we just had. </div>
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Because I planned the party sometime end of February, giving me only about 2 months to do everything, we had a difficult time securing a suitable venue. It's a good thing Olive Quiroga of Let's Party (who was my official party planner), suggested the Arcadia Subdivision Clubhouse. Arcadia is the really low-key village beside Corinthian Gardens on Ortigas Avenue. Although it was Olive who booked the venue for me, I was able to meet and talk briefly to their Admin person, Vicky, during my ocular inspection. She was accommodating, pleasant and reassuring. Staff were also present during the party to help out.</div>
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The kids were able to access the playground area on the side, which made all of them so happy. Our official photographer was able to run after them and take many outdoor shots. </div>
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We had approximately 130 guests and we all fit comfortably (not elbow to elbow) in the venue. The place wasn't THAT big, so it really looked like soooo many people came to celebrate with us. </div>
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Olive really kept her word on the decorations we talked about and agreed on. The colors I wanted were all there, the backdrop was HUGE, not "tinipid" like many others I've seen. The backdrop occupied the entire wall behind the stage area. </div>
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I know that the backdrop was a hit because many of our guests had their photos taken there repeatedly. Even the requisite group family/friends photos - which I make sure we have during my kids' parties - were shot in that specific area.</div>
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This is the 2nd part of the venue, an adjacent room for more guests. This room leads directly to the pool area (which is not part of the rental fee). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzw-RNIO1BKk8FaqIImk36xEg1g58AMSE_hwrCvWu4MCtSvUnfImzInSYM4QqavHHrvmlxQCH8uQly5pr7LYmK-6sVFD7KRYBnApBLXd2MF5PwxAPuIqsWdcixq4uJnUfWNDxA7S-wNY/s1600/arcadia5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzw-RNIO1BKk8FaqIImk36xEg1g58AMSE_hwrCvWu4MCtSvUnfImzInSYM4QqavHHrvmlxQCH8uQly5pr7LYmK-6sVFD7KRYBnApBLXd2MF5PwxAPuIqsWdcixq4uJnUfWNDxA7S-wNY/s640/arcadia5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On to the venue styling c/o Let's Party. Olive Q. was introduced to me by <a href="http://dancewithnikz.wordpress.com/">Nikka</a>. Apparently, they're very good friends and Olive has done all of Nikka's kids' parties so far. I've never met a party planner I didn't like, but Olive is so far the nicest of them all. I chose a FRENCH PATISSERIE theme, instead of the usual character-centered one.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4ducWr0Qj8qUWnJayCC9AfEGa9iXdRlP4vvKtwU8iNcH_rr_S-YdNNlw16RuUtHZL3T90BQrNBJHKZEiOPPqY_-0TAHsd_UcfsicZM5s4XnG3VjS_mPCR0YroIpjE-ZNdfdjJpfFLXY/s1600/arcadia6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4ducWr0Qj8qUWnJayCC9AfEGa9iXdRlP4vvKtwU8iNcH_rr_S-YdNNlw16RuUtHZL3T90BQrNBJHKZEiOPPqY_-0TAHsd_UcfsicZM5s4XnG3VjS_mPCR0YroIpjE-ZNdfdjJpfFLXY/s640/arcadia6.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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The venue (as you can see in the photos) ended up being well-dressed without looking over the top. While it's nice to be all-out when it comes to decorations, I really would rather have it this way. Sometimes it just becomes too much to take in and absorb, you end up not appreciating it so much.</div>
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Eeeeep! I almost forgot about the centerpiece! Because the theme was French Patisserie, the teapot and tea cup centerpiece was the perfect choice.<br />
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<a href="http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/943213_10151363147566167_1200708524_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/943213_10151363147566167_1200708524_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And now the ratings (drum roll please?) : </div>
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Venue - Arcadia Subdivision Clubhouse : 4 stars (no such thing as perfect kasi hihihi)<br />
Rental fee : 10k plus 5k security deposit (refundable)</div>
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Venue Styling and Decor - Olive Quiroga of Let's Party : 4 stars<br />
Rate : My lips are sealed :) </div>
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<b>Contact details for those who are interested (and I highly recommend that you consider them):</b></div>
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Venue - to follow later, because Olive was the one who took care of this for me</div>
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You can visit Let's Party's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/letsparty or contact Olive at 0917 8298428 or email address letsparty8@gmail.com</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/133/FF49E92EEA75665C5F56D09A26FB3856.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-82828410794631428362013-05-01T08:00:00.000+08:002013-05-01T08:00:08.101+08:00Been busy!<br />
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As you all know, we held Sabine's 7th birthday party last Sunday. It was a huge success, despite the very small window I had to prepare for it. I have so much to be thankful for! I promised to do supplier reviews here and I still will. I just want to wait for the official pictures to come in so I can use them for the entries. But just to give you all a tiny peek, here are a few that the photographer shared to me yesterday, to get me excited : </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzohHW9zD934-w6YCaahzBeQrNg1IZaK-DeI6jpCRhe2r1VufGghkPod3oMlHnPAj4vqlTwNZCPlUz8Da1T3CusYN9vyVsPU2k7CwhbVM6L0JtvLTT_EO1vhpqEmVdFDXS3pXXyC74WYg/s1600/3402974_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzohHW9zD934-w6YCaahzBeQrNg1IZaK-DeI6jpCRhe2r1VufGghkPod3oMlHnPAj4vqlTwNZCPlUz8Da1T3CusYN9vyVsPU2k7CwhbVM6L0JtvLTT_EO1vhpqEmVdFDXS3pXXyC74WYg/s640/3402974_orig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9PN_5i-bRtkC7PM9Z96qbVE8Dra0fq8g9CJSPiUJDiuWYxcB78sVTtX_Dgf3zhGccptPrfE2MqLSq9UhcFc5orPESHQGBWgZ-vVjWjutnYSgq1kjJDSGuGlaIRIbEfcPHQqjRAGLZTQ/s1600/2171350_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9PN_5i-bRtkC7PM9Z96qbVE8Dra0fq8g9CJSPiUJDiuWYxcB78sVTtX_Dgf3zhGccptPrfE2MqLSq9UhcFc5orPESHQGBWgZ-vVjWjutnYSgq1kjJDSGuGlaIRIbEfcPHQqjRAGLZTQ/s640/2171350_orig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaj4puRBOYXhOWx5KcfvCckSsDyzPq4CWgOHEOR7A9A4PBmhWnyQXz1Zma7yBrSibKoQ-ekNVifPE1ugPNJy39wdzVtaYJL_xQX_DSNHyJY4g592CV-RlCX4yQJ6DIVC7z6yUGUo8edOI/s1600/3954807_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaj4puRBOYXhOWx5KcfvCckSsDyzPq4CWgOHEOR7A9A4PBmhWnyQXz1Zma7yBrSibKoQ-ekNVifPE1ugPNJy39wdzVtaYJL_xQX_DSNHyJY4g592CV-RlCX4yQJ6DIVC7z6yUGUo8edOI/s640/3954807_orig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I really have tons to write about! I was praying that nothing would go wrong with any of the suppliers so that I wouldn't have to be painfully honest and my prayers were heard. We were happy with everyone! </div>
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The party keeps playing in my mind like a movie and I have a hangover to this day. Our guests told me they had so much fun. Not bad for something that was put together in more or less 2 months! But the most important thing? The celebrant couldn't stop talking about how much she enjoyed. </div>
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That was all I needed to hear! </div>
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Watch out for the reviews soon!</div>
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Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-18581750595629131652013-04-30T16:29:00.001+08:002013-04-30T16:29:58.791+08:00Trying out the new toy<p dir=ltr>Blogging from my Samsung Galaxy Note II and trying out this Blogger client. :) </p>
<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.10</div>Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-36716718539706737852013-04-28T07:59:00.002+08:002013-04-28T07:59:19.963+08:00Farewell, Multiply<br />
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The other day, shocking news went around social media. At first, it was Multiply Indonesia that released a statement that it was closing down. I remember seeing job openings for Multiply Philippines very recently so I thought, maybe it won't happen here. But just minutes later, it was confirmed. Multiply is shutting down PERIOD. </div>
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All throughout the day, reactions from my favorite sellers, mompreneurs, even friends I met there were all over Facebook and Twitter. It was sad! I started blogging in Multiply. I only moved my blog here because it was getting crowded there and it was slowly becoming a marketplace. But despite my transfer to Blogger, I continued to keep my Multiply account for shopping purposes. I know that so many others did the same thing. In fact, even when sellers started to put up Facebook pages, a lot of online shoppers still preferred the comforts of the Multiply Marketplace. With the new shopping features, it was so much more secure doing business there. </div>
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People went nuts when they announced their planned upgrade and removal of their blog/sharing platform. They wanted to turn it into a shopping site and all of us users had to save all of our photos, lest they be deleted permanently. I don't think I was able to keep everything though, because I just had too many photos in there. I don't even want to think of what I've lost. </div>
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It feels like the end of an era, with Multiply closing shop. Many sellers I know built their brands and became popular online shopping names in this place. Many are saying it was the upgrade that really caused everything to fall apart. True? I'm not sure. We'll probably find out more later on. As far as I know, even their staff is still trying to recover from the shock of losing their jobs all too suddenly. I wish them all and everyone else terribly affected by this closure well. </div>
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Thanks for the memories!</div>
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Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-82163186270174986332013-04-27T14:28:00.001+08:002013-04-27T14:28:59.639+08:00I'm on Facebook! <br />
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I didn't think it was necessary, even if I've had a personal account in Facebook for forever. </div>
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I thought it was a huge thing ... for Non Stop Babble to have a Facebook page.</div>
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Honestly? I didn't think I had the right to be there ... NOT YET. </div>
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But things have a funny way of happening. Actually, not really funny. It's really exciting. SUPER EXCITING. I can't begin to describe the feeling. After blogging for years (since 2005 pa pala!) and even if it was never in my plan for my blog to be anything more than an online notebook and sometimes shock absorber, I am so glad that things are taking a really good turn. </div>
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Sorry to sound so cryptic but I have to be on "gag order" mode right now. Eeeeeep! How hard is that for someone as talkative as I am?!? Hahaha! Very very hard! Disclaimer : No one told me to shut up hihihi. I just have to wait a bit before saying anything.</div>
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Anyway, yes Non Stop Babble is on Facebook. Kindly look to your right, on the sidebar, to find the badge you have to click to follow the blog there. </div>
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Hope you're all having a really good weekend so far!</div>
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Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-63554345716160565232013-04-27T09:03:00.000+08:002013-04-27T09:03:51.925+08:00Sabine's 7th : The Cake <br />
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When I decided on the French Patisserie theme, I immediately started looking for ideas for the cake. At this point, I still didn't know that my party planner's sister is in the dessert station business. I was ready to go to a cake supplier to have the cake and matching themed cupcakes made. </div>
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On the internet, I found several options in blue and pink, which are our main colors for the theme. I saved photos for future reference. One of the designs that really caught my fancy is this. I've never seen a ruffled cake before. </div>
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Minus the roses. I wanted it plain with the wordings on buntings just like this one.</div>
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Soooooooo cute!!! </div>
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Well guess what? When I started to play around with the idea of having a dessert station, Olive of Let's Party (my party planner) told me that this was her sister's business. Rather than having to deal with someone I don't know, I trusted my gut and went with her. When it was time to discuss the cake (everything was done via email), it's like these girls read my mind because the cake that they thought of recommending to me was the ruffled one I had in mind all along! That moment deserved a huge, loud high five! This sister tandem has been working overtime to prepare for Sabine's 7th and I can't be more thankful that I was introduced to them. </div>
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Something tells me I'm in for a wonderful surprise tomorrow when I see it along with the entire set-up. I don't know who's more excited, me or the birthday girl! </div>
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Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-20560768619905273602013-04-26T07:11:00.000+08:002013-04-26T07:11:16.547+08:00How to start your day<br />
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It doesn't take much, does it? </div>
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Thank you, Lord, for this new day. I lift every thought, word, action. May everything I think, say and do be pleasing to you. Protect me and my loved ones throughout the day. Amen. </div>
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Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-15989531816519210062013-04-25T22:24:00.000+08:002013-04-26T06:16:24.149+08:00Just because<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.statusant.com/large/Dear-GOD-thank-you-for-today%7C2C-yesterday-and-tomorrow.-My-family%7C2C-my-joys%7C2C-my-sorrows%7C2C-for-all-that-made-me-stronger.-status.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.statusant.com/large/Dear-GOD-thank-you-for-today%7C2C-yesterday-and-tomorrow.-My-family%7C2C-my-joys%7C2C-my-sorrows%7C2C-for-all-that-made-me-stronger.-status.jpg" width="617" /></a></div>
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It's almost the weekend!</div>
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Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-51984076369784286822013-04-25T15:00:00.000+08:002013-04-25T15:00:09.961+08:00Sabine's 7th : Other Printed Matters <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just 2 more sleeps before the party. The birthday girl's excitement is building up. Last night, she jumped up and down and danced around when I reminded her about Sunday. I'm wrapping up discussions with my party planner today, and making sure everything is all set for the big day. I want Saturday to be steady and relaxed (meaning, it will be mani-pedi-footspa day!) so I can wake up fresh and excited the next day. </div>
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Other than the <a href="http://nonstopbabble.blogspot.com/2013/04/sabines-7th-invitation.html">invitation</a>, I also asked Trisha of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PaperTreats?fref=ts">Paper Treats</a> to do these for me: </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYp-jdAy7yrir6PeGF3Bfx_SsJ-xCQPekJwT6WJcfOiUZk_j3CQXFB-GwGA9FcW6ZUVZpciG7hbCukKotJNAxfGVoLy_bNGPX8cG1gwicV750ir8ovBi2Rnby7XOhZDgH3LXxzZSMiGI/s1600/Sabine+Loot+Bag+Tag+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYp-jdAy7yrir6PeGF3Bfx_SsJ-xCQPekJwT6WJcfOiUZk_j3CQXFB-GwGA9FcW6ZUVZpciG7hbCukKotJNAxfGVoLy_bNGPX8cG1gwicV750ir8ovBi2Rnby7XOhZDgH3LXxzZSMiGI/s400/Sabine+Loot+Bag+Tag+A.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sticker Labels for the loot bags</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyae9MvKFlgGzjvNTB1cH1h_bIMVDkMAmv2QjYekQHKVPj2NFwdWKtaEdFuh5dV7KpP9zhaDnWnsoe-fIZUgp0fZ_K7XJex0Yus0IThXoOW5fOqjx6UdbOYWvZhPs8ZgzgT5BUUnLQlCQ/s1600/Sabines+Patisserie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyae9MvKFlgGzjvNTB1cH1h_bIMVDkMAmv2QjYekQHKVPj2NFwdWKtaEdFuh5dV7KpP9zhaDnWnsoe-fIZUgp0fZ_K7XJex0Yus0IThXoOW5fOqjx6UdbOYWvZhPs8ZgzgT5BUUnLQlCQ/s640/Sabines+Patisserie.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buntings for the Dessert Station<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menu Cards for the main buffet set-up and the Dessert Station<br /></td></tr>
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Other details : </div>
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Loot bags - I didn't have to worry about them or their contents because the person providing the Dessert Station included these in her package. The kids (and most likely, some of the grown-ups) will be allowed to choose their take away loot and pack them in their own bags. Anissa says it's a really cool idea and her friends will surely jump at the chance. These are 16-17 year olds we're talking about haha!</div>
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Game Prizes - There should be no doubt about where to get these. I went to Divisoria recently after 2 long years and found myself in wholesale heaven yet again. Although the traffic going there and going home was awful, it was absolutely hassle-free the moment I arrived. I got off at Lucky Chinatown Mall (upon the advice of a lot of people) and asked the driver to just park there and wait for me. The short walk from the mall's back entrance/exit to 168 Mall was a relief. I was afraid I'd have to walk in the heat for a while but I didn't. I left around 3 hours later with way more than what the party planner told me to get hihihi. It's that easy to get carried away in that place. </div>
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Everything else - the styling and decorations, caterer (I can't go wrong with Verleo, can I?), entertainment (Jive --- so excited to have them!) - is included in the party planner's package.</div>
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By the way, I haven't disclosed who my party planner is pala! She's heaven sent and I'm going to write a separate supplier review. Her business is called Let's Party. If you're curious, check her out <a href="http://www.facebook.com/letsparty8?fref=ts">here</a>. Olive is so nice and we hit it off right away. Her sister, Kris, owns <a href="http://www.facebook.com/kdesignavenue?fref=ts">Design Avenue</a> and will do the dessert station (styling included). Both girls are so excited to execute their ideas on Sunday. I have to stop talking about them now. They deserve a more detailed entry of their own. Same goes for Paper Treats!</div>
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Well, I guess that's it for now. For now??? I'm hoping I've covered everything and on Sunday, all I have to do is show up and give our little girl and our guests a great time. It's going to be a super happy day and I'm sure of it! </div>
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Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-5890864679964945792013-04-25T09:00:00.000+08:002013-04-25T09:00:00.441+08:00How sweet it is! <br />
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When you have a 17 year old who has friends and activities left and right, it's pretty difficult. Moms (or parents for that matter) always don't measure up to friends on the "likability" scale. Neither do little sisters. For about a couple of years now, it's been me and Sabine "against the world" while Ate Anissa continues to discover the world out there. </div>
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So when I was asked, along with other #SoMoms, to join a Mommy and Me Cupcake Making Activity at Cupcakes By Sonja's, I silently squealed victory! Anissa has loved Sonja's cupcakes since the shop opened first in Serendra. There was no doubt in my mind that she would want to go with me. Sabine, on the other hand, would come even if I told her I was going to explore Pluto.<br />
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You can check these previous entries <a href="http://nonstopbabble.blogspot.com/2012/03/sweet-tooth-attacks_12.html">here</a> and <a href="http://nonstopbabble.blogspot.com/2013/04/hello-me-time.html">here</a> to see how much my family loves sweets, particularly cupcakes and the ones from Cupcakes by Sonja's. Until now, we've had to go to Serendra (not too near to us) just to buy them. Every time I have a reason to go there without the kids, Anissa would remind me to grab a few of her favorites from Sonja's shop. If there were times I went home without some, I surely didn't hear the end of it from her. Unfortunately, the little one got sick the weekend prior to the event, I had no choice but to leave her at home. It was bonding time for me and the teenager who doesn't really like hanging out with me hihi.<br />
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As soon as we arrived and were done saying hello to all the other #SoMoms in attendance, we immediately got down to business. Errrrmmm ... Anissa did hihi. I have ZERO talent in the art department, so I chose to take a step back, be Mamarazzi and cheerleader instead. </div>
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1st activity : How to create frosting colors</div>
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Anissa wanted purple frosting.</div>
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Then the huge tray of assorted toppings came and at this point I thought, Sabine would be in heaven by now!</div>
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But this was my favorite topping of them all. Need you ask? </div>
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So focused on making those cupcakes and cookies<br />
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After all the work ... here's what she came up with<br />
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She really IS good with her hands.<br />
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It was one activity after another that everyone enjoyed. I can still hear the kids shrieking with delight while they were designing and creating their work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTyPLvB4teyW2s6IU4GM27K_qqAj6hEOvPTwJYv-oKpxOmlNPQnH2VcPkJ7ioN4_g8AVJZ41ZqM6GZz2FKWSOC0xawNjebim4uBg-QESabylmObP1hzjMW_e3h9ijegPbxeistcI48ag/s1600/photo+1-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTyPLvB4teyW2s6IU4GM27K_qqAj6hEOvPTwJYv-oKpxOmlNPQnH2VcPkJ7ioN4_g8AVJZ41ZqM6GZz2FKWSOC0xawNjebim4uBg-QESabylmObP1hzjMW_e3h9ijegPbxeistcI48ag/s320/photo+1-4.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Hey, Basti! Smile naman! Basti is the adorable son of Eli, <a href="http://www.painterswife.com/"><i>ThePaintersWife</i></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kgBRTB0quJbgsWfeTkll67G9qCWP91ZaCc5y3AW6l3obDMa6Hg5zovvULXlEkkwxyuMtyJWaaVKTIWOyZredXsoboNl2SLobVNygcVCAg0RC3P0_PfI8tcYnyG3U4p0ydn6XTCorGyw/s1600/photo+2-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kgBRTB0quJbgsWfeTkll67G9qCWP91ZaCc5y3AW6l3obDMa6Hg5zovvULXlEkkwxyuMtyJWaaVKTIWOyZredXsoboNl2SLobVNygcVCAg0RC3P0_PfI8tcYnyG3U4p0ydn6XTCorGyw/s320/photo+2-4.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here's <a href="http://www.manilamommy.com/"><i>ManilaMommy</i></a> Neva's first born, David, busy decorating his cookie<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfgquUurQ_nqyA_4QY-p5p5uOH-H5vpr-thmCa5bK5gey335mrE-O698TRulfZ0PlZlmTYe8tTczVnYeHtshVzWg9l0jSS2CT04bvedQ9jrxCdENHTWFwxnpGl9p9Qn5ye2cZxs8fgw4/s1600/photo+3-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfgquUurQ_nqyA_4QY-p5p5uOH-H5vpr-thmCa5bK5gey335mrE-O698TRulfZ0PlZlmTYe8tTczVnYeHtshVzWg9l0jSS2CT04bvedQ9jrxCdENHTWFwxnpGl9p9Qn5ye2cZxs8fgw4/s320/photo+3-2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Yukie who sat in front of us with Mom Cai of <a href="http://www.applesanddumplings.com/"><i>ApplesandDumplings</i></a> .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ465HeoCmiioWCIf3Vd24OokKLvUzZz8a6jfJ_n_I8AH4AHmRhI5QGbJSaJXpxsiVoDFmP-vIW1kfrQvprHMeIsVhuiAMbABFnxJwvRgzDwpA1AjQZxRuVGJU43Z8W33dI4VTz0btI1o/s1600/photo+5-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ465HeoCmiioWCIf3Vd24OokKLvUzZz8a6jfJ_n_I8AH4AHmRhI5QGbJSaJXpxsiVoDFmP-vIW1kfrQvprHMeIsVhuiAMbABFnxJwvRgzDwpA1AjQZxRuVGJU43Z8W33dI4VTz0btI1o/s640/photo+5-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And here they all are with Tita Sonja, minus my big girl (literally).<br />
From L-R : Yukie, Naima, Berry, Mika, Sam, Basti, David and Sonja of course.<br />
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Because the kids were so happy, the #SoMoms were too!<br />
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The best part? Making all those cupcakes with her PLUS bringing them all home. Wheeee!<br />
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Thank you, Cupcakes by Sonja, for a lovely time!!!<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Today,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Cupcakes by Sonja is baking something new,
something even better. With the opening of its newest store at the second floor
Bridgeway of Glorietta 2, Cupcakes by Sonja’s fondness for nostalgic elements
is given a fresh contemporary twist. The store counter, which is fashioned out
of textured tin and decorated with charming calligraphy, is at the center of
the action. The refrigerated display is integrated into the counter but lighted
accordingly to showcase Cupcakes by Sonja’s gourmet creations. The dining area
features furniture of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>different heights,
materials, and elements all coming together in quiet harmony. Mixed in this
panoply of the nostalgic and the modern are a couple of quirky elements like a
lighting fixture made of kitchen whisks.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>More
stores are set to open within the year at Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Eastwood City,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Greenhills, and TriNoma. Cupcakes by Sonja
will also be offering new menu items developed with the same passion and
commitment to quality and prepared with only the best ingredients as its other
signature items.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span>
Incidentally, Cupcakes by Sonja has an ongoing contest called Shoot and Share. You can click <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=605020749525723&set=a.574308929263572.142252.571847379509727&type=1&theater"><i>here</i></a> to join. </div>
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The new Cupcakes by Sonja store is located at the 2nd Floor, Bridgeway Glorietta 2, Ayala Center Makati. </div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/133/FF49E92EEA75665C5F56D09A26FB3856.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-86445453838370153592013-04-25T00:00:00.000+08:002013-04-25T00:00:41.735+08:00I Used To Love Summer<br />
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But now, all it does is make me go ballistic because of the horrible and sometimes unbearable heat. </div>
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Is it just me or does it get hotter each year? I don't remember the temperature being as high as 38 degrees last year. Our household is not the type that uses our air-conditioners all the time, anytime. The kids know they have to ask us if they want to turn an aircon on in any part of the house. Unless it's night time, because it's a given that we all sleep with the aircon on. But because it's been soooooooo hot and humid lately, the aircons at home have been ten times busier than usual. Our pockets are definitely feeling the effects, but we really don't have much choice. I've challenged myself with only the electric fan on more than once, but I always ended up throwing the towel because well ... sobrang init lang talaga these days. Parang once a week, you'll hear on the news that "today was the hottest day of the year so far ...".</div>
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Summers were not this intense when I was younger (light years ago??). In fact, I was a sun worshipper. I can't imagine being the same today. Laying in the sun to get a tan for 30 minutes sounds like torture now. I used to be able to do it all the time, even when everyone else was in the water or busy doing some other thing. I'd lay out my beach towel, put on suntan lotion, wear my sunglasses and then detach myself from the rest of the world for the next hour or so. I was an expert at getting a tan. Now? No way. You can't drag me out even if you pay me to do it. In fact, I've only been in a swimsuit once this summer and I don't feel the need to take a trip to the beach at all. I'd rather go to a place with a bed, where the air-conditioning is on 24/7 and there's room service. HAHAHA. </div>
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My kids are too busy to complain about the heat. They only do it when they're at home. Otherwise, they're okay. I just make sure they hydrate hydrate hydrate!</div>
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But wait ... I'm not sure if I want the rainy season to kick in already. Scary too, given extreme weather situations everywhere, not just here. I just really want a break from this heat!!!</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/133/FF49E92EEA75665C5F56D09A26FB3856.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-53919664958918269572013-04-22T00:36:00.004+08:002013-04-22T12:01:36.814+08:00Happy Birthday (in heaven), Daddy<br />
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I no longer cry everyday but it doesn't mean I miss you less.</div>
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I miss you every morning when I realize there's no first text of the day from you.</div>
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I miss you all throughout the day because no one calls at least 3x to check on the girls.</div>
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I miss you at night because no one calls to say good night. </div>
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I miss you on weekends because Sunday Family Style is no longer the same without you.</div>
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I miss you EVEN MORE today because we'll be celebrating your birthday without you for the first time ever. This is how it's going to be from now on. </div>
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I'm sad and my insides ache because I want to hug you and give you a birthday kiss but I can't. You'll get one from God, which is certainly better than a hug from any of us. </div>
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One day, I'll make up for all the lost time and hug you 'til it hurts.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjOegoPmMKBLHcOvXcMKn7nxF1cqcXl1AtktllQTu0hZYG2JT78i8hDXMysax9l0OvItKqgDtRtz-_zPIaGgs4YzphdFc-Jw_XrwHDabPCi9CpRUUbai4zpTp9ljL70YXm1mzgrvObRs/s1600/dadbday1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjOegoPmMKBLHcOvXcMKn7nxF1cqcXl1AtktllQTu0hZYG2JT78i8hDXMysax9l0OvItKqgDtRtz-_zPIaGgs4YzphdFc-Jw_XrwHDabPCi9CpRUUbai4zpTp9ljL70YXm1mzgrvObRs/s400/dadbday1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Happy Birthday, Daddy. I miss you everyday. We all do. </div>
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I love you. Always. Forever.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/133/FF49E92EEA75665C5F56D09A26FB3856.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-57341493962321086482013-04-21T07:56:00.001+08:002013-04-21T09:49:51.541+08:00I am beautiful no matter what I think <br />
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Thanks to <a href="http://manilafashionobserver.com/"><i>Tin</i></a> who tweeted about it, I came across this video which <i><a href="http://thefatherland.blogspot.com/">Marc</a></i> wrote an entry about. It IS true, if you're a man (husband, brother, father, whatever...) you never ever want to find yourself in the middle of a discussion about a woman's looks. Whether it be her face or her body - more so her body! If for some unfortunate reason you find yourself in one, learn from it and charge it to experience haha. It really is a delicate topic. Is it universally delicate? Yes, as the video tells us. The issue exists in women everywhere. </div>
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Here's why this video made me cry. </div>
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I'm 44 with 2 kids, my body isn't what it used to be. But things became even more "complicated" after my breast cancer diagnosis and the surgeries that had to be done. Everyone knows what a mastectomy is, right? A part of me - a body part that helps define a woman, the size of which sometimes impacts a woman's self-worth (admit it!) - had to be taken away. At 44, I have one less breast. I struggled with this in the beginning, even if I had the breast reconstructed. I cried about it, even if I knew that having it removed was part of my treatment plan and would eventually lead to my healing. In light moments when talking to friends about it, I would tell them, <i>"Pun*eta, flat-chested na nga, mababawasan pa.". </i>I got over it right away though. I prayed hard for comfort and strength and the Lord was so kind to me. In no time, I was okay with it. I even bravely explained it to my girls and honestly to me at that exact time, all that mattered was I was going to be better off without it. </div>
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I didn't cry while watching this video because I went back to that dark place. I'm still okay with one reconstructed breast (by the way, a reconstructed breast does NOT look like a normal one still), N doesn't seem to care at all about it (and if he does after all, I'm going to throw him an upper cut). I certainly don't have any issues. Not anymore. I look at myself in the mirror all the time, unlike other women I know who still can't or who feel a discomfort when doing so. The breast is gone but so is the cancerous tumor that was there. That's all that matters to me. </div>
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A slightly protruding tummy</div>
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The onset of varicose veins</div>
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Crow's feet</div>
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Laugh lines </div>
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A double chin</div>
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My c-section scar</div>
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My appendectomy scar</div>
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My tummy tuck scar (not an aesthetic procedure, I had to have it in relation to the breast recon)</div>
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And now ... a mastectomized and reconstructed left breast</div>
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All these, when looked at without much thought, are not so pleasant reminders. But when I look at them long enough, I see something else. They're badges of honor and I've learned to look at them with pride in my heart, instead of <i>sama ng loob</i>. </div>
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Of course I would still love to look good in a bikini at this age. What other mothers would give to be able to fit into one beautifully after having children! I'm never going to deny that there's a part of me that's going to continue to wish for that. But I'm all good if it doesn't happen. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/XpaOjMXyJGk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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What a way to begin my Sunday. I teared up again while watching this. I'm sure you will, too. </div>
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<i>"I should be more grateful of my natural beauty. It impacts the choices and the friends that we make, the jobs we apply for, how we treat our children. It impacts everything. It couldn't be more critical to your happiness."</i></div>
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<i>"We spend a lot of time as women, analyzing and trying to fix the things that aren't quite right when we should spend more time appreciating the things that we do like."</i></div>
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Have a blessed Sunday!</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/133/FF49E92EEA75665C5F56D09A26FB3856.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-91007688252087895402013-04-20T09:16:00.002+08:002013-04-20T09:16:42.597+08:00Beautiful Words<br />
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I rarely share photos and links from other Facebook pages, but I had to make an exception while perusing my newsfeed this morning. I've been following this account that's called "Eat and Cheat Cancer Book Project", because a co-Pink Warrior is part of it and I'm interested to know what's going to be in the book. This morning, whoever is managing this account shared this :</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>LEAP OF FAITH</i></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>by Blanca, Volunteer and Contributing Writer</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Answered prayers are not magic, they're miracles and love. And since they're love, the answer is not always a yes. Sometimes its difficult to understand why certain things happen or why things did not go as planned. Yes we know that they do happen for a reason but many times, the reason is simply lost to us.</i></span></div>
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Our faith dictates us though to trust that everything will make sense in the future. To believe with all our heart that God will reveal His great design for us in His own perfect time. It moves us to wait patiently without questioning His purpose nor demand for an answer.</div>
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His loving grace will aid us as we come to terms with our current situation. We are never alone in our painful journey, He's just right there beside us. Sometimes, we are just blinded by fear and numbed by pain that we fail to see and feel His presence.</div>
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</i></span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>When we want to do little else but pull pur hair out or throw our hands up in the in frustration, there's always heaven to look up to and God to call on. When we want nothing but to run up to the hills screaming in despair, there's that peak at the top where we can take that big leap of faith. God is just right there waiting to catch us with open arms.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whoever Blanca is, I'm hoping she doesn't mind that I'm using her words as basis for this entry. They're very touching, make so much sense to me as I've never had anything so intense test my faith in God before. Never. So I know that this girl, whoever she is, must have gone through something life-changing herself. </span></span></div>
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I suppose I'm one of the lucky ones. While I didn't understand at first why my Dad passed away the way he did (he wasn't sick, there were none of those usual premonitions, we were totally shocked), God was so quick to show me and my family why it had to happen. I couldn't believe it. I thought I would have to wait a while, trust Him more, before He revealed the truth to us. But He truly is merciful, He saw my struggle to understand amidst having to deal with my breast cancer diagnosis while in the thick of mourning my Dad's death. Being made to understand why certain unfortunate incidents happen to you is relieving, comforting. I don't think I can be comforted enough while I continue to feel the huge void my Dad's death has left behind. But I at least know why it's there. I'll get to that comfort zone one day. Hopefully it won't take very long. </div>
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And no, this won't be a sad weekend. In fact, I'm going to be busy attending celebrations! </div>
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Happy Weekend, everyone! God bless us all! </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9</i></span></span></div>
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Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-54057781644696582272013-04-19T14:00:00.000+08:002013-04-19T14:00:11.638+08:00My Girls : The Summer Celebrants <br />
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Anissa used to complain about her birthday being in March. She was never able to celebrate in school, and everytime she had a party (which was every year of the 1st ten years of her life as an only child and grand child), her classmates would be out of town or out of the country. The same goes for Sabine, although at 7 years old, she hasn't started complaining just yet. I wonder why I had to give birth in the summer twice? </div>
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Anyway, it's mid-April, the girls' birthdays are over. Anissa didn't really want to do much when she turned 17. Other than a new phone to replace her iPhone 4S which kept giving her problems, she just wanted to treat her friends to pizza. </div>
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It had to take a 36" Big Guys Pizza to make this hungry bunch of dancers happy</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pizza party took place right after dance training. Friends surprised her with a cake awwww!</td></tr>
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At 17, she is happiest when in the company of people her age. Sniff sniff! Sad but true. I was a teenager once so I know. But there's a difference because we're generations apart. Don't let me get into that right now! </div>
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<i>Note : Next year will be a whole different story. She'll be 18 and as early as now has told her Dad and I that she wants a party. Not your traditional formal, coming-out thing, but a party nonetheless. </i></div>
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In contrast, here's what my little girl told me recently : "Mom, I just want to be with you all the time!"</div>
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Yesterday, we took her out to see The Croods and to play in Time Zone while killing time. She knows that she's having a party in 2 weeks, but we just couldn't let the actual day pass without doing anything. Thankfully, this kid still knows how to have shallow fun. She told us days before that she wanted to watch The Croods and I prayed so hard it would still be in the cinemas yesterday. It was! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC45DyEEwxGKYT1T1HhkyaYXDdutUZq-AQpatK-EBeIRqGOGGvVTqXKPqHfHGg-en9N1dFTWtGJUqUmosrJbQf4hT-Quhf-owKDwnuFd5ab2Qmf0oKNvQFCoapeMuU2J2Kq_xy5WOPeek/s1600/image-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC45DyEEwxGKYT1T1HhkyaYXDdutUZq-AQpatK-EBeIRqGOGGvVTqXKPqHfHGg-en9N1dFTWtGJUqUmosrJbQf4hT-Quhf-owKDwnuFd5ab2Qmf0oKNvQFCoapeMuU2J2Kq_xy5WOPeek/s320/image-1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giddy giddy in the car on the way to Glorietta</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dada took her to Time Zone while Ate and I sat in Starbucks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WYG6ImMs2gjFBWvh9ASviHyigMygT60WM1xgXyaodBc00PWgGh3C_p1VkkZjdIeRwyO60T88zt3H6rQn1lm_pp2z_yunj3xaFfNOczO6zPpfEjp1ptkHUEWh7h2OSY4Uw3SX1-6mdPI/s1600/image-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WYG6ImMs2gjFBWvh9ASviHyigMygT60WM1xgXyaodBc00PWgGh3C_p1VkkZjdIeRwyO60T88zt3H6rQn1lm_pp2z_yunj3xaFfNOczO6zPpfEjp1ptkHUEWh7h2OSY4Uw3SX1-6mdPI/s320/image-4.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who got 350 tickets in one tap? Ate was the lucky tapper!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwge_GmyDbz8UE62W48nCvD2rpsdNVwNjVvF9qxu54Qq75dIJBSoxEazzngG8L-HwBqXH7i1UzStiz9ddIOq37-PKkeD8OyDOggGPdwPxnOisrNbFZnc77ghLgIT3o5VOouRrwisvJ_jU/s1600/image-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwge_GmyDbz8UE62W48nCvD2rpsdNVwNjVvF9qxu54Qq75dIJBSoxEazzngG8L-HwBqXH7i1UzStiz9ddIOq37-PKkeD8OyDOggGPdwPxnOisrNbFZnc77ghLgIT3o5VOouRrwisvJ_jU/s320/image-3.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the movie, she shopped for her favorite Cheese-flavored popcorn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vY6MQCWdJ9XU37QGr5HHTPN-ORflLKPT6dWDNVipagStZ0-G8u4idt1u7MsRFMqt_y0nmZqdaGgFIqPttbZQ6VB-rO1mUTC0NzGKPIP5iFCwldRPvTZhl3ODJotndVtUyNjEOwtWQxI/s1600/image-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vY6MQCWdJ9XU37QGr5HHTPN-ORflLKPT6dWDNVipagStZ0-G8u4idt1u7MsRFMqt_y0nmZqdaGgFIqPttbZQ6VB-rO1mUTC0NzGKPIP5iFCwldRPvTZhl3ODJotndVtUyNjEOwtWQxI/s320/image-5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She wanted pizza. Her wish was our command. Dinner at California Pizza Kitchen in Greenbelt 5, even if my tummy wanted to try Bulgogi Brothers hihihi. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KUmDvsfYjK7ZJWi5OBvyttMhyphenhyphenJ2sHtp2_6fkyjYhQvSZW42LM6BPw7daj3V0TcMwBRFLVJ5ektI6NK_F8vfC5x-Jxpa4U8X-6KOutgHmBIfQ7Nemfgg_3-DPbN78OrdJLzYTlHFyNMA/s1600/image-6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KUmDvsfYjK7ZJWi5OBvyttMhyphenhyphenJ2sHtp2_6fkyjYhQvSZW42LM6BPw7daj3V0TcMwBRFLVJ5ektI6NK_F8vfC5x-Jxpa4U8X-6KOutgHmBIfQ7Nemfgg_3-DPbN78OrdJLzYTlHFyNMA/s320/image-6.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy 7th, Sabine!!! </td></tr>
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So yes, summer is always an expensive but happy time for us. It will be even more so next year when Anissa graduates from high school AND turns 18! </div>
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Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-76764615908607865252013-04-19T08:05:00.000+08:002013-04-19T08:05:59.473+08:00Thank God It's Friday<br />
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Saying thank you has become a habit. I make sure I do it everyday, all day if I have to. I do it for every good thing that happens - big or small. It makes me feel really good doing it. Somehow though, Fridays make me more thankful than usual. Fridays signal the end of a work week. Yeah, I know that doesn't really apply to me because I don't technically work anymore (or should I say, I'm not back in the workforce just yet?). But there's just something about Fridays ... </div>
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First of all, it signals the start of the weekend. Although weekends have not really meant that much to me these past almost 3 years since I left corporate life, during the school year it would mean that my kids would be home from school and I wouldn't miss them so much.</div>
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Secondly, it also means spending time with other members of my very small family. Sundays have always been sacred. They still are. </div>
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I guess one other reason is I get to look back on the week that just passed and mentally list down and recall all the things I should be thankful for. Yes, this is probably the biggest reason of all. </div>
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This past week, for instance ... the most important thing that happened is that Sabine turned 7. She's been a joy to all of us and her turning another year older is something I've looked forward to. Next to Anissa's 17th birthday, it was what I kept looking at during my chemotherapy sessions. My girls were going to celebrate their birthdays after I was done with treatments. That was part of my prize. I had my eye on these dates the whole time. Sorry for digressing a bit. </div>
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This past week, I was also able to tick off one major task on my "to do" list --- go to Divisoria! I've been wanting to do this since I started planning Sabine's birthday party a few weeks ago. It was a must, a non-negotiable for me, because I had to get most of the stuff I need for the party. I finally got to go last Wednesday, and although traffic on the streets was horrible, the foot traffic inside 168 Mall where I spent the most part of the day, was not bad at all. I had a good time scouring the aisles for what I needed and managed to snag a few more things for the family. I was so happy to have put a big check mark on this task!</div>
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I have one more thing I'm excited about and it's the regular "session" I'm having with a co-Pink warrior over lunch today. We haven't seen each other since I graduated from chemo in February. She also recently concluded her chemo treatments and today, we celebrate our victories! </div>
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I'm hoping you all had the same kind of week, too. Of course I would be tons happier if I had won in the lotto or something like that! But hey, while there's life there's hope. Who knows what can happen tomorrow? :))</div>
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Meantime, I continue to have reasons to be happy and that's what counts. </div>
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HAVE AN AMAZING WEEKEND WITH YOUR LOVED ONES!</div>
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Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782448908857396263.post-74580333603046835412013-04-18T08:23:00.001+08:002013-04-18T08:25:34.773+08:00I Found The Perfect Wedges<br />
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This isn't my first pair of shoes from Gold Dot. Check out <a href="http://nonstopbabble.blogspot.com/2012/05/new-flats-from-gold-dot.html">this</a> entry. These flats have been worn over and over, not just by me but also by Anissa who sometimes can still fit into my shoes. Quality-wise, I really can't complain. It's still around and I can go for it anytime. </div>
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These wedges are my 2nd pair, they're called Jamie. I didn't go into a debate with myself about what color to choose, even if there are 4!</div>
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There's also white but the photo is no longer in the online store. Probably sold out. I wouldn't be surprised because since the day they were delivered to me late last week, I've used mine about thrice already. Sunday, the first time I walked in them, I went to 2 malls : Mega and Eastwood, and my feet didn't give up! To think, I've been complaining about having Lola Legs the past 6 weeks or so. My legs didn't feel as tired as they used to. I fell in love with Jamie as soon as I slipped my feet into the sandals. </div>
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The foot bed is soft, the wedge height is just right at around 3.5". I'm seeing too many pretty shoes but with really scary heels, too scary for a 44-year old to even consider wearing. I'm surely going to wobble in them. No longer what I used to be hihihi. </div>
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Believe it or not, I've been ditching my Yosi Samras for this pair from Gold Dot. Ever since my legs have been feeling the after-effects of chemotherapy, I've settled more for flats. My heeled shoes are so sad, they're neglected. This is a really happy, soon-to-be overused pair though. So nice when you're wearing red nail polish too diba??? I'm so in love with it, I'm actually thinking of getting a back-up pair. Thinking lang! :))</div>
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There really is something about ankle-strapped shoes that make you feel sexy and your legs actually LOOK sexy. Plus here's why I it's easy to consider getting another pair : it only costs P1,295. Mine certainly doesn't feel like I paid only this much for them. </div>
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Kudos, Gold Dot!!! </div>
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Click on <a href="http://www.golddot.com.ph/default.aspx">this</a> to go directly to Gold Dot's online store. </div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/133/FF49E92EEA75665C5F56D09A26FB3856.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Patty B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17874025939288521718noreply@blogger.com0