Some Kind of A Break

Some people have been asking why I have no blog updates lately. I'm [temporarily?] staying with my mother-in-law because she's been living alone since Art went abroad, and having the kids around is breath of fresh air for her. For those who know where the farm is, then you'd understand why we have no internet access and why it will be quite a challenge to have it set up.

Art and his dad offered to find a way to set one up for me but believe it or not I told them I'd rather not have internet there. I like it better there without internet because I find it more relaxing. I can always drop by our house if I need to use the internet anyway. (Like Now)

Actually, everyday after I drop Kaden to school, I make a lingering "stop over" at my parents' house and take advantage of the WiFi. My macbook is now with apple and it will be there for another few more weeks, which is another reason for my lack of blog posts. At least, I'm making the most of my applecare unlike Art who never had to use his because he is not "burara" like me. Tehee!

I tried borrowing my mom's laptop but I always end up getting frustrated with windows and instead I end up using my E71 to surf and chat [via fring]. My "tweople" will notice that I've recently become more active in my tweeting because fring makes it easy for me to update. Of course, right at this moment I'm on my mom's laptop so I can properly update my blog. :)

I'm relieved that I never succumbed to all the mini-laptop/netbook lusts that I've been having the past few months. Yes, they're very affordable but most of my friends who own the said mini-laptops I've been eyeing didn't have many positive feedbacks. Which is why I made a pact with myself that my next laptop will be a mac or none at all!

Of course, I think my macbook will still do me service for another good year and a half at least, and a new mac is surely not within our budget at the moment (Prioritize prioritize!). That doesn't stop me from sharing my current object of laptop lust:

13-inch Macbook Pro.

There. No need for me to post the specifications here, but you can check them out yourself.

*Sigh. Now isn't that pure laptop love right there? This would have been perfect for me because eventhough I've always wanted a Macbook Pro, I find that 15-inches or 17-inches is a little too big for me. While others say that bigger is better, I like my laptop small. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. So, Steve Jobs! please make apple come up with a minimac-laptop. Something as slim as the macbookair but smaller, and please please, take your time working on it. So that by the time it's out I will have a few extra pesos-es to spare for one. :p

Ouch!

Facial Care Centre had a 50% off promo on their laser hair removal last week, so I grabbed the chance to get started on my brazillian sessions since it's one of the things on my 2009 wish list.

I had my underarms lasered about two years ago and I availed from FFC as well. I like it there because I find that they give pretty good service. You can pay at any branch (they have like 5 or 6) and then you do your sessions at any of the branches you find most convenient for you. I didn't feel any kind of pain at all for my underarm laser, and while I was warned that the bikini area is more sensitive due to thicker and coarser hair, I wasn't really ready for what I was about to experience.

This room is where I said "Ouch!"

I was in Manila for only 3 days, so I wanted to get started on my sessions ASAP because it will take about 10 sessions to really get your desired results for bikini, as opposed to the underarms where you will only need about 6 sessions. I was frustrated because ALL their branches were fully booked for all the days I was there and even until after I leave. I was almost tempted to go to Belo GH because they were having their laser hair removal at 30% off during that time, but I passed on it because FCC had a better [more practical] deal. Finally, they were able to squeeze me in for a 7am session but they don't me I didn't have time for Emla (topical anesthesia). The consultant told me that she never used Emla for her sessions anyway and if I had high tolerance for pain I won't need it. Boy, was she wrong.

Meet the Laserlight Soprano, Facial Care Centre's machine for laser hair removal. The pain is actually not that bad, but it bothered me more than when I had my tattoo done. So you can imagine the feeling. At first it felt like a visit to the gynecologist, and I was finding it a bit awkward that I had to show so much of myself to a stranger. LOL. :) But I forgot all about being embarassed and feeling awkward once the aesthetician started zapping, and once I started feeling pain. As soon as the session was over, so was the pain. I wouldn't mind going through it again next month, but next time I'm surely going to need Emla!

I Want To Go!

Before Art and I can (afford to) visit resorts like:

Kamalame Cay in Bahamas

Caneel Bay in Virgin Islands

Bora Bora Lagoon Resort in French Polynesia

Banyan Tree in Maldives

The Residence Tunis in Tunisia

Royal Davui in Fiji

...there are a number of resorts in the Philippines that I'd like us to visit first (Yes, I'm so Wow Philippines!). Its just that I've noticed how we Filipinos sometimes tend to take for granted all the beautiful places here in our country, and while foreigners come all the way here to enjoy our beaches, most of us would rather go and visit resorts outside of our country.

But before we start exploring what's outside of the Philippines, I'd like to be able to say that we've seen the best of the Philippines. Although that would probably take time because there are LOTS of wonderful beaches here, all the way from Bataan going down south.

My current resort of interest is Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa which is located in Panglao, Bohol. I came across Eskaya sometime in June while reading a travel magazine in a salon. Just like that, another must-go-to place is added to my already long list. So what if we might not be able to visit all these places? For Art & I time is always the biggest challengebut it'll be nice to know that we at least tried. Once I had the time, I immediately checked out their website for their packages.I love their infinity pools.

The Presidential Villa with 2 bedrooms (good for 6) is perfect for family getaways or barkada trips.

The Family Villa seems just as nice and is much less expensive.

For honeymooners, the Infinity Pool Villa seems sooo inviting!

Di ba it's so nice? Anyone wanna come with me to Eskaya? Send me a pm. :)

On Being Marco Aquino

I don't think I've ever promoted another blog in my blog before, oh wait, I have! Hah! I promoted my hubbykins' blog which he now does NOT update. It makes me sad because I thought he has taken up a new hobby (photography) aside from stalking his wife but apparently he's too busy--with work (not with stalking).

Some introduction, sorry for that. To all my dear readers, I'd like to share my friend Marco's blog. Yes, he is my friend even if I deleted him twice on ym. LOL. He is Kaden's ninong and he was sweet enough to gift me the Twilight saga even before all the Twilight craze started. Marco, aka "hunkababe" has recently started writing a short story entitled The Sandbox, of which he adds a new chapter every Sunday.

Please visit his site and start from Chapter 1 (duh) to appreciate the story more. It's pretty addicting and he does a great a job at making his readers want to read the next chapter ASAP. But of course he makes them wait a whole week just for the fun of it. Tsk! :)

The characters of Jacob and Alexi are very lovable... especially for someone like me who easily gets attached to characters I read about. Jacob's innocence and wisdom makes me wish I were a kid again, playing in the sandbox. The story is very cute and it reminds me a bit of Little Manhattan only Jacob and Alexi are younger, wiser, and much more adorable. It's also nakakakilig! Judith McNaught-ish (yihee!), but not as heavy of course, especially in my favorite chapter.

It's actually just a light read so it won't take much time and definitely not much effort.

To Marco, keep up the good work! I promise if you'll stay good there will be no 3rd time. :p

Sharing this cute video. :)

Different Like Coco.

A children's book about Coco Chanel?

Why not?

Different Like Coco (2008) is a lighthearted and simplified portrayal of Coco Chanel's rich and dramatic life by first-time children's book author/illustrator, Elizabeth Matthews. The author took all the charmed parts of Coco's rise from rags to riches story and accompanied it with watercolor [cartoon] illustrations to entertain readers.

One day when I have a little girl of my own, I shall read Coco's inspiring story to her so she will grow up knowing Coco Chanel before she will know of the brand.

Now will someone please get me this book? :)

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I personally am a big fan of Coco Chanel--the fashion legend, the woman known to have revolutionized the 20th century fashion industry, the designer whose impeccable style and taste brought us the little black dress (LBD).

I'm a fan of the woman, and not just the name.

I absolutely adore the classic and vintage Chanel look. Coco's style of uncluttered simplicity and uncomplicated classics is probably why I automatically equate the name Chanel to timeless elegance. Also, I wouldn't mind owning a classic flap or a reissue sometime in the near future. ;)

Coco Chanel was named by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century, the only one in her field to be included. To say that Coco was a woman ahead of her time is not only limited to her being a designer, which is probably one of the reasons why there are many who are fascinated by her and her life story, myself included.

I can't wait to watch Audrey Tautou (Amelie) portraying Coco Chanel in Anne Fontaine's Coco Avant Chanel (Coco Before Chanel) which has already made a debut in France last April 22 but is yet to be shown in the US sometime September this year.

Incidentally, Audrey Tautou is also the newest face of Chanel No. 5, joining the ranks of Marilyn Monroe, Nicole Kidman and Catherine Deneuve.

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Edit 7/18/09: Thanks to Kit for offering to get me the book in Canada! :) To those who were planning to "gift" the book sana to me, thanks for the thought pero iba nalang! Hehehe.

Publish Post

Who Doesn't Love H&M?

H&M (Hennes & Mauritz) is one of my absolute favorite stores abroad. Not only are the items very reasonably priced, I could go to H&M everyday and always end up finding something that I want. Too bad there are no local retail stores, although there have been rumors that the Philippine franchise of H&M is to open sometime this year. So far though, it has remained nothing but a rumor.

I love how H&M does collaborations with pop icons & designers. The recent H&M and Comme des Garcons (CDG) collaboration was pretty successful. After collaborations with the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and Roberto Cavalli among others, here comes another one: Jimmy Choo for H&M. Yes! The famed luxury shoe and bag designer will create a line of shoes, bags, accessories, as well as clothing for both men and women. The collection will be available in H&M stores worldwide starting November 14, 2009. Just enough time to save up! :)

*Sigh!* I adore Jimmy Choos! Who doesn't? Too bad I can't afford a pair right now. For our wedding, I was hoping to get a sexy bejeweled Jimmy Choo or Manolo Blahnik stiletto as my bridal shoes but there was none available in the stores. The closest thing to bejeweled I found at that time were the Print d'Orsay Blahniks which wasn't exactly what I had in mind. I convinced myself that my bridal shoes will be something I can wear again and again, so it would be nice to invest in a good one. ;) But our designer (Frederick Peralta) told me that the bejeweled stilettos for those two brands were order basis, and to me that sounded like too much trouble, not to mention expensive. In the end, I ended up getting a (significantly) less expensive but nice pair of bejeweled stilettos online. No regrets!

Back to the collaboration. According to Tamara Mellon, founder and president of Jimmy Choo, "Jimmy Choo will bring to H&M a sophisticatd, fashion forward, accessible and glamorous collection - the perfect party pieces to buy now and then wear out that night!"

I feel giddy and excited just thinking of the collection! This is sure to sell like hot cakes! Now, I wonder if the items will still be reasonably priced? *crossing fingers*

Vending Machines For High Heel Agony?

Once upon a time, I used to live in sky-high stilettos and wedges. In fact, 95% of the footwear I used to own were in heels. Never mind that I [sometimes] had to compromise comfort for the sake of fashion [or style].

For some women, wearing high heels made them feel sexy and somehow the illusion of having longer legs CAN manage to make them look sexy as well. My 5'1 err--petite self always felt that it could take advantage of the few extra inches brought about by being in heels.

But moving back to Zamboanga and having two babies in tow made me give up wearing heels on a daily basis. I now save them for special occasions and times when I don't have the kids with me so that I won't have to walk in constant fear of losing my balance and (accidentally) causing injury to any one of my boys.

It didn't take much time before I learned to love flats. My shoe closet was revamped to give way to a growing collection of flip-flops, ballet flats, and flat strappy sandals, among others. I think I embraced flats too much because nowadays it takes a little extra effort for me to wear heels. Good thing I may have found a solution to this: Rollasole.

Rollasole is an emergency ballet flat being sold in vending machines across UK clubs for about £5 ($8). These cute and supposedly comfy rolled up flats fit inside a tiny case you can throw in your purse and allows women to ditch their heels after a long night out. They come in three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large. Accordingly, it even comes with a drawstring bag to carry the offending heels home.

Who would have thought that behind this sheer genius is a businessman, Matt Horan, who found his eureka moment in his stiletto loving girlfriend who would complain about her aching feet every time they went out.

Since we women know that the best kind of shoes to wear are those that are ridiculously high, deliciously gorgeous, and excruciatingly painful, the availability of this product once our feet become tired is certainly very appealing. Even those who rock ultra high heels would need a quick fix one time or another. It won't be limited to clubbing, but also after a long day of walking or shopping.

Actually, we can never really tell when we can find the rollasole handy. So wouldn't it be nice to have one in our purse just in case? After all, it doesn't take up much space, and [I almost forgot to mention that] the ballet flats are actually cute.

One Year!

A year ago in the last paragraph of our Wedding Essentials feature, I wrote:

"I wanted a dream wedding. But Art gave me more than that. He was my dream partner, which is more important a thousand times over. Sometimes, all the excitement and anticipation of planning a wedding can make us forget about the real essence and even the sanctity of the wedding day itself. Every bride dreams of a beautiful wedding, but marriage is more than just the wedding day itself. It’s not just a one-day affair but also a lifelong commitment. I’m lucky to be married to someone who gives me a good reason to look forward to every tomorrow knowing that life is even more beautiful now that I have someone to share it with."

The year has gone by pretty fast for us, and we have been blessed especially with the arrival of our little bundle of joy. *Hurrah for honeymoon babies!* There are so many things to be thankful for, but today I am most thankful that I am married to the most wonderful man I could ever meet in my life (until my boys grow up ;p).

Thank you sweetheart for making sure that I am showered with love everyday, even though we're a thousand miles apart. I wake up everyday grateful to Him for giving me not just a husband but a best friend as well. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and most of all support. It's only been a year and I know there's still a lot more we have to learn about each other, but every new thing I learn about you just makes me love you even more.

I can't believe it's been a year since one of the happiest and most important days in our lives. Thank you, baby for being the truly amazing person that you are. You are everything I will ever want and need in this life. :) Looking at our wedding pictures never fails to remind me of the sheer joy and excitement coupled with unexplainable high that I felt on that day. It's a feeling that I will always always want to look back to and remember, especially if we one day hit a rough patch (which is inevitable "daw" but I hope we won't ever).

I love you so much, Art! Happy First Wedding Anniversary to us! :)

Until September

As my favorite shows are on a hiatus, I almost feel like my life is also in a standstill. Okay, that was an exaggeration. What I mean is, I can't wait until September for most of my shows to air its new seasons. Eep! Download galore again! :)

(CW) Gossip Girl Season 3 on September 14, 2009

I have to admit that sometimes the show or the story line gets pretty shallow and unrealistic. But its so easy to love/hate the characters that I found myself hooked before I knew it! I'm glad though that this season's setting will finally be in college because honestly I am a bit disturbed by all the sex and drugs these supposedly high schoolers are exposed to. Or maybe I'm starting to get old? Ganun na ba ang kabataan ngayon?!? Anywoo, I hear that Hilary Duff will be guest starring in the show for a number of episodes and I wonder how that will go. I miss you, Nathan! I heart Blair+Chuck.

(ABC) Greys Anatomy Season 6 on September 21, 2009.

*Sigh*. So George HAS to die. I just hate it when they any of the original cast members have to leave a show that I like watching. First Burke, now George, who's next? Hopefully NOT Izzie! It would be best if everyone will just stay. Anyhow, I'm pretty excited about how they will play the next season. The last season ender was an absolute tearjerker and IMO one of the shows finestever. For a while there, Grey's started being kind of bland. MerDer's relationship was getting blah. But I never stopped watching, and I don't plan to, and I'm glad because it looks like they're getting back on track. In the last few episodes of season five, I saw traces of the old Grey's Anatomy's intense drama that I once loved as each episode left me wanting for more, and suffering while waiting for the next episode to air. I'm VERY excited about the 6th season! Less than 2 months to go!

(ABC) Private Practice Season 3 on September 21, 2009

Although the show doesn't have Grey's Anatomy's flair, I still love this show. I think the show has evolved from just being a Grey's spinoff to having its own personality, however there is still a very big room for improvement. Their season finale was a cliffhanger as well, although it was nothing compared to Grey's Anatomy's. I really hope that Violet doesn't lose her baby, and I'm rooting for her and Pete. As for Addison, I hope she can stay away from the hot married doctor whose wife is pregnant... so what if sparks were flying? What kind of ass would ditch his pregnant wife and get it on with her ob-gyn? Now that I'm married, I find that I feel strongly against extramarital affairs. Anyway, I'm still looking forward to the new season.

(NBC) Heroes Season 4 on September 21, 2009

The turnover for characters in this show is pretty fast. Just when you start developing a liking for a certain hero/villain, they suddenly die. I hope they stop introducing new ones and just start focusing on developing the characters of the original cast members. I wonder what happens now that Sylar is Nathan or Nathan is Sylar. Hmm... which is which? Well, one thing I'm sure of is that Sylar is the handsomest villain ever! I hope this season will not disappoint.

Kaden Is The Sweetest Thing

I'd like to share a conversation between me and Kaden, my three-year old son, sometime last week that I found very heartwarming.

(Out Of The Blue)

Kaden: Mommy, I love you so so so much!

Me: Really? That's so sweet, baby. Mommy loves you so much, too!

Kaden: You are the best mommy in the whole world.

(*thinking wow, galing! I never thought him to say that!!)

Me: Aww, thanks baby.

Kaden: You are perfect, mommy! I love all the parts of your body.

(*completely flummoxed! perfect?!? how the heck does he know what that means?! but he must have meant he loved everything about me, tehee!)

Me: *Speechless! Very very touched! gives Kaden a big hug and a big fat kiss!

Kaden: *beams

My mom (who witnessed the conversation): Kaden, BOLERO! :)

Me: (proudly) Hah! I bet not many 3 year-olds say that to their mommies!

That's my son, the sweetest thing ever. :) Yes, he can be awfully naughty [biggest understatement]. He is, after all in his terrible three! But he never fails to warm his mommy's heart especially on days when she badly needs it.

Now, I don't claim to be the best mom, nor claim to be perfect. For I know better than anyone that I am less than perfect, especially as a mother. But for my 3 year old to see me that way? I just might be doing something right.

Us mothers we always try our hardest, don't we? I'm just happy that in the eyes of my 3 year old, I am"the best" and "perfect" because I know soon enough (in his teenage years) his opinion of me just MIGHT change.

Motherhood has been quite a journey for me, and to think I've barely even scratched the surface. Especially now at Kaden's age where I have to discipline him and instill proper values that I know will shape him as a person. I try to be extra careful in handling his emotions because I am aware that everything I say and do now MAY have a lasting effect on him. Baka magka-childhood trauma!

I used to tell myself that I won't be the kind of mother that spanks her children, but I've learned that certain occasions will require you to teach them that you mean business. I try to avoid disciplining him when I am angry. So, I always take a deep breath before saying or doing something I might regret later on. Sometimes, my mother says I'm too lax, but I always reason that Kaden's a child and there are times that I should just let him be what he is, a child.

There will be lessons that he will have to learn for himself, sometimes the hard way. He will have to stumble and fall, to know how to be careful. No parent wants their kids to get hurt, but we will have to face it. As much as we'd want to, we can't always be there to watch their every step.

Now that Kaden's going to school, there are things that he gets exposed to that we've tried to protect him from while he was at home. It's unfortunate but unavoidable. So I just try to teach him what I can and always always remind him how much we love him.

My reason for blogging? NONE. Kelangan ba ng reason?!? Heheh. But I'm hoping, 15 years from now my teenage son will find himself reading my blog and knowing how much he means to his mommy.

I love you, K! You give mommy a reason to be proud everyday, sweetie.

Illustrado

Last weekend, I got an email from Randall to grab a copy of Illustrado which is a Dubai based filipino magazine because there was a feature made on them-the Dagooc brother aka Mango Red. Apparently, the magazine included one of our wedding photos in their spread.

S0 there's our picture on the upper left. Same page as the Kramer's, the Fonacier's, and the Atentido's. Such big names, and who are we Eustaquio's anyway? Hehehe. :)

The magazine is with Art and he's in Dubai right now, so I haven't really read the feature on Mango Red yet. But I'm sure it's a great one, because they are great photographers.

Thanks for The Gifts! Part Deux! :)

Just today too, I received another present for my ka-Tropi Lorraine who is now a physical therapist based in Chicago. Oyen has been one of my kabarkadas since elementary, or was it kinder? No wait, we were fighting in kindergarten hahah! She's one of my bestest friends and I'm sad that she now lives so far away.

Oyen is actually Kaden's ninang, but she said she saw the cutest baby crib shoes so she got it for Chace!

Puma Crib Shoes

Soles

Aylahvett! Thanks Oyenheart. I miss you! Oh, and thanks for the Calvin Klein thongs you got me. I'm sure Art will love them! :p