Happy Birthday, Mommy!

Sunday was spent with my side of the family. We had dinner last night to celebrate my Mom's 52nd Birthday. Her actual birthdate was last week, August 08 but since I was in Baguio to attend a wedding that time, we decided to hold her post-birthday dinner celebration a week after. My penalty ... I get to treat the family!

Anyway, We had simple dinner at MANN HAN restaurant (our family so love Chinese food) in Megamall and post dinner celebration with coffee and donuts at Krispy Kreme. Very simple celebration. My mom was really happy since we spent our Sunday with her, together with all her apos (five), and in-laws. Though we are not complete (less my younger brother working that night), she's very happy that we spent our Sunday night with her just simply catching up and making her feel special.

Family dinner at Mann Han




To my mom : Happy, happy birthday! Wishing you more birthdays (and lovelife) to come!

Bonding time and sharing good laugh over coffee and donuts at Krispy Kreme
(the cousins: Sam, Adrian, DJ and Bam)

Mommy and the bratinella, Sam

Kuya Ico (the oldest apo)with Adrian (my brother Raymond's son) and DJ (my sister Lhotte's son)

another baby shower ...

Just came from another baby shower last Friday. One of our sales operation assistants is scheduled to give birth to a baby boy next week. She's been praying for this baby for a long time, thus when we learned the great news, we are all happy and excited for her. Some of our colleagues prepared a surprise baby shower complete with party program such as baby games, food, give-aways and gifts. The soon-to-be mom was really surprised and almost cried when she saw how happy and how much effort was done to prepare her simple baby shower.

During the program, she shared to us how much happy and scared she is with the coming of the baby. Like all first time moms , she's totally unaware of all the baby necessities she needs to prepare prior birth of her baby. When asked, she bluntly told us that she haven't bought anything yet except the baby bag and a few baby clothes as part of baby's going home outfit. For baby funitures, she bought a three-in-one crib that can easily be converted to playpen as soon as the baby gets bigger. Though she's excited to buy a baby stroller, she's having a hard time deciding and choosing reliable stroller brand for her baby. I told her to consider checking out the Bob stroller I saw on the web which will fit perfectly with her active lifestyle. With its unique pivoting front wheel, malling and jogging with a baby in tow will not be that all difficult anymore. I told her not to scrimp on the budget but ensure getting a baby stroller that is reliable and sturdy for her baby. Moreover, getting a stroller is one of the best baby furniture investment that I did since it is wise, convenient and practical than breaking my back from prolonged carrying of a baby.

to my virtual friends

Got this from Em, from her detour blog, all things beautiful. Thanks girl! Truly value your friendship.

FRIENDS: 1. Everyday Life 2. Words of Love 3. Sheng's Simple Thoughts . . . 4. My Life's Rollercoaster Ride 5. Princess Vien 6. Deviously Creative 7 Doll Me Up 8 Living the Healthy Life 9 Mind Bubbles 10 Vanity Kit 11 Stripe&Yellow 12 Something Purple 13 Em's Detour 14 Coffee Table Conversations 15.YOU!

We need friends for many reasons,

all throughout the season.

We need friends to comfort uswhen we are sad,

and to have fun with us when we are glad.

We need friends to give us good advice,

We need someone we can count on,

and treat us nice.

We need friends to remember us

one we have passed

sharing memories that will always last.

Spread the poem of friendship.

Passing this to my virtual blogging friends abroad : JoyD, Gracie, Apols and Jen.

weight loss fluke

I lost 4 lbs last week. Was ecstatic and inspired to slim down. I did'nt eat much carbo (particularly, rice) and sweets. I even avoided buffets and late-night snacks. I am happy and just maintained my usual meal intake. Bread for breakfast, one cup of rice for lunch and dinner. No afternoon or late-snack binge. Despite the good news, I was quiet about it to hubby ... I want to surprise him.

BUT after weighing in today, I was surprised that I am back at my original weight. Darn. After not eating much and avoiding snacks, I can't believe nothing happened! I was expecting to lose 2-3 lbs more with my last week's effort, but boy ... I was wrong! What may have caused this diet loss fluke? How I gained back the 4 lbs I lost in one week? Can't figure it out ... Totally irritable after knowing the result.

I told hubby my weight loss fluke and he was laughing at the result. With so much effort done to shed off few lbs, he told me it might be attributed to my PMS cycle. Lately he noticed I am quite irritable too thus he's thinking I am under the "PMS" phase. The husband suggested I should consider taking progesterone cream to prevent any PMS symptoms. This way, I can naturally combat my sudden weight loss/gain, abdominal cramps and irritability. Hmmm...coming from my husband, I am sure this is a perfect explanation and solution my PMS symptoms. He's the one taking all the birth of my ire! Hahaha!

travel incentive and bag hunting again

To Hongkong or Macau? Still undecided. We haven't made any final travel arrangements but definitely we are sure to claim our sales incentive on Sept 12-14. I've got one of a hell travel plans next month. And I'll be away from my little girl for seven days ... to know more, read here.

Anyway, since we are confirmed to go ... I am one busy bee doing my shopping list (and budgeting) now. You see, I really need a nice black bag for office use. Despite owning several black bags ... I feel that I need something formal, corporate and serious. Aha! That's the perfect word I can use for hubby --- serious bag! lol.

Since I am a brand loyalist (and a boring shopper) ... I am thinking of getting another LV, An EPI black this time. Just to be on the safe side. My choices are :

LV Passy PM

LV Speedy 30

LV Alma

LV Lockit

I am torn between getting the Alma or Passy PM. Pricey compared to my previous bags but this is made of different material, EPI leather. I can strech my budget to Alma ... but I have to think 5x before getting passy PM. But I so love passy too! Worst, I'll settle to speedy 30 but that would be ultimate bore and conventional. Besides, I already have speedy style. So maiba naman. Hahaha! The LV lockit, same price as speedy but my least favorite among the choices.

Hmmmm... hard to decide especially if you have limited moolah. Of course, as much as I want to buy all...I can afford to buy only one. And it will be unwise (and impractical) to get all black epi bags! Hahaha! So I really need to be a wise buyer ... and note, this is my super early Christmas present na! No more turning back. What do you think?

Btw, I am not sure about Gucci or other brands ... any other suggestions for a nice, corporate and serious black bag?

skin treatments

After my second laser hair removal session last month from Belo, I am more convinced to try the Spanish peel facial treatment. I saw positive results from my officemate who had the said treatment and I was so envious how smooth and flawless her face now. I've been monitoring her progress from the day she started her treatment, and surprisingly you will notice dramatic skin changes. Really!! Her blackheads and skin blemishes gone! Her face lightened and it was really smooth. And she's just on her third session! Because of this, I am thinking of grabbing Belo's 3+1 package for Spanish peeling next month. I so want to experience deep cleansing and skin peeling to remove and exfoliate my skin. I just hope I can save up soon so I can avail the promo. If not, I still have my ever- dependable and reliable skin care products from Aveeno like my daily moisturizer with SPF15 and lip moisturizer with natural ingredients like oatmeal, jojoba oil and shea butter. Love these wonder products. Really works wonder for my skin.

Back from Baguio

After three days and two nights stay in Baguio, I am back!

Despite the rainy and cold weather in Baguio, we all witnessed a very beautiful and romantic wedding! My dear friend Anne got married on her dream wedding date, 08.08.08 and at her dream venue Baguio. It was a black and white theme which was beautifully executed with style by the bride. The wedding took place in a very small chapel Our Lady of Fatima in Benguet, while the reception was held in The Verandah of Manor Country Club. It was one of the best (and farthest) weddings I've attended.

Sharing some of our Baguio wedding pictures ...

the bride, picture taken from our room at the Manor

Bayan friends at the church

photo opps before leaving the manor --- cole, ruth, me (big arms!) and beng

Believe me, it was freezing cold during the reception but we braved the cold weather by drinking countless red wines, coffee and eating several cups of soup (yummy, by the way!). We were surrounded with the company of good friends and colleagues, not minding the biting cold as we chatted and posed for pictures the night away...

candles and a glass of red wine, to warm me up!

with the bride, Anne

with our ex-boss dicky and wife, jody