My Girls : The Summer Celebrants

Anissa used to complain about her birthday being in March. She was never able to celebrate in school, and everytime she had a party (which was every year of the 1st ten years of her life as an only child and grand child), her classmates would be out of town or out of the country. The same goes for Sabine, although at 7 years old, she hasn't started complaining just yet. I wonder why I had to give birth in the summer twice? 

Anyway, it's mid-April, the girls' birthdays are over. Anissa didn't really want to do much when she turned 17. Other than a new phone to replace her iPhone 4S which kept giving her problems, she just wanted to treat her friends to pizza. 

It had to take a 36" Big Guys Pizza to make this hungry bunch of dancers happy

The pizza party took place right after dance training. Friends surprised her with a cake awwww!

At 17, she is happiest when in the company of people her age. Sniff sniff! Sad but true. I was a teenager once so I know. But there's a difference because we're generations apart. Don't let me get into that right now! 

Note : Next year will be a whole different story. She'll be 18 and as early as now has told her Dad and I that she wants a party. Not your traditional formal, coming-out thing, but a party nonetheless. 

In contrast, here's what my little girl told me recently : "Mom, I just want to be with you all the time!"

Yesterday, we took her out to see The Croods and to play in Time Zone while killing time. She knows that she's having a party in 2 weeks, but we just couldn't let the actual day pass without doing anything. Thankfully, this kid still knows how to have shallow fun. She told us days before that she wanted to watch The Croods and I prayed so hard it would still be in the cinemas yesterday. It was! 

Giddy giddy in the car on the way to Glorietta

Dada took her to Time Zone while Ate and I sat in Starbucks

Who got 350 tickets in one tap? Ate was the lucky tapper!

Before the movie, she shopped for her favorite Cheese-flavored popcorn

She wanted pizza. Her wish was our command. Dinner at California Pizza Kitchen in Greenbelt 5, even if my tummy wanted to try Bulgogi Brothers hihihi. 

Happy 7th, Sabine!!! 

So yes, summer is always an expensive but happy time for us. It will be even more so next year when Anissa graduates from high school AND turns 18! 

Back to Havaianas?

I remember those oh so crazy days when I was totally addicted to this flip flop brand. There wasn't a Make Your Own Havaianas event that I didn't go to. In fact, my Havie friends and I (that's what we call the group of friends that was formed out of our love for chinelas) eventually got VIP invites to this annual thing. We were there making our flip flops, a day before the event was opened to the public. Naks, diba?!! But like all addictions, this one went away eventually. It passed without me even noticing it. One day, I just noticed myself walking past an All Flip Flops store without bothering to enter it. That was how I knew that my love affair with Havaianas had died down. Not to say that I would never pay for another pair again. It was just your typical "too much, too soon" kind of thing. I had soooooo many pairs because I jumped at every opportunity, every new design. That's probably why I suddenly wasn't too excited anymore. 

I don't remember the last time I bought a pair. In fact, I don't even remember the last time I looked at them inside a store. I got to do this very recently at The Complex in Eastwood Mall. Anissa was checking out some swimsuits and trying them on. I was getting bored so I decided to check out the wall of Havaianas flip flops they had. I tried on a few pairs and I suddenly had the urge to get a pair. It's summer anyway!  I didn't buy one right there though. I wanted to familiarize myself with the new designs. My favorite will always be the TOP style. It's the plainest one of all and it's also the style that agrees with my weirdly-shaped feet. My black and brown ones which are years and years old are still with me and none of them look old. 

Hmmm ... parang I want one in red

My next favorite style is the HIGH LIGHT. I haven't been updated, I didn't know the plain/solid-colored ones are back in the market. They're the ones I really really like.

I like them because they're half-wedges. Not too high for the lampa like me. 

Lastly, I also like SPIRIT. I already have this in black (booooooring!). 

I'm kinda liking the white and gold. Still boring? Hahaha. I'm safe when it comes to colors.

Anyway ... I haven't decided on what to get yet. Maybe I need to actually go inside a store so I can finally choose my comeback pair. I just hope this planned purchase doesn't lead to a revival of that old expensive addiction! 

Summer Basics : never be without them!

The summer season always inspires women to go shopping for new stuff --- agree?

I didn't go my usual route this year because I had to prioritize other things (yes, because I am first and foremost a Mom!) but if I had done the usual, I would've gone around the stores looking for things summer-y and the basics, of course!

#1 - Protection!

Whether it's a floppy beach hat, a colorful umbrella or a baseball cap. You just really need to be protected from the awful heat of the sun, the kind we get in a tropical country like ours. You also need a very reliable brand of sunblock lotion. I trust Banana Boat for the entire family. A good local alternative is Beach Hut.

#2 - The perfect swimsuit

Since giving birth to Sabine almost 6 yrs ago, I've given up wearing bikinis. I turned to the classic one piece and tankini styles for ultimate comfort and to hide those unsightly post-childbirth bulges. How I wish I had a bikini body still!

#3 - Cover up

You don't really want to go around the pool or the beach with a towel wrapped around your shoulders, right? I know I wouldn't! If you have a really nice cover up, you can still look dressed and ready for anything even if you're wearing a swimsuit underneath. These I can't get enough of!

#4 - Beach Sandals

You can choose from a variety of options : flip flops, thong sandals, low wedges. I like to have a happy mix of all haha!

#5 - Wooden or Beaded Jewelry

To go with all of your wonderful summer outfits of course. The brighter the colors, the better!

#6 - Dresses, Skirts, etc.

I tend to lean more on dresses for the summer, because sometimes I still feel so uncomfortably warm even when I'm in shorts and a tee.

Lastly? Plan those summer trips well. What's the use of going shopping if you have no place to go? Don't forget to pack the most important thing of all --- your love for FUN and your sense of humor! You'll need it in this unbelievable heat!

Cheers to Summer 2012!

Another Great Ebay Score!

Every year, around February is the time I start looking for swimsuits for the summer. Yes, I am really OC that way. Blame it on my BFF who is a swimsuit addict and needs to buy new ones yearly. The habit rubbed off on me and now it's become like a "tradition" of sorts and we always end up comparing our finds since we spend a lot of weekends at the beach with our respective families every year.

This is my FIRST find this year...

Anne Cole Studio 8 Black Belted Maillot

I was praying all this time that I got the right size and I DID!

I just really love that silver belt! The only problem is, salt water will tarnish it for sure.
I tried it on earlier today as soon as I got it in the mail and I was proud of myself for finding it. THANKS AS ALWAYS, B!!!

Up next...another swimsuit from GAP.com. Can't wait to get it!

Summer Glorious Summer!

I'm weird. The summer heat really makes me irritable. But make me choose between summer and winter and I'll always choose the former. Most of you would agree that summer is here quite early this year and it's actually a bit scary, if you think about it. What with all these changes brought about by Global Warming.

I am looking forward to having fun this summer though. As always...the plans are being arranged as I type. There are talks of beach trips with my friends and my family and even a HK vacation for Sabine's 3rd birthday in April so she can personally meet KeeKee Mouse (hehehe that's Mickey Mouse, of course). I'm hoping to add Baguio to the itinerary so that we can take a breather from the Metro Manila heat.

I've started looking at all the stuff I need to get for everyone : new swimsuits, sunblock (already bought a spray bottle of Coppertone from Duty Free for the kids), flip flops and sandals, straw totes, duffle bags, tank tops, board shorts, coverups --- the works! I even bought a cute beachmat already!

I'm still dying to go back to Bora. It's been more than 2 years since our last trip. I would love for Sabine to experience it before it's too late.

Can't wait to get that much coveted tan!!!

Back in Calatagan for the long weekend

Our last out of town trip before school opens tomorrow. I can't post the more than 100 photos I took here but these are my favorites.

The cottages are so close to the beach! This area was right outside ours.

Just arrived...

DM and Sabine had lots of bonding time

So did we...

Just a sampler of the food we had during our stay

My favorite sunset pic...