… to a new home in cyberspace.
All my previous posts will be completely transferred there today. Click here to check it out. 🙂
… to a new home in cyberspace.
All my previous posts will be completely transferred there today. Click here to check it out. 🙂
I am a person with a strong affinity for bags but I do not own expensive ones. I know Louis Vuitton, Hermès and Prada by name, but you will definitely not find any of them in my closet. None yet. Unless someone will send me one as a gift, owning a luxury bag will probably remain a fancy. Spending a fortune over a bag is something I simply do not have the heart (and the means) to.
For now, I am happy with my MICHAEL Michael Kors Tote. It is my first ever (hopefully not the last) designer bag. Thanks, Tito Boying, for getting it for me. 🙂

This chic signature MK handbag has the following specifications:
Got the bag on sale. 🙂 MK is love. ♥
Summer is here! Are you planning for an out-of-town trip or a quick getaway? I bet moms will be busy stuffing luggages again.
Tossing stuff (and making them fit) into the suitcase may sound like a no-brainer. But for me, it is a task that requires a special skill.
I am not a travel buff but I am used to travelling. Aside from the frequent trips to my home province during semestral breaks in college, I have some local and few trips within Asia to add to my travelling experience. Could I be considered a seasoned traveller without gaining mastery in the art of travelling light? Being foolishly vain, the only fundamental packing rule for me is to plan my outfits thoroughly, making sure that they are coordinated (from head to toe) day by day, with a couple of extra pairs just in case one of the ensemble doesn’t feel right or I have to extend my stay. Simply put, my foremost consideration when packing is to look fashionable.
My penchant for carrying (almost) everything in my luggage did not change now that I am a mom. In fact, it may have even worsened as I also tend to bring coordinated outfits for the kids, plus more extras since kids need to change clothes more often. Thank God, I have someone to carry those heavy suitcases for me every time. Poor husband! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Image From The Web
Being away from the comforts of the home, I always bring everything (I believe) my kids need, making me feel comfortable and relaxed throughout the course of the vacation. That would mean bringing our own bath towels, pillowcases and blankets, slippers, a first aid kit, a sewing kit and every toiletry known to mankind. Adding a heavy dSLR camera and a tripod to the mix, we pretty much have our hands full!
That is the reason why I need longer prep time for a trip. I require two weeks to fill the suitcases with my travel essentials. 🙂
Not only does my travelling quirks end with the suitcase thing, but there’s a lot more. For instance, the first thing I do when I get to the hotel room is to wipe off the TV’s remote with alcohol, then the hangers and door knobs. I do that without fail. Same goes with the toilet and the tub. First, I splash hot water on the toilet seat and wipe it down with soap using a moist tissue. Then, I rinse it off with hot water and alcohol. Only then will I be comfortable enough to use it.
Oh well, perhaps, if I would be able to let go a few degrees of O.C.-ness, I can manage to travel light. But, do I have the heart to?
Enjoy your trip! 🙂
Our little girl outdid her qualifying exams today.
Good job, dear Lara! You’re truly one smart, pretty little princess!
She is moving up to BIG SCHOOL this June and I must admit that I am as excited as she is. 🙂

Send-Off Note from Teacher Cel
I finally gave in to the temptation. I bought the little girl this pair of booties that I was eyeing since last year.

Zara Denim Booties
I find it really cute but it was quite pricey so I thought of putting off buying until it goes on sale. Ha! Ha! Ha! Only after seeing there were just a few pieces left during my recent visit at Zara that I settled to grab a pair.
And also a pair of this.

Zara Flats
She will be wearing the flats on her Moving Up Day next week.
Happy Lara. Happy feet. 🙂
Up, up and away… my beautiful, beautiful balloons…
Since the press launch of the 16th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, I was already itching to grab tickets for the husband, the two kids and me. I have been meaning to capture awesome photos myself like those I saw over the net from the previous events.
So I did bought four tickets from Ticketnet two weeks in advance. 🙂
12 February 2011, SATURDAY…
Lucky us, we were able to make it to Clark inspite of the über early call time. We were on the road at 3:30 AM, with the kids still in deep slumber. Tsk…tsk…tsk…bad, bad Momma…
We drove past the Dau Toll Gate a few minutes after 5 AM. Traffic was already building up that time. When we reached the venue, I saw throngs of spectators slowly inching their way towards the entrance.
The launch of the balloons was scheduled at 5:30 AM but they only started flying out at 6 AM. Being the highlight of the event, that should definitely not to be passed up.
The Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is the biggest aviation show in Asia. This annual event staged at the OMNI Aviation Complex in Clark Field, Angeles City features balloonists from all over the world. I lost count of how many balloons were able to fly out that day but they said there were 27.


This year also marked the “Centennial Year of Airplanes in the Philippine Skies”. Aside from the hot air balloon flights, there were sky diving, paragliding, rocketry and radio-controlled model aircraft demonstrations as well. It was indeed a celebration of everything that flies!
If you happen to miss this year’s festivities, catch them next year and keep in mind these helpful tips:
1. Be there early. If you’re not able to book a hotel in Clark, leave Manila not later than 3:30 AM. Hot air balloons fly out as early as 5:30 AM and you would not want to miss that because you’re stuck in traffic.
2. Buy your ticket in advance. Avoid the long queue by purchasing tickets in advance. You can get them from Ticketnet.
3. Bring a camera and/or a video cam. If there are no pictures or videos, it seems it never happened, right?
4. Bring a mat, blanket or portable chairs. Consider the event a picnic in the park.
5. Bring food and drinks. Food stalls are on hand but you may find the prices to be quite steep.
6. Bring an umbrella or slather on some sun block. Love your skin.
7. Extra money. Food kiosks and souvenir stalls abound. You might want to buy a shirt, a mini hot air balloon or a kite.
8. Toiletries and change of clothes –A pack of wet wipes, a roll of tissue and a bottle of hand sanitizer is important.
It was our first time to attend this year and we all had a great time. We also got to explore Nayong Pilipino Clark Expo, the racing circuit, Paradise Ranch and Zoocobia after.
If our schedule permits, we’ll be there again next year to catch the Hot Air Balloon Night Glow and make a side trip to Zoobic Safari and Tree Top Adventure.
Until then. 🙂
Mr. Postman delivered some good news today. Our little boy had passed the qualifying exams from the ‘big’ school we are planning to enrol him in. Thus, a smashing shout-out is in order.
Kudos, dear Lance! You’ve done us proud once again. Woot! Woot!
Daddy and I are praying that you will not have a tough time settling into your new environment and that you will easily make new friends. Traditional school setting is quite different from that of the (more personal) progressive school you had previously attended for the last two years. We are confident though that you will continue to do great in your studies and make us proud even more.
Good job, kiddo! ♥♥♥
To the little one born with chubby cheeks and blushing lips four years ago,
Happy, happy 4th birthday!
May you always find something to smile about everyday,

and never lose that sparkle in your chinky eyes.

May you always wear what you want to wear, especially if it’s a lovely princess dress, because you truly are our real princess.

Always sing to your heart’s content and dance like nobody is looking…
Always learn to appreciate art in its many different forms and continue to draw what your heart truly sees and feels, even if they are monsters, princesses or stick figures of you and me… all with groovy eyelashes…

Always persevere and never lose the courage to conquer your fears…
And always keep in mind that your Dad, Kuya Lance and I will always be your true best friends…
And that we will love you endlessly.

But please, Lara dear, don’t be in too much of a hurry to be a grown-up.
I know too well how fleeting sweet childhood is. And since I can not keep you little forever, I vow to cherish each moment of your younger years and make countless happy memories with you.
May your wishes and dreams all come true!
Happy birthday, little princess!
Much love,
Mommy
Thank you, dear God, for the wonderful year 2010 was and for the amazing year 2011 promises to be.
It is our family’s prayer that God will bless us all with yet another year of bountiful graces and everyday miracles.
We hope that you all had a swell holiday break!
Cheers to happy endings and even happier beginnings!
The long wait is over! We had finally watched Part 1 of Harry Potter 7 at the Newport City’s Ultra Cinema.
It was our first time to watch there and our first time as well in Resorts World Manila. What can I say? I can not rave about the interiors of the mall as I have just been to The Venetian in Macau which, needless to say, is totally grand. However, the Newport City’s Ultra Cinema is a movie buff’s dream come true —plush, fully-reclining seats (La-Z Boy style), a personal butler serving an endless stream of popcorn and soda, fantastic projection and sound quality. Totally luxe movie experience!
The theater is arranged at an incline with ample leg room, so you never have to worry about someone’s head blocking your view of the huge screen. Seats are enclosed in pairs, thus you and your date get some privacy. You also don’t have to worry about touching elbows of a stranger. 🙂 Just a tip though: make sure to reserve the seats located farther away from the screen if you don’t want headaches halfway through the movie. The front seats are just too close, making watching difficult.
Catching a flick at the Ultra Cinema will set you back PHP 500. It’s not cheap but it’s something you’ll willingly pay for a movie you’re dying to see.
Check out the Ultra Cinema at the 4th level of the Newport Mall in Resorts World Manila, Pasay City, just a few minutes drive from the Makati CBD and the Bonifacio Global City. It is also adjacent to the NAIA Terminal 3.
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