Quantcast
Channel: MrsMommyHolic
Viewing all 558 articles
Browse latest View live

A Pokémon Halloween!

$
0
0
Since I spent all that effort making my son's Ash Ketchum costume, I figured why not make it a Pokémon-themed Halloween na lang right? So say hello to Ash, Poké Ball, and Pikachu! :)


If you haven't yet, you can read all about my DIY Ash Ketchum outfit HERE. Meanwhile, I got the Pikachu hat and shirt from the same online seller (HatahHatah) that I bought the Ash Ketchum cap. The smallest size they had for the shirt was a size14 (for 4-5 years old), so I just made it shorter so it wouldn't look so big.


For the Poké Ball outfit, the red hoodie is from Uniqlo paired with a white skirt. Then I just made 2 circles from black and white paper and stuck them on a black belt. I didn't even spend anything for this, since I had all the pieces needed already.


And for parents, I'm sure you can relate when I say how HARD it is to take a photo of ALL your kids together! All smiling and looking at the camera ha! They wouldn't stand still so I plopped their iPads in front of me. Yan tuloy, sa iba iba ang tingin lol! ;p


Anyway, hope you are enjoying the rest of your remaining sem break days before school starts again! Happy Halloween!!!

Sem break in Singapore (plus a lot of travel firsts!)

$
0
0
Gosh is it really November already?! Ang bilis grabe! Anyway if you're following me on Instagram (@mrsmommyholic), then you know I just got back from a family vacation in Singapore. We spent the entire sem break there which was 2 whole weeks!



This was the longest trip we've ever taken with the kids so far and we definitely experienced a lot of firsts. Hubby already flew in a few days before us because of work, so it was my first time to fly alone with the kids. It was just Miley and Sabre, and believe me I would have loved to bring Skyler along as well, pero di talaga kaya ng powers ko lol! ;p


Packing was already a challenge since I wanted to bring as little as possible to fit just one luggage. Well, nagkasya naman lahat ng stuff but I also brought a stroller so my kids can take naps even when we're outside and I knew they would get tired from all the walking we would do. Then I just had a small carry-on luggage and a backpack.

Aside from the kids being super excited, then bored from waiting, then rushing me when they heard our flight was ready to board, they were pretty much ok to handle. The only issue was probably when they both wanted to sit beside me on the plane! But the seats we were in were 4 per row, so 2 by 2 ang arrangement. I had to do some bargaining so I sat with my son going to Singapore and then my daughter going back to Manila. Good thing we had the whole row to ourselves both ways so it was easier for the other child to sit alone.

on our way!
they didn't like the airplane food! 
we made it!
at Changi Airport

This was actually my kids' 3rd time in Singapore and we really love it here. I feel safe, it's clean, and there are so many kid-friendly places and activities the whole family can do.

We stayed in Ramada Hotel since that was where hubby was booked for work. It was super convenient since there was a small mall and grocery right below, as well as lots of restauarants in the vicinity. It also had a nice pool, plus a free shuttle to the nearest MRT station (Novena) and also to Orchard Road.

This was definitely the longest we've ever stayed in a hotel and my kids were in heaven! You know how we love staycations so being in a hotel for 2 whole weeks was such a treat for them. Ayaw na nga nila umalis sa room e lol!


This was also our first time to spend Halloween out of the country. I researched beforehand on where we could go and found an event in Paragon Mall at Orchard Road. They had so much fun since they got loot bags, candy, and even a $10 voucher each which they promptly spent at Toys R Us! Sulit!


Doctor Strange was also showing when we were there and hubby and I really wanted to watch it already. So it was the first time of the kids to watch a movie out of the country! My daughter obviously didn't want to but she had no choice haha. We watched in Shaw Theatres Lido in Orchard Road.


The movie theatre was really big! And the time on the ticket said 4:30pm, but actually that was the time they let us in the cinema, then there was about 10-15 minutes pa of previews! Super nagmadali pa kami lol. Oh, and may Chinese subtitles un movie haha! But after a while, you don't notice it anymore hehe. ;p

SG$ 8.50 per ticket

Well, the kids actually both got scared at some parts and wanted to leave!!! I had to plead and bargain so they would last the whole movie. Well, they did and they were even doing the fighting moves of the characters after haha! ;p



Hubby still had to stay for more work, so it was just me and the kids again flying back to Manila. I guess my biggest learning from this trip was better to take two luggages than just one. Knowing me, I didn't account for all our shopping! I almost couldn't fit everything in, so I had to ask both kids to use their new backpacks so they could bring the toys and books they bought. And the backpacks ended up being quite heavy so I still had to help them with those in the airport.

What was funny is when I checked-in our huge ass luggage, the weight was 31.2 kg. Then the guy at the counter tells me "Did you know that the maximum weight per luggage is 32 kg?" Well obviously I DIDN'T, but thank goodness I didn't go over the limit! Otherwise, I don't know how I would have opened our luggage (honestly, puputok na siya!) and taken out stuff. Kaloka!


Also, thank goodness for walkalators and airport trolleys! But you still have to discard of the trolleys when going through security checks. Let's just say I was never so happy to be inside the plane, sitting down with all our stuff in the overhead bin! So yes, better to check-in more luggages than have a lot of hand-carry when traveling with kids!


Good thing there were also staff at the airport back in Manila helping people get their luggage from the carousel. I really don't know how I would have lifted our bag haha!

back in Manila!

Bottomlime, I actually enjoy traveling with my kids despite the challenges haha! I kinda felt how it would be like if we lived in another country naks. Super sagad ang sem break but of course we missed our baby Skyler already! Thank God for Facetime, grandparents and our yayas who took care of him while we were away.

Anyway, I'll be blogging more about some of the places we went to in Singapore so stay tuned. :)

Halloween in Singapore

$
0
0
Since we spent sem break in Singapore, I researched beforehand on Halloween events we could go to while we were there. This was the first time the kids wouldn't be able to go to the annual trick or treat in our village, so I still wanted them to experience Halloween even if we were in another country.


Luckily, I found a free event at Paragon Mall in Orchard Road. I registered at once since you get a goody bag if you're one of the 1st 100 RSVPs. And good thing I also asked my hubby to register as well so we would get a loot bag for each kid (I didn't want them fighting over it right?).


Here were the goody bags they got. The plastic ones were full of candy and vouchers to different stores. And the trick or treating bags were so cute and well made!


Btw, my son's Ash Ketchum costume was a big hit. Everyone kept pointing to him and calling him Ash. ;p


And my daughter said she wanted to be a unicorn even though I said she should be Pikachu or a Poké Ball haha! I got the unicorn hat from HatahHatah online. Then her dress was something I found at Metro Department Store for less than P150. Then I just bought rainbow socks to complete the look.


Anyway, I usually avoid going to Halloween events in malls in Manila because I feel super sikip and daming tao! Even the trick or treating in some villages can get insane! There were a lot of kids as well here, but definitely not as much as I would think compared to Manila. And it was very organized, people were lined up properly, walang tulakan, etc. It was very relaxed and stress free honestly.


There were free face and body painting booths too. It took us 30 minutes to line up here, kasi one girl lang un assigned sa face paint! But it was ok since the kids were happy with the result.

we asked for a rainbow design since she was a unicorn
and my son wanted Pikachu of course!

There were also some mascots going around. Funny because some kids were saying "Hi Cookie Monster" to this guy haha!


After, we went around the different stores for trick or treat. If you've been to Paragon Mall, the stores on the 5th floor are all so nice and chic! Sarap mag shop kaso mahal lol! ;p And medyo konti sila magbigay ng candy, un ibang stores one each lang haha!


One of the freebies in their goody bag was a $10 voucher. Good thing there was a Toys R Us there in Paragon, so we spent it kaagad (obviously!).

OMG ang dami kong dala!

Anyway, it was definitely a great Halloween experience for us. It was so funny because both kids got sugar rush that night from eating their candy! Super hyper! As in they were singing at the top of their lungs "I'M CANDY RIIIIIICH!!!"Kaloka! ;p


So just a tip when traveling during the holidays, make sure to research on activities you can do while there. You'd be surprised to find lots of events, most are even free. :)

Our Candylicious Christmas Tree

$
0
0
I finally got our Christmas tree up! Ever since we moved in our house last 2011, our tree has had the same decor of gold and purple balls and flowers. I still like it, but then last year I saw these candy decors in SM that were so cute! I didn't buy them then, but then after Christmas I saw they were on SALE! So of course I ended up buying haha. ;p


I almost forgot all about them since they've been in storage for months. But then finally we were able to decorate after we got back from Singapore. Here's how our tree looks like now:


Well, I kinda wish our tree was white since I think it will work better with the candy. And I need more decors and lights since I want the tree to look really full (un tipong hindi mo na makita un tree lol). But this will do for now since it's almost mid-November. I'll just be more prepared next year and have this baby up by October pa lang. Anyway, here's a closer look at the candy and sweets.


The only problem with these decors is that my 2 year old son can't stop picking the ice cream cones and donuts and then licking them haha! ;p

hey, snacks!

Here's the tree lighted up. I really can't get over how cute everything is!


Can't believe Christmas is just around the corner. Time to start wrapping presents!

Vancouver Vacation: Shopping at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet

$
0
0
If you love shopping (like me), then I'm sure you're always on the lookout for outlets when abroad. And when in Vancouver, you should definitely pay a visit to McArthurGlen Designer Outlet for good deals and discounts galore.


This outlet is very near the airport so you can even drop by here before your flight if you have time to spare. Actually, you can tell you're near the airport since there's so many airplanes flying overhead one after the other. And they're so low pa since they just took off! Anyway, to get here just take the train bound for YVR Airport, and disembark at Templeton station.


McArthurGlen Vancouver is actually the first designer outlet to open in the Vancouver area. I was joking hubby that it looks like an amusement park since the buildings at the entrance kinda look like castles. So for shopaholics like me, this is our type of theme park right? ;p

 
The place is styled like an open-air village, with tree-lined streets, cobblestone walkways and a luxury piazza. It kinda makes you feel like you're in Europe or something. The weather when we were there was really cool so it felt so good walking around.


Here are just some of the brands you can find here:


It was so funny when I was in J.Crew, almost all the clothes I saw were made in the PHILIPPINES! San ka pa? ;p


Probably one of the more populars stores was Samsonite because of the amazing deals. We saw so many people with new luggages walking around so we had to check it out ourselves.


These were the best sellers since they were really cheap, and there's Buy One, Get One at 50% off pa! Pinapakyaw talaga sila!


Well, I wanted to get the purple Ziplite but hubby wanted something in black so he could use it too. In the end, napabili din kami haha! In na in kami with all the other tourists! Very convenient since we placed all the other stuff we bought inside so easier to go back to our hotel. And buti na lang we bought a new luggage since hindi talaga magkakasya un stuff namin with everything we bought on this trip when I was packing.


So definitely include this in your Vancouver itinerary if you want to get some good deals from designer brands. And even if you don't feel like spending, for sure you'll still enjoy just window shopping. :)



McARTHURGLEN VANCOUVER
www.mcarthurglen.com/ca/mcarthurglen-vancouver/en/
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Vancouver Airport
1000-7899 Templeton Station Rd
Richmond, BC
V7B 0B7
Tel: +604-231-5525 
Monday - Friday: 10am - 9pm
Saturday:10am - 9pm
Sunday: 10am - 7pm
Statutory Holiday: 10am - 7pm

Sunday lunch buffet at Cafe Juanita

$
0
0
Would you believe it's my first time here at Cafe Juanita? Well, for one thing Kapitolyo is kinda far from where we live. Usually, we would only venture north to Quezon City or Pasig for special occasions haha! And this time, it was my tita's birthday.



We went on a Sunday so traffic was fairly good. But then, finding parking was very difficult since of course there were a lot of people for lunch. Even double parking was filled up, but luckily the guard found us a space across the street.

Anyway, I had no idea about this place so I wasn't expecting anything at all. I was thinking it was just a regular restaurant... Well, let's just say I gasped when I entered the front door!


It was like stepping into another world with the overload of quirky, bizaare, interesting and unique decor everywhere you look. It was eclectic, charming, and magical all at once. Very bohemian chic! For some, it might be over the top or even scary, but I loved every single bit of it.


And oh, the chandeliers! So many types in all shapes and sizes!


And don't forget the floors too!


According to their Facebook page, "Proudly Filipino, naturally home-cooked, made contemporary. Cafe Juanita believes that the taste of home never gets out of style. While taking advantage of modern technology and novel ways of cooking and presenting food, Cafe Juanita keeps the essence and good taste of the dish. Cafe Juanita is best experienced than described. With its unique bohemic ambience, decor, warm unpretentious service and its delectable food, one understands why Cafe Juanita continues to delight guests for over two decades now."

all their awards are very impressive

Here are the rates for their Sunday lunch buffet:


Anyway, as they say, the food at Cafe Juanita is as close to Filipino Home cooking as you can get. And this is so true. Everything tasted really good and I just felt like it was my lola's cooking (but this is definitely not in lola's house haha). Comfort food at its finest.


fresh lumpia
dessert station
halo-halo (you put ice separately)
they also sell some food items

Basically, food was great and service was good. But personally, the real star of the show for me was the place itself. The interiors are something I would definitely come back for again and again.


CAFE JUANITA
#19 West Capitol Drive, Brgy Kapitolyo
Pasig, Philippines
632-0357 / 0922-877-9894
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cafe.juanita.ph

Vancouver Vacation: Granville Island

$
0
0
Hubby and I went to Granville Island during our trip to Canada, and I have to say I really loved the vibe here! It was all very laid back with lots to see and do, like eating, shopping, and just people watching.



Anyway, if you don't know, Granville Island is a peninsula and shopping district in Vancouver, British Columbia.


Here you can find an extensive marina, theatres, galleries, studios, unique shops, cafes, and a large public market.

boats and waterfront restaurants
lots of cute and artsy botiques
great view

Our favorite was definitely the Granville Island Public Market which features a farmers' market, day vendors, and artists offering local Vancouver goods.


It was so fun walking through the market and seeing all the colorful stalls. All the food items looked so fresh and appetizing. It was definitely a feast for the eyes and senses. See for yourself how pretty everything looked!


We definitely got hungry seeing all the yummy goodness in the market. Sarap mag food trip! ;p


My hubby loves beer so of course we also had to check out Granville Island Brewing Co. This is a beer company which originated on Granville Island in 1984, and was British Columbia's first "cottage" brewery.

choose your flavor
cheers!

Granville Island definitely has something for everyone. As we were walking back to the bus stop, we even stumbled upon this pretty park. Photo op haha! Anyway we really enjoyed our afternoon here. The market was definitely a highlight and shouldn't be missed when in Vancouver. :)


The Children’s Garden in Gardens by the Bay Singapore

$
0
0
I've been to Gardens by the Bay in Sinagpore many times before, but this was the first time we were able to check out the Children's Garden. I think a lot of people don't even know about this place, since usually you just go the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest Conservatories. I myself just found out about the Children's Garden when I was searching for stuff my kids could do in Singapore. And guess what, the best thing about this place is that it's totally FREE!



Anyway, the Far East Organization Children’s Garden is located quite at the far end of Gardens by the Bay. That's why probably you won't see it unless you're really going there. Usually, the farthest we would get when walking from Marina Bay Sands is the conservatories kasi. And that's a long walk na ha. That's why this time, we just took a cab and we were dropped off at the Visitor Centre. From there, it's just a short walk to the Children's Garden.


You also get to pass by lots beautiful trees and plants along the way. The kids loved pretending they were in a forest or jungle. We also gave them the map so they were in charge of leading the way.

Water Lily Pond 

Anyway, the Children's Garden is like a big playground that is designed to enhance your child's physical and cognitive skills through sensory playtime elements. There's interactive play delights, water play features and educational programmes in a lush natural setting.


There's a Toddler Play Zone for 1 to 5 year olds. My kids found this too "babyish" na daw so we just skipped this part. But it would be perfect for the younger ones to play around in.


Meanwhile, the Rainforest Treehouses is for the older ones, 6 to 12 year olds. This is where my kids had fun running up and down and crossing the bridges. There were also cool rope elements, swings and slides!

There was also this web looking thing made out of rope, where you could also do some rock climbing.


But the highlight for us was definitely the Water Play area. Fountains and sprinklers galore! After the kids got all sweaty from the playground, this was the perfect place to cool off. So definitely bring your swimsuits and towels because you won't be able to resist splashing and running through here!

The Water Play is linked to sensors which detect the movement of children to create a corresponding sequence of water effects. It was just so fun, promise!

these flowers tilt over when filled with water
splash!

with the stunning Marina Bay Sands and the Conservatories as your backdrop

And don't worry, there are shower areas and changing rooms nearby for you to dress up after. The showers are just open stalls though, and there's no soap and shampoo. So it's really just to rinse off (unless you bring your own toiletries).

Anyway, this was deinitely one the best experiences we had on this trip and I would recommend this to anyone with children visiting Singapore. Even I felt like a kid again when I was playing here! And again, did I mention it's FREE?! So next time you're in Singapore and thinking of where to go as a family, the Children's Garden should top your list. :)


Far East Organization Children’s Garden
Gardens by the Bay Singapore
HOURS & ADMISSION:
Tuesdays* - Fridays: 10am - 7pm
*Closed on Tuesday if the preceding Monday is a public holiday.
Weekends & Public Holidays: 9am - 9pm
Closed on Mondays

Delightful DIY with Dutch Mill Delight

$
0
0


The Dutch Mill brand is a staple in our household since my kids (especially my youngest) love their yoghurt drink. So I was really happy when they came out with their latest product – a probiotic drink!


My son actually had some tummy troubles when he was younger. And one thing that was recommended for him was to drink lots of probiotics. But what’s great about the new Dutch Mill Delight is that it’s a probiotic drink with Prebiotic Fiber, which means it helps the probiotic become stronger.

This Duo Active combination (Pre + Pro) helps in better digestion. Prebiotic fiber is plant-based that helps nourish good bacteria inside the tummy. When probiotic and prebiotic are combined, it produces longer living good bacteria which makes the tummy better and absorbs nutrients faster.

Personally, I find the drink delicious and very refreshing. It has a rich milk taste and the consistency is just right. Each bottle contains 100ml and it’s sold at 5 bottles per pack at just P40.00. So it’s something you and your family can enjoy everyday!


And since I love DIY, I figured why not recycle our empty Delight bottles for some extra family fun? Now that our tummies are healthier, it’s time to nourish my kids’ brains through their creativity.


1. CHRISTMAS DECOR / ORNAMENTS

Now that Christmas is just around the corner, why not make some holiday décor for your home? 

To make the bottles easier to paint and draw on, create a paper mache mixture using equal parts glue and water. Use strips of tissue paper to cover the entire bottle and apply the mixture using a paintbrush. 


Once dry, you can now paint your bottles and transform them into different characters. You can even add a ribbon and hang them on your Christmas tree.


You can also make different characters like superheroes or princesses. Or why not some monsters for next Halloween?

2. ORGANIZERS

Decorate the bottles with glitter and other accents. Use a small paintbrush to apply glue and sprinkle the glitter carefully over it.


Use these to store small items like beads, hairclips, toys, erasers, loose change, buttons, keys, etc.


3. GIFT CONTAINERS

Thinking of a little something you can give your child’s classmates or teachers? An easy idea is to decorate your empty bottles using washi tape and then fill these with small candy. 


You can give these out during Christmas, Halloween, Valentine’s, or even Moving Up days!


My kids had so much fun doing these activities. And I’m definitely a happy mom when I see them doing something they love and enjoy! 


Anyway, give the new Dutch Mill Delight a try. Not only is it good for you, you can even have some fun with these super easy DIY projects.

Dutch Mill Delight is available in major supermarkets in the Philippines and can also be bought through the Delight Ladies in Rizal, Manila, Taguig, and Quezon City.

You can also check out their website dutchmilldelight.ph, and follow them on their Facebook page and Instagram account for updates and more information.

Make the home Christmas-ready with Taiwan Excellence products

$
0
0
When planning on what to splurge on this coming holiday season, a home investment is always a good option. Get a practical home upgrade, in time for the back-to-back family gatherings and parties with friends, with Taiwan Excellence products. There's nothing like a thoughtful gift to yourself than making your home life a little bit more comfortable and stylish.

Prepare your home to be Christmas-ready with the following Taiwan’s best brands that bear the Taiwan Excellence seal. Assuring superior quality, these products can give the best deals for the ultimate holiday home shopping.

Upgrade the bathroom storage

Keeping the bathroom comfortable is essential during the festive gatherings. Solve the clutter and maximize the space using Caesar’s Push-Open Bath Cabinet that will surely delight homemakers with its perfect balance of quality, design, and functionality. Offering a wide storage space, this solid and classy bathroom fixture has deep drawers. Automatically open the drawer by simply pressing any part of its panel. Its patented slide balancer, on the other hand, will smoothly extend the drawer with any vibration.



Cook with the best

Preparing appetizing meals will never be out of the picture during Christmas season. Make sure to have the right equipment, like the Sakura Gas Stove, to take cooking to a whole new level of efficiency. It has a stainless steel top surface, as well as a durable and detachable burner cap. With its flame failure safety device and safety lock, whip up the most awaited feast safely. All these contribute in providing an upgraded cooking experience, an expertise of Sakura Group for over 35 years.


Make your home smarter with innovative appliances like the Tatung Multi-functional Cooker. It does everything from beaming, stewing, cooking, braising or boiling. Using these different features can make cooking easily even to those who are not experts. This can be a good investment, especially in today’s fast-paced lifestyle. Indeed, multi-purpose appliances are sure to please not just for the holiday season.


Add new kitchenware

After cooking the sumptuous meals, let the stylish and elegant kitchenware of Huey Erl Chang Enterprise (HEC) do its magic. HEC provides well-designed kitchen accessories to make food preparation process as pleasant and enjoyable as possible. Impress the guests with the Iced Fruit Infusion Pitcher that allows liquids and fruit to mix naturally to give beverage wonderful fruit-infused flavor. It is designed to have a revolutionary way of leading a natural and healthy lifestyle.


In line with the healthy lifestyle, adding LEPA’s drinking water supplier can help. This energy-saving product provides readily-available entrusted and healthy drinking water. When the home provides all the means to have a healthy lifestyle, it would be easier to embrace one.

 

Instead of spending a lot of money with trivial things, check out these Taiwan Excellence-accredited products as the countdown to Christmas comes closer. For more information, visit www.taitra.org.tw or like Taiwan Excellence on Facebook.


About Taiwan Excellence

The symbol of Taiwan Excellence honors Taiwan’s most innovative products that provide tremendous value to users worldwide. All products carrying this symbol have been selected for specific Taiwan Excellence Awards based on their excellence in design, quality, marketing, Taiwanese R&D, and manufacturing. Initiated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), R.O.C. in 1992, the symbol of Taiwan Excellence is recognized by 100 countries.

*sponsored post

Make the most out of life with Friso Four

$
0
0
As a mom, it was definitely hard for me to adjust when my daughter started studying in a big school a few months ago. From being so sheltered in preschool, I felt she was now entering the real world where she would be exposed to so many things beyond my control. Of course, I don’t think we can ever fully learn to let go of our kids no matter what age. We’re always there for them, helping and supporting them through the years.

But letting them experience things on their own will help them grow up. Yes, they will get hurt and make mistakes, but we have to realize that they are a lot stronger than we think and give them credit for.

During my daughter’s first week in Grade 1, I was so worried about so many things. How will she find her classroom by herself? Will she be able to eat her food? What if she has to go to the bathroom? What if there are bullies? I was almost at the point of wanting to go to school and wait there until dismissal every single day. Yes, serious! ;p

But then, to my amazement, my daughter would always come home from school all excited to tell me that she had fun! When I would check her lunchbox, her baon would be finished. She even told me she was able to go to the bathroom all by herself! My goodness, she really is a big girl already!

Now, all I worry about is getting her homework done and studying for tests. And of course, as our kids grow older and become busier with school and other activities, we have to remember to keep them healthy so they can make the most out of life’s experiences.

That’s why I’m glad I discovered Friso Four, which helps make our kids strong inside by taking the best of nature and science. From its farms, cows are nurtured with extra care to get top quality milk. Scientists make the most of this natural goodness with a special process that locks in milk’s nutrients called LockNutri technology. This preserves the natural milk protein without over-heating, making it easy to digest for delicate tummies. And as a mom, when I see how resilient my kids are, I’m more confident to let them out in the world to experience life to the fullest!

So moms, let us remember that there’s a bigger world out there for our kids to explore, which will further encourage their development. And if they are strong on the inside, they can take on every experience with us behind them every step of the way.


Find Friso Four at selected Mercury Drugstores in GMA, Luzon, and Cebu. 
And their website: https://friso.com.ph/

*sponsored post

Ever After High Christmas at SM BF

$
0
0
We love checking out the Christmas displays at the malls during the holidays. I just love seeing the different themes and decors every year, which provide such a great backdrop for some family pics!

Last year, SM BF did an Adventure Time display and the year before was How To Train Your Dragon. This year, the Ever After High characters take center stage in an Epic Winter display.


My daughter was really happy with the theme! Her brothers were kinda ok with it too haha! ;p

I don't know if they find her cute or weird haha!
"what's Olaf doing here?"

Anyway, you can catch this Epic Winter display at the Main Atrium of SM City BF until January 10, 2017.


You can also check out this article for more malls in the metro with gorgeous displays. Perfect for taking Christmas pics with the family. Happy Holidays!

Winter Woodland Christmas at SM Aura

$
0
0
I swear, the Christmas display at SM Aura this year is seriously one of the nicest I've ever seen! I literally gasped when we walked by since it was so pretty!


I love the whole woodland theme, with reindeers, owls. and other forest animals. And the white, silver, and red colors were so elegant and classy.

view from the 2nd level
this wolf was huge!

Anyway, I was so excited to take pics with the kids but as usual, they were NOT cooperating! Why is it so difficult to stand still and smile for kids??! ;p

the boys were just not having it!
with lolo and lola

Ugh, I had to do a bit of bribing for them to stay put! "Yes, we'll go to the toy store after if you just smile! Nice smile please! Wait, don't move! Just one more!" Actually, I shouldn't have said toy store because they got even more impatient and kept wanting to leave na! Haaaaaay!


We'll we got some good pics after 10 thousand takes. And yes, we did go to the toy store right after.


Anyway, check out this article for more malls around the metro with gorgeous Christmas displays, including the Ever After High at SM BF I posted about previously. And wow, can't believe there's just 2 weeks left before Christmas! :)

DIY No-Bake Cake

$
0
0
With all the Christmas celebrations, get-togethers, and reunions this December, here's a quick and easy dessert idea you can bring to any party, brought to you by MoneyMax.ph.



Shopping at MINISO Philippines

$
0
0
MINISO is a Japanese fast fashion designer brand that advocates a fashionable and relaxed lifestyle. Headquartered in Tokyo, it has opened more than 1,400 stores worldwide and dedicates itself to providing customers with quality, creative and low-priced products. Miniso opened their first store in the Philippines just last June and since then has quickly expanded to more branches around the metro.

To be honest, I wasn't familiar with this brand as first. But when I was invited to their launch at SM Southmall last December 15, I got really excited to check it out.


Miniso is called a "fast fashion" brand since it launches new products every seven days. The store for me is like a mix of Uniqlo (doesn't their logo look similar?), Muji, and Daiso. It's clean, simple, and modern, and the items are all super affordable too!


Anyway, if you love Daiso like me, you'll totally LOVE Miniso! All the items are super cute and the price ranges from P49, P99, P149, P199, with P349 being the most expensive, I believe. Here's just some of the stuff you can find at Miniso:

plush toys and pillows (these were so unbelievably soft)
neck pillows and slippers
tumblers
storage boxes
cute eye masks
travel kits and organizers
stationery
gift wrappers
kitchen stuff
adorable hand towels
sticky hooks
wallets and bags
shades and caps
these straw hats for kids were so cute!
various toys
Who played this as a kid?? I love this game!

And trust me, there's a whole lot MORE! I can't wait to go back since I'm excited to see what new items they'll have. Anyway, here are the stuff I ended up getting for a total of less than P1,000!

These pack of wrapping papers just cost P49 for 3 rolls. What a bargain! And the designs were so pretty too.


These buntings were also P49 each and are perfect for this Christmas season.


These bath mats were P149 each. The black one feels so soft!


I got this belt hanger for hubby at just P99.


And I got so intrigued with this wooden toy which turns into a cube. It was challenging, but fun! The kids and hubby loved it. This was P149 and comes in other designs.


Right now, I'm also kinda addicted to hair ties that have embellishments on it. I always end up wearing them on my wrist anyway, so it becomes like a bracelet. These ranges from P49 to P99.


Anyway, definitely check out a MINISO near you. If you're still not done with your Christmas shopping, for sure you'll find something here. So far, they have branches in Robinsons Place Manila, SM City East Ortigas, SM City Fairview, SM City Manila, SM City San Lazaro, SM Southmall, and their latest one at SM City Sucat which just opened today. And don't forget to check out their Facebook and Instagram for more updates.

DIY Christmas Photoshoot

$
0
0


Having a Christmas card has sort of become a tradition for us. It started when my daughter Miley celebrated her first Christmas back in 2010 and I made this card:


Since then, we've been taking photos of our growing family in time for the holidays. You can see the evolution of our Christmas cards through the years here - 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014.

Usually I just take the pics myself but there are times we have a professional photographer do it. But I decided to DIY it this year since I had a new camera (Sony A5000) which I wanted to test out. And walang budget for a shoot so me na lang talaga haha! ;p

I just made use of whatever decors we already had and used our dining room as a makeshift studio. The backdrop I used is a tablecloth I got from SM which I just taped to the wall. I also used a white duvet to cover the floor.

my set-up

I then dressed the kids in Christmasy outfits and we were good to go. Of course, taking pics of kids will always have its challenges. My youngest was the hardest to shoot since he kept moving around and didn't want to sit still! Plus he kept messing up the props haha!


And sometimes, it's so hard for them to just give you a nice smile! They kept asking "Are we done yet??!" NOPE!

wacky faces!

I took individual shots of them first (since my daughter was on the way home from school when I started) then I was planning to do a group shot after. But then, this little boy fell asleep already after his turn since it was his nap time! Haaay, so no pics of the 3 of them together. Maybe I'll just do another shoot in the park or something.

sleepy na

Anyway, some tips for those planning a DIY shoot at home as well:
- Choose a place with plenty of natural light, like beside a window or even outdoors in your garden or garage.
- Do the shoot when all the kids are well rested and in a good mood. I was just really excited to shoot this time that I totally didn't think of nap time!
- Have someone help you! Especially if you have toddlers who find it hard to sit still. I had our yaya position him then she would get out of the frame quickly. And then she would call him so he would look at the camera.
- Bribing helps haha! I was like "I'll give you a prize if we get good pics!" Then they'd really cooperate and smile. LOL!
- Just click, click, and click away. I probably took 100 shots of each kid. There will be a lot of outtakes, but somewhere there will be some good shots! Then just crop and edit if you can to make the photos look better.
- Patience is a virtue. Nuff said.

Here's the best photos that I was able to take:


What do you think? I'm really happy with the pics considering I didn't have to spend thousands for a professional photoshoot! Stay tuned for the final Christmas card which I'll post in a few days. Can't believe it's less than a week before Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

$
0
0
And here it is, the final Christmas card from the DIY photoshoot I did a few days ago. Hope everyone is having a wonderful and merry Christmas with their loved ones. Happy Holidays everyone, from our family to yours!

A DISNEY Christmas!

$
0
0
Our much awaited theme for our family's annual costume Christmas party was... DISNEY! Last year was Asian and the year before that was Ugly Sweater. It was easy for me to think of what to go as, since I've thought of doing INSIDE OUT for Halloween before. So here na lang for Christmas! ;p


Inside Out is perfect for us since we're 5 in the family so one emotion each sana. But since hubby's parents and brother would be joining us, I had to change some characters.

JOY & RILEY
SADNESS
BING BONG
DISGUST & ANGER
FEAR
and hubby as JANGLES the CLOWN lol!

Here's the rest of the family with their Disney costumes! There was The Little Mermaid, Mickey Mouse, Star Wars, Peter Pan, and The Jungle Book. And the overall winner was... The Little Mermaid family haha! Well deserved naman. ;p


I just love how everyone is so game with the costumes. I had a lot of fun doing ours like our face masks which I just printed out on cardboard.


For hubby's clown costume, I just made the collar and tutu out of pink crepe paper. Then I just stuck circles on his pants. I also made the mallet hammer out of cardboard. For Fear, I used a plain black vest and used masking tape to make the checkered pattern. Then, Bing Bong's outfit was just a mix of stuff from our closets (his jacket, his sister's pink shirt and sweater, my hat and leggings). I just printed the bow tie and flower pin to complete the look!


I also made Anger's flame hat out of cardboard. Thanks Dad for being in character lol!


It was a super fun Christmas and can't wait for next year's theme. Will make sure we'll win next time haha!

Ayala Triangle Light Show 2016

$
0
0
I can't let the year end without checking out the light show at Ayala Triangle!


We were also here last year, but this time Skyler couldn't join us since he was a bit sick. :( We just came straight from Tagaytay that afternoon and we didn't want to tire him further. We had dinner at Omakase with family and checked out the show after. There were a LOT of people as expected, but good thing it wasn't hot.


I can't believe it will be 2017 in a few hours! 2016 has been filled with blessings and challenges, and I just hope the new year will be a whole lot better for everyone. Cheers!

Back in Pico De Loro

$
0
0
Happy New Year everyone! I still have so much stuff to blog about, but it was definitely nice to take a break after all the holiday celebrations. After Christmas, our whole family went to Pico De Loro for a short vacation.


We've already been here before, and we also stayed in the same Airbnb. It was just very chill and we spent most of our time on the beach.

my crew
loving my beach tote from CATHY
Batangas sunset
beach squad

Anyway, I'm currently cleaning the house, organizing and decluttering! Definitely can't wait for our next vacation. Take me back to the beach right now please? :)
Viewing all 558 articles
Browse latest View live