2019: Of Sparking Joy and Other Ideas

Who would've thought that last year's mid-year post would turn out to be the last for 2018? Well, that's that! Let's all bid adieu to the year that has passed.

Christmas Eve in our onesies :D

Cue song: Ariana Grande - Thank You, Next. LOL.

Budget Travel Abroad: How I Do It

Travel is usually perceived as a luxury, mainly because of the expense it entails. On my last trip abroad, I am proud to report that I have 100% resisted the temptation of over spending - woot woot! Let me indulge for a second here when I say: I'm feeling like a budget ninja!

Can you imagine the nightmare of being greeted by fat bills after coming home from a trip? Sure, you probably thought you spent that money wisely whilst fine dining in a place where no one knew your name. But now that the vacay's over, it's not turning out to be the smoothest financial decision. No amount of Instagram likes will bring that money back.

Let me share with you some things I did to avoid racking up my travel expenses:

Party Planning: DIY Birthday Party Food Menu

Last month, I completely DIY-ed my son's 5th birthday party food. I really wanted to win that Super Mommy of the Year Award! Kidding...

On-the-day prep: couldn't have survived without that food chopper!

Planning to host a party this holiday? Read the rest of my entry to gain useful tips!

1780 by SariSari Launch

Last Wednesday, Rockwell Tent was dressed up in haute native as it played the venue for the launch of SariSariStore.com's 1780 storefront.

1780 is a sub-directory store under the SariSariStore platform (by Erneil DyLim of Simplesoft). It showcases locally-sourced premium products from all around the country (17 regions - 80 provinces). Items range from food delicacies, fashion accessories to handwoven tapestries.

DIY Project: Towel Cupcake/Sundae Souvenirs

Here's something I did a while back, on my son's first birthday (he is turning 4 this year). I've always been the type who would DIY anything that can be D-I-Y-ed in a party.

At that time, giving cupcake towels as party giveaways were still new. Not a lot of people were doing it then. You'd have to look hard to find a seller that does it.

Anyway, even if it's everywhere these days, I think it's still a good idea to make the souvenirs yourself. I mean, you don't know how others make it.

No Regrets, No Resolutions

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Happy 2013! This year, instead of making resolutions, I'd just go straight to making a to-do list.

Last Christmas, Santa gave me my dream machine - it was a Homemaker sewing machine I've been eyeing for months. It's missing a few parts but I hope I can easily find replacements to get the sewing started! So expect to see more DIY projects on this space soon. :)

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

This is my excuse for not having posted anything in the past week and a half: I went to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia!

Oct. 11 - We took a flight from Clark International Airport (this is about 2 hours away from Manila) and arrived in Kota Kinabalu City around dinner time.

After we had our first Halal meal (mostly tofu), we walked around the city a little bit and had some Tiger beer before retiring.

Oct 12 -  Early morning, our group of 8 climbers from Cebu, Davao and Manila (represent!) pushed for Kinabalu Park to set foot on what we came there for: Mt. Kinabalu.

Hann's 3rd Birthday

Today is my kid Hann's 3rd birthday. I didn't plan anything big for him because it's a weekday, but we'll definitely have a nice party-feel lunch come this weekend. I'm talking balloons, cake and ice cream!

Still, I didn't want to let this day slip by like an ordinary day so I brought Hann to the local Children's Museum (Museo Pambata). He had a great time there because most of the exhibits are hands-on.

Birthday Delivery ~ Dressed Toblerones

Today, I received a special delivery of flowers and chocolates! Yes, they are special because today is my birthday!

The flowers immediately went into a mason jar filled with water.

The chocolates, however, are still sitting here. I'm not really a Toblerone girl (a Ferrero, yes!), but these pair of chocolates caught my interest because they don't say Toblerone up front. Instead, the packaging says "I Love You" and "Happy Birthday".