Cheap Find : Studded Duffle Bag from SM

The search for the ultimate prom shoes and purse took Anissa and I (and Sabine and N) to SM Department Store in Megamall last Monday after school and her training. While these were the priority, we couldn't help but look at other stuff on display and just as we were ready to leave after paying for our prom-related purchases, we spotted these

Even from afar, they're quite eye-catching because of the studs. The price tag convinced Anissa even more that she wanted one. I did, too, but sigh ... #buhaynanay ... the kids always come first. 

Then it was a toss up ... did we, errr, she want the black or the blue/violet? The beige one wasn't too inviting, mainly because it will obviously be a challenge to maintain. 

Eeenie meenie miney moe ...

This is what she ended up with after a few minutes of indecision

While Mommy would've automatically chosen the black (because wala lang, I'm really safe that way), but this blue one ain't so bad. In fact, the longer I stare at it, the prettier it gets. I'm not too big on the color blue haha. 

The damage? Less than a thousand, just P999 to be exact. Warrants a happy dance, right? A note though ... this can't be a handbag, it's more like an overnighter. Really just the right size for spending a night away from home. 

Patting myself on the back for this awesome find :) 

Cheap Find : The Neighborhood Salon

Of late, it's become a habit to have my nails done at home. There's been a huge boom in home-service type nail and spa services and I've gotten so used to the convenience of not having to dress up, get into a car, get stuck in a traffic jam just to go to the nearest nail salon. They bring everything to you instead. My choices have always been (according to preference): 

Nails At Home - but lately, it's been so difficult to get my technician of choice. I guess she ended up being everyone's first choice as well. That's how good and nice she is. 

Celebrity Nails - because the service they extend is always up to standards and they have a lot of branches. They've never ever said they don't have anyone available when I call them.

I Do Nails - that is, until they decided to put up a salon in Eastwood and focus on that instead.

I suddenly realized that I've never had the most convenient option of all, which is a freelance manicurista or a friendly (aka super cheap but decent) neighborhood salon. When I say neighborhood, I mean something that's really close by and doesn't charge an arm and a leg for basic services.

Until ... I decided to ask a friend who lives a few streets away from me, just to check if she knows of such a place. Guess what? That same night, around 730pm I excitedly went off for a much-needed mani-pedi, at a never-before-seen (by me) salon just 5 minutes away from where I've been staying for the past 17 years. Talk about ignorance! In all fairness to me though, the place apparently just opened its doors in August last year hehehe.

Look at what I ended up with. Bright red nail polish, no murdered nails, a really clean application, all for just P130.00 plus tips for two girls. So cool! 

Those of you who live in the Mandaluyong area and would like to know where this place is, drop me a message at nonstopbabble@yahoo.com. I'll give you full contact details and location, if you ask me. 

And oh ... the red nail polish I'm wearing is from a blast from the past brand --- Caronia! Being a small and conservative establishment, I didn't really expect to find Essie, OPI, Orly, China Glaze and the like in their selection. I love red nail polish and I didn't really mind trying this out. It's the perfect red shade. 

I wonder if I can go back for that P160 foot spa this weekend. Hihihi!