NON.STOP.BABBLE

Blogger on iPhone

2012-01-29T12:29:00.003+08:00

I don't know why I never bothered to find out before. I've had my iPhone 4s since December 2010 and I'm still in exploratory mode up to now. In fact, I've only installed a few apps, mostly out of necessity.

I'm a bit disappointed that the iPhone doesn't allow you to do multiple attachments on email messages. I've had to send photos individually or move them first to my external hard drive before posting them here.

With the Blogger for iPhone app, those days are over! Yes, I'm typing this entry from my iPhone 4s. The previous entry was my first attempt and it worked even with all those photos.

Hurray!!!

P.S.

The only thing that's missing on my iPhone entries are my signature. I'm gonna have to figure out how to make it appear everytime I blog from my phone.

First Time at Tea Tap

2012-01-29T12:11:00.001+08:00

On our way home from a lunch gathering yesterday, I wanted to have something sweet. I had attempted to go to Tea Tap several times in the past but never got around to doing so. I finally made it yesterday.

I was surprised that the place was really big, contrary to what one would expect because from outside, it always looked small to me.

I really liked the stuff they had on their walls. They kept Sabine and I entertained while waiting for our number to be called out. I thought it was funny, however, that the place was still on holiday mode haha.

I opted for the Formosa Roast and got the Wintermelon Milk Tea for Sabine. They did not disappoint. I did notice that the pearls had a slight after-taste, but not funky enough for me to not go back. The prices are also quite competitive, despite the really spanking interiors.

I wish I had the appetite to try some of the food they serve. They looked so good in the photos. I'll definitely spend more time there on my next visit. I heard their pasta dishes are a must-try.

One of the reasons people hang out here is the free WIFI signal. I'm almost 100% certain of that!

I'm glad I was finally able to try their milk teas after planning on it for the longest time. Please don't ask me to rate all the different brands I've tried so far. It would be hard for me to say which one tops my list. (sorry but I just have to say again that Happy Lemon is not a consideration)

Tea Tap is located at P.Guevarra corner Wilson St in San Juan.

Day One : Snoe White No. 11 Rejuvenating Collagen Bar

2012-01-26T11:51:00.000+08:00

Here we go!

I used this soap bar for the first time last night (after taking my eye make-up off with The Body Shop's Vitamin E Cream). Here's what the girls at Snoe Beauty Inc have to say about the product:

Most effective whitening and anti-aging soap. We dare you to compare.
Has collagen and fruit extracts to give skin its radiant and healthy glow to maintain a whiter, youthful look.
Collagen is a natural protein that keeps skin smooth and firm, fresh and elastic.
Repairs aging skin.

Active Ingredients: Collagen Liquid, Papain Enzyme, Hyaluronic Acid, AHA, Vitamin E, C, high Grade Coconut Oil.

Confession : this is the first time ever that I'm using a bar of this kind on my face. Before last night, I was okay with Dove haha! But like I mentioned previously, I made a promise and I really, really intend to keep it!

I followed the instructions on the sleeve to the letter. Wet my entire face first then got to work. What it says on the sleeve is true ... there was a slight sensation after I washed it all off. My skin felt prickly and tingly (those are the exact words on the back of the soap sleeve) but the feeling didn't last very long, so it's not a major issue for me.

(Note : I've been using Human Heart Nature's Sunflower Beauty Oil every night before going to bed but this time, I didn't want to push it. I skipped doing that because I was scared of how my skin might react.)

I stayed awake hours after I washed my face. Yup, I'm a very late sleeper. I kept feeling my face for any noticeable changes. Excited much? Maybe. But I did feel something different. The skin felt softer, like I applied the Sunflower Beauty Oil when I didn't. I thought maybe I was gravitating towards my thoughts because I wanted to be optimistic about the results, so I decided to sleep it off and check again when I wake up. Which I did.

And???

Sorry, I can't take a photo. I don't look my best in the mornings haha! But my skin still felt the same when I woke up. I mean, the softness was definitely still there. So I guess that's a clear sign that I should keep using this soap. I also don't have any breakouts so far. I'm hoping they won't decide to show up today or any day.

I don't know if I should be trying their other variants. I've read in some blogs that a lot of users like the Exfoliating Oatmeal Beauty Bar (above pic). I think I need this too. Maybe I'll ask one of the girls behind Snoe Beauty if it's okay to use these two alternately.

Oh and by the way, I haven't used the other product in the first pic yet. It's supposed to also double as a base for foundation. I need to go out of the house to road test it first.

The Snoe White Beauty Bars only cost Php 139.00 each.
Choose the one that's best for you! I think I just did!

More info on their products here

Catch y'all later!

Discovered : Snoe Beauty

2012-01-25T20:09:00.003+08:00

I swear, spending too much time online has resulted in a very expensive habit for me. I see things I'd never even heard of before and I'm off to the mall to buy them.

This is exactly what happened when I saw Sophie's blog entry about Snoe Beauty's Intense Argan Oil Cleansing Conditioner from their Hair Heroes line. She raved about the product from start to finish, I just knew I had to grab my own bottle. I've been having my hair colored since I-don't-know-when. Plus maybe 2 years ago, I started having it rebonded as well. In short, my hair is abused. I don't believe in getting regular treatments at the salon because I'd rather do it myself at home, with products I can buy off the shelf at the supermarket (I've been using Pantene for quite sometime now, once a week).

I was at a meeting today and on my way home, I thought of dropping by Robinson's Galleria to buy a bottle. Beats having to order online which was my initial intention, because I hardly go to Galleria. The stall wasn't too difficult to find. I love that it's so attractive even from afar.

I immediately went straight to the shelf where the Intense Argan Oil Cleansing Conditioner was. This was my main reason for going and I wanted to make sure they had stocks. They did and they had a lot! Then I began to look at their soaps ... so many to choose from, I felt lost! I'm clueless about skincare remember? Thankfully, the girls manning the stall were really helpful without being over-the-top. They complimented me and told me how my skin looked good and that it didn't seem to them that I need to use too much product or spend too much time on my face. THANK YOU!

After listening to all of their suggestions, I zeroed in on what I wanted. Here's the humble loot from that unplanned and quickie trip.

Hair Heroes Intense Argan Oil Cleansing Conditioner, S Skin Stem Cell SPF 30 Cream and Rejuvenating Collagen Beauty Bar

I spent less than Php 1,000 for all three. Is that good or is that good?!

Thanks to these girls, Cyra (I hope I spelled that right) and Tess, for knowing what to recommend and not sales talking me into buying stuff I didn't really need.

(Thought bubble : OMG where did they have that cute signage made???)

Watch out for my individual entries on the products.

Visit Snoe Beauty Inc's website at http://snoebeauty.com
Like them on Facebook or
Follow them on Twitter @SnoeBeautyInc

The promise I made

2012-01-25T19:13:00.002+08:00

At 43 years old, I have no daily skincare routine. Bad? Yes! I guess (and please, this is said in all honesty, no bragging) I took this for granted because I've never had any issues regarding my skin. I get a pimple, a really small one, like maybe 3-4 times in a year and mostly on my chin area. That's about it. The main problem I have with my skin would be the fact that it's oily. Then again, people say I should be thankful because oily skin is not prone to wrinkles.

This year, however, I made this promise to myself. I didn't broadcast it as a New Year's resolution because I don't really make resolutions. I told myself I would take better care of my skin from now on. Given that I'm in mid-life and for a lot of women out there, it's usually downhill from here onwards. Knock on wood!

Other than washing my face with soap and water before going to bed, I never did anything. This year so far, I've been religiously applying Human Heart Nature's Sunflower Beauty Oil every night before retiring (I'll save the story for a separate post).

Today, I purchased a few more items to help me fulfill this promise.

I'm really excited to blog about them!

Wish me luck!!!

Excited for these!

2012-01-18T00:34:00.006+08:00

This is such a premature post, but I need to do it out of excitement!

These lippies have been ordered and I'm just waiting to receive them

NYX Xtreme Lip Cream in Buttery Nude

NYX Lip Cream in Strawberry Jam

Sleek Pout Paint in Milkshake

Let's start with the first two. I've always liked NYX lip products. In fact, I have a few of the matte lip creams as well as the round lipsticks. The Xtreme Lip Creams are supposed to be highly-pigmented just like their matte ones, except these leave a glossy finish. I sometimes like applying gloss over my lipstick so this is perfect!

Out of all of the available shades below, I chose Buttery Nude and Strawberry Jam. I don't know how on earth I was able resist all the other colors. I'm sure I'll be going back for other shades after my first two arrive! (already have my eye on Candy Land and Absolutely Red)

I've a done a review on Sleek's True Color lipsticks here. I haven't outgrown them just yet but I just couldn't say no to Sleek's Pout Paints. Again, I don't know how I ended up ordering just ONE shade.

Sleek Pout Paint in Milkshake ... a really safe color, huh?

Just look at all the other pretty shades available

SIGH! I'm really loving the pinkish ones. I'm sure I'll go for them next.

How much? NYX Xtreme Lip Creams cost P290 (on sale at the moment) and Sleek Pout Paints are at P400. Very good deals you won't find elsewhere!

Where to buy?

Head on to Digital Traincase and/or Updated Trends before they run out. There are many other lipstick addicts out there so don't dilly dally!

Favorite color combinations

2012-01-14T21:39:00.003+08:00

I always find myself drawn to the same color mixes when I look at pretty things, especially where home decorations are concerned. One day, I know I'll have the patience to re-do every room in the house using any of these

Turquoise, Red, Taupe

Blue, Yellow, White

Green and Khaki

Black and White with a splash of something. In my case, it would have to be something like this ...

yellow or apple green! Happy, right?

Sigh. In the meantime, I'm gonna have to hang on to these photos for inspiration. Re-modeling is a huge task and I'm totally not ready for it right now.

Claiming it!

2012-01-13T20:54:00.003+08:00

Just having fun

2012-01-11T10:20:00.000+08:00

I'm sure N will violently object

But what the heck!

Mood : Thankful

2012-01-09T23:54:00.002+08:00

The year started out on a good note --- work wise. I don't work as hard as I used to. I don't want to belittle what I'm doing because that is just so wrong. What I do now compared to what I used to do is so small, but only in terms of scope. Maybe even in terms of stress levels. For so many years, my work life was hectic. I had to stop myself and breathe. It was so easy to drown in it, if I didn't make a conscious effort to take a break.

A few days into the new year, I sat down with a group of people to try and seal the deal for a project. Two hours later, I was texting the rest of my team mates about the meeting's success. I was beside myself with happiness and gratitude. It was a really good way to start things off.

Every night, I say the same things when I pray.

I start my bedtime prayer with

"Lord God, thank You for today's blessings"

I know I'm blessed every single day, with different things

Sometimes big, sometimes small

It doesn't really matter though, because what counts is I know God doesn't forget

Even when I feel I am most undeserving, He still manages to give me

something to be thankful for.

I don't mean to preach. But in my 43 years I've learned that mindset is really important.

I'm so sure there's more where the blessings are coming from.

Thank you, dear Lord, for everything!

Callie Bath and Body - my dynamic duo!

2012-01-09T23:01:00.003+08:00

Amber Lights Laguna (ALL), known for their scented soy candles has expanded and now carries a bath and body line called CALLIE.

My good friend, the brains behind ALL gave me this for Christmas

I have been using them nonstop since the day I got them! They say layering is one of the best ways to sustain a scent. These are perfect for doing so. Even my 5-year old loves the way they smell. They're also great to give as gifts, just make sure you give them as a set because they really work best that way.

Other than ALL's signature candles, I'm also really fond of their reed diffuser. The scent I have in my bedroom now is Day at the Spa and I literally like I'm walking into a Balinese spa whenever I enter my room.

Photo above was taken from ALL's site. See all the other scents? I suggest you try them all!

Click on this to see their product list.

Desserts at Momo Cafe

2012-01-09T22:47:00.003+08:00

My family has had dinner here a few times. I personally love their Filipino breakfast plate (that's not the exact name on the menu though), especially the Beef Tapa, which is what I always order! Last night, we decided to hangout here after dinner. I didn't stuff myself at BluFish so I had some room for dessert. Their offerings looked so tempting in the chiller, Anissa and I couldn't resist!

I ordered the Chocnut Sansrival and Anissa spotted Deep Fried Oreos in the dessert list so that's what she decided to get.

Here's my slice of the Chocnut Sansrival. It was good. However, I like my Sansrival sticky and semi-crunchy. Very old school, I know. But this is the kind f Sansrival I grew up loving. This was neither sticky, nor crunchy. But the chocnut flavor was not bad at all.

When Anissa's order arrived, she took one bite and immediately urged me to do the same.

So I did.

OH MY GOODNESS!!!

I teased her about exchanging orders because this one tasted wayyyyyyy better than mine! It also helped that they used mini Oreos. They made it so much easier to eat. I don't know what they used but it was the breading (or coating, if that's a more correct term) that really did the job. Now I have one more reason to keep going back to Momo Cafe!

I wonder if they serve this in Chelsea (Serendra) as well. The same group owns it.

By the way, we always go to the branch in Eastwood Mall.

But a friend told me there's also one in the Ayala Triangle in Makati.

Do yourselves a favor and order this on your next visit!

P.S.

I took these photos using my iPhone 4s (loooooove the camera!) and enhanced them using the

BeFunkyFX app. Cool!

A follow up post

2012-01-08T11:21:00.003+08:00

It's been weeks since I made that big jump from a Blackberry to an iPhone 4s. So how am I doing?

Other than the fact that I still keep waiting for my BBM message alert to go off, I think I'm okay. Friends who have been on the iPhone from day one told me I'll get used to it and I guess I have. My main beef with the iPhone was the touchscreen. This was the primary reason I refused to switch. I loved the tactile sound of the keys on my Blackberry. Which is why my keyboard sound is turned ON. It's shallow, I know hahaha!

So yes, I really sometimes pine for a Blackberry still. Most especially whenever I'm reminded that my friends are all on BBM and I'm the only one who isn't. I'm a total outcast!

If anyone's interested, here's what my iPhone 4s looks like right now

This is my 2nd cover. The first one was a Kate Spade, which happily sits inside my dresser drawer right now hehe! I love the design on that but it's kinda bulky. I'm thinking of getting the silicone version next time. This one, is a Tokidoki case which I got from Power Mac. I got it because Cactus Girl is just so adorable!

And guess what ... my current wallpaper is even more juvenile!

The wallpaper app I downloaded is filled with so many nice ones. I actually have a few Hello Kitty wallpapers already stored in an album, so I can change the look of my homescreen depending on my mood. Check out 10,000+ wallpaper app in the app store and have fun with all the fun options it has!

I wonder when Siri will begin to recognize the Philippine map though? I haven't made use of her much, except when the kids are bored in the car and start asking her all sorts of funny questions.

My kind of weather!

2012-01-08T11:16:00.003+08:00

I woke up to bed weather. Isn't that so ironic?

I wanted to stay in bed but the little girl started blabbing to me as soon as we both woke up. There was a slight drizzle outside ... perfect to go with my morning cup of Batangas Barako coffee.

The downside is that we have been looking forward to this day because we're planning to take Aldo with us to Eastwood. If it continues to rain, that means we'll be restricted to the mall area where it's covered. We won't be able to walk him around in the open area.

Hope you're all having a very relaxing Sunday.

Back to work tomorrow!

It's More Fun In The Philippines

2012-01-07T10:44:00.002+08:00

I went into a 2-hour meeting yesterday (not a boring one, mind you) and when I checked my Twitter timeline, it was flooded with tweets about the Dept. of Tourism's new slogan.

There was a mixture of reactions from everyone. I, however, will have to say that I totally agree. You see, I've seen relatives and close family members leave the homeland in search of greener pastures abroad since I was a little girl. My earliest memory of people packing their bags is that of my Mom's eldest sister. This was sometime in the 1970s (I think). I can still see myself standing in my grandfather's huge garage, near the swimming pool, saying goodbye to her, my uncle and their daughters who were both in my age range. They lived in Bulacan since the girls were born and decided to migrate to California. They've been there eversince and haven't looked back, not once. Since then, all of my Mom's 8 siblings have moved. We were the only ones who stayed put. Except for a handful of cousins who were already overaged and couldn't move together with the rest of their families, we were the only ones here. It was really sad, seeing my first-degree cousins go. I grew up with them and we spent many weekends and summers together. Even my one and only first cousin on my Dad's side decided to pack her bags sometime during her college education here, married and gave birth to my niece in the US.

I guess you could say I was fortunate that my family didn't have any reason to move out. But still, it was sad. Everytime I went to visit them, it would break my heart each time I had to say goodbye and fly back home. It was only when I got older and after seeing them regularly that I realized ... I would never want to leave the Philippines. My decision to stay where I am stands to this day. Not even when I'm constantly disappointed by people in government, or even if I have to spend hours sitting in the car in terrible traffic. Really, there is no place like this one.

I still get asked sometimes if we have any plans of living elsewhere. My standard answer is NO. But I change my mind somehow if it's one of my Singapore-based friends who ask me. I love Singapore and I love the thought of raising kids in a disciplined and super clean (almost antiseptic!) environment. Then again, I have no reason to think about doing it. I'm happy where I am and I would never ever trade the perks of living here.

Where else can I get 2-hour home service massages at only P250 an hour?

Or a full makeover for the price of just a haircut in the States?

What about household help? My relatives have had to import theirs from here and pay them tons in basic salaries, or hire other nationalities to clean and maintain their homes on a weekly basis. There is nothing like local household help, especially the loyal ones like mine (she's been with us for almost 16 years).

Most of all, I can't bear the thought of taking my kids away from my parents who adore them to death. While the prospect of being so much more financially capable is always attached to the idea of living in another country, I don't think it can ever compensate for the absence of immediate family. That's really what the Pinoy is all about, right?

So ... BBDO, I think you guys have come up with a really appropriate slogan for the country. Atleast that's how I feel about it. We may be 3rd world in the eyes of many foreign nationals. That's their opinion and they're entitled to it. I really could care less.

Fully Groomed!

2012-01-07T01:05:00.002+08:00

The day after he arrived, we decided to take Aldo to Vets In Practice for the works! He badly needed a bath but we chose the full package which also included nail cutting, ear cleaning and what have you. He was at the vet for over 2 hours. We were disappointed when we got a call and were told that they might have to cut more than the usual amount of hair. We asked if they could at least do a summer cut and thankfully, they agreed!

Here he is, the new and improved Aldo!

Props to Vets In Practice for doing a great job! Not bad for P600.

Happy that the clinic is just a 10-minute drive from the house.

We highly recommend the place!

Our surprise New Year's gift

2012-01-05T08:59:00.002+08:00

N knows I am not particularly fond of dogs. Not that I don't like them, because whenever we're in Serendra/Boni High Street or Eastwood, I can appreciate the many dogs I always see walking around with their owners. It's just that I never had enough patience to take care of one and I was too busy working to find the time to learn to train one. We've had 2 dogs in the past : a boxer and a long-haired dachsund. The boxer eventually passed away from an illness and the dachsund was handed over to N's aunt who's a dog lover. The girls have been badgering us about getting one for the longest time, but since they both suffer from allergic rhinitis, I used that as a reason to decline their request.

Then the other night, on our way home from a dinner, N dropped an unexpected surprise on them and on ME. He proudly announced that we were getting a dog the next day. THE NEXT DAY! While the girls squealed and bounced around in the car out of sheer ecstasy, I sat frozen and in shock. I knew that N purposely didn't consult me about this because I would say "no". This time, I had absolutely no choice but to go along with the idea because I didn't have the heart to pop the girls' balloons. The rest of the evening was spent thinking of names, I had to force the girls to sleep because they were too excited thinking about his arrival.

Yesterday, January 4, 2012 at approximately 9am ... we officially became a family of 5

This handsome 8-month old baby boy cocker spaniel is ALDO. It is so funny that I - the only person in this household who was strongly against the idea - am the one who named him. Nope, his name has nothing to do with the fact that I'm a shoe hag LOL. I just love the way the name sounds and when I saw him for the first time up close, I knew it would be a good fit.

He's 8 months old because we didn't buy him from the store or from someone who breeds. He was offered first to my cousin who had to say "no" because already has 2 dogs. My cousin asked N and the rest is history.

Seriously, this dog has captured the hearts of all of the members of his new household. The kids are beside themselves with happiness that I finally agreed (errrr was coerced) to getting them a pet. We immediately shopped for his essentials yesterday afternoon.

I found myself inside Bow and Wow in Shangri-la Mall last night, looking at dog beds and I found this

Don't ask me how much this cost! Let's just say, I'm going to have to postpone my planned visit to the salon this week to get my hair color retouched. No regrets though! Well, maybe a little. :))

Next up ... full grooming this morning!

More updates on Aldo in the next few days!

Heaven in a Box : Nathaniel's Buko Pandan

2012-01-03T10:04:00.004+08:00

My Tita who resides in San Fernando, Pampanga brought this over during our 4-day stay in Subic. It used to be that one would have to go all the way to Pampanga just to buy this. If you were pregnant (or the husband of a pregnant woman) with an intense craving for this, that would've been a real challenge for you!

Thankfully, they've decided to bring this to the Metro and have opened shop in Quezon City. A friend of mine also informed me that this is now sold in SM Hypermart (not sure if all branches have it though).

It's best served chilled, not frozen, contrary to popular belief. I have no idea how much this costs today but I'm pretty sure it won't do much damage. It's a perfect potluck party item, if you ask me, because I don't think I know anyone who doesn't like it.

Nathaniel's is at ITC Commercial Complex

Panay Avenue cor. Timog Avenue

Quezon City

I'm craving for it again!

2011-12-31T00:35:00.002+08:00

Buckle up, everyone! 2012 is just around the corner. Thank you, 2011, for all the wonderful opportunities that you brought! I welcome the new year with open arms, a renewed spirit and great anticipation.

Dear Lord, I am filled with thanks for all the abundant blessings of the year that's about to end. I pray that my loved ones and I continue to receive them in the days ahead.

To my dearest family and friends, here's wishing all of you the BEST of times ahead!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Out with the old, in with the new

2011-12-18T12:14:00.000+08:00

A few days ago, I made a difficult decision to let go of something I've gotten so used to and one of my favorite things to bring around. I've been a Blackberry user for a few years now and I've said again and again ... I wouldn't give it up for an iPhone because Blackberry Messenger is such a useful tool for me. Not to mention the fact that I'm so used to texting with a keyboard. N recently gifted me with a Blackberry 9900 for my birthday. He was secretly hoping I would ask for the iPhone 4 but I stood my ground. He gave me what I wanted despite his slight disappointment hehe.

I used it with such ease and comfort. This was my favorite Blackberry model so far. But alas, all good things must come to an end. My love affair with Blackberry ended a few days ago. It was a really difficult choice, but my back was against the wall on this one. I had given up on my telco service provider's inability to explain to me why I was still getting GPRS charges despite the fact that I never use my phone to surf when I'm at home, which is like 80% of the time. Charges of Php 7,000 per billing cycle? It's totally ridiculous and I would never ever pay for it because I know they don't deserve my hard-earned money. After weeks of asking them to resolve this complaint, I'm still waiting and in fact, my postpaid line has died in the process (another story).

Anyway, much to my extreme disappointment I had no choice but to switch phones. N was a Blackberry user for a little over a year and had the exact same issue I'm dealing with now. The minute he switched to an iPhone, the billing problems stopped. I get so stressed out everytime I talk to someone from the service provider so despite the heavy heart, I chose to solve my problem my way.

Enter my new friend

I was excited to see it when N surprised me on the same day I made the decision (that's how excited he is about me making the big switch!). In fact, he lied about sending the driver on an errand when in fact, the driver was picking up the phone from his contact in Greenhills.

I've been using it for 5 days now and okay, I 'll admit ... it ain't so bad. I used to say I don't like touch screens because I text really fast and this feature would "cramp my style". But the people other than N who've been convincing me to get the iPhone were right. It just takes some getting used to. While I really, really miss my old friend (we sold it to its new owner last Friday - that was quick!), I'm slowly liking the iPhone 4s. Nope, I don't use Siri that much. I still think I can do without her. Sabine though, thinks of her as a playmate, especially when we're in the car and stuck in traffic LOL.

Just to clarify though ... I still think there's nothing like Blackberry Messenger. I keep waiting for my BBM alert to go off because I'm so used to chatting with friends there. Now I feel like an outcast.

SIGH.

iPhone 4s ... you have a tough job ahead of you.

But thanks to my darling N as always for the early Christmas present.

iPhone 4/4s users ... what apps and accessories are "must haves"?

Share!

Just like wine, ripened with age...

2011-12-11T11:04:00.001+08:00

One of my BIGGEST blessings

No doubt, no questions

We've been together for so long, even longer than our respective marriages!

In good times and bad (oh many many bad times in the past for sure)

In sickness (knock on wood!) and in health

To infinity and beyond!!!

20 plus Christmases together and still counting

And to quote Rick Astley, whose songs we danced a lot to when we were younger...

"Together forever and never to part..."

I wish for everyone to have solid friendships like ours!

Forever 21

2011-12-06T22:05:00.002+08:00

I've only been to Forever 21 (Megamall) about 3-4x since it opened. All those times, I just happened to be in Megamall for something else but since I was already there and I don't frequent Megamall, I went. Today was probably the longest time I ever spent in the store. Anissa and I purposely went because our afternoon was spent shopping for holiday gifts. After getting a lot of stuff from the SM Department Store (I'm amazed at how much they've leveled up in terms of merchandise), we headed to Forever 21 to look for gifts for the girls in the family. We didn't have much time left though, so we were able to grab a lot less than we had hoped. Which means we need to go back, perhaps on a weekday again, so that we won't have to deal with a thick crowd.

While there, I decided to do a really thorough inspection of their Accessories section. I was on the lookout for some pieces that I intend to use to dress up a plain outfit that I'm planning to wear to a wedding in two weeks. I spent a good half an hour choosing because seriously, it's easy to get dizzy while going through all the stuff! I'm so happy with what I ended up with.

The bracelet is quite pricey at more than P800 but it's quite understandable because it's double the width of the others I saw, plus it had bling all over. I spent about P1,500 for all of these. Definitely a good deal. Other than this, I also scored a dress for just P665. I'll share it sometime soon, when I decide to wear it.

Forever 21 is undoubtedly the place to go for very affordable clothing, shoes, bags and accessories. Given the chance, my teenager would go there every weekend. My toddler though, thinks that the Kids Section could be bigger LOL!

My Take : Goody Spin Pins

2011-11-29T10:52:00.001+08:00

I finally gave in and bought these last Sunday. Unfortunately, the store (PcX in Rockwell) didn't have the big ones and the brunette variant, so I had to settle with a set of mini pins (3 pieces) and the lighter-colored ones that are supposedly for blondes. Not a major issue, if you ask me. Especially since these are supposed to stay hidden within your hair.

I know I took a picture of the box before I opened it but sadly, it's not in my phone's memory card anymore. I must've deleted it somehow. Here's a photo I grabbed from Google.

The Minis come in a set of 3 and are actually ideal for top buns which are made with only half your head of hair as shown on the box. But I use them to make a whole bun and it's not an issue. My hair isn't thick at all that's why.

I have to be totally honest though. I attempted to do the bun a total of 10 TIMES before I finally got it right. For some reason, my bun wouldn't stay put. The box says the coils shouldn't interact with each other while in use. I guess that's one of the reasons it didn't work at first. I couldn't find the right spot to coil them into and they just kept running into each other. I was totally frustrated and p*ssed off by the time I yelled, "finally!!!" I guess it's also more challenging for people like me who have layered hair because twisting the hair into the bun could take a bit of effort.

Nothing wrong with the product itself. You really just need to get the hang of it first and make sure you find the right spots to position them in.

Today, I had a much easier time doing this bun. Only 2 attempts LOL!

Mine always ends up messy even if I don't try too hard because of the layers

Here's another photo under natural lighting so it also shows my hair color (which I totally love)

See how those loose strands show on the sides and especially on the bottom? It didn't take any effort at all on my part to make them look that way. Again, it's the layers.

I'm a lot less obsessive compulsive about my rebonded hair nowadays so I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be using these a lot. I think they're a lot kinder than rubber ties/ponytail holders.

Milky and Sunny : Feels Like Home

2011-11-27T10:51:00.002+08:00

This is (to say the least) a long overdue post. I've been to Milky and Sunny a few times since it opened. It's amazing to see how this new place has become so popular since their first day. Thanks to Facebook and Twitter, it's now probably the most popular food joint in the Kapitolyo, Pasig area.

I'm sorry if these pictures disappoint. I didn't have my Lumix GF2 with me the times I was there so I had to make do with my old BB Torch's camera. These are just some of the food items in their menu that I've personally tried

Bananarama Pancakes, P140.00

I wish I had enough words to describe how much I enjoyed this (despite the fact that I remember us having this as a finale to our meal). I'm a fan of anything that's banana and peanut butter combined. I don't exactly know what made it crunchy in some parts but I totally enjoyed it!

Eggs Benedict, P150.00

Seriously.. this is so much goodness packed into a meal. Anissa ordered this because my girls are egg-lovers. After finishing the order, she didn't have any room left to try anything else. I say WIN!

Red and Green Bell Pepper, Potatoes and Sausage Omelette P130.00

Are you believing how friendly the prices are so far?

This was really good too.

Choco Marble Warble, P120.00

My friend's not-so-little girl ordered this so I didn't get to try it. But I trust a kid when she says it's really yummy!

Breakfast Enchiladas P200.00

Blame me for being a bottomless pit and not even knowing what goes into my mouth. I don't and can't remember what's inside the enchiladas.

Corned Beef Rice and Egg Meal P120.00

If you're hungrier than you initially thought, you can also choose more items to go with your order and get one of their Big Breakfast Plates for P250.00

(includes hash potatoes other than what you see in the picture)

Bacon Tostadas, P100.00

Y-U-M-M-Y

We had two orders of this!

Tapa Rice and Egg Meal, P160

Naturally, I had to leave the best for last

I am a true blue Beef Tapa lover so I couldn't pass on the chance to try this

Please don't be fooled, the Tapa looks minimal in the pic because I had been eating it when I realized I hadn't taken a photo. The tapa serving is more generous than what you see.

I keep going back for this!

These next few photos will show you why the place feels like home

(photos are from Milky & Sunny's Facebook page)

I promise to take more photos with my Lumix next time I visit the place. I can't wait to try out the other stuff I've only seen in pictures so far.

Visit Milky & Sunny at #9 East Capitol Drive Kapitolyo, Pasig

Follow them on Twitter : @milkynsunny

Or look them up on Facebook for more info

Back in Mamou for my 43rd

2011-11-21T06:03:00.001+08:00

Been a while since I last dined here. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that they now have a branch in Power Plant, which happens to be my favorite shopping mall.

I first wanted to go to Barcino there for my birthday dinner. But when we arrived at around a little past 8pm, there were no tables available. So the next best option (a tried and tested one) was Mamou.

Luckily for us, there was a table good enough for 5 people right outside and it wasn't so hot that particular evening. We were famished so we didn't lose time in ordering. While waiting for our orders to arrive, I just had to take a few photos because it was my first time at this branch.

The chandeliers give the place a nice and unique touch

Loved the paper placemats

We were given a complimentary bread basket. The breads are small and perfect because they're easier to wolf down LOL.

Then the food came ... finally! (note: service wasn't bad. we were just so hungry!)

Truffle Flavored Vegetable Mushroom Dip with Melba Chips

The perfect appetizer!

Soft Shell Crab Salad

Beer battered soft shell crabs, arugula, Lola Rosa, tomatoes, anchovy vinaigrette

The dressing in indescribably delicious. One can never go wrong with this.

Batac Bolognese

Spaghettini, Batac Ilocos sausage, fennel, stewed tomato sauce, served al dente

Lamb Tapa

White garlic rice (you can ask for red rice), eggs with truffle flavored oil, salsa Pina on the side

The lamb was to die for!

Lorenzo's Truffle Cream

Spaghettini, Truffle flavored cream, Grana Padano cheese, served al dente

Although a bit on the heavy side because it's cream-based, I really really loved this.

So tasty!

Pulled Steak Sandwich

Sliced Prime Grade Angus Ribeye on white or whole wheat bread

There was absolutely no room for dessert after trying out a little bit of everything we ordered. The kids were so happy with the food, too. Plus it was really nice dining outdoors because Rockwell is now all set to welcome Christmas. We were surrounded by red lights.

We had some leftovers to bring home in these paper doggie bags that are so appropriate. I wish all restaurants would stop using plastic bags.

Thank you to my wonderful babies for taking me out to dinner!

What to do?

2011-11-11T12:09:00.001+08:00

I actually have about 2-3 hours all to myself today. I need to go out to have something of Anissa's exchanged in Greenhills and I intend to make the most of it by going around. Other than look around for Christmas gift ideas and shopping for little things, I don't know what else to do. I've been dying to get a facial but I don't have a regular facialist because I've never ever had one done in my entire life. If I chance upon a place that looks decent enough, I just might make a go for it. Those who have a regular skincare routine might be cringing at this thought (just walking into a random place) but like I said, I'm total newbie at this. Bahala na! All I know is I get some peace and quiet for a while and I'm looking forward to it!

It's 11-11-11, guys! Did you make a wish earlier?

I did!

Things that remind me of my childhood

2011-11-10T22:50:00.001+08:00

Since I'm turning 43 in a few days, I got to thinking ...

Time is fleeting. I can't believe I'm in mid-life stage. I feel like I was transported to where I am now so quickly. I really am a grown-up. Not that I didn't realize it ages ago. It's just that when you're around your teenager's friends and they call you "Tita" or say, "Good evening PO, Tita", the reality of growing old really tends to hit you and HARD.

Recently, my brother and I were exchanging childhood memories while both online in Facebook. We posted photos on our respective walls and tagged each other. It was fun recalling all the carefree days spent as children growing up with many other cousins our age.

Some very vivid memories of my childhood include

Ballet classes

I think I started taking them at age 7 or 8 and continued until I was about 16.

My Mom was a ballet dancer. In fact, she started teaching at the age of 16.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to the teaching part. I gave it up for Jazz classes.

Photo credit : heatherensley.wordpress.com

Weekends at my grandparents'

My Lolo and Lola on my Mom's side had a huge house in Cubao, with a pool that was big enough to fit all the grandchildren who were based locally. There were about a 8-10 of us back then. Saturdays were always spent at that house and I always looked forward to jumping into the pool and playing rough games with the boys, who always succeeded in making me cry.

Photo credit : farrymind.blogspot.com

The Magnolia Ice Cream House on Aurora Blvd.

After swimming, Lolo would normally take us here for merienda. I can still remember my default order : a strawberry sundae with extra marshmallows. Unfortunately, this structure no longer exists and Magnolia Ice Cream doesn't taste the same. Peace out :)

Photo credit : nostalgiamanila.blogspot.com

Rustan's

Yes, this is what Rustan's looked like when I was a kid. Sundays were always spent here with my Dad, Mom and brother. This is where we bought our groceries weekly and where I would usually buy my birthday and Christmas outfits. I don't remember frequenting any other department store back then.

Photo credit : thefashpack.com

WOW. There's actually a lot more.

Kimpura Restaurant. Alemar's Bookstore. Rizal Theater. Quad Cinema. Bon Appetit. Magnolia Twin Popsies and Ice Cream Sandwich. Homemade birthday parties (complete with the cotton candy and Magnolia carts), balloons and giveaways from Popoy's Toy Balloons in QC, cake from Goldilocks.

I can go on and on. But this should do for now. My kids are in awe whenever I tell them stories from my childhood. They say no wonder they like going out a lot on weekends, because that's how I spent my growing up years, too. I'd be lying if I say I don't miss those days. But I'm thankful I have so much to look back on. Advanced happy 43rd to me!

Who wants a virtual makeover?

2011-11-05T14:11:00.000+08:00

Thanks to a reader, Orange M., I was extremely busy doing virtual makeovers this morning. If you read my previous post, you would know what's kept my mind occupied since yesterday. I've been toying around with the idea of getting my hair permed! Yes, for the first time ever in my life.

My birthday's coming up so that's a good excuse, right? It is, but unfortunately, I can't do it just yet. So in the meantime, I played around to see which hairstyles would fit me the most.

I won't share the other photos because I seriously laughed at the way I looked. But here's my favorite among the lot...

The question is ... are there different kinds of digi perms?

How do I achieve these exact same curls?

I have a few months to think about it.

Should I get the sunglasses, too?

They're Dolce and Gabbana LOL.

Go get a virtual makeover, too. It's so much fun!

Visit www.taaz.com

My weird urge

2011-11-04T22:36:00.001+08:00

I think I've been watching too much TV. In particular, TV shows with gorgeous women and their long, curly hair. I know this is true because today, I got this really strange feeling of wanting to have my hair permed. It's strange because I've always hated my wavy hair. It's the main reason I have my hair rebonded annually. And now I'm actually thinking of curls???

Here's why!

Stana Katic who plays Detective Kate Beckett on CASTLE

Lyndsy Fonseca who is Alex on NIKITA

Eva Longoria, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES' Gabbie

There's something about long, curly hair that makes a person look more seductive. Not my objective though LOL. I just want to try it out because it looks so nice on other people.

Sadly though, I'll have to wait awhile (granting I eventually decide on getting it done). I just had my hair rebonded last July, that's only less than 4 months ago. Having it permed will surely cause some serious damage to it. I'd rather drool over these photos than kill myself with regret.

Besides, I don't really know if the hairstyle will fit me.

Hope you all have a restful long weekend!

2 weeks in advance

2011-11-01T14:05:00.004+08:00

I'm already using N's birthday gift to me. It's exactly 3 days old today. Eversince my Blackberry Torch took a nosedive into the foot spa machine, I'd been wanting to get a new phone. Thank God I had a temporary phone lent to me by a friend who's such an angel, I had something to use while scouting for the best deal. I ended up going to Kimstore because of its popularity. I also tweeted and asked for recommendations and almost everyone who replied to my query said this online site for gadgets and electronics is really reliable.

On the same day (Saturday, October 29th) in the afternoon, after exchanging a few text messages with Kim, her staff delivered my spanking new Blackberry 9900 right to my doorstep.

The difference between this and my former phone:

2.8-inch touch screen

1.2 GHz ARM processor

768 MB of RAM

New 7 OS

Aesthetically sexy! (thinnest BB device so far)

Chrome outer edge for protection

Plus ... don't laugh but this is really something I enjoy. I love the sound of the keys! LOL. It's a whole lot easier to use compared to the Torch and so much faster, too.

Too bad, Kim didn't have this in white. I would've gone for that. BUT ... just saying, not complaining. My benefactor might hear me and call me ungrateful.

You and I will be inseparable for a while. THANKS, HON!!!

P.S. Kudos to Kimstore for their excellent service!

It's my birthday month!

2011-11-01T01:59:00.002+08:00

In a couple of weeks I'm turning

FORTY THREE

Yes, I'm basically entering the mid-40s phase

How do I feel about it?

I'm never the type to deny my age. In fact, if I can say it out loud all the time, I will.

I'm turning 43 and life has been good!

Review : Sleek True Color Lipstick

2011-10-28T19:21:00.003+08:00

These are probably my 8th and 9th lipstick purchase this month. If there's anything I have quite a lot of, it's lipstick. But these two were so hard to pass up.

Check out my previous post for product photos

First up, Sleek True Color Lipstick in Barely There

I'm so glad I had the chance to test this shade because I wouldn't have bought it online. It looks really light in photos and there are certain light shades that make me look like a corpse LOL. But this one was definitely a winner from the first swipe.

Next is Sleek True Color Lipstick in OMG

It looks bloody red in the photo but in person, it's more orange than red, which is what I was looking for. I was originally aiming for the shade called Papaya Punch but it didn't suit me. This was a much better choice!

They're really so easy to apply because both these shades have a sheen finish. The staying power also isn't bad at all. For Php 400 each, you won't hear me complain!

Review : Sleek Creme to Powder Foundation

2011-10-28T19:09:00.001+08:00

For just PHP 650.00, this foundation packs in a lot of power. I didn't think I'd ever be able to find a product that will help me address my main frustration when it comes to my skin : OIL.

I am so excited to share this because I know there are a lot of you out there who share my frustration.

Check my previous post for product photos

Today, I got to try it out because I had to go with my toddler to her Halloween Party in school. It was the perfect time to do so because I knew I wouldn't be holed up in an airconditioned room the whole time. I really was so excited to put this to the test!

Here I am as soon as I got to the school, about 15 minutes after application

(I'm wearing Sleek's True Color Lipstick in Barely There)

Then here I am about 2 1/2 hours later. Take note, no airconditioning.

At this point, I was already extremely impressed by it but I decided to take another photo just to prove my point. This last photo was taken approximately 4 1/2 hours after application, as soon as I got home.

I never had to touch up or use oil blotting paper (my bestfriend) the whole time.

I'm so sorry, MAC Studiofix, I've obviously found a much better foundation. You've served me well but it's time to move on with Sleek!

P.S.

I just thought it would be nice to show all of you how oily my skin really is

This photo was taken last night, after coming home from a dinner out with friends.

I used MAC Studiofix, stayed out from about 6pm to 9pm and stayed in an airconditioned room the whole time. But look at how oily I am!

SLEEK Haul

2011-10-28T17:34:00.005+08:00

I finally got a hold of them last night! We had a mini try-out session after dinner because my friend, Smile, who runs the site Updated Trends brought her stuff with her for the rest of us to try. Winner plan!!! (Updated Trends is one of two online stores that carries Sleek)

Because everything was within reach and with testers at that, I easily gave in to temptation.

Creme to Powder Foundation, Php 650
(I'll blog about this separately because it deserves its own entry)
You can get this from DigitalTraincase

I chose SAND which is next to the lightest shade they have

Looking at the pan, I knew I had chosen the right shade

Up next, the blush which I got in Pomegranate. Php 400.
I love the really compact packaging. It fits right into my tiny kit.

I made a stupid mistake and rushed to open it so that my nail dug into the blush when I flipped the lid (see that dent on the left side?). Does it look scary in the pan to you? It kinda does. But I'm sure with a light hand, it will all work out good. I've never tried a similar shade before and I'm in the mood for a bit of adventure! I can't wait to take this out on a road test!

Last but not the least, lipstick! I can't not have lipstick!

Php 400 each.

Again, two thumbs up for packaging! The tubes are so elegant-looking. I love that they're black.

I chose BARELY THERE and OMG, both with sheen finish. This, after trying on so many other shades!

OMG on the left, BARELY THERE on the right

One dark and one light.

I'm happy!

New everyday watch

2011-10-25T13:14:00.001+08:00

Other than my Technomarine which is ancient (haha!), all my other watches are dressy. I was first lemming for a Michael Kors acrylic strapped watch but it's an old model and now a bit hard to find.

Nice huh? Unfortunately, the website is out of this particular one. They only have this

Which, at first glance, I found too plain

I looked and looked and saw this in a website. I was surprised that it didn't cost too much. Also a bonus that it's in white and gold, the same look I was going for. This is just a bit more sporty than the Michael Kors watch but because it's a Baby-G and not a bulky G-Shock, I was sold. I showed the photo to N and he agreed that it's a good choice. I told him I wanted to go to Time Depot to try it on for size, because I had intended to get it from an online seller.

But N was one step ahead of me, he actually bought it for me instead. Awww!

The size is just right. I love it!

Thanks, Hon!

P.S.

Now thinking about also getting the plain acrylic MK watch because I found someone who's selling it for less than Php 8k. Sleeping on it first. It's either that or a new purse.

The Dukan Diet : there's always a first time

2011-10-22T23:38:00.000+08:00

I've never, ever gone on a diet. I was born thin, grew up thin and in fact, was too thin for a time, my parents were seriously worried about my health. I hit 100 lbs when I was already working (at age 22). I even managed to wear a bikini during the summer even after I gave birth to my firstborn and until she was 10 years old. But I'm turning 43 in less than a month. Things began to change after I had Sabine 5 years ago. My metabolism went down so I went up a size (or maybe 2). All in all, I'm still not what you'd call fat or overweight. But I'm not getting any younger and I totally hate exercising. Never even used or tried using any type of gym equipment. So when a friend told me about her hubby's Dukan Diet, I took interest. In fact, there are 4 of us on this diet right now.

The main reason I didn't reject the thought of going into the Dukan Diet? It's not depriving like all the other diets I've heard of. It's high protein, so you don't literally starve yourself.

I'm on Day 3 (about to end in a few minutes) and here are photos of what I've eaten so far

Beef Kebab minus the garlic dipping sauce, tomato and the thin slice of Pita

French Mushroom Omelette

(I asked them to not put cheese)

Beef Tapa and Egg

(I skipped the fried rice and didn't touch the tomato and cucumber)

To gain a better understanding of why I didn't eat the items I mentioned, you can go and check the Dukan Diet official website.

Yesterday, at the close of Day 2, I was 51.8 kilograms. The day before I started, I was 53 kilograms.

I'm hoping to lose the average 8 lbs that Dukan Dieters say they shed off on the first week alone. If I do less than 8 lbs I'm still okay with that.

The first week (attack phase) is the hardest!

A few more days to go before this phase is over ... wish me luck!!!

After an exhausting day...

2011-10-21T10:12:00.000+08:00

The whole day yesterday was spent out of town at a wake for my cousin in law who passed away recently and very unexpectedly. We got home at around midnight and I was seriously running very low on energy. I was looking forward to a one-hour massage and then drifting off to sleep afterwards.

I was still sleepy even after I saw two courier packages which arrived while we were out. I managed to open them, however, despite knowing what was inside.

Sleek Magnitude Mascara in Black from Digital Traincase

Envirosax Paris Travel bag from a super kind-hearted friend all the way from Sydney

I'm going to try out the mascara today so I'll blog about it tonight for sure.

The bag will have to wait a bit.

Cheers to the weekend!

Are you ready for Halloween?

2011-10-21T09:48:00.005+08:00

This time, I'm well-prepared!

Sabine requested for her costume as early as August. This year, she wanted to be a princess. Quite predictable of her, honestly. She likes wearing dresses on a daily basis and claims that "pants are for boys". So no matter how creative I want to be on Halloween (since last year, I've been wanting to have a lady security guard or SM sales clerk costume made for her), I know she'll insist on what she wants.

I Googled no end for the perfect costume and found a few online but wasn't sure they'd make it in time from the US. On Facebook, I found Yumi's Nook. She makes customized kids' costumes and here's what I chose for my super girly 5-year old

I know it's a bit over-the-top.

But she fell in love with it the minute she laid her eyes on this photo. A few more clicks and a couple of inquiries after, the dress was paid for and in production. I had to pay an extra Php100 or Php150 for her to rush the order because I didn't want to be waiting until the last minute to get it.

Sabine's all ready for her school's Halloween Party on the 28th!

Note:

The dress costs Php 1,500 exclusive of courier charges

Here's a link to Yumi's Facebook Page if you'd like to see the rest of her albums.

Another great lippie find from NYX

2011-10-17T11:30:00.004+08:00

Here's another one of my recent NYX purchases from Digital Traincase which I am really loving at the moment. This is NYX's round lipstick in Louisiana.

I love NYX's round lipsticks because they're extremely easy to apply. Really creamy, and this one has just the right amount of sheen in it. Between this and the NYX matte lipstick in Shocking Pink, it's really hard to choose which one I prefer to use more. The shades and effects are totally incomparable and equally attractive!

I'm really, really trying my best to resist the urge to get more!

I'm SLEEK-cited!

2011-10-15T14:50:00.006+08:00

Sleek MakeUp is here!

It's a UK cosmetic brand that's been getting a lot of good reviews online (go Google!) and I'm so glad that friends have decided to bring it over here to spread the love!

I can't wait to get

Sleek Blush in Pomegranate

And I know I want to get their True Color lipstick but I'm still debating with myself about what shade to get. I recently bought 3 NYX lippies, all in different shades of pink, so pink is definitely out. Been on the lookout for a really nice shade of coral, that's why I'm leaning towards Sleek's True Color Lipstick in Coral Reef. However, here's the reason I'm still at a loss

How can anyone not be confused???

I believe Coral Reef is third from the right. So what do you think? Should I go for it?

I'm ordering from Updated Trends but Digital Traincase is also a seller. Take your pick!

Photo credit : Updated Trends

My easy Friday

2011-10-15T01:32:00.000+08:00

I did a bit of work in the morning, like I always do. Then after taking Sabine to school, it was off to meet my good friend P, for some retail therapy ... shoe shopping to be exact! Unfortunately, I can't openly brag about where we went because it was a "by invitation" thing. It's actually held monthly in different places and since one of the owners is a friend from high school, I always get a special invite.

Sadly, I went home with only one pair this time. My wallet was really happy that I didn't overdo it though. Here's what I chose after spending more than an hour looking around...

Snakeskin platform pumps by Carlos Santana

I truly, honestly love them and can't wait to use them!!!

After getting our fill of shoe heaven, we decided as usual, to sit down for a short chat before we parted ways. Dome (our favorite hangout in the area) was packed so we opted to walk the few steps to Pages Deli which was right next door

Don't you just love the glasses with the vintage newspaper print?

We decided against having coffee, for a change.

These shakes were really fresh and the perfect thirst quenchers.

P had orange and I had grape. For less than Php 100 each, they were truly worth it.

I had a great start to my weekend. I hope you all did too!

I've been so busy!

2011-10-13T23:52:00.002+08:00

Work has taken so much of my time lately ... not that I'm complaining, because I haven't been this busy in months and although my body is still adjusting to the pace, I'm loving every minute of it. For one thing, I'm forced to move and not be a couch potato all the time. That means more time spent outside of the home but it's all good. Getting off my *ss is something I really really need to do and since my current work really inspires me to move around, I find myself away from my comfort zone (aka home) more often these days. Being out also means I have time to do the things I haven't done in a while.

I recently had some time to kill before picking up Sabine from school, so I dropped by Rockwell to check out the bazaar at the tent (sorry, I can't remember the bazaar's name right now). I dropped by a friend's stall and ended up with a mini lippie loot which made me so happy!

Left to right : NYX Matte Lipstick in Shocking Pink, NYX Round Lipstick in Louisiana and EOS Lipbalm in Honeysuckle Honeydew. The lipbalm is actually my 2nd because I misplaced the 1st one! Okay, I have a confession to make ... I got the matte lipstick for Anissa but I tried it on and I was so shocked to discover that (all modesty aside) I can rock this really loud color!

I just really love it!!! I love it so much that I used it for 2 days straight after I bought it LOL!

One observation though...

Although it's referred to as a matte lipstick, it isn't as matte as I expected it to be. For me, that's not a bad thing at all. My lips have a tendency to chap when I use matte lipstick, especially if I don't layer it with lipbalm. But NYX's matte lipstick is really perfect, not drying at all.

I've been going through Digital Traincase's website to see what other shades I can get! At Php 300 a pop, don't you think a girl should get more?

Stella Luna makes the most beautiful shoes

2011-10-05T09:09:00.005+08:00

I'm on my third pair from this brand. My very first purchase was their classic flat shoes in a screaming metallic green. The next pair was a 4-inch open toed wedge in gun metal. And then this ...

The thing I love about this pair most is the comfort it provides despite its height. I think it was truly meant for me, the last pair in my size at the Shang store. I saw this style months ago so I guess that's why there was only one color left on the shelf. I would have to admit though that I can't spend on Stella Luna shoes all the time. But if you want quality and comfort, you definitely have to pay a premium. These are exactly what you get in return when you buy a pair of Stella Lunas. I never had a blister, never complained about the fit. Their shoes are truly worth every cent you shell out to get them.

And since we're on the topic, I again visited an Aldo store recently just to look and I was pleasantly surprised to see the pair I tried on a week before already on sale!

From 7k now down to 5k. A savings of 2k is not bad at all!

But it'll just have to wait a bit because my next target is a bag haha!

Best compliment ever!

2011-09-27T23:50:00.000+08:00

I normally don't take note of the outfits I wear on a daily basis but allow me to make an exception. As I was stepping out to a lunch meeting yesterday, Anissa who was home from school said to me

Mom, that's the best thing I've seen you wear so far!

At first, I joked her about what she said and I asked her if she thought all this time that my clothes are baduy (outdated). Of course she laughed and clarified her statement. Whether or not she was trying to inch her way out of an awkward situation, I really don't care. I almost never get compliments from my teenager so this one felt extra special.

So what was I wearing? I honestly didn't have a difficult time putting it together.

Inner : Linen long top, Zara Woman

Topper : Chiffon printed jacket from Toppicks Couture (Facebook)

Bottom : Black skinny jeans, Forever 21

Shoes : Nude platform stilettos, Aldo

Did I survive in those 4.5" heels? For a few hours, yes I did!

Thank you, my dearest girl, for that absolutely wonderful compliment!

It made my day!

When bored, buy shoes

2011-09-26T02:04:00.006+08:00

At Anissa's cheer dance competition today, I had some time to go around with Neal while we were waiting for the competition's winners to be announced. What else was there for us to do inside a shopping mall? We had never been to SM Southmall together and the last time I was there was in the 90's when it had just opened! I was surprised to find some really good brands there like Promod, FX, Nine West, Charles and Keith. In the area where we stayed most of the time, the ALDO signage kept calling out to me. But I guess it was calling out to Neal too because he was the one who entered the store first, I merely followed suit.

He thought he had found a nice leather messenger bag, but wanted to think about it a little more. Meantime, while he was looking around, I did the same. To cut a long story short, he didn't buy the bag but I scored these

I chose between this nude shade and an olive one. I went for this because I was so close to buying nude YSL Tribute Sandals recently. I decided not to because I didn't know whether I wanted it in a low or high heel. I guess this should satisfy my craving for a pair of nude pumps/sandals. It was also the last pair in my size! Was it really for me?

Don't ask me how I'm gonna walk around in 4 1/2" heels. I still don't know. All I know is I can't wait to take them on a road test. I'm suddenly reminded that I have a lunch meeting tomorrow. That means I won't have to do much walking. Maybe these babies should come with me.

So what do you think ... should I get the YSL Tributes in black?

HAHAHA!!!

Meet my new bestfriends

2011-09-26T01:32:00.006+08:00

That's Majolica Majorca's Lash Expander Mascara and MAC's Penultimate Eye Liner

Neal got these for me in HK. At first I thought he'd go nuts trying to look for them. I totally underestimated him haha! After being so loyal all these years to Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara (I'll still buy another one for back up, that's for sure), I decided to try MM's Lash Expander because of the many good reviews I've read about it.

I first tried out the Penultimate Eye Liner upon my friend, Pia's, insistence one time. We were going to a party and I was snooping through her train case and saw it. I tried it and I vowed to get one for myself.

Look at how "alive" my eye looks in this photo

Come to think of it, my lashes look like they're extensions. That's how good this mascara is! And the liner on the upper lid really helped achieve that wide-eyed look I was aiming for.

Although some of the reviews I've read say it dries fast, I would tend to disagree. See those dark spots on my undereye area? That's mascara. I blinked my eye too soon so that's what happened. Just make sure you have eye makeup remover on hand.

What people are saying about MM's Lash Expander Mascara is also true ... it is really very difficult to remove. My trusted Vitamin E cream from The Body Shop can do it though, but it requires more than the usual amount I use. So if I were you, I wouldn't use this everyday. Only when you need your lashes to look extra pretty. But all in all, I'd still recommend this because of it's fabulous effect. It's like wearing false lashes, promise!

Back to the grind!

2011-09-23T22:10:00.005+08:00

I've known about this for quite sometime. It's actually another reason that I've been blogging less lately. With one eye open, I'd been on the lookout for my next work project. There were a few prospects here and there, but nothing seemed to fit. I've learned all these years not to settle for anything, especially if the only thing that makes me go for it is the income. It has to be something I'm really interested in and good at. So I stopped looking for a while.

You know how things just fall on your lap especially when you're not looking?

Well, this thing did.

Today, I had a really busy morning which began at around 7:15. By noon, I had accomplished so much work my upper back started to hurt. Nope, not complaining, just saying.

I couldn't talk about this new venture even when work officially started around 2 weeks ago. We had a timeline and I had to adhere to it. But anyway, it's totally safe to talk about it now. In fact, I will have a tendency to sound like I'm bragging about it so please bear with me.

Meet the latest addition to my list of consulting projects

Of all the projects I've worked on, I'm most excited about this. Primarily because Pia M. is a good friend and I truly believe we are passionate about the same things. Secondly, I'm part of a start-up effort and we all intend to make this work. The challenge is looking me straight in the eye but the excitement remains.

For more info on the foundation, you may visit the following sites:

www.francismagalonafoundation.com

(sign up to support here, too)
www.theonecore.com

More news later!

New hair, more layers

2011-09-19T20:46:00.003+08:00

When it comes to my hair, I've always been slightly on the obsessive-compulsive side. I started having my hair rebonded probably 2 years ago and I've done it thrice since. The last time was in July this year. Eversince then, I've wanted more layers done, to give my hair a bit more personality. But my stylist always tells me that cutting or styling the hair the same day it's rebonded or even soon after, can have an adverse effect. If I want the rebonding to take full effect, I need to be patient. And so I waited. It's been 3 months since that day and I finally got my wish last Saturday. I had to go back to get my roots retouched (I hate grey hair!) so I thought of getting that much-needed haircut at the same time.

My hair is slightly shorter but it's definitely got more shape than before

It's a lot easier to fix now because it's thinner, less bulky.

Neal also got me a new hair dryer from HK!

Will share that and other HK loot-related details soon.

Sick Sick Sick

2011-09-19T20:36:00.002+08:00

Yes, I've been sick since Saturday night. I felt the onset of a bad cold that afternoon, en route to Araneta Coliseum where my teenager was to watch the 2011 UAAP Cheerdance Competition with her Pep Squad Mates. I guess the fact that there were throngs of people in the area made it worse. That same evening, even if I was feeling a bit off, I still had to go out to fulfill a previous commitment. So by the time I got home just before midnight, my body was desperate for rest. But I couldn't fall asleep right away, because Neal's flight from HK was arriving at 11:55 pm and I wanted to be awake when he got home.

Sunday was worse. I woke up SO LATE, like close to lunchtime. And I went back to bed at around 2pm and spent the entire afternoon there, asleep. I forced myself to get up so we could all visit Dad and be together for our usual Sunday dinner. Again, by the time I got home, I was just so out of it, I had to call for home service massage even if it was late.

So today, I was a total zombie. After abusing my body the past two days, I decided to stay put and hopefully be on the road to recovery. I think the worst is over. But just to stay on the safe side, I don't plan on going anywhere just yet.

My best friends other than Bioflu?

Homemade Chicken Macaroni Soup with vegetables

And huge glasses of Pineapple Juice

(the one in the photo was my 3rd tall glass today)

I'm hoping I'll feel slightly better when I wake up tomorrow.

I still have to share all the good stuff Neal brought home from Hong Kong.

Take care, everyone! Load up on your vitamins because 'tis the season for the flu!

Shopping in HK (while in Manila)

2011-09-16T00:13:00.003+08:00

Yup, it IS possible. How? When the hubby decides to go on a 6-day business trip to China and turns the last 3 days to an "all boys" Hong Kong jaunt. I'm seriously not peeved that this is happening as I type. In fact, I've always been in touch with my own high school friends. So I'm fine with it. But I guess he was ready for the trade-off : a long list of things to buy.

I'm not sure which ones he'll manage to successfully bring home but I'm excited nevertheless. Wanna see what's on that list?

From Cotton On

3/4 Ryan Pants

Ronnie Rib Waist Cargo

Manhattan Ballet Flats

(i've always had a thing for gold ballerinas)

From H and M

Denim Shorts

3-pack faux leather bracelets

Leather Satchel

Belted Trousers (in black too, if they have my size)

From Zara

Love at first sight!

Cut Out Top

Gold Braided Thong Sandals

PLUS PLUS PLUS

A few things for my traincase from Majolica Majorca, which can be found in Watson's and Sasa

Lash Expander Mascara

Puff de Cheek Blushes

Perfect Automatic Liner
So many great reviews about this product, I'm so excited to try it out!

And my staples, of course

MAC Studiofix Foundation in NC40
MAC Blot Powder in Medium
MAC Lipliner in Spice

Needless to say, the girls also have their own lists of wants. Poor Dad!
See you in a couple of days!

I can do this!

2011-09-06T14:20:00.005+08:00

I'm on the 2nd day of my "no rice" diet. Yesterday for lunch, I only had steamed shrimp and sauteed veggies on oyster sauce. For dinner, I didn't cook because Monday dinners are held at my SIL's house. In fairness to her, she has no clue that I've decided to try giving up rice. When I got there and saw what she had cooked, I had to brace myself for a serious challenge. There was Kare Kare and Steamed Fish. You would think I opted for the fish, right? So much easier to eat alone compared to Kare Kare. By the way, for the benefit of those who are clueless, here's what Kare Kare is :

Kare-kare is a Philippine stew. It is made from peanut sauce with a variety of vegetables, stewed oxtail, beef, and occasionally offal or tripe. Meat variants may include goat meat or (rarely) chicken. It is often eaten with bagoong (shrimp paste), sometimes spiced with chili, and sprinkled with calamansi juice. Traditionally, any Filipino fiesta (particularly in Pampanga region) is not complete without kare-kare. In some Filipino-American versions of the dish, oxtail is exclusively used as the meat.

So yes, it's almost unthinkable to eat this dish without rice because of everything that's in it! But guess what? I did it successfully. Although I think I had just a little bit more than my usual serving. It didn't make me feel depressed though, so I knew I'd be up for this challenge.

Today, I cooked lunch again and, of course, I had to consider the others in the household who are not skipping rice or carbs. Besides, I really want to test my will power so I cooked Chicken Curry. Again, all that delicious sauce minus rice!

Seriously, I'm alright. I was never a big fan of rice and I'd only consume one whole cup when I'm starving. Otherwise, it's always just half a cup or 3/4.

The question is ... can I keep it up?

My online buddy, Phoebe sent me this for inspiration

Yes, I can!!!

Not feeling the holiday spirit yet

2011-09-06T01:43:00.002+08:00

Been seeing shoutouts on Facebook about people starting to Christmas shop. I've always wanted to do holiday shopping earlier than the rest of the world. Have I ever gotten around to doing it? Nope. Not even when I'm without work and have all the free time to do it. I'm not so sure why. Maybe I'm a masochist. I'm a sucker for that feeling you get when you shop and you're surrounded by holiday decoration, people waiting forever at the check-out counter/cashier, long lines at the gift wrapping area. Some people I know would hate to go through all the hassle. For some strange reason, I get a kick out of being right in the middle of all the chaos. Okay, except for the monstrous traffic jams during this happy time of the year, because the streets can get really, really horribly congested. Other than that, I don't mind so much and in fact, I've crammed and shopped on Christmas Eve for the past 2-3 consecutive years. Call me crazy, because maybe I am.

We're almost halfway into September and the most I've done is look at my Christmas list. Take note, I haven't touched it. I've spent a number of hours looking for gift ideas online but haven't actually purchased anything yet.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a scrooge at all. I just don't feel the need to start this early.

To each his own, right? :)

Are you an early bird or a crammer like I am?

Current mood : grateful

2011-09-03T22:39:00.000+08:00

Make that extremely grateful. I recently wrote about what happened to my Dad and since then I've been running around like a headless chicken. He was finally given the go signal to undergo knee surgery and the operation took place yesterday at 730am. So after things were settled at home, we trooped to St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City to see how he was doing. Our arrival was timely. He had just woken up after being in the recovery room for more than two hours. Although still slightly groggy from the spinal anesthesia, his face lit up as soon as my toddler walked through the door.

I don't like hospitals. Even simple and brief visits to the pediatrician make me feel uncomfortable. This hospital smelled extra weird, so I had to walk around a bit to forget that I was starting to feel nauseous. I noticed that there weren't too many options as far as dining was concerned. There was only one indoor restaurant and the rest were outside, close to the main road and with very small spaces.

We had no choice but to have dinner at Sweet Tomato Grill, the indoor restaurant. I really wasn't too excited about the food, even after I saw all the food shots in the menu. But I had judged them prematurely. The food was good and the servings were quite generous.

Chicken Teriyaki w/ sauteed vegetables

Sirloin Tapa w/ egg and fried rice

Sauteed Fish Fillet w/ black bean sauce

Each of these dishes is good for sharing. They'll tell you that it's a single order but trust me, if you're not a voracious eater, you can split this with a friend. I tried all of them and I was quite impressed.

What was the best part of my meal though? It was this.

My all-time favorite Filipino drink ... Sago Gulaman (tapioca pearls and agar jelly) with lots of shaved or crushed ice. It won't quench your thirst the way water does, but it's so refreshing! Even if the weather was gloomy, I didn't think twice about ordering it. Really though, it's a popular summertime drink in the Philippines. Do I care? Lol.

Thank God for that enjoyable dinner. I totally forgot I was inside a hospital.

P.S. The Sago Gulaman was really exceptional, I had to have it again today.

On the lookout for my next leather cuff

2011-09-02T06:29:00.003+08:00

I don't really know why but I've been fascinated by them for a few months now.

My latest acquisition is this red one but only a few days after I got it, I'm now on the hunt again.

Some interesting-looking ones that I've bookmarked/put on my watchlist

Genuine Italian Leather Pyramid Stud Cuff

$65 on NexTag

Leather Wrap Bracelet w/ stones and grommets

$12.99 at Target

Wide Leather Bracelet w/ gold grommets

$16.99 at Target

Still looking at others but these are the ones I have my eye on for now.

Please let me know if you come across any. Thank you!

No sleep

2011-09-02T06:10:00.002+08:00

This is what happens when you're so tired and sleepy and you don't fight it.

I was knocked out by 8pm last night, something which rarely happens considering that I spend many sleepless nights up by myself and watching my downloaded TV shows. I guess the exhaustion and the stress of running a household while worrying about my Dad's medical condition have finally caught up with me. Asleep by 8pm but wide awake at 1pm? I honestly thought I would easily fall asleep an hour later, after spending time on Facebook and Twitter. Sadly though, that didn't happen.

It's 6:11am and I'm still up, no sleep, not sleepy.

Dad's getting his knee operated on in about an hour and a half. I promised Mom I'd be in the hospital before lunch. Maybe I can crash on Dad's bed there while waiting for him to come back.

THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY

Have a productive last working day of the week and a fun weekend ahead everyone!

Haircut day for the girls

2011-08-31T11:00:00.007+08:00

The girls were united when they told me they wanted shorter hair. So on Friday night, after school, we headed to Emphasis Salon in Rockwell. This is where Neal has been going for many years now. His stylist, Mary, also cut the girls' hair.

I was so tempted to get something done instead of just sitting around and waiting for all three of them. But I've vowed to grow my hair just a little bit more so I can add more layers to it.

The girls were so happy with their new hairstyles

I promised Mary that on Neal's next appointment (which should be about a month from now), I would go with him and let her style my hair. Gulp. That translates to disloyalty to my stylist of about 2 1/2 years now. But I really loved the way Mary cut the girls' hair so I'm definitely going back.

The rainy long weekend

2011-08-31T07:49:00.010+08:00

This was a welcome respite from the crazy days I've been having.

After watching the DLSU-ADMU game at the Araneta Coliseum last Sunday (which I choose not to blog about), we headed home and packed our stuff for the drive to our 2nd home in Subic. The weather was erratic. It was raining on and off going there, mostly hard. But we welcomed the cool weather and lazy hours ahead. We knew it would be impossible for the kids to go swimming like they normally do. So staying at home would be the agenda for the next 2 1/2 days and I was really looking forward to that!

We couldn't, however, pass up on the opportunityto go Duty Free shopping at Pure Gold. This has become a habit everytime we're there. How can anyone resist? From the cart full of stuff we got, here are my favorite finds

M&M's Peanut Butter

This is Reese's in a much better form

I love Reese's to bits but sometimes it's a bit too messy to eat

M&M's is just perfect as long as you don't allow the color to run on your hands

We're all loyal users of Sterilium, but when I saw this, I had to grab a couple for the kids

At $0.99 each, I couldn't go wrong. This is perfect to take with them to school.

I had never seen the Goody stand before but when I did, oh boy!

I like wooden hair brushes. I have a paddle type which I got from the salon and it was quite expensive. But this one was only over $2.00

Anissa grabbed her own Goody hairbrush too, same price as my wooden one

The store also has this in hot pink and aqua

After shopping, the kids got hungry but it was pretty close to dinner time. Walking out of the store, you can't help but notice all the people lined up for S&R's pizza. So we gave in and got our favorite Garlic Shrimp

Going home, the kids were fast asleep but I wanted to show them these

Rice fields submerged in flood waters, thanks to Typhoon Mina (int'l name Nanmadol) which battered the North and is now wreaking havoc in Taiwan.

The girls were sad, as usual, when we left. They've always loved it in Subic. When's the next long weekend, anyway?

Lazy day outfit

2011-08-26T08:50:00.003+08:00

I've mentioned time and again how tired I am of having to dress up for work every single day and how thankful I am that I no longer have to. Monday night, we had dinner with the in-laws and the weekly dinners usually take place at SIL's home. No need to wrack my brains deciding on what to wear. Nowadays, if I'm comfortable, I'm really happy.

Speaking of comfort ... I think I may have found my best pair of bottoms to date.

These!

Harem Knit Pants from H&M

They're so comfortable, I can sleep in them!

My white shirt is from Fashion Dime (look for them on Facebook)

Flat thong sandals from Charles & Keith, one of my favorite pairs

P.S. I got the pants from eBay ... an absolute steal!

It's been a crazy week

2011-08-26T08:22:00.004+08:00

Monday, my kids' Yaya (for the past 15 years) left for her hometown somewhere in the South for her annual 2-week vacation. We usually get a reliever, always the same girl whenever we need a pair of extra hands. But we weren't so lucky this time. She backed out of the commitment at the very last minute ... last minute meaning, Sunday evening. We were so not ready for this and I didn't want to get someone I didn't know.

More than a week ago, my Dad had an unfortunate accident. As he was getting out of his car to go to a weekly meeting, he slipped and fell and landed on his left knee. He was in pain and couldn't take even a tiny step. I had to rush to where he was then rush again to Medical City. There, we were told that he had to be in a leg immobilizer until the swelling on his knee settles. I had never seen a knee so swollen before. Then just yesterday after a Wednesday follow-up check up and MRI requested by his orthopedic surgeon, we were informed that he would need surgery to correct the injury. Something had definitely been torn and dislocated.

Sometime during the last 7 days, my 5-year old had a bout with a very bad cough which gave her high fever for 2 straight days. On the 2nd day, I decided to bring her to Cardinal Santos Hospital for a Complete Blood Count. Fortunately, we ruled out the dreaded Dengue. But she's still on anti-biotics because during a check-up with her pediatrician, the doctor discovered a mouth sore near her throat, and suspected the onset of hand foot and mouth disease.

WOW!!!

I was overwhelmed, to say the least. I've had to cook all our meals so far (take note : me spending time in the kitchen is not something you see everyday), take care of a sick baby girl while worrying no-end about my Dad's condition. I've been unable to physically help him and my Mom out because of the circumstances at home.

This hectic week is finally ending today and the 4-day weekend is only hours from now. I've since settled into my daily routine and the toddler went back to school yesterday. We just need to go back to the pediatrician tomorrow for (hopefully) a final check-up. Dad is just waiting for his ortho and cardio to see eye to eye regarding the knee surgery (he's hypertensive and diabetic).

Amazingly, I didn't run out of positive vibes despite the chaos. I'm praying though that next week will be more relaxed and peaceful.

Here's wishing all of you a fun-filled 4-day weekend!

Helpful tips

2011-08-21T10:34:00.002+08:00

I've been reading up on work-related stuff lately. I was a full time Sales and Marketing professional for over 2 decades until I decided to focus on being a full time Mom and partner. Although I now enjoy a pressure-free life, I never stopped wanting to learn.

One thing that I've been thinking about is going into business. I've never managed anything bigger than an online store. I did that for over a year after I gave birth to my youngest child, and let it go when I went back to corporate life.

While looking for topics online, I chanced upon this website and I have to admit, I never really spent much time reading up on Entrepreneurship, much less Venture Capital-related articles.

Both Sides of the Table is a startup blog which brought me to unfamiliar territory, yet I found myself clicking endlessly on the topics there.

Mark Suster, the blog's author/owner, provides in-depth information and valuable tips for those who are interested in starting a VC. From sourcing funds to using social media platforms to sales & marketing advice. He obviously knows what he's talking about.

Check it out!

Comebacking styles take me back to my younger days

2011-08-18T07:08:00.003+08:00

I can't believe it. Most of today's fashion styles are repeating themselves.

Wide-legged or Palazzo Pants

Cropped Tees

Loose shirts (or what people now call Boyfriend shirts)

Espadrilles

(I remember getting them from the old Whistle Stop store in Makati and they were imported directly from Spain)

I've never thought of myself as stylish. I just really know what I want and regardless of whether it's in fashion or not, when I know I look good in something, I'll put it on.

Here are a few things, however, that I'm sure will never ever go out of fashion :

The classic white shirt
This one's from The Gap. But there are many other brands that carry good quality white shirts now. Mine are from Zara, Mango and Banana Republic.

The classic white tee
They're the most comfortable and versatile piece of clothing I own. I have them in branded and unbranded ones. My favorites are from The Gap, Old Navy, Forever 21, Zara and Mango. Among the local brands, I've found really good ones from HerBench, Folded and Hung, Bayo and even from online sellers in Facebook.

Skinny jeans and cigarette pants
I'm praying to God that I can forever get away with wearing these. I'm blessed with stick thin legs so right now, I'm okay. I can't live without them, really. I also have skinny trousers. I have a plethora of these from both local and imported brands. As long as the fit is right, I grab!

Ballet Flats
The number one reason I love them? They go with everything!
Shorts, jeans, skirts, dresses (sheath or circle), trousers ... blah blah blah.

Honestly, I don't know how many pairs I have. My most noteworthy ones are from Steve Madden, Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Nine West, The Gap, Old Navy. I even have a few pairs from local stores like Shoebox and Ichigo. I'm forever in love with ballet flats.

Yves Saint Laurent said : Fashions fade, style is eternal. If I were to take that statement seriously (and I do), I would interpret it to mean that it doesn't matter whether you follow current trends or not. Style is inborn. You either have it or you don't.
Once you have it, nobody can take it away from you.

It's almost the weekend. Have a productive Thursday everyone!

Early morning stress

2011-08-17T10:10:00.006+08:00

Things went haywire when I got a call from my Dad just after 9am yesterday. It was a Tuesday so I knew exactly where he was. But I didn't expect him to deliver bad news. He slipped as he was getting out of his car and busted his left knee. According to him, he couldn't walk and he was still in the car at the time of the call.

We ended up at the Emergency Room of The Medical City, which was nearest to where he was. He said he was in pain but he hardly showed it (typical of him). But I knew he was telling the truth because he had to be assisted, he really was unable to take even a little step.

It's a good thing Anissa's orthopedic doctor and my sister-in-law's college barkada (the one who diagnosed her mild scoliosis and sees her about it from time to time) has a clinic at The Medical City and on the same day, too. What a divine coincidence!

He came down as soon as he learned we were there and took charge as soon as the xray plates were available for reading. NO FRACTURE SEEN. Thank God! This was what we were so afraid of and I was so relieved when he confirmed it. But the swelling was so bad, Dr. Sia said he needs to check further. After examining Dad's knee for a few more minutes, Dr. Sia told us he tore a ligament and may have a slight dislocation as well. This is what's causing the major swelling. There was no need to admit Dad, but Dr. Sia wanted to drain fluid from the knee before sending us home.

That's all the blood they drained from Dad's knee. Quite a bit. Sorry if this photo makes anyone uncomfortable. Dad had to be given anesthesia before this procedure was done.

He's now back home and recuperating but the doctor emphasized that he needs to be immobile for about a couple of weeks. To make sure he doesn't over exert himself, he needs to wear a knee immobilizer all the time.

I could tell that this was the part my father didn't want to hear. At 69 years old, he refuses to get a driver and can stay out late more than I can. He's the most active senior citizen I know. And that is why taking care of him will be a huge challenge. Spell STUBBORN? Lol.

I'm glad we were out of that hospital in a few hours. Don't read this the wrong way. I have nothing against The Medical City. I don't like hospitals, the smell and all. Being in a hospital never fails to make me feel queasy and sometimes, even nauseous.

I'm hoping that future trips with Dad to have his knee checked will be few and brief.

Please get well soon, Daddy!

I'm a white tee & jeans kinda gal

2011-08-17T09:25:00.003+08:00

After wearing corporate outfits 5 out of 7 days for more than 2 decades, I've seriously gotten tired of it. I'm so glad I now get the chance to wear whatever I want, whether it's a weekday or not. When it comes to casual wear, I'm definitely a denim person. Shorts, pants or a mini skirt. Anything, as long as it's denim.

Here's a typical everyday get-up for me ...

Jeans from The Gap (straight cut but I like to make them look like boyfriend jeans minus the super loose fit), Tom's Glitter in black, printed canvas belt from Old Navy and a super comfy white t-shirt which I bought online for *drumroll* P250.00. Nylon tote from Marc by Marc Jacobs w/c I got from the flagship store in HK.

Even when I was still a working Mom, I refused to wear heels on weekends. Reason being, I was in heels the entire week and I wanted my feet to get that much-deserved respite. Being a stay-at-home Mom/part time consultant has allowed me the luxury of not wearing heels at all. I'm not sure I can still pull them off.

Note : this white shirt is so comfortable. I've had it washed a few times and it still looks like I just bought it. Makes me wanna go back to the seller and get a couple more colors. She has them in about 7 or 8. Check her out in Facebook, do a search for Fashion Dime.

Hope everyone's having a good week so far!

A win and a loss

2011-08-16T08:31:00.004+08:00

What a tiring weekend that was!

Saturday, we were out of the house before 9am to watch our teenager and her Pep Squad compete in the 2011 Milo Little Olympics. The venue was the same as last year's, so we were prepared : with water and my huge fan to comfort us in the morning heat. On the way there though, it began to rain real hard, so we had to bring an umbrella as well. I was worried about the weather being bad all throughout because the girls will compete outdoors. If the rain didn't stop, there would simply be no competition whatsoever.

God probably heard our prayers because the sun came out soon enough and gave the organizers a chance to dry the floor mats and make sure all competing teams can safely perform on them.

To cut a long story short, guess who won?

And not just that, this is a back-to-back championship title we're talking about. Not just for Anissa's HS Pep Varsity. The Grade School Pep bagged the same back-to-back success!

The St. Paul College, Pasig HS Pep Varsity in their final pyramid

They worked so hard on this new routine for weeks before the competition. Anissa was so excited about it and I now understand why.

Watching these girls in action always gives me a high.

That's my big girl in the middle.

But here's my favorite photo from the event ... the girls rejoicing as soon as their school's name was announced as the champion. Look at how high Anissa jumped!!!

Weeks of hard work paid off big time and I can't be any prouder.

To the St. Paul College, Pasig HS and GS Pep Varsities ... congratulations on this achievement!

The perfect way to start the school year!

Unfortunately, that high was somehow dampened by the loss that the De La Salle Green Archers suffered in the game against Adamson University the next day. ONE POINT. They could've won by that. Oh well, on to the next game.

First Up : 2011 Milo Little Olympics

2011-08-13T06:03:00.006+08:00

As most of you know by now, my 15-year old has been a cheerleader for the fourth year in a row, since she was in 6th grade. Today signals the beginning of her competitive "career" (this schoolyear) in cheerleading with the opening of the 2011 Milo Little Olympics at the Marikina Sports Complex. The St. Paul College, Pasig Grade School and High School Pep Varsities are defending champions and thus, face quite a bit of pressure today.

They've been working hard on their routines for the past weeks, ending their school days at 7pm. I take my hat off to these girls who manage to balance their academics alongside rigid traning exercises, especially when a competition is forthcoming.

Thursday night, Anissa stayed up to finish working on her pom poms. Yes, the girls make their own and I can only watch with pride as she did.

They also have new uniforms each year, which she excitedly brought home and showed all of us

Thank goodness the skirts are shorter and look like normal cheerleader skirts! LOL! The nuns at school have been quite strict about it these past years. It was like reliving my own school days in a Catholic, all-girl school.

As I type, she and the teams are preparing to board the bus to the venue and I'm praying for all of them to just have fun ... no injuries, please!

Meantime, I'm (nervously) doing my stuff on the internet and waiting to get ready for this all-important Saturday. After all, I am my children's biggest fan.

Enjoy your weekend!

Tiger Mom?

2011-08-10T07:55:00.004+08:00

Before Sabine was born, I never had to deal with a tantrum. Anissa was such a quiet child. She would sit still and never fuss. The tantrum experience was alien to me until Sabine came along. No, she's not a brat. She's spoiled, but not spoiled rotten. But between my girls, she's the feisty one. She's the one who, at this very young age of 5, reasons out and asks questions. She has difficulty taking "no" for an answer, whereas Anissa would stop at two attempts to change my mind and then just march off to her room and sulk.

For the first time in a while, Sabine had a mild tantrum yesterday. She was acting bratty towards her Yaya, who merely told her to wait a few minutes while she folded the laundry, before they could resume playing. She resented being reprimanded for acting bratty and decided to take it to the next level by scattering our throw pillows on the living room floor. When I gave her the "stare", she stared back. Is feisty an understatement?

Much to my disappointment, I had to resort to pulling rank. I told her to march upstairs to the master's bedroom so she could go into a timeout. She started to cry, perhaps in an attempt to make me reconsider. Although very difficult, I had to resist the urge to give in. I was determined to make her see the error of her ways.

She sat here for the next 20 minutes or so while I watched her. Like any parent, I was so close to picking her up and forgetting all about punishing her because she was sobbing intensely. But needless to say, I had to do the right thing. Anyway, I did pick her up eventually because she was starting to fall asleep. By this time, I just felt really sorry for her and put her on the bed beside me to continue her nap (while still sobbing boo hoo!).

Corporal punishment is now being discussed here. It's ridiculous if you ask me. While I feel that there's no place for child abuse in any decent home, I think corporal punishment is a bit too much to consider. I am not a spanker. Not to say that I haven't spanked my children at all, because I have, in extreme situations. But these occasions are very rare and I drowned in guilt each time. I vowed to never make it a habit.

Disciplining our kids is perhaps the toughest part of parenting. I hate it, but someone has to do it. My motto? Hate me now, thank me later. So far, I think it's working.

Snooping around

2011-08-09T11:28:00.002+08:00

A writer friend has asked me to answer a survey about snooping on kids, particularly on teenage kids. I have a 15 year old so I was more than willing to participate.

The main question was : do you snoop on your child. Why or why not?

My answer to that would be a resounding, THANK GOD I DON'T HAVE TO.

Sure, my girl is a typical teenager. Typically hormonal at times, typically embarrassed to be seen around me when in the company of friends, typically into things a normal teenager likes (music, the internet, her Blackberry, fashion, etc). Although it's these things that cause our arguments most of the time, I'm thankful she's pretty normal.

Parenting a teenager is probably the trickiest thing to do. Not to mention challenging, too. I have to be her friend, and at the same time remind her that first and foremost, I am her mother. I go crazy trying to be both. But I'd like to think I'm doing okay, so far.

Just recently, she came to me with a concern which we dealt with for days. It was really a reassurance that my girl still feels the need to talk to me and values my advice. So even if I was slightly rattled by the problem (isn't this so normal for a parent to feel?), deep inside I was truly grateful for the chance to be part of the solution because she chose to come to me.

It's these situations that remind me that I don't have to snoop. Atleast, not yet. I'm really praying that I won't ever have to, but that's a long shot for any parent. If the time doesn't come at all, I'll be extremely grateful. Only a serious issue can make me let go of the "no snooping" rule, so I'll continue to pray that I won't have to cross that dreaded bridge.

My advice to parents of teenagers is quite simple : keep the communication lines open. And by this, I don't mean a one-way kind of thing. Parents must also learn to listen to their children and not over-manage them. Give them a venue to speak and LET THEM SPEAK without interruption. Hard to do? Maybe. But they have a right to say what they feel. As long as they do it within reason, they should be allowed to speak for themselves. But toe the line on respect, I think that goes without saying.

Here's to all of us parents of teenagers who continue to toil while loving our roles.

Parenting is such a thankful job, so don't believe anyone who says otherwise.

We get our rewards when we look into our children's eyes and see what great persons they've become.

A happy Tuesday to all!

Sunday Family Style : Komrad

2011-08-08T11:38:00.014+08:00

Last night's family dinner was at a new place in Eastwood Mall. KOMRAD, serves Hunan and Sichuan dishes so be ready to take in all that spice! My family loves to eat spicy food, but we also had to be careful because the kids were with us. Not everything on the menu is spicy, though, so it was all good.

The place isn't so big and surprisingly, it was packed last night, despite the fact that they were only on their 2nd day of operations. This wall mural is so prominent inside the restaurant. When I took a closer look, I kinda laughed at the idea to put Mao Tse Tung in a chef's uniform.

It was so cute.

Ready to see what we ordered? We don't scrimp on food and we have a tendency to order more than what we can handle. The fact that 80% of our orders were spicy also made it quite a challenge for us to finish everything!

Mapo Tofu (P255)

Spice factor : 3.5 (out of 5)

KOMRAD Fried Rice (P198)

We had 4 of these!

Spice Factor : 0

Steamed Fish Fillets w/ Black Bean Tapenade (P288)

Spice Factor : 4

(especially if you swish the fillet around the oil before biting into it)

Kung Pao Crispy Pig's Ears (P188)

Spice factor : 4

Fujian Noodles (P265)

Spice factor : 0

Kung Pao Shrimp Balls (P325)

Spice factor : 3.5

Chilled Tofu with Pork Floss (P125)

Spice Factor : 4

General Tso's Chicken (sorry, forgot to note the price)

Spice factor : 2

Please note that the spice ratings are solely based on my opinion. This would naturally depend on your tolerance for spicy food. But unlike in other places where the dishes are too spicy, you hardly taste the food itself, we really enjoyed all of our orders. The only comment I have is that it took a while for them to prepare our bill. This was largely due to the absence of a POS (point of sale) system, so they had to manually add everything up. I'm sure they'll be able to iron this kink out in no time. The manager was kind enough to explain the hold up and the waiting time was bearable, so it was really a non-issue for us.

Can you tell how much we loved our visit? Just look at all the empty platters and bowls!

KOMRADE is on the 2nd level of Eastwood Mall, beside CYMA and near the bridgewalk to Citywalk. After Googling a bit more, I discovered that this is another one of Marvin Agustin's restaurants. Kudos!

Review : L'Oreal Hip Kohl Liner

2011-08-08T00:51:00.009+08:00

I first saw this on eBay.ph and when I saw the word "kohl", I instantly got interested. Kohl is an ancient eye cosmetic. They were used by Egyptian Queens and Indian mothers who believed that darkening around the eyes would protect them from the rays of the sun. Newborn Indian babies were also made to wear this to ward off evil spirits. Have you ever noticed that Indian women usually have well-defined eyes? They owe it to Kohl.

The container is not that big. In fact, it fits perfectly into my small make-up pouch which I bring everywhere I go. But when I used this for the first time today, I knew it would take a while before I run out of product.

Here's what the tip looks like

It's very pigmented, it only took two quick swipes on my hand for it to show.

I'm happy I got to put it to a test for the first time today. Not without hassle, mind you. This comes in powder form so you should expect some fallout if you're not cautious. Beauty blogger, The Pink Thought Bubble shared a very useful tip : blow on the wand to get rid of excess powder before you begin applying PLUS, do it before doing anything else. That way you can clean up as you go along, and not after your face is all done. That's exactly what I did. Maybe I didn't blow hard enough because there was still some fallout when I applied it to my waterline. But all I had to do was grab a Q-tip and dip it into my Pond's Cold Cream to wipe it all off.

The application itself is very easy, because the powder really adheres to the skin. I was done with one eye in about 20-25 seconds.

It's not so obvious here but I drew a slightly wider line on the outer portion of my eye (I do the same thing when I line my upper lashline). You'll notice that I hadn't wiped off all of the fallout yet in this pic.

One eye all done!

This last photo was taken as soon as I got home, after being out the whole night.

I didn't have to do a touch up, which I would normally do whenever I use a pencil.

I'm definitely a fan of this now!

It comes in other colors : bronze, teal and gold (I think). But I'm not very adventurous when it comes to make-up so the black one is the one for me. I've never been without eyeliner for as long as I can remember. This discovery is definitely going to be a "go to" eye product for me from now on. I also paid peanuts for it!

Now, I'm off to eBay to buy a back up!

Do we fight our child's battle? No we don't...

2011-08-04T02:10:00.004+08:00

One of the most painful things a parent must learn to do is to let go. There's a natural tendency to want to protect our kids from anyone or anything that may cause them hurt, whether physical or emotional. I've had to deal with situations that required me to bite my tongue and stop myself from interfering. It's very, very difficult to do. Especially if the issue involves my own child. Parents of teenagers should be able to relate to this often-experienced dilemma.

How many times has your daughter/son approached you with a problem at school or with a friend? And each time this happens, there's that part of you that wants to say, "Let Mommy take care of it for you." While this is the most natural thing in the world for a parent to say, unfortunately, it's never the solution to your child's problem. Sure, we're more equipped to deal with conflicts. But telling them to step aside while you iron things out could be one of the biggest mistakes you can make, moreso, if you keep doing it.

At the same time, how do you watch from the sidelines and not be affected? This is absolutely impossible to achieve. However, being a spectator is the wise thing to choose. Not to say that you should leave your child all alone to fight for himself. You just don't do the fighting. You back him/her up by providing love, reassurance and advice. Then you TRUST that your child understands and is able to carry out as told. If he/she fails, again, that's painful. But it's a lesson learned. You go back to where you started ... love, reassure, guide. It's a cycle and you shouldn't get tired of doing it until your child gets it right. That's it.

Nobody said parenting was easy. In fact, it's the biggest challenge I'm faced with at the moment. Parenting a teenager is really tricky. If you do too much, you might end up with a child that's overly-dependent without a backbone. If you do too little, you're later on accused of not being involved or concerned enough. Your love is questioned and that hurts even more.

I never claimed to be a good Mom. In fact, I often think I'm a lousy one. This is probably psychological on my part. I'd rather think I'm inadequate than perfect. Feeling inadequate motivates me to be at my best. It makes me feel REAL, like a real human being, capable of making mistakes but smart enough to know how to correct them.

Every night, my prayer always includes a request for the Lord to take care of my kids whenever they're not by my side, for Him to shield them from physical danger and stand by them in times of difficulty. Other than that, the most I can do is to hope that my children, even when I'm not around, are able to use the good head they have on their shoulders and apply everything I've taught them. That is all a parent can do, really.

Like I said, I'm no expert on parenting. But I know enough to say that we can only do so much for our kids. If we want to raise them to be intelligent, self-reliant, self-assured individuals, then we must do our part. Keep a slight distance, and allow them to experience life as it happens, while carefully watching from the sidelines. But always prepared to wipe away their tears, while trying to hide ours. Tough, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Rainy day meeting at Cafe Juanita

2011-08-04T01:18:00.008+08:00

We were supposed to sit down with a couple of clients (who are also friends) yesterday, but the rain just wouldn't let up. Good thing the weather slightly cleared up today. I've been looking forward to revisiting Cafe Juanita. Their old location in Kapitolyo, Pasig was a favorite lunch date place for Neal and I in our early years as a couple. The food was always so good and the place's look is really one of a kind. Not surprising at all that they've moved to a bigger Pasig location since then, and expanded with a branch in Burgos Circle inside Bonifacio Global City.

Our meeting was to start at 2pm so this was going to be a merienda kind of thing for us.

While studying the menu, I discovered that they had Siomai. I had to try it, of course!

Do you notice how "fat" the pieces are? Every bite was enjoyable. Each piece was filled with so much goodness, I really loved every bit of it. This is, by far, one of the best I've tasted.

For dessert, Neal and I shared this

It's called Mama's Mango Pinsek

It's a fresh take on the famous Turon, if you ask me. The mango slices are scattered on the plate, while the Turon wrapper is fried to a crisp and drizzled with chocolate syrup. This was very good, too, and fun to eat for a change.

All in all, it was truly a productive afternoon. We spent a total of 4 hours talking and brainstorming over coffee (which was also really good, by the way) and went home with more work to do ... not complaining, though.

Due to the fact that it was still raining today, my casual outfit was totally justified.

Lacoste pique polo shirt, Seven Jeans, Zara (or is it Mango?) Safari Jacket

I made sure my shoes were appropriate, too.

These are from Charles and Keith (purchased in Singapore for about SGD 50.00)

Except for the fact that our beloved DepEd made a last minute decision to suspend classes again, this day was a good one.

How was yours?

Makeup Diary's Huge "Just Because" Thank You Giveaway! Three winners!

2011-08-03T09:53:00.001+08:00

Who would want to miss joining a blog contest such as this?

Click here and good luck!

Teeth Grinding : what causes it?

2011-08-03T00:32:00.002+08:00

Both Neal and Sabine grind their teeth while they sleep. Since I'm always the last to "throw the towel in" at night, I'm subjected to this which is really painful to the ears. It's like hearing nails running against a chalkboard. Eeewwww I know!

According to an online article, teeth grinding or clenching (medically known as Bruxism) is often caused by stress and suppressed anger among adults. No one lives a stress-free life so that's a check. But suppressed anger? Oh no ... that sounds a bit more intense. I'm hoping it's not anger that's supposed to be directed at me LOL. In kids 7 years old and under, it's commonly caused by the growth and development of their teeth and jaws. Now that's a relief. I just need to make sure the two of them go to the dentist regularly so that any damage to their teeth can be managed well.

I was once told I do this, too, but not all the time. So I guess mine's not as bad.

If you have concerns similar to mine, you can read more here.

National Bookstore Online

2011-08-01T23:48:00.004+08:00

I recently discovered that my favorite, National Bookstore now has an online shopping site! I know right? I have this thing for bookstores (and drugstores). Just like Neal has this thing for hardware stores. Everytime we're in the mall, I can't miss stopping by National Bookstore if they have a branch in the vicinity.

The site is pretty easy to navigate. I spent an hour or two today in the Books section, hoping to find an interesting title. But I somehow got sidetracked so I'll go back to doing that tomorrow. I haven't tried ordering yet, but a friend says they're very efficient.

I'm careful not to introduce my kids to this because I'm so sure they'll make it a habit to check and that's not very good for my wallet.

Visit http://nationalbookstore.com to see what I'm talking about

Sunsilk Weather Defense

2011-08-01T23:23:00.003+08:00

I have a no-fuss routine for my hair. Except for the yearly rebonding session and quarterly trips to the salon for cut and color, I do nothing else but shampoo and condition. Okay, once in a while I get a treatment or do one at home. But that's about it.

One of the things I like doing though is alternating shampoo and conditioner brands. They say you don't have to stick to just one brand forever. It's best to change brands regularly. I've been using the Pantene Nature Care line for months now, since I first discovered it at a duty free supermarket in Clark. I was glad it soon became available in Manila. I was really happy with that and I still have some left, to be honest.

But this new line of Sunsilk's has gotten my attention. I got the shampoo and conditioner today and used it for the first time when I took my evening shower. I love the scent! It's not overpowering, not too flowery. In fact, it's kinda fruity which is what I like. The scent of the conditioner is another story, however. I have yet to come across a conditioner whose smell I like.

It's been more than an hour since I stepped out of the shower and my hair is now 90% dry. The result? Super soft. I love it. In all fairness to Pantene, I get the same result when I use it. So, it's safe to say that I'll be alternating these two for now.

Here's Sunsilk endorser, Sarah Geronimo

She looks gorgeous in this print ad

If money was not an issue

2011-08-01T07:39:00.004+08:00

I thought that this should be a good way to start the week. Positive thoughts and dreaming about what could be. I once wrote about the things I would do if I won the lotto. This entry is a spin-off of that one, with a list of things I would immediately do if one day, the sky becomes the limit ...

TRAVEL

Abroad, thrice a year - sem break, Christmas break and summer vacation

To places we've never been as a family

Beijing, China

Sydney, Australia

Greece

Italy

Paris, France

And more!

BUY A CONDO or LOFT IN MANHATTAN

With panoramic and breathtaking Central Park and Skyline views

Now that's what waking up in the mornings should be all about, don't you think?!

BUY A VACATION HOME IN THE HAMPTONS

A modest one, if that's even possible LOL

So I can spend my summers ala Serena and Blair haha!

BUILD A SPA AT HOME and HIRE A LIVE-IN MASSEUSE

Sounds Perfect! I'm sure I'd be spending a lot of time in here.

REDECORATE THE GIRLS' BEDROOMS

Music-themed for Anissa

Barbie for Sabine. How cute!

REBUILD OUR KITCHEN

To hopefully motivate me to be in it more

And no, I didn't forget ... stuff for me and me alone

IWC Portofino Chrono (okay, one for Neal too)

Hublot Big Bang

Balenciaga Arena Classic Bracelet in ALL colors

I can seriously spend the entire morning thinking of things to include in this list but I'll stop before I switch from positive to self-pity mode. That was an enjoyable exercise though. And I'm glad I documented it because I need to believe that one day, it will all happen!

What would YOU do if money wasn't an issue?

Here's wishing your week will be filled with good vibes!

Sunday Family Style : BluFish (Eastwood Mall)

2011-08-01T00:39:00.011+08:00

We find ourselves going back to this place because the food is really good and the service has improved a lot since our very first time.

What we had tonight (and I'm still so full)

Compliments. That's blue cheese dip in oil which my girls really really love.

Moroccan Seabass with Vegetable Couscous

This is a MUST TRY!!!

The fish is huge and the couscous is delicious!

Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter Crab

On bed with garlic noodles

We're big garlic fans so you can just imagine how much this dish was enjoyed

Crispy Tilapia with Tamarind Miso

(or Singaporean Pepper Sauce, if you prefer)

Really good too!

Next door to BluFish is The Flying Pig, which is their sister-restaurant. From there, we ordered the Kung Fu Spiced Spareribs

Pork Spareribs w/ Secret Shanghai Spices and Peppers

It was our first time to try this. The ribs were not at all spicy, but instead just had a tiny bit of kick in them. They could turn the spice up just a little more. Maybe I'll ask them to do that next time. Nevertheless, I think I had 3 servings haha!

On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give this place an 8.5

We'll be back for sure!

Thinking mode

2011-07-31T10:38:00.003+08:00

I've been like this since last night. Actually, yesterday afternoon.

I got a message from a friend that really got me thinking about something big.

Nothing bad at all. It's just something that needs to be carefully planned.

Meantime, we're really enjoy all this bed weather we've been having in Manila.

It's Sunday today, family day. But first, the DLSU vs UE game at 1pm in Araneta.

Meantime, here's a photo of my 5-year old Sabine, who decided to spend the early hours with a Math workbook that my Mom bought for her.

Take note, this isn't her homework. I'm so proud of the fact that at this young age, she has the initiative to learn. And of all things, MATH! Okay, I admit, she didn't inherit this from me.

Happy Sunday everyone!

Is it too late to go to law school?

2011-07-30T00:45:00.004+08:00

There's a new show on the TV block that I'm really really loving right now

Currently filming it's 2nd season, SUITS is the story of Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), a young man who wants to turn his life around after getting himself tangled in a drug-related mess and miraculously ran away from it unscathed. He's an intelligent guy who dropped out of college and he somehow ends up working with one of New York City's best lawyers, Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht). I'm only on the pilot episode and I can tell I'm in for the long haul. I'm hoping it does well in the ratings game so I won't have to deal with another disappointment.

What is it about the show that I like? Everything! If you're not convinced enough, please get the first season and see for yourselves.

It's the weekend, be safe!