Trip to Villa Escudero

Sem break's over but before it ended, me and my colleagues were able to go out for a day of travel to Villa Escudero. It took us six hours to reach the Villa from Olongapo and when we arrived there around six am, it was still close and won't open till eight o'clock. We went to the closest market first to grab something local to eat but most of the stalls were still close. We were driving back when we saw an eatery which sells "bulalo", a native dish with beef boiled with different kinds of herbs. That was my first time trying bulalo because honestly, I don't really like eating beef but since the beef in their bulalo is boiled until it's tender, I kindda like it. After breakfast, we went to San Pablo Market and San Pablo Church. San Pablo Market is much bigger than the first one we visited but I didn't really find anything that I like to buy. The church is also beautiful but I think they're still undergoing renovations on the facade.

After that we went straight to the Villa. When we arrive, they welcome us with "gulaman" (a kind of refreshment in the Philippines) to drink. Inside the Villa, our first stop was the musueum. I was only able to take pictures outside because they don't really allow pictures to be taken while inside the museum though there are no restrictions into bringing you mobile phones.

My First : Celine Bag

I already mentioned in my previous post that I have wanted to buy myself a Celine bag but I couldn’t because of the price and my budget. I love Celine clothes and shoes but I only buy them when they’re on sale unless I really like or need it. But I couldn’t do the same thing with the bags. Knowing myself, I personally need a bag that would fit anything and I could toss anywhere without feeling bad about it, the very reason why it’s difficult for me to get an expensive one. It’s quite pricey even when it’s on sale and the designs are not really meant for daily use. Oh well, I don't have to worry about it now, do I?

My cousin got me an off-white colored one with gold zipper details on the side. The bag has three small pockets, one on the front with a loop kind or lock. It also has one at the back and inside with two extra pockets for the phone. 

Year End Haul (Shoes, bags, accessories and other random stuff)

Happy New Year to all my readers. Another year have passed and I didn't really made this year as promised so I won't be making another blogging resolution that I would most likely break. I feel really sorry for that. After the operation, I had a change of occupation and started taking my Masters in Management making me busier than I used to.

This year, I'd like to start my blog with a haul of some of the things I purchased and received as gifts. Just a disclaimer, this post is in no way intended to brag about what I have. And the stuffs are things that I accumulated over some time and some were given as presents . Let's just say, this is my way of thanking everyone for all the presents they gave me and keeping track of my purchases.

The only time that I love to buy shoes without regret is during a sale. I went to Ayala for some Christmas shopping and I found a really great deal at Call It Spring. Originally, the leather and lace shoes cost Php2,195 each but I only got it for Php650 per pair. They're really comfortable and I so love wearing them specially the leather shoes. It's currently my go-to shoes. I'm kind of more careful when using the lace one though because I don't want it getting stained. It's really going to be perfect for spring until summer because of the color. The rubber shoes would be my parent's gift for me. The color is just so pretty and girly but the tough kind of girly. :p

The next would be a bag from Celine and an inspirational book that my cousin gave me as a Christmas present. Honestly, I just got it today. I wanted to buy a Celine bag for myself but I'm having second thoughts about it because I'm really getting off my holiday budget but I guess now I don't have to worry about it.

Bachelor of Science in Accountancy Gordon College (Acquaintance Party)

I know I made a pact with this blog but I can hardly keep up with my promise. Anyway, this is what I was doing for the past month. It's been awhile since college so going back feels quite a bit odd. I'm not a student this time though.

Never in my Columban College days did I ever attend any acquaintance party so this is kindda like my first time... and it was really fun... tiring too, but really worth it. The theme of the show is movies and we "picked" the horror category.

My First : Zalora Purchase - Scarlet Sandals

I've been browsing Zalora but I'm  not really that confident to buy anything from them when I'm not sure about their services and product quality. Then, recently, I checked Zalora for their anniversary sale and found something that I really liked.

Originally, this pair of shoes cost about Php1060 but it was on sale for Php371 maybe because it's the last piece. I also paid the shipping cost for Php100. Free shipping only applies if the total cost of your purchase is Php1000.

It looks really good on the picture and I thought it's worth buying since it would only cost me less than Php500. Besides, its just on sale so I'm hoping the quality will be worth its original price.

Back from POC!!!

Hello everyone, I know I missed posting on a Sunday so here I am writing an apology post to explain why I was gone .

I was in the hospital for five days since February 6 because of the tumor operation. I'm finally discharged but still not home yet. I'm currently staying with some relatives in Manila so blogging time is really limited.

I had my operation at Philippine Orthopedic Center. My phone is broken so I wasn't able to take much pictures. I also have to stay at the ward's hallway because it was already full when I came. Actually, I stayed at the hallway the whole time I was there. It wasn't really that bad. I actually think it's much better than staying inside a crowded space because the air flows freely at the hallway.

Blogging Resolution

Last year, I wasn't really blogging on regular intervals. I guess its time to put it on my priority list and schedule my blogging at least once a week. I read a blog post from The Dark Side of Beauty about her "Project No Buy". She set rules to minimize her spending and rules to reward herself with money that she could spend. In my case, I'm going to set-up rules to encourage myself to blog more often. I know I owe a lot of posts to my readers and I'm really thankful for sticking with me in spite of the lack of post . So here it is:

My First : The SaladBox (November)

I finally got my very first SaladBox today... (So happy)... I've been waiting for this since October but I had a few problems with my account because the e-mail add on my Paypal is different from the one I used with my SaladBox account. On their last reply they did say I'm included on this months subscription but it's already end of the month so I thought I wouldn't be receiving any (again) so I'm really happy and just have to blog this right away.

Liebster Award!!!

I received a Liebster Blog Award form Clai about a week ago. Turns out its a blogger tag. Hope I do well. Here are the rules:

Post 11 random facts about you.

Answer 11 questions from the blogger who tagged you.

Tag 11 bloggers who has less than 200 followers.

Let them know that you tagged them.

Random facts about me:

SaladBox : Beauty Subscription in Philippines

Image Source : SaladBox.com.ph

Just bump into this today. I was checking SayTiocoArtillero's unboxing featuring Saladbox. It's the first monthly subscription box just like Birch Box, Glam bag, etc here in the Philippines.  I think they started receiving subscriptions last month but I wasn't so aware of it until today. I tried signing up and made reservations for the upcoming box. It's on a first come, first serve basis and you also have to wait for confirmation if you got a slot for the month's box. I really hope I could get one.

Price is Php500 per month but there are other types of plan for better deals. You can click here to check it out. It's a great way to try new products in a budget. But just like other beauty boxes, you may or may not like what's in it. It says on the site that you can customize your beauty profile but so far, I haven't seen that link. You can also get Php30 credit for every friends you refer to try SaladBox whenever they make a purchase.

The website is still in beta so most of the links don't work yet.  There are also not much to see for now. Hope it'll be complete after a few more weeks. I can't wait to see how this site will turn out. For the September Box, you can watch SayTiocoArtillero's video or you can click here to visit her site :

Store Review : Barat Mode (My First Online Purchase)

Image Source:
http://baratmode.multiply.com/

I haven't purchase anything online before because I'm scared of getting scammed. Malls aren't that far either so I don't find any good reason to buy something online that would cost me almost the same amount if I get to find and alternative. I'm also not familiar with online payment and delivery methods before and that made me less confident. Then again, sometime alternatives just wont do so I took the risk and inquired for something I like and inexpensive. An amount that I won't regret spending when I get scammed.

An Expensive Hobby

I've been wanting to learn how to make fine beaded accessories since I was a kid and three year ago, I learned how to... (^^,)... It was good but it wasn't any useful. I mean, my skills are improving, I'm learning to do more designs and techniques and I know a lot of people make money with it but I'm not one of them. I'm practically just spending... That's the ugly part... Then again, it makes me happy and I think that's the most I can get out of it... I like beads and by just looking at it makes me happy, just like my tag collection (^^,).

I don't really like people asking me to make some for them because it means deadlines and I don't like that when I'm doing my craft. I make some when I want to and only when I feel like it. So it turned out to be just a hobby and nothing more.

And since I'm getting addicted with YouTube since I had my vacation, I'm working on my channel, too. Not so pretty but I thinks it'll do for now...

Visit me... at http://www.youtube.com/user/TwirlieLive

Walk it!!!

I've nothing much to do lately but to sit, eat and sleep. I hardly move around the house even after I started walking. I'm gaining weight and the best excuse I could give was the operation. It's been 2 months now and that excuse is not going to work anymore besides, my fat is piling up. I can't jog, I can't do aerobics or anything that may stress my leg. Not like the doctors told me I can't do it but since I still have an open wound ( which is infected by the way ), I might as well  be more cautious.

I'm Back... and still on vacation...

I've been gone for awhile because of the operation... Well now I'm better... I'm walking without a cane... So happy... Although I get tired easily and really huge now... I ate almost nothing for 12 damn days in the hospital and yet I gained weight. Must be the dextrose. I'm trying to get back to shape but because of the holidays, it's been postponed until 2011. To date, nothing has changed with my weight.

Pangasinan Trip

We went to Pangasinan last Monday with my aunt, uncle and my cousin. Of course, we visited Manaoag Church and my aunt's family (the one wearing white polo shirt and jeans in the picture, the other one is my mom). I'm not sure when they planned it (if they did). My mom just told me to get dressed and that someone is coming to pick us up. 

1 more bag please

I didn't think it'll be so hard to get some blood... As what I've written in my past post, I need 1 more blood before proceeding to the next step. Yesterday, we went to POC again to bring my last donor but unfortunately, they were also rejected.

Gold Ice Cream

I have never really thought of eating gold until I found this one on TLC (Travel and Living Channel). My closest friends know how much I love sweets and this is definitely on my dream list... then again, it may remain on that list for a long time :(... unless I get lucky :)...

Google Images

"Golden Opulence Sundae" is the most expensive dessert I've heard and you won't find it on the sundae section of the menu... because it owns a spot at the middle... It's made of Tahitian Ice Cream, rare chocolate, candied fruit, caviar, etc... the finest of everything... But the high light of this ice cream is the 23 carat edible gold leaf. I've seen them prepare this on T.V.... They also sprinkle it with edible gold dust before serving... Almost all its ingredients are imported so you actually have to make a reservation 2 days before you can eat it on your own table outside Serendipity 3... This is definitely one important ice cream. You need to have the guts to actually want to eat it after paying $1,000 for 5 scoops of ice cream.

My Blood Donors... I think...

Oh well, we all know what's going on with me... The one on pink on the left hand side is my mommy (oh yeah, they're both wearing pink :)... the one with the glasses)... They went to POC (Philippine Orthopedic Center) and Red Cross that day for a blood donation... for me... I only need 3 units (that means 3 people) of blood but to make sure, my mommy brought 5 men... I have one "sure" blood donor, one dedicated teacher (wearing white and blue green, a special request) and 3 hard workers and his wife. They're all church going people so I even suggested my mom that maybe they should go to Quiapo Church since they already rented a van. But things didn't turn out so well so they weren't able to make a visit. My mom and I really do have high hopes that they'll all pass.