Wednesday, August 17, 2011

A blog a day...

... will keep the crazies at bay.

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Got a nice ring to it, eh? :)

So it shall be my new motto. Wonder how long I can keep it up, though.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Brown paper packages tied up with string...

I have another new favorite thing: Coupons from exclusive online deals!

A blogger friend wrote an entry about dealies.ph, a site that compiles the online discount deals of various sites into one user-friendly location, a few weeks back and after reading her positive review on it, I decided to give online coupon shopping a shot. And another shot... then another!

So yeah, I'm kind of hooked. I'm now a registered user of multiple sites such as cashcashpinoy, metrodeals and dealgrocer, and have thus far purchased for mi'self:
  • A yoga exercise set by Made For Movement at 73% off, delivered straight to my doorstep, and came in my favorite color! *blush*
  • Two laser hair removal treatments from Power Peel 90% off (from 3k to 300!), conveniently usable on weekends, and not all that difficult to get to (their clinic is on Panay Ave. I can do a stopover at Tops Timog on my way home!).
  • And most recently (i.e., just a few seconds ago), multiple Manels GCs being sold at 50% off, in 400-peso denominations. I got 6. I'm not kidding. That adds up to Php2,400 worth of Manels stuff. That's got to be at least 2 pairs of shoes. Three if I hunt good. Plus a bag if I do better!
Ain't it amazing what one can do on the wonderful world wide web of today! :)

Give online deals a shot. It's shopping from the happy convenience of your laptop.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Untitled

I've been wondering what my "Hell yeah" is for a while now, since that entry by Chris G. I think I've finally figured it out.
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What I do for a living is stressful. It eats up into my weekends, makes my week hours unpredictable, and hopes to destroy whatever semblance of balance I have left in my life.

But I love it. I was telling my best friends that, while others feel bad when work takes over their lives... I feel no remorse. Sure I complain when the long hours come but I still get up the next day and head off for work bright and early. And it's not like the stress-levels are overly dreadful. Actually, compared to some of my colleagues in creatives, my job is a breeze!

I can't even pinpoint exactly what about working in media that gets me so riled up. The politicking is horrid, HR needs work, I still haven't been issued a proper computer, meetings are too long and sometimes painful... and although I am still trying to perfect the ability of looking past these flaws, I have to say they're really just pebbles in the grander flow of it all.

I'm happy. And at peace with the choice to come back. It feels more like coming home than anything else and I can't wait til I hit my first year again.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

In loving memory


That's our Lola Becky in the middle. She was 84 in this picture, when we celebrated her birthday last year. We were supposed to get all together and celebrate again tomorrow for the big 8-5, but she passed away... just a few moments ago actually.

Didn't think it'd be painful to write but it is.

Lola Becky (or Auntie Becky, as I'm more comfortable calling her) is my 3rd lola's sister (our family tree's complicated). We're actually not related by blood but she's still always been family.

Mama and Papa are heading out to Antipolo now to help with the wake arrangements. Days like these I wish I could drive and be more useful.

Shoe Fix

Dear Lord,
Please don't ever let me loose on Rockwell again. I spend too much...
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It's finally happened, boys & girls! My season-long drought has been quenched by a much deserved spree in shoe shopping goodness. I say season-long because I don't really recall when the last time I bought mi'self a new pair of shoes... Ah, wait I do... (Ahihi!)

BUT ANYWAY!

Yesterday, the stars aligned and I ended up with a bit of time to kill at the Powerplant. That mall, I swear, is the weak chink in my chain. Last time I was there by my lonesome, no one was around to stop me from buying the entire Temeraire series of Naomi Novic from Fully Booked. Then last night, about an hour before closing, as I meandered aimlessly through its upscale halls... okay it wasn't aimless. I was supposed to head for CBTL on the 3rd level when ... Aleluia ... like a miracle, this store beckoned and I had no choice but to oblige.
Payless Shoesource 3/L Rockwell Powerplant (aka Heaven on Earth)
I'm telling you, my first thought was... "Have I died and gone to heaven? Is this for real?"

Since the Payless Shoesource franchise opened on Philippine soil in July 2010, I've been wanting to visit and scour its vast shelves. But I'm hardly in the locations they decided to open up in so the chance never presented itself... until yesterday! Oh, happy day!

Payless Shoes aren't, by Manila working girl standards, the cheapest in town... I'd normally go to Tutuban or Greenhills or Divisoria with just a thousand bucks in my wallet and come home with 4 pairs of shoes, but of course, those would be generic-looking things that one wouldn't really take notice of when on one's feet... Shoes from Payless, however, are PRETTY!

Pretty darn hard to find too, but when you do find the golden nuggets, they are things you do NOT let slip thru your fingers. The only sad thing about Payless is their slightly small selection for the size 6-6.5 foot (my size. Cry.) when compared to numerous size 10's and 12's. They do have a wide array of designs for men, but apparently I'm so much easier to please, shoe-wise, than my dad. He walked away whole, while I stepped out nearly 3K less. But it was worth it!

So, let's move on to the latest additions to my ever growing shoe collection!
:) And they came in a reusable bag to promote eco-friendliness :)
 Yes, I bought two. TWO and proud of it!

Fioni demiclogs in brown suede.
These Fioni Bootie Clogs came in grey-blue, too. But I figured that brown would be the more practical pair to purchase.




Black Glads from Zoe And Zac
This pair caught my attention just before I was about to check-out.

Last pair in my size = It was meant to be mine.

Thing is with Payless, you have to be patient and really let the experience of going through the stores collection take you. I know I sound like an addict, and I am, but seriously, I was so happy to have finally been able to shop in its heavenly walls. The overall shopping-as-if-in-the-supermarket style really got me going!

This first trip, unfortunately for my debit card, won't be the last. *Sigh*

Payless Shoesource has 9 (and counting) stores in the country: Powerplant, Shang, Market! Market!, Marque and Ayala Mall Cebu are the branches I recall now. Visit a store near you. :)

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Pamper Thy Self

I'm not vain.

I've lived some twenty plus years without make-up and moisturizer and whatnot, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy a luxurious massage or spa session every now and then. Actually, my real prettify-me indulgence is an afternoon at the nail salon.

I was a nail biter in my younger years. Sometimes, the horrid habit manifests itself; especially when I'm stressed out but I kicked it years ago with the help of the manicure (plus my stint as Caronia brand manager, that got me in the mindset of loving my nails a bit more). The wonders of manicure taught me polish colors and cuticle pushing and how hands simply look cleaner when topped off my perfectly manicured fingernails. Of course, the pedicure wasn't too far behind then. And ergo the foot spa.

Heading off to the nail salon has been my thing for a while now, so imagine my happiness when a very posh yet professional place opened up oh-so-near our house!


The Nail Fairy And Day Spa is my kind of place.The ambiance is perfect, the simple combination of teal with white and pink is enough to sooth the tired sole. Their black chairs lean all the way back and the playlist isn't obstructive to the chill process.

Great spacious set-up. Perfect for Spa parties!



The fact that their services aren't badly priced either is just icing on the cake!

I had a luxurious foot spa with wax mask, mani/pedi cleaning with Orly polish all for under 500 bucks. It was too good. I'm coming back soon for a deep cleansing facial and a whole body massage. :)

If anyone's interested to have a fun spa day with me, here are the contact details of The Nail Fairy:

126-B Speaker Perez St. Brgy. Maharlika, Quezon City.
(Near Starbucks N.S. Amoranto, formerly Retiro St.)
Call ahead for appointments!
Tel. (632) 806-1078
Mobile: (0923) 588-8742


See ya there!