online shopping for party treats!

Online shopping is my recently found happiness and hobby. Hahaha! Eversince Peachy taught me how to buy stuff online, I've become frequent visitor of allaboardtoys.com, old navy, gap and amazon sites! Not that I don't do much online shopping before, but I never realized I can easily shop using my paypal account! lol. It is guilt-free spending, believe me! Hard earned money from my daily rakets ... buying great stuff from my new source of moolah! Oh my!! Never thought my "rakets" will give me so much joy and be this fun! lol.

Weeks ago, I've purchased items from allaboardtoys.com for Sam's 4th Birthday party this coming November. I know still early and quite OA, but ... sayang the discount eh! Hahaha! It will be a Strawberry Shortcake party theme this year and the party will be held at Poveda. (you see, i've already asked around if they allow kiddie parties inside the school, ok naman daw! hihihi!)

So here are the great finds I got online ...

invites and thank-you tags

ruby red plastic knife, spoon and forks

snack treats/looties

stawberry shortcake felt hat

strawberry shortcake polka-dot party pack

I am sure the party will be a big hit with Sam's new classmates. Oh the best part of having school party.. really really budget-friendly! I just need to provide snacks for 15 kids ... plus two teachers! No pressure! Hahaha! So, go with this kind of party planning! Highy recommended!

Thus, 4th Birthday party plans...mission accomplished!!

online shopping for Sam ... again!

Did some online shopping last night ... woohoohoo! finally, was able to get good sale items (with stocks available!) from Old Navy! Surprisingly, it was hubby who told me to check out the online stores because of an on-going Memorial Sale in the US (don't ask me what type of holiday ito! basta, may sale! bwahaha!). He found out yesterday morning while browsing for a reliable and good pocket watch for his Japanese boss, and buying telco-equipment at ebay for their company use. Oh di ba, he happily shared with me pa the good news! Hahaha!

Anyway, after two hours of browsing and checking ... got these items for Sam.

All these items will be shipped to hubby's aunt at NY by tomorrow night. Yipppeee! Wait ko na lang sya kelan sked nya umuwi Manila. Hahaha! I can't imagine how she will fit these items (and my Strawberry Shortcake party packs) inside her balikbayan box! Ayan..na BI na ni Peachy online shopping! lol.

Btw, do check out the site. They offer 4 stores with 1 check out service. For as low as $7 shipping rate, you can buy items from Old Navy, Gap, Piperlime and Banana Republic stores. Galing!! :) Really good news, happy shopping dear Mommies!!

securing the future ...

Being the eldest in the family, I designated myself as the financial advisor of my Mom. My brother thinks it is also a wise decision that I hold on and invest my Mom's money than allow her to manage her finances on her own. For one, my Mom is very much naive (and trusting!) with all the scams available in the market now. You see, my Mom fell into some "quick-rich" money scam years ago and it saddens me to think she lost quite a sizable amount by investing on gold coins as well as into multi-level marketing scheme. Too bad she hid these risky-investments from us thinking her money will return thousand-folds in less than three months. Too good to be true, eh? At first, she was able to get good money as "interest" or revenue from her investment. But sadly, the company folded, ran with the invested money and never returned. The worst part, it was one of my Mom's closest friend who lured her into this quick-rich scams. She too can no longer be found!

Because of this, my Mom learned her lesson. Never to invest on something unknown, never to investment on quick-rich scheme, heed the advise of others, and she need to be transparent with the family should she wish to invest on something.

I told her to consider securing her future instead. She's not getting any younger. She needs to re-think how she wanted her life to be when she reaches her prime years. Getting a life insurance for one is a good option. It does not only secure her future, but she can also help the family she will leave behind. Or probably she can invest her money on secured negotiable financial investments such as T-bills and stocks. Interest may be low, but will give security and peace of mind. Or probably invest on a parcel of lot that will yield high appreciation value especially for developing areas. With all these options, I am helping her secure her future without the risk of falling into scams again.

Well, I just hope my Mom listen this time ... yes, I think she will. After all that happened, she learned her lesson. Just the hard way, though.

some wants

I owe this tag from Jane ages ago ... finally, was able to find time to complete all my tags.

Participants: Tere-Blessing in Life 2. Yen- Me and Mine 3. Aggie - Pink and Brown Diaries. 4. Jane - My Charmed Life. 5. Jacqui - Coffee Table Conversations

1. What do you want for your birthday? New bag from hubby ... but I don't think will get it. Don't think I'll win our Big Loser bet! Darn!

2. Who will be your next kiss? Sammie! Will definitely get lots of kisses and big hug in a while. Wala lang, kulit lang niya. So cutie and lambing!

3. When was the last time you went to the mall? Today. Just had lunch at Trinoma.

4. Are you wearing socks right now? Nope.

5. How did you spend your summer? Very busy ... preparing for Tito Will's surprise party, preparing out of town trips (Tagaytay, Clark and HK trip) and doing my home-based "raket".

6. Have you been to the cinema in the last 5 days? Yesterday, watched Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skull at Rockwell.

7. What was the last thing you had to drink? Coke Zero!

8. What are you wearing right now? Comfy house clothes. Shorts and tank top!

9. What was your last purchase? Play-doh set from Kidz Station. Birthday gift for my officemate's daughter.

10. What was the last food you ate? Chicken Shanghai salad, Buffalo wings with cream cheese dip and Filipino gilled liempo with java rice from Friday's.

11. Who would be the person you would call if you were up in the middle of the night and couldn’t sleep? Will wake up hubby instead.

12. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week? Yes. Grass skirt for our Hawaiian party.

13. Do you have a pet? No.

14. What made you laugh in the last 5 days? Sam's funny antics. She's playing "change lyrics" from her nursery song.

15. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be? Hmmmm... US perhaps.

16. What is the last thing you purchased online? Strawberry Shortcake party stuff for Sam.

17. One thing you hate about yourself? I am overweight! Fat!

18. Do you miss anyone? None at the moment.

19. What are your plans for the day? Night na...so blog na lang.

20. Last person you msg’d? My client.

21. Ever went to a camp? No.

22. Are you a good student in school? Kinda...

23. What do you know about the (your) future? Hopefully happy.

24. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne? Perfume, Lacoste pink.

25. Where is/are your best friend/s right now? Manila, US.

kitty cat for Sam?

Just recently, I’ve observed Sam's love and fondness for pet animals. During one of the family parties we’ve attended last week, she was happily playing with a small Pomeranian spitz brought by hubby’s cousin. She enjoyed caressing and cuddling pretz -- the dog’s name, than participate on the kiddie games prepared by the party host.

Seeing her delight over her new fave pretz, it made me wonder if she’s ready to have a pet of her own. Will she be ready to have her own puppy? Will it be safe for her to own pet animals? How about giving her a cuddly, fluffy kitten? Will she be allergic to cats? These are some basic questions need to be answered before I purchase one. But, aside from checking what pet to give, or choose what best cat breed to get, I guess I need to start checking pet gadgets such as cat supplies available in the market too...that is, if she prefers a kitty cat over a puppy for a house pet. Do you think at age 3.5 she's ready for a house pet? Let's see...

boys poker night game...

Just received a call from hubby, asking me if we have something (party or date) to attend tomorrow evening. Since no definite plans made yet, I said nothing but I told him I am open for a movie date to watch the Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the crystal skull . That is ... if he has no Friday plans at all. Apparently, he was invited by his former telco-mates for a poker night in Makati and asked my permission if he could go instead. Well, how could I say no..he rarely see these guys! I immediately said yes and told him to join me instead on Sunday at Rockwell for our company's special Indiana Jones screening. After putting down the phone, made me wish we have our own poker tables too. This way, I can host poker night games of the boys and get to spend time with hubby's friends too! Another wish list for me!

party planning: tito willy's 50th luau party

On Saturday, May 24 will be the D-Day for Tito Willy's 50th Birthday party. Unknown to him, there will be a surprise party arranged by yours truly through the help (and contribution) of hubby's family, the Bunas-Soriano clan. It will be a Hawaiian/Luau theme and I am hoping the family will have an awesome time! I've managed to convince the family to come in their best Hawaiian costume too since IPOD and PSP will be given away for the best-dressed family. Everyone is eager and excited to grab the prize!! Hahaha!

trivia: I started the themed-parties when I came to hubby's family four years ago. Since then, they always look forward to the parties I arrange for the family. Be it simple or grand party, there must always be a theme!lol.In short...sa akin nagsimula gastos! bwahahaha!

Everything is all set and ready for the luau party. From invites/tarps (N@W Melisse /signex printing), caterers (Blue Petals), to band performers (alley cats), venue (alta guia poolside), cake (c/o Kitchen Kraft), flowers (Tropical Blooms), fireworks, photo and video, programs, AVP's and give-aways.

Well, the give-aways were the last item on the list. It was difficult choosing the perfect token since it is for 50th birthday and I wanted it to be perfectly aligned with the luau theme. I initially thought it will be classy to give something I saw from wine clubs but then, it doesn't fit my uncle's personality. Then MIL settled for personalized towels since this will be useful after the party (oh, it's gonna be a swimming party too!)

Just can't wait to see our uncle's surprised-look on Saturday. We all want to make him happy and give back all the goodness, generosity, and selfless sacrifice he showered the family. We all agreed that he deserves this once in a lifetime treat! And, I am keeping my fingers crossed that the weather will cooperate with our celebration. No heavy rain, no strong wind and no power fluctuations this day. Otherwise, sayang naman fireworks display! Haay...good thing I prepared tents and generators on stand-by, just in case.

To Tito Willy : Happy, Happy 50th Birthday!! We love you so much!!