Around the World with these Things

Now, I understand how it feels not to be connected. One week without/limited internet access is like being sent to outer space and have no/limited contact with the real world. But thank Heavens for the free 30MB connection of Sun. I can browse and check my FB and IG page yet very limited. But it's better than no connection at all.


Okay back to the real topic. Last night, I went with hubby to buy piping materials to replace our leaking toilet sink at Wilcon Builder's Depot. While browsing the lanes/racks, my eyes directed me to this corner and with such delight, I couldn't help but take photos instantly. I don't know if it's not allowed but I snapped anyway. Thankfully, nobody called my attention. So here are the things I saw and would love to have for my home decor.

Aren't they glorious? Anything related to Europe are my 'in' -style now.

How do you call this cases? I love these for storage.
The small ones are around Php600.00 and the bigger cases
is about Php900.00++

The one with the British flag design is like a book.
But ones you open it, you may store stuff like cards/letters or
jewelries (sans division).

London's Tower Bridge.
Not exactly the way it looked minus the British flag at the center.

This really caught my attention. I love these beautiful storage chests.
I've been looking around for something like this and put it in our living room.
I like it as a side or center table. This cost around Php2,000.00.

That's all folks! Did you enjoy my new discoveries? I still want the storage chest but I'm afraid my toddlers would write anything on it. You should see our walls full of pencil scribbles. That's why I couldn't buy anything yet to further beautify our inside. It might cost me a lot. 

London Diaries 2014 (Part 2): Charity Shops & Tea Cups

For all of you who are not familiar with this, London has several charity shops that sells second hand and even brand new stuff that owners didn't use even once. You won't miss a shop since every area in London has two or more. Some of the charity shops where we frequent to are Salvation Army, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Princess Alice Hospice Shops, Oxfam to name a few. They are called as such because the proceeds goes to the needy. Each charity shop has its respective recipients depending on their cause. They are legal entities operating in the country. While for us here, we can equate it to the thrift shops or "ukay-ukay" being the seller that benefits. It's not more on the cause anymore… hehehe. 

Being a thrifty-natured one, we always end up entering into these shops because we can buy items priced from £1 or even less and at the same time helped in their cause in our own little way. So imagine my happiness when I bought Aldo wedge shoes about £7, a Zara belt for only £2, a Havaianas slippers for my daughter for the same price as my Zara belt. There's also this one charity shop where I forgot the name, I saw and bought a brand new (tag still attached) Levi's 501 jeans in black (but unfortunately didn't fit me but I gave it to my mother) that cost me only £4. That's less than Php300.00. It's such a steal! But so much of my random steal finds (to which I plan to make a separate post), here's to one of a charity shop find (or was it a car boot sale find?) that is actually given to me by my ever generous and sweet SIL. Since they moved out to UK na and now based in the US, she gave these pretty tea cups with saucers perfect for tea break and matching plate for a dessert to pair with it.

I was actually inspired to write this post because of Ms. Ellen of PseudoShrink. Hers is a brand new elegant royalty tea cup talaga. But in my mind, hindi naman lalayo din kung ano yung meron ako. Hi Ms. Ellen! If you happen to come across this post of mine, here's my share of tea cups din! Toast to our tea cups, hihihi… Parang sorority sisters lang ang peg. "Would you like a cup'a (of) tea?"

It is already a habit for English people to have tea breaks or drink tea. Whittard of Chelsea is a famous brand that sells premium teas and drinks that is renowned worldwide and dates back in 1880's. I had the chance to visit their store and taste their selection of tea and chocolate. I must say that it really satisfied my taste buds more so to my palate. See their various products here.

This one is my pasalubong for my boss. He like it!

This first set of tea cup I got is more on a Chinese-y inspired design because of the blue and white color combination. Owning something like this inspires me to get fit. Why? Because ang sarap uminom ng tea pag ganito ka elegant and kaganda ng craftsmanship ng tasa. Diba? Not to mention tea  has a lot of healthy benefits. Inom lang ng inom.

And when we say royalty and elegance, Europe and the Great Britain automatically pops in our mind. The following two sets of tea cups I own now says more of that. Ala Greta Baretto diba? 

Part of our London trip last October of 2014, we went to museums and visited castles and palaces where the kings and queens have lived. In there, they displayed various kitchen utensils and dinnerwares they used. It is very amazing to see such fine porcelain wares. Talagang royal highness ang dating lang.

These three are sitting prettily on my cupboard and never used any of it. I love staring at them. But just this morning I thought of using the blue one first for my tea breaks here in the office. It's not only inspiring but it teaches (forces) me to drink tea for health reasons. ;-))

How lovely! Common expression of typical English people when they appreciate things. Couple that with a very warm and welcoming smile and politeness that makes me a happy tourist in London. 

Happy Days ahead!

After that last post I published, good things have been coming our way and more. Good things come to those who certainly wait and it's all worth it. Such a wonderful feeling when you just claim everything to be positive and possible even if you find it impossible and unimaginable to happen. No, don't think of it that way! Don't ever allow even a little to think about it. As they say, habang may buhay, may pag asa! Ganun dapat tayo pume-peg sa buhay. Even if sometimes, things do not happen the way we want it, let's bear in mind that God has something better in store for us. Envision that thing, the bull's eye, so that life would be more colorful and exciting on the days to come. There's no reason to bum about the waiting period. It should give us hope and let's put that faith alive in us.


After a week, the waiting paid off indeed. I'll be seeing one important person in my life soon... and five more. It's too good to be true! Thank you Lord for the goodness! I'm so freaking impatient to let you know but I'm still not allowed to say anything. Nakakawalang gana ang post ko ano? No details yet but full of suspense and surprise. But I'll definitely blog it once we got there. I have the clearance to do so. One month more to go and I'm off for a great vacay! 

My Manila Diaries

Recently, just a few days ago, I was in the metro with hubby. And because I am not allowed to divulge anything (reserve for a separate post) and because it was just a quick visit, my photos will speak for my presence there with just a handful of evidence whilst in the place. I love Manila for some reasons: 1) there are a lot of places to see, experience and enjoy, 2) malls, shopping and a lot of sales going on, 3) food discoveries which are endless and 4) the vibe is always alive and up, on the go and updated. However, I don't see myself residing there because I want a laid back life and it's too chaotic for my preferred lifestyle. #justsaying But nevertheless, Manila is such a wonderful place to go, to be seen and experience. 

On board here. Always on time and most of the times ahead of time.
I am afraid of heights. Cebu Pacific arrives 10 minutes ahead of its time of arrival 
(as far as my experience is concerned). It lessens 10 minutes of my fear at that.

Taken when the in-flight voice recorder announces our arrival in Manila.
Plane is descending towards the runway. I took this to show my kids and housemates
what's it like when you are on top and inside the plane.

Took a cab towards the left to our place for one night.

After checking in, we headed to Makati area, particularly the Glorietta/ Greenbelt/ Landmark/ Rustan's, all found in one area which is really confusing when you are not familiar with the place. After we took our power lunch which is way past 2 in the afternoon, we stroll around like we are in a maze! As we found our way to Landmark which makes my heart skipped faster because of all those red letter SALE hanging everywhere, here's what I ended up buying. Kid's stuff! #motheratheart

These clothes are all on sale and for everything, I just paid less than 700.00pesos. It's almost closing time and as a result, I ended up panicked buying and I just grabbed everything and whatever my eyes crushes on.

To cap the night, we had coffee. I told hubby we eat at food shops where we can 't
find in Davao City. So far we managed it. Headed to our place past 11pm.

The next day was the real reason why we where there.
We were more than an hour ahead of our appointed time
and decided to eat breakfast in the vicinity to save time.
This budget-friendly breakfast meal is only 89.00pesos with a huge amount of serving (well, more than enough for my appetite, hehehe…).
It taste good too. Who says food in Manila is very expensive?
I don't think not all.

We took our lunch here.
It's at Greenbelt/Glorietta (not sure what building we were in).
Food and serving is alright and huge.
We were quite satisfied enough to fill our stomachs. 

And because hubby was craving for more, quite unusual for him, we ended up eating here less than an hour only after our lunch. And because, I wanted something sweet, I bought this yummy sans rival at only 60.00 paired with my hubby's cappuccino.
Such a sweet delight before heading to NAIA Terminal 3 for our return flight
back to Davao City.

Thank you Manila!

Baguio, the City of Pines: After a Decade

For the longest time, I've been yearning to come back in the coolest place in the Philippines, Baguio. I'm wondering how's it like today. I can vividly remember the sweet and dusky smell of pine trees that welcomes us, of the hushing cold wind that blows right on my face and the fireplace in every house. I want to experience again walking around the city without worrying of sweat and air pollution that stinks in my face, body and clothes. Whilst, sporting a covered and cozy attire like you're outside the Philippines. It's great to try out the unusual stuff right?

The City of Baguio  (Ilokano: Ciudad ti Baguio; Filipino: Lungsod ng Baguio; Pangasinan: Ciudad na Baguio, according to Wikipedia) is the go-to destination during the summer season here in the Philippines (usually falls on the early months of the year). It was designated by the Philippine Commission as the Summer Capital of the Philippines on June 1903 due to its cool climate and high elevation with temperature at around 8 degrees Celsius with an average temperature ranging from 15 to 23 degrees Celsius. Apart from the cold temperature, strolling around the place where everywhere you have a view of pine trees that relaxes oneself. I feel fresh and sweet. What's great is you can never see establishments and houses that has air conditioner as well as taxi cabs. You can't see one in there. Lest a fire place is a staple in every household. Cool noh? And energy saver too!

Some of its known and long-time tourist attraction when in there is the Mansion, The Burnham Park, the Mines View Park, Camp John Hay among others. The Session Road is where all the buzz is happening. It's the center of trade and life of the city. I love their thrift shops (the ukay-ukay), their strawberry and ube jam, their flavorful cornicks (dried corn bits), their hand woven handicrafts are some my the favorite stuff and memories in Baguio.

Maybe now they have a lot of tourist destinations. I'm excited for our planned vacation with hubby. We're thinking too of bringing our 2 year old daughter along. It will be her first airplane ride. I wonder what will be her reaction. I bet she'll have a good time as well as my husband. He has never set his foot there so I suggest that we should proceed to Baguio instead. Hubby smiled with agreement. So off to Baguio soon! Any suggestions where to stroll and visit new attractions in there?

Santorini of the Philippines

As I was visiting some blog sites of bloggers here in the Philippines, I came across one site that mentioned www.dealdozen.com. In here, you can purchase items at a much lower price. As I searched for the that site and started browsing for its offers, I was hooked on to the travel & adventure section. That's how amazed I was with the grandeur of one of the hidden resorts here in the Philippines: The Bellarocca Island Resort & Spa. 

Photo from their website

It is located in Marinduque, known to be the heart of the Philippines. Marinduque (Filipino: Marinduke pronounced [mɑrinˈduke]) is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region in Luzon. Its capital is Boac. Marinduque lies between Tayabas Bay to the north and Sibuyan Sea to the south. It is located south and west of Quezon, east of Mindoro, and north of Romblon (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marinduque). The resort is situated at the Southern part, off coast of the island of Marinduque, the Elephant Island. When I saw the photos, it looks like Santorini. I fell in love right away and thought of blogging it. Its rates are in USD, so better check their site for complete information: http://www.bellaroccaresorts.com. It's indeed more fun in the Philippines! Proud to be Pinay!

Summer = Beach

April is the start of summer. I like summertime especially before when I was still a student, I'm always looking forward for March because it's the end of the school year here in the Philippines. It's Summer = Beach = Vacation. It's fun! But now that I'm working, Summer = Beach alone. I love summer because it's all about vacation, the beach and get-together with the family and relatives. I have not gone to the beach lately and I was convincing my husband that we go to Samal Island together with our 1-year-old daughter. It will be our first time together as family and first for my daughter to experience the beach. I remembered when we went to Eden Mountain Resort in Toril, we dipped our daughter in the pool but she cried. I guess because of the cool climate in there that she felt cold. Anyway, I am looking forward to go to Paradise Island resort in Samal to experience summer. There's always fun in the beach!

I remembered when were were still kids, my siblings and my cousins almost every weekend we go to the beach. It's always our child memories that makes me always think that summertime is always in the beach!