not yet over ...

with my holiday shopping.

Despite getting two cases of wine and ordering gift baskets for my colleagues, I still need to get few gift items for my sales team. Aside from my Bayan-colleagues, I need to get gifts for our valued-clients too such as the promotional items I saw online. Diaries, desk calendars, laptop bags, notepads and pens that bears our company name and logo.

So what I have shopped so far? I am done with all the kids gift. For our cousins, nieces and nephews as well as our inaanaks. Thanks to my early toy shopping frenzy at Toy Kingdom Warehouse Sale. Aside from wines and gift baskets for hubby's colleagues, I already pre-ordered brownies from Becky's. All waiting to be distributed on the 16th or as soon as the personalized gift tags available from Adworks.

I also went to Divisoria and 168 Mall yesterday and was able to get gifts for Sam's classmates, gifts for the family, helpers and drivers. Despite the horrendous traffic and people at Divisoria, I was able to successfully buy give-aways, table centerpieces, chinese lanterns and tokens for our upcoming Chinese-themed party too. I also got nice blouses again from Juana, my fave shop at 168 Mall.

But, I still need to get gifts for my immediate family. For my in-laws and also gifts for hubby and Ico. Plus small gift items for Samantha since she accidentally found her gift from Santa. And of course, gifts for our kris-kringle. I am hoping I'll complete my Christmas list shopping by 2nd week of December. Despite the holiday rush, I just love the last mintue shoppping. The traffic, the jam-packed malls, and all the Christmas frenzy shopping ... crazy, but it gives me a different kind of rush. lol. How about you, are you done with all your Christmas shopping?

GIFT Class

Not sure if I've posted before about Sam's GIFT class. Every other Friday, the nursery students dedicate 1.5 hours for GIFT class activity. This is a non-academic related class, but instead it teaches extra-curricular activities like sports, arts and crafts. Last quarter, they had gymnastics. And for this quarter, swimming class. Really cool, huh?! It teaches students not to be academically smart, but it enhances self-confidence and develop their love for outdoor activities. It molds the student to be a well-rounded individual: academically, physically, emotionally and spiritually. True Paulinian values.

For the swimming class, each student were asked to bring the ff swimming gear: goggles, swimming cap, one-piece bathing suit (mind you, sexy 2-piece suits a NO-NO!). They should also be accompanied by parents or yaya. The companions are allowed to stay at the sideline to watch, while the swim teachers takes care of each student.

Nursery students excitedly preparing for the swimming class

Samantha with the aid of swim teachers ... learning how to swim


Fun time in the pool

somebody's been very busy

Yes, somebody's been very busy now ... and that is, the little bratinella. Busy as bee with her new Dora V-tech toy. She accidentally found all the TK shopping loots inside the guest room, under the bed. Still unwrapped. Darn! Santa's not careful to hide all the Christmas toys. lol.

Anyway, the overly excited girl begged to open her toy. With all the pleas and shower of kissses, I naturally gave in. How can I resist all those pleas and pleading eyes? Hahaha. Thus, the supposedly Christmas present was opened in no time. Which makes the little girl blissfully happy and busy the entire wekeend.

Now I need to replace this gift. Need to buy her another present for her to open on Christmas eve. I need to check online possible gift options for Sam. Aside from checking toys online, need to find slim 10 for myself. Need to trim down my present weight to prepare my body for all the holiday festivities. With all the parties, eating and drinking, I am sure I'll gain weight if I don't watch my diet soon. Can't afford to gain extra pounds, you know. :)

bath time investments

Taking a shower is always the same as … taking a shower. And the experience associated with taking a bath or a shower varies in different levels. One can say that as long as the essential (cleaning ones’ self) is there, taking a bath will always be the same.

But as the saying goes … “its not the end goal, but rather the journey” somehow holds true even when taking a bath. As for this writer, the experience of taking a bath is a function of the shower faucet being used. shower faucets varies in different nozzles and the manner of how the water hits one’s self determines the “pleasure” of taking a bath.

Some would want it like a “drizzle” on one’s skin. Others would want it as “hard” as it comes. But whatever the peculiarities, it all boils down to the shower faucets being used. One can argue that shower faucets cost a bundle and that is why the cheap ones are more preferred. But you have to remember that you take a bath “everyday” … and that certainly make it sensible to invest on these shower faucets.

in search of luggage

As I’ve blogged here, hubby is scheduled to leave for Macau two weeks from now. Aside from his present passport problem, I found out that one of our travel luggages is missing. You see we have Delsey luggage sets in varying sizes. The smaller size, which is ideal for short trips nowhere to be found! I’ve asked our helpers to bring out all our travel luggage to have it cleaned, and search for the bag. But in spite of the house search, the Delsey bags cannot be found. As far as I remember, it was hubby who last used this luggage from his business meeting in Cebu. Hmmm… where could it be? Partly I have this feeling that the luggage was borrowed by Mom. I am just not sure if she mistakenly took the delsey luggage over the travel bag she borrowed months back. Knowing my mom, this might be the perfect reason why the travel bag is missing. I just hope and pray that my gut-feel is correct. Otherwise, I’ll be forced to buy another small luggage for our short business travels. And it is really a must have for us especially in our line of work wherein we constantly attends out of town workshops, seminars and meetings at work.

outfit test

What This Outfit Says About You

You are a stylish example for all. You are very put together. You are glamourous and modern. You're the type of person who starts trends. Besides wearing the right thing, you often say and do the right thing. You are the perfect mix of wit and poise. Your high end fashion designer match: Michael Kors Your must have accessory: A gold watch

The Outfit Test

PAL Swingaround Promo

My hands are shaking, my eyes gleaming in excitement when I saw Philippine Airlines Swingaround Promo early this evening from the Philippine Star. Imagine travelling to great destinations at a great prices! I am sooo excited!!

Very timely promo indeed. As I've posted few weeks back, hubby and I are saving up for a "big" travel next year. We have no confirmed destination yet but we are planning to go abroad for honeymoon --- to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary on February. Thus, I was surprised with the Swingaround Promo of PAL. Imagine traveling to Guam at $229++, Honolulu $404++, HongKong at $117++, Sydney at $671++ and more US & Asian destinations at an amazing price. (note: I didn't bother to list other travel destinations since I am very particular with Guam or Honolulu only. lol!)

Anyway, the price provided above are based on twin-sharing accommodation. Travel dates are subject to availability. And of course, surcharges, fees not included. The Swingaround Promo includes the ff:

*RT Fiesta Class airfare from Manila

*RT airport transfer and daily breakfast in most destinations
*Hotel accommodaton
*City tour in Bangkok, Hongkong, Honolulu, Macau and Tokyo only.

The catch: Validity, departure dates and ticketing deadlines vary. These were not mentioned on the ad. So I painstakingly called PAL reservations number for confirmation. No luck. I've been put on hold for more than 45 minutes and I lost my patience. Kakakinis!! Just when I am sooo excited to book for our trip.

Nevertheless out of frustration, I've checked the website for the validity of the promo. Again, no luck to avail the promo for 2009. Travel must be completed on or before December 15. Darn!! I really so wish that I can get promo for our travel next year!! I hate this promo! (yes, I am sooo bitter about it.) I am dead-set to book for Hawaii 3rd week of January to coincide with hubby's annual Pacific Telecom Council (PTC) meeting on January 18-21. Aaargghhh... I so want to go to Hawaii!! But I want to go on a promo fare. I don't want to pay $850 for my airfare alone. Too much!! And if I bring Sam along, that would be $1700++ for both of us. Imagine, how many LV and Chanel bags I can buy with this amount.

Still very much frustrated...I wish PAL would extend the promo for next year. I've been dreaming to go on a beach vacation in Waikiki. I want to enjoy the sun, sand, and wear my skimpy bikini suit!lol. Well of course I need to prep myself by seriously considering take diet pills . Hahaha! Anyway, really wishing and hoping.

full weekend

... this is how you describe our schedule for the past three weekends.

Great parties and celebrations shared with family and friends. Add to the fact that my daughter recently celebrated her birthday parties, and back-to-back mall-wide and warehouses sales --- my hands are so full! I’ve been very busy not only from work but as a wife and mom looking for best shopping value. Really stressful, don’t you think so? With all the holiday rush and all the worrying, zits can now be found all over my face! Now, I worry if my over the counter acne treatment will be effective enough to treat my acne. I’ve browsed the web for an effective and immediate facial treatment and I came across http://www.acnecuresrevealed.net/. It enlists some of the top five acne treatments like Orovo, Zyporex and Acnetin. The review seems promising, the price reasonable and guarantees fast result. Thus, I am tempted to order online to try this product. What do you think?

off to macau

Hubby is preparing for his upcoming business trip in Macau two weeks from now. I was told that he will be attending a three-day conference at the Venetian Hotel for GSM providers. Of course, I was ecstatic about his trip since I can ask hubby to buy early Christmas gifts for us but my excitement was short lived. The sad news, as he was checking his stuff, he found out that his passport is no longer valid. He totally forgot that his passport has already expired since last month. Talk about being super-busy. Thus, by next week he’s bound to renew his passport. I am just not sure if he can get his passport on time. Given the one-week processing lead time, I just hope he’ll be able to get his new passport before he leaves for Macau. Otherwise, he will be forced to stay behind and cancel all his appointments. And sadly, goodbye to my early Christmas present. :(

What If?

Snagged this tag from Peachy .

What if?...

1....you could bring one character from your favorite book to life, who would it be?

Becky Bloomwood of Shopaholic series. Just love her character.

2....you could solve one of historys unsolved mysteries, which would it be?

Find out who killed JFK.
3....you were stranded on a deserted island, what 2 people would you chose to be stranded with?
Hmmm... Of course with the people I love. Hubby and the kids.

4....you could spend a day with any celebrity, dead or living, who would it be?
Oprah Winfrey please. My dream is to meet her in person and be part of her audience in her talk show.

5....you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
That would be my weight now, I am horizontally-challenged. And I need to find the best fat burner to get back at my pre-preggo weight.

6....you could live anywhere, where would you live?
Can't think of any place now. I am happy just where I am.

till next time....

Sam's School Party

Of course her birthday will not be complete without fun celebration with her classmates in school. It was Sam's first day in school after a long vacation (Nov 11, Tuesday). This was also the last leg of her week long birthday celebration. I never thought Sam will be able to celebrate her birthday party in school, nor blow a birthday candle inside the school premises since parties are not allowed. This was clearly communicated to me on her first day in school. It was even written in the student's handbook.

But due to my persistence, I was able to pull-off a simple birthday party celebration yesterday. I asked teacher if Sam can at least blow a birthday cake with her classmates. Teacher happily allowed my request. And as a matter of fact, teacher told me some parents serve packed-food too for the kids. Hmmm...great idea. Thus with the go signal of teacher, I immediately thought of still having a party theme. A strawberry shortcake again so I can use all the party stuff I bought online. I want everything about the party ---personalized. Personalized give-aways, lootbags, tags and even personalized books for her classmates. For food, brought spaghetti and chicken meal from Mc Do Tiendesitas (who gave me balloons since it was their opening day too!), prepared SS lootbags, ordered additional cupcakes from Kitchen Kraft and voila! instant themed-party for 12 kids. Again, pardon the picture overload.

Samantha with her SS party theme in school :
lootbags, tarps (from her party), balloons, cake and cupcakes from Kitchen Kraft

Photo opps before the party: Ms. Reyes, Mommy and Samantha

party time with Sam's classmates

giving party loots: SS cupcakes and lootbags

If I only knew months ahead that teacher will allow me to have a themed-party, I should have stick to my original plan of party celebration in school! Hah ... a lot, lot cheaper and much easier to prepare! Hahaha! Preparing simple party for 12 kids and with 45 minutes party time, no sweat! lol.

Anyway, Samantha enjoyed her party in school since she was surrounded by her classmates. A different type of party experience. I saw the happy and carefree side of Samantha in a classroom environment. The shy, timid Sam plays, shares and inter-acts with her classmates in her own way. And the best part, I know she felt extra special today with her "cool" friends around (yes, I heard them use the word cool and awesome!). I know she'll forever remember the happy faces of her classmates and all the fun celebration she had. She kept on talking non-stop about her party in school to Daddy that evening. I was fascinated listening to her how she remembers everything.

So again, happy birthday Samantha! I hope you enjoyed all the parties Mommy prepared for you.

Samantha's Mc Donald's Party

After months of preparation for the bratinella's fourth birthday party, finally ... it is now over. Party was a huge success! With all the guests happy and with all the take home loots (and balloons), I am sure they had a great time.

The party girl had a blast too! She enjoyed the games, the food (of course, by Mc Do) and the people who lovingly attended to celebrate her fourth birthday party. Though I've decided the party theme (Strawberry Shortcake), heard no qualms from her. As a matter of fact she began to love the theme when I slowly introduced the character to her early this year. Hahaha! Wala sya nagawa ... obviously, furstrations ng Mommy ang Strawberry Shortcake. Why? I find this theme kasi so girly-girly! All pink...and really pretty! Hahaha! Glad that my kiddo not into any particular theme, di nya feel sila Barbie, Disney Princesses or HS musical. Hehehe! Kaya, madali na influence ng Mommy to have the Strawberry Shortcake theme. (but i think, if she saw the Mamma Mia! months ahead, baka ito pinagawa theme sa akin! lol!)

I don't have any party ratings, I don't intend to post any. As I promised to hubby, will just relax and enjoy the party this year. "Que sera sera, whatever will be, will be ..." Though medyo kina-career ko ng konti sa preps, but party itself...dedma na sila. Just happy with the results. So far, this is my cheapest party ha! Thanks to my blogging raket, I was able to raise almost half of my party cost from this business. Hahaha! Note, in three months lang ha!

Anyway, thanks to all my suppliers for making it happen. Adworks (Mye) for the Invites and thank you tags, Kitchen Kraft for the cakes, Melisse of Perfect Pixels for all the tarps, Divisoria for all the toys and stickers. Tried and tested na talaga sila. And to my new-found great suppliers (uulit pa ako!): Party Time for the decors (super na-rush sa pag-set up), Howell for the nice photos, Mc Do for accommodating all my request (love ko to!), Sheila for the director's chair (hmmm...prompt naman delivery nya kaya ok na. lol.). Over-all it was a huge success. Seeing everybody happy, worth every cent! Labor of love talaga.

Please bear with me for the picture overload. Hundreds of nice photo shots from Howell (of Abie) and I am having a hard time choosing the best photos. Hahaha!

Pre-party pictures: Samantha at her cake, the party tarps and themed-prizes bought everywhere (ie: SS sippy cups, fans, coloring book, stickers, pens, lunch boxes, wallets, books etc.), director's chair (madagascar and strawberry shortcake) as party tokens. -- borrowed Madagascar print from Bela. Thanks abie!

Party time Fun: Kids and adults had so much fun playing the games prepared by Mc Do. Think the parents enjoyed the game (and loots) more. See the competitive (and fun) side of moms and dads -- all to win a prize!



and more fun games like pabitin, pinata and mascot dance

and with Samantha's party guests ...

Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who shared their time with us and making Samantha's day truly special. See you all next year!!

LV happy again ...

Just a quick post...want to share my source of joy this week! :)

LV EPI NOE Bag in Yellow… my first love since college.

purple lining inside-- a pretty contrast!

The impulsive bag-shopper in me bought this bag at a great steal! You see, I never thought I'll buy a bag this year. BUT, one look at this baby and I immediately fell in-love... the color just perfect! Yellow Noe with purple lining. Love the contrast. It is sooo vibrant and stands out. What I love about this bag, LV discontinued this color since 2007. Making it more exclusive and rare to find color. Really perfect. And with the amount I paid, really worth it! I must say, best buy among all my LV bags.

insurance quotes

For the past three years now, I am not bothered with any auto insurance quotes . The bank handles all the insurance policy renewal and I just get billed after every renewal. No worries, right? Actually, I prefer this type of arrangement with my bank. No need for me to get several auto insurance quotes from different insurance providers, no need to submit any documents or fill up any insurance forms. No need to haggle for premium payments or discounts. Everything taken cared of. Including my personal term life insurance. For a working mom like myself, I prefer this kind of set-up. No hassles, no worries, no missed payments and no fuss. The bank handles all my personal finances. From investments to settlements of loans. Making life easier for busy mom like me. Instead of spending my time worrying about it, I get to spend more quality time with my family. Much better, don’t you think so?

birthday treat

Despite our busy schedule and meetings last Tuesday, Hubby and I made sure that the birthday girl gets an extra special treat from us to celebrate her fourth birthday. It was a simple birthday treat for the bratinella and looking at the pictures below, I am definitely sure she enjoyed every minute of it.

We had dinner at T.G.I Friday's Galleria wherein Sam ordered her favorite fried macaroni and cheese balls. She also got special treat from T.G.I.F : birthday jingle from the crew, purple ballooon and ice cream!

Sam here excitedly opening her birthday gift, a strawberry shortcake watch.

Her treat started with fun rides and games at Tom's World. Together with hubby, they both enjoyed the basketball booth and the animal ride... as a matter of fact, she had a blast with all the fun rides. Then we let her pick her birthday gift from Toys R' Us. After choosing and going around the toy shop for about twenty minutes, she ended up getting puzzles which she addoorres, by the way.