Nap Time Rocks!

nifty sites

ever had to search for stuff online such as what route to take going somewhere or what transportation mode to take? or what gift to give your bookworm friend or which restaurant serves vegetarian food and accepts credit cards?

i have. and i’m sharing some of the pretty useful sites i’ve come across:

• Munchpunch (food) – what differentiates this from other online directories is the menu that you can find per restaurant (if available of course, but most have it) and the average budget per meal. there’s also a tab for looking up caterers. writing reviews are also quick and easy, plus the site loads faster

• ParaSaTabi (travel/transpo)- galing. if you ever needed to go to Ayala Ave. in Makati from Cubao, go look it up and you can choose from 44 different routes to get there

• Lucky Marias (gift suggestions/accessories) – polymer rules! need nifty little trinkets shaped like a starbucks frappe drink as bracelet charms?

• Fully Booked (event venues) – no, no, this isn’t just because I love FB. but i also find that their Bonifacio High Street branch also has venues for mini-movie screenings, meetings, and sales launches. that is, if your budget is in the P30k and above range.

• Powertips at The Podium (event venues) – this saved my behind big time, when we had to hold a meeting outside the office at such short notice. the staff who assisted me was really very helpful and considerate (i was short of b**ching then because the Ayala triangle then was going to be closed to traffic and it was hard to book a venue at that time). the place has one big conference room (classroom type) and several other smaller ones that can be used as training rooms. every table row had their own sockets, and believe me for laptop junkies like we are that’s such a plus; and free wifi access. oh and did i mention it’s inside the mall?

• Yugatech (technology)- now who hasn’t heard about this one? i found good reviews for a cellphone i planned to buy. pretty good reviews for anything tech related.

• POBox.ph (online shopping) – sure you can pay for purchases via Paypal now wherever it is in the world, but not all US merchants ship to the Philippines. POBox solves that problem (check out their website for details) by letting you address deliveries to their delivery point and when they’ve gathered enough stuff to fill a scheduled shipment, they send it home. it’s just a bit pricey, but you be the judge.

this list too, i’ll update from time to time. for questions, leave me a message!

Ikea heaven in QC, almost

it’s no Ikea, but it’ll do

Dexterton Corporation (for such a cool portfolio they could’ve thought of a more apt name), the Philippine version of Ikea i think. there’s one in Greenbelt and one in QC.

nevertheless, any store with interesting stuff in it is still worth loving (and checking out).

Frame me up

now that i have some of my prints, i’m ready to get framed up thanks P for these nice ideas!
Ribba Frame from Ikea online Wooden clothespins

which just gave me a great idea…

i can hang my photos up on a nylon string and clip them on with wooden clothespins like these (which you can actually buy at Fully Booked, not the exact designs though, but there are lots of other designs):

yun nga lang, pag exposed, madali madumihan. hehe. oh well, kesa naman hindi nakalabas mas sayang.

excited nako!

Baby dresses

I still shop at the Infants section at the department store. Mia’s 2 and a half years old. She’s supposed to be wearing toddler clothes already! Oh well, she’s really just on the small side.

Which is just nice since babies’ clothes don’t usually cost as much as toddler clothes. SM Cubao recently had a month-long Baby Sale and I got 4 pieces (dresses and tops) for about Php500 only (one of them is what Mia’s wearing in the photo). Neat stuff, no?

I love sales and bargains not just because I’m a cheapskate but it’s also an excuse for me to be extra patient and resourceful in finding really cool stuff (which I don’t normally do). Sige na nga, cheapskate kasi talaga! But not for shoes, though. Those I don’t mind buying the more expensive ones for her. Mahirap na, ang likot pa naman ni Mia.

Where do you usually shop for kids’ stuff? Do share!

This Journal Will Actually Change Your Life 2009

I looove my new 2009 planner.

Not that my life needs a lot of changing (it actually does, but that’s another story). I just happened to have a very hectic life these days and Bill Gates cannot keep up with me. I’m relying on my laptop’s Outlook Calendar, which means whenever I need to check my schedule and things to do, I still need to open it. And that’s a bit inconvenient when I don’t want to lug it around wherever I go.

So, part of my wishlist this year was to get This Journal Will Actually Change Your Life. And my wish was granted early, thanks to my dear cousin. Yey! Truth is, I actually completed the Starbucks Planner sticker thingamajig, but I’m picking this one over it. More »

Mia’s Floating Friend

This isn’t an early Halloween entry, don’t worry. And besides, I’m not about to spook myself and involve Mia.

I found that the floating pet balloons (the shiny doggy) that once used to sell about P500 apiece at Hobbes and Landes in Bonifacio High Street is now selling at only P150 at Toy Kingdom! When I chanced on this last weekend at a 3-day sale in Megamall, I immediately made up my mind to buy it. (Forgive the bad photo, she just wouldn’t stop moving!)

It’s an adorable toy that floats just enough above the ground and has wobbly plastic accordions for legs so when you pull on it, it actually walks! It was so nice that when they sold it initially at Hobbes and all the (rich) little kids were toting at least one, I wanted Mia to be part of the “in crowd” of toddlers.

Now I’m actually thankful I resisted that urge.

Not a Cheapskate

Sure I’m a bargain hunter, but my taste sure ain’t cheap. Especially when it comes to Mia’s clothes. So when shopping opportunities present themselves, I never fail to get a good find for my little fashionista.

Fab Find #1: A Mini Maxi Dress.

Pardon the irony, but yep, they do make maxi dresses for toddlers. Probably from excess cloth of women’s maxi dresses. Hehe. This one I got from the Jatujak Weekend Market in Bangkok (heaven I tell you, if not for the heat) for only 90 Baht. That’s about Php120.

Aside from looking nice on Mia, I like it because it fits snugly around her chest (most of her tube tops slip down because she’s sooo skinny), and the loose and light material lets her move freely. And did I mention Mia likes it so much when she’s complimented when she wears a dress? That’s the start of a kikay girl right there.

Fab Find #2: 5 for the Price of 1

Ok, that’s an exaggeration. But have you seen the price tags on designer babies’ apparel? Crazy. It makes me think sometimes if those are spun with gold. 2 shorts and 3 leggings all for Php645 on sale at Babyland at Robinsons Galleria. That’s about Php100+ apiece.

Pwede na, no?

Toys ‘R Us are also on sale at the ground floor of Robinsons Galleria fountain area. I didn’t get to join in the rummage fun, but I think discounts are uo to 70% off. And oh, the Bratz dolls are at 50% off.

Anyway, I’m going back there tomorrow so that’s it for now!

Green and in style

With the proliferation of environment-friendly shopping bags, it’s hard to ignore the message especially when many designers are making it more fashionable to be green.

Envirosax is one such designer. I just scored my retro bag (left) from Fully Booked about 2 weekends ago and I’m happy that I finally joined the bandwagon. This is one trend I think I won’t be sorry joining. Besides I think I’ve been planning to help out the environment for the loooongest time. Just been too complacent.

And anyway the plastics at home are still piling up even if we are reusing them. Not good for Payatas, I know. Now this bag is staying in my bag or my car in case of any shopping trips. Go check out Envirosax’s site, they have really cool designs. So how are you helping out?

Tags: envirosax, green bag

I’m Levita-ting

Because of these nice, new funky finds:

Levita is an online shop for really unique accessories and jewelries like the stuff above. They’re really nice because you get to choose from several ‘looks’ like the modern chic, retro look, or even go bohemian.

More »

I’ve found The One

I’ve found the One… I’m totally ecstatic that after more than a year of searching, after everything I’ve gone through with that ex, and after that ex broke my heart, I can finally give my search a rest.

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For Kids!: Mia’s March Fab5

Presenting, Mia’s fab finds for the month of March!

1. Ants & Bees educational baby tees, P275.00 for 2

(3rd fl Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Center, Pasig City)

I like tees that have statements or cute graphics on them. I once bought Mia a shirt that has “MY MOM IS A ROCKSTAR” written on it in gold (from Havin’ A Baby). At Ants & Bees, found at the new baby lane of Robinsons Galleria, they have babies’ t-shirts that are printed with educational statements or pictures. Like the 2 that I bought for her at Galleria’s 3-day weekend sale.

(Joyce Kilmer’s Tree poem printed on one of the shirts)

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Good food: February Fab5 finds

Let’s get over that terrible hangover from the holiday binging. Here are some of my (favorite) not-so-heavy food finds. Yumyum!

Boneless Daing na Bangus and Laing at Kinuron, Food Court, Tiendesitas, P200 to share. Ok, this one’s heavy, pang-lunch eh. But the laing is just so good. It’s not too spicy either and has just the right ginataan taste. Everyone who’s tasted this has agreed with me. More »

January Fabulous 5

Ok, I just cannot help it. I really, really have to post something. I just found that weekends, sans the occasional and required social schedules of weddings and birthday parties, I am free.

I’m retracting my previous promise that I will be posting my five fabulous finds every week due to unavoidable time constraints Instead, my Fab5 posts will be once a month.

1 Blog Fillers

I just came across a fellow pinoy blogger’s comic strips and they’re really amusing. You can get great topics to blog about too. BlogComics.net creates single-paneled comic strips that bloggers can use as fillers for their posts. And it’s totally for free. The artist who so generously publishes his artwork is also the author of PinoyBlogero.com. So fellow Pinoy bloggers, let’s support each other’s talents and post away! You can also subscribe to his comic feeds here. Available anywhere as long as you have a blog or site, free of charge.

2 Can you solve this murder case?

I was introduced to the Mystery Case Files series by an officemate about more than a year ago and since then, I’ve finished 3 games at least 3 times over, trying to beat my` previous time. It’s just so addicting. Big Fish has a lot in store for PC gamers who prefer mystery and murder types of RPGs. Most of their games are point-and-click and are so well designed. Popular Big Fish games include the Mystery Case Files (Prime Suspects, Huntsville, Ravenhearst, and the most recently released, Madame Fate), and Hidden Expedition (Titanic and Everest). The kind of detailed work that went into these games are just remarkable. Check out the Mystery in London game which lets you explore London in 360-degree views of its popular attractions.

My brother and I are actually so addicted to this game that when we went to Subic (supposedly for beach-ing and relaxing) we brought my laptop and an LCD projector just so we can maximize the game screen! Haha, talk about a geekfest. Available for download at BigFishgames.com.

3 Cords!

I know some time back cords were a fashion must-have, whether in bag details or accessories. I found these really nice cellphone (or ID if you want) neck tag at Girl Shoppe at Gateway Mall. These neck tags are made with faux leather cord and are available in metallic silver, gold, and bronze; and red and brown. Perfect as gifts. They’re pretty cheap too! Available at any Girl Shoppe branch, P50.

4 VMV Hypoallergenics

It’s one of those girly times when I just needed to treat myself. I rarely buy makeup, and it’s my mom who keeps telling me to buy my own (i use hers kasi, and sometimes when I borrow a blush it takes weeks before it comes back). I didn’t want to spend so much for something so small, was my excuse. But it was Christmas, and I just had to be good to myself.

Anyway, since I am totally clueless as to what kind of makeup I should buy (I only knew what color would match my skin), I went to the SM Department Store and tried my luck at few of the salesladies there. Some were actually too busy chatting with their fellow salesladies to mind me. Believe me, half the reason why I bought this particular makeup is because of the girl who was so eager to show me what her product was and even went as far as giving me the entire face regimen without me asking. She was proactive (and didn’t make me feel stupid for not knowing the different types of foundations), and I like that kind of service. So then, I ended up buying the basics: So Clear Oil-Absorbing, Clarifying Pressed Powder (VMV Hypoallergenics, P1,300), Cheeky Gorgeous-Flush Blush in Summer Lovin’ color (best for morena skin types like yours truly, VMV Hypoallergenics, P1,150), Black Brown Eye Pencil (Nichido, P68), Black Liquid Eyeliner (Nichido, P80). And got this for free!

(Illuminants Brilliant Finish 25, powder foundation with SPF 25 from VMV Hypoallergenics, worth P1,000+)

What I like about VMV Hypoallergenics is, aside from being hypoallergenic (haha), that there are colors that will match my skin tone. We all know being Filipina means having uniquely beautiful tanned (sige na nga, brown) skin. But I feel that VMV has more to offer my type of skin more than the other brands. VMV Hypoallergenics available at all SM Department Stores, at Powerplant, Rockwell, and on their website.

5 Swell Stuff

I discovered another cute little store that has lots of small kikay stuff for girls, Swell Stuff. There’s an article about the store here, and even without the review, it’s really worth checking out. I bought my red quilted cellphone holder (P120) and b/w camouflage dog tag (which my brother keeps borrowing, so who says it’s just for girls? P90). Swell Stuff branches in Glorietta 1 and 2, SM (Sta. Mesa, Fairview, Megamall, Manila), Robinsons Galleria and Metroeast, Metro Market! Market!, Festival Mall Alabang, Sta. Lucia East, Tiendesitas and Fun Ranch Frontera Verde, and Alimall Cubao.

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Tags: comicstrips, cartoons

Fab5 first feature: fredflare.com

I thought about having another category for my posts because sometimes it just gets boring yakking about my personal life. And since I’ve been discovering the joys of internet surfing lately because of wifi DSL, I want to share 5 cool things I find around the web. It’ll be mostly stuff (which you can actually buy; I’ll be providing details of course), but sometimes if I run out of good ideas, it’ll be other things I’ll also try to give an update weekly, if not more often. And for lack of a better title, it’s going to be named “Fab5″ for now. (Suggestions are most welcome; I hope don’t get into any copyright trouble for the term). Here are the first Fab5 things for the week, featuring FredFlare.com!

How would you like your rug? It’s Triple B Studio’s Egg Rug (sunnyside up) at FredFlare.com. Such a nice way to brighten up your mornings. ($24. Ships to the US only)

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