Lego themed 5th birthday party

Since my daughter went to school, her birthdays are celebrated at school with her class. Medyo tipid yun, kasi ilan lang ang guests at 3 lang ang allowed na caterer/food provided ng school.

Last year, we had a Hello Kitty themed party. Jollibee ang food supplier. Hindi na ako nag effort sa souvenir except I had customized name tags created.

A month before her birthday, I asked her what she wanted. Sa isip ko, Sofia the first or any Disney Princess. Madali kasi ma-pull off yun, susme. Divisoria has it all.

But Anikka has a mind of her own. At 3 years old, siya ang nag dedecide what to wear. We let her be, kasi para sa amin ng asawa ko, that's character building. That's letting her choose, practice of independence plus self expression ba.

So when she answered, nga-nga ang nanay.

Anikka: I want a Jollibee & Mc Donalds collaboration with Shopkins.

Later on, she decided on LEGO. Yun naman kasi ang current na hilig niya talaga. Then I asked her to choose between Mc Do and Jollibee. Ang gusto ng bagets, Happy Meal.

So ang nanay, mega Pinterest na.

It started out with this invitation idea. Lego Invitation

And this was our take: 

My sister, who was more techy than me, added text on the party details via Word Publisher ata.

Then I also saw this loot bag idea sa pinterest, loot bag peg

And this was how we made it naman:

To achieve this, malaking bagay yung circle puncher. We got it online, from an Instagram seller. Tapos after, I asked my husband to buy sa amazon, yung ibang size. It's a great help for projects like this.

Yung gift tags, sister ko na lang din gumawa. Idea came from Pinterest pa din.

Then, while we bought the loot for the souvenir. Nakita ng mommy ko ang hard hat. Very pasok sa theme, and naisip agad namin ng sister ko pedeng i-personalize plus it's gonna serve as their party hat na.

See, nagamit ulit ang circle puncher for the hard hat.  

It was my sister's birthday nung January. It was her 29th birthday, and sa chinese hindi maganda ang age ending with 9. Sabi kailaingang mong i-celebrate ang birthday, para contrahin ang not so good vibes ng 9.

She celebrated with family and friends at Mc Donalds. Kiddie party ang theme. Ang ate mo, gusto ng rainbow cake. But when she asked around, ang mahal.

Ako naman, sa isip ko, madali lang yun kasi coloring lang naman yun. I researched. Madali nga.

So I volunteered since she helped out with Anikka's party din naman. Pa-birthday ko na din for her.

While shopping for the cake materials, we chanced upon a lego figure mold.

Dun namin naisip na gawin ang cake na din for Anikka. Unlike her 3rd birthday party, we ordered and mejo mahal ang fondant cake. Though achieved naman ang Peppa Pig theme..

Anyway, ginalingan ko na lang.

And here was her cake. 

At dahil jan, na realize ko bakit ang mahal ng fondant. hahahahaha

But I would do everything all over again, because Anikka was super happy. 

Nasulit ung puyat and pagod when, Anikka told her classmates:

"look at my cake, it's awesome! a lego man figure and my Mom made it".

Overall, kahit gaano kastress, pagod at hirap mag DIY ng party. End result laging sulit because it's all for your darling child.

Friday glossy loot

Last friday, after work I went to Landmark to get the finally restocked Sleek Matte Me in Birthday Suit.

This was my office monito-monita wishlist, Boss pa namin ang nakabunot sa akin. Unfortunately, it got out of stock during Christmas. So, GC na lang ang binigay niya for me.

And as luck would have it, make up and other beauty products were on SALE!

I love Landmark's beauty section. Whenever I'm in need of spray bottles for my cologne or small containers for my products, they have affordable ones. Plus may iba silang containers na very useful, without being pricey. Think MUJI style.

So I got the Nuxe Multi Purpose Dry Oil. True to it's name, after applying/spraying it on your skin, its absorbed quickly. Leaving you moisturized and not greasy.

The smell kinda reminds me of Dusit Thani Hotel ;p. I'm not good in describing scents,for me it smells regal and rosy. Sosyal yung amoy. 

In reviews I've read, they say applying this will also make your scent(perfume) last long. 

I also got the disposable lipstick/lipgloss applicator. I've been wanting this kaso parang ang mahal for Php 150, but since may SALE sila. Discounted din to so kumuha na ako. 

This is actually for when I apply lip tints. If you do you would understand na when you try to evenly apply tints, and you use your fingers nag stain siya. And I'm kinda OC about it.

And since we are talking glossy, I'm kinda into Korean beauty products lately. It actually started with Missha BB Cream. Then, I've discovered that Missha's Time Evolution Essence is a dupe for SK II. And then now, I got the Son & Park Beauty Water and Benton's Snail Bee Essence.

My say:

1. Missha's Time Evolution Essence - every evening application. Watery yung consistency. Wala naman siyang foul smell unlike the SK II. Nung umpisa mejo nag break out ako. So I had to stop for a week. Ang ginawa ko lang was made sure before application I've cleansed & tone(d) my skin. Feeling ko kasi hindi naging consistent yung routine ko, kaya nag react my skin.

Then the following week, every other day. So far, hindi naman na ako nag break out.

Sa akin, the following morning you'd see the result na. Moisturized na hindi oily yung skin, and fresh sha sa umaga.

2. Beauty Water - use it as a toner. I like it. Fresh ang dating. Unlike other toners na kahit sabihin walang alcohol, ramdam mong may something. I like using this in this in the morning, before make up.  

3. Snail Bee - gel-like ang consistency. Ang gusto ko talaga was to use, Tony Moly Snail Essence line. Kaso ang mahalia here. So I'm gonna ask friends na lang na soon mag travel to Korea, para bilhan ako. Anyway, why Snail Bee essence. Ang sabi kasi yung snail essence maganda sya for anti aging, and to even out skin tone. Since papunta na tayo sa aging, I want to start early sa "prevention". 

So far, I like it naman. No break outs, napansin ko din sa cheeks, nag liit na pores. Though ung nose ko, hindi pa achieved.

Next time, share ko yung bago kong discover na funda. Foundation.

Ciao!

Two point one seven

And so, what I was not looking for happened. 

2016 was the year of changes. Good ones, that is. 

It was not something I had expected but I welcomed the change whole heartedly and with a grateful heart. 

Indeed, whatever happens in our lives are in HIS perfect timing. 

I'm still adjusting and a lot of changes come with it. 

Isa na sa changes na yun ang pag muk-up at pag ayos ko bago pumasok sa opisina. 

Before kasi, I do make up and my hair at the office na. But now, almost everyone in the office makes an effort to come to work polished and made up. So, adjust na din ako sa time to wake up to do my make up and all. 

Will post my new beauty haul next. 

As for now, I'm happy to be writing again. To be blogging again and being in touch with my inner thoughts and feelings. (Whatever!) 

Until next. Grazie! 

life happened

I know I said about writing more.

But real life took its place.

So what have I been up to?

• my 3xth birthday
• Kalyeserye Experience
• if at first you don't succeed
• Quantico

So I turned 30+ last month. I celebrated it availing all the discounts I could since its my birthday.(yeah thats how cheap I am) Like the mani-pedi spa, hair treatment, wax, and dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant.

The husband called at 12midnight and showed me my birthday present.

After my ME-time, took Anikka to the big slide as promised. Her happiness is my happiness.
 
As you get older, your celebrations become shorter but more precious. You value more time alone and with your CORE than celebrating it loud.

I also made sure I prayed at my birthday church.

Last year was challenging as a parent, but I knew things would get better. I knew that everything happens for a reason. In the end, I am just thankful that I am able to experience it now and get pass through it. Because that's whats important.

The KALYESERYE experience was my TAMANG PANAHON as a fan. I was able to see the whole squad in action - the staff and crew, Maine, Jose and Wally. We miss Paolo though, but I know another chance will be given to us.

And finally, I finished season 1 of Quantico. I was growing a crush on Drew Perales, until the last episode. Please don't do this to me.

Currently, I am waiting for something I was not looking for. I was joking about it, saying my current song is "I didn't know I was looking for love..."

Patiently waiting for it, since like what I've said I was not looking.

As a reminder, I have a bracelet that says "What's for you will not pass you".

And i'd like to think this is it.

Happy Humpday y'all!

romantic movies

I've always loved romantic movies.

I could name a few of my favorites now, but more than that, the other day i realized that i stopped watching them for sometime.

Years back, i would find time to watch them. Be it on the movie house or DVD.

Which made me think why i stopped.

I stopped because a part of me stopped believing in LOVE.

I was hurt. I was broken. And part of my moving on was avoiding these movies which only made me hate that my love story was no longer "perfect".

So, I added a to-do on my 2016. I will try and watch 1 romantic movie at a time and let's see how I do from there.

Since i love lists, let me share it with you.

1. The Notebook
2. She's All that
3. Down to you
4. 10 things I hate about you
5. Notting Hill
6. Pretty Woman
7. Love actually
8. Reality Bites
9. how to lose a guy in 10 days
10. Easy A
11. 16 candles
12. Pretty in Pink
13. Hitch
14. My bestfriend's wedding
15. 50 first dates
16. As good as it gets
17. Somethings gotta give
18. Sex and the City 1 &2
19. Love and other drugs
20. a lot like love

I think i missed a lot, but i think this is a good start.

When two people love each other - Really... Love each other - but they just can't get it together, when do you get to that point where enough is enough?
Look, when two people love each other - Totally, TRUTHfully, all the way Love each other - the answer to that question is simple, especially in your case. When do you get to that point where enough is enough? Never... Never

the left handed guy

I think I wrote about him some years ago.

When blogging wasn't available yet.

He was the guy I liked sooo much at fourteen.He played basketball, he was great at math and he listens to Spandau Ballet.

He had a girlfriend and he thought I liked someone else.

At that time, I felt we were destined. Because fate had a thing for us. Even on the most mundane opportunities, we would see each other, or be given a chance to communicate.

It was the first time I felt kilig. Each conversation, I was so interested. First time I enjoyed talking to a person who isn't a girlfriend.

It went on for years, phone conversations turned into text messaging (nung nauso na siya). Half my mornings spent sending that "good morning text/quote/graphics" even with the network traffic.

I remember the feeling of secretly comparing him to a boyfriend I had, which made me end that relationship because I knew my heart belongs to someone else.

I liked him that much.

And I wouldn't forget the last long conversation we had when I was on vacation in the U.S.
We had a lot of things in common and so much more, but it was also the time I knew he never liked me. Not in the romantic way I hoped he would. Because if he did, he'd make a way.

The last time I saw him was on his wedding day. I invited myself (with my supportive girlfriends and no, we didn't go inside the church) outside the church and right on time as the priest introduced him and his wife as a newly wedded couple.

I wanted to do that as closure on my part. So at least I know I said goodbye.

And as I write this, I have NO regrets.

Because, if not for him or the experience, I wouldn't learn love, basketball and heartaches.

I wish I could say he was the one that got away, but he isn't. How could you lose someone you never had? Officially.

So thank you left handed guy. You may never know this, and I may forget the kilig i felt with you, but I will always remember that one time in my life with a smile on my face.


i know this, much is true.

fangirling

I'm not sure if it's wise to write about my "fangirling" over AlDub.

But this whole experience has brought out a lot of emotions over this momma.

As part of my 2016 to-do, I wanted to write more. Write back, like the way i used to. And so...

I got curious about the phenomenal Kalyeserye tandem when picture of them 5 years ago came out. The Candy Fair picture. I told myself, if this were true, Maine's reaction when she saw Alden on the split screen was REAL.

I remember sending/creating a  group message over Facebook to my self confessed AlDubnation friends. and first question was, "so crush ni Maine si Alden noon pa?" with the disclaimer that "I'm just curious".

The question was because it didn't make sense to me before, of why Maine would react soooo kilig when she saw Alden watching her dubsmash if it was the first time she saw him.

Through the course of the chat, they encouraged me to watch the episode where it started it all. If you want to watch it, here's the link:

KalyeSerye July 16,2015

One episode led to another, and I found myself hooked.

I would watch replays before I sleep. When I discovered how to live stream, I would "LS". I participated in the "twitter party", I activated the notifications on my twitter and Instagram for Maine and Alden and fans who would have updates by the hour/minute.

It was crazy. Still is.

I like that THEY (people behind the KalyeSerye) make an effort in making sure a lesson is learned from their episodes. Like chivalry, Filipino traditions and customs, love for the family, and forgiveness.

If you'll ask me,I'm more of a fan of Maine than Alden. (no offense) The guy is great and all, pero kay Meng ako aliw na aliw. Natatawa at bilib na bilib.

But the success of their tandem should be given to them both, equally.

So I question myself, why am I sooo kilig on a guy who's tisoy and super mabait ?(everyone who has worked with him/had an encounter with him says so. consistently says so).

Knowing myself, I prefer Moreno and bad boy looking guys. The kind you don't want to bring home to momma. hehehe

Until there was a video shared by another fan, where Alden was signing a wall. I knew he was left handed, but this was the first time I saw him write.

This instant kind of reminded me of a guy I liked before. He was left handed, was great in Math and was white as a bond paper.

coz maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me
and after all
you're my wonderwall