Divisoria Shopping 2012

It has always been my goal to start Christmas shopping early but I've never been successful the past years either because I was too busy at work or I don't have the budget until the 13th month bonus arrives. Thankfully this year, I am almost done with my Christmas shopping!

Crowded Divisori Street and it's not even 8am!

My sister and I scheduled a trip to Divisoria last Saturday together with our mom and Tita. We decided not to give toys from Divisoria because of the toxic chemicals that those toys might contain. I was holding my list the entire time so as not to miss out on anybody and I am so glad that I completed the gifts for everybody on my list. Well, except for my Titas because I am yet to buy my gifts for them on our next grocery visit. (Now, they have a clue on what to expect! Hehehe!)

Christmas wrappers aplenty!

When it was time to pick Christmas wrappers, my sister and I had a very hard time choosing. Why? Because there were a lot, as in a lot! Everything is beautiful and cheaply priced! We were even contemplating on starting up a gift-wrapping business just because we were so caught up with the many beautiful wrapping papers that surrounded us that day. The ones that we got only costs Php 2.40 each. We also got gift tags priced at merely Php 10.00 for a hundred pieces. Now, isn't that cheap?

Posing under the sign which is coincidentally the same as my husband's surname.
And yes, I know, I'm fat. :)

Anyway, aside from Christmas gifts, my sister and I are also looking forward to this Divisoria trip because this is when we can usually buy clothes for ourselves and at the same time, search for outfits for each of our company Christmas Parties. I am to look for something that would be perfect for a masquerade ball because that's our company's theme this year. We will be having our party at the newly-opened Acacia Hotel Manila which located in Alabang.

It was so hard to look for dresses and gowns. All I was seeing there were mostly bridesmaid's dresses and wedding gowns! I almost bought an aqua colored tube gown if not for the fact that my "fatty" armpits are all over the place. Haha!

Luckily though, I saw a gray colored gown in one of the mannequins. I was hesitant because by the look of it, it seemed way beyond my budget. I don't want to spend too much on a gown that I am not certain I'll be able to wear again. But, because it truly looked elegant and it looks like it'll hide my bulging tummy (and fatty armpits), I gave it a go and tried it on. 

It fit! It's a medium and it fits me! The first gown I tried on was a medium and the seams looked like they're about to burst. But this gray gown fit me like it was made for me. I was afraid to ask for the price fearful that I might not be able to purchase it but when the saleslady gave me the price and allowed me to haggle three hundred pesos off the original price, I was ecstatic! Now, I am really excited for our party!

My gown

This Divisoria trip was a huge success! Now, all that is left to do wrap all those presents - my favorite Christmas task! I can't wait!

Friday Food Trip - J. Co Donuts and Coffee

We were supposed to go last Friday but the line was soooo long, I didn't bother waiting. When I arrived at J. Co Donuts today at the Alabang Town Center, there was still a line but it's a bit more tolerable than the last time so I took a spot and waited.

After more than 30 minutes, I finally reached the front but all that was left was this:

Empty donut trays

We were asked to wait in line for another 30 minutes while they were baking new sets of donuts. I would have left by this time but since I was already up front, I decided to stay and wait. Good thing though that J. Co is thoughtful enough to give out free frozen yogurts to the first 10 customers in line.

Free Yogurt!

After less than thirty minutes, donuts began filling up the empty trays and they all look yummy!

Dainty colored donuts! I like!

After I made my purchase, I immediately left and proceeded to the terminal to go home. I can't wait to get my hands err mouth on those donuts and I was hoping I could share them with Johan when I arrive. But Johan was already sleeping so I left some for him and for the hubby as well.

Box of six donuts - Php 230.00

Blueberry More

Meisisipi

Crunchy Crunchy

Heaven Berry

Tiramisu

Alcapone

My favorite, so far, is Alcapone. I love the crunchy almonds on top! Tiramisu is the second though the filling is too thick for my taste.

J. Co, like the other brand of donuts, is a tad bit expensive if you buy only a few pieces. My advice is buy two dozen because it'll be way more cheaper. Here are the prices:

One piece costs Php 42.00

1/2 dozen = Php 230.00

1 dozen = Php 350.00

2 dozen = Php 550.00

See the huge difference? If you buy two dozen, the price of each donut would only be Php 22.91. That's almost half the price compared to if you buy a piece! If I had done my math quickly, I would have talked to the person behind me and asked if we could split the bill for two dozen, that way we would have gotten more donuts for a lesser value. Oh well, there's always a next time. :)

Sharing the J.Co way!

J.Co Donuts and Coffee
Alabang Town Center
New Wing, The Gardens
Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, Philippines

Friday Food Trip - Magic Wok

It was our plan to try the newly-opened branch of J.Co Donuts at the Alabang Town Center. We arrived there around 5:45 in the afternoon and were told that they ran out of donuts and they'll be serving a new batch at 7:00 in the evening.

My friends and I then decided to go to the Food Court to have dinner. Yep, we ended up in the Food Court because we were all short on the budget this week given that it was the third week since our last payday. Hehe!

We all ordered from Magic Wok. They offer a wide variety of rice toppings and looking at the pictures on their menu, everything looked delicious. It took us more than a few minutes to decide what to order.

Lechon Macau with Kangkong - Php 89.00

TJ and I both ordered the Lechon Macau with Kangkong. It was very tasty and surprisingly so good for its price of only Php 89.00. There's more than enough slices of pork and the Kangkong leaves were fresh and crisp

Mixed Seafood Oriental - Php 89.00

Grace ordered the Mixed Seafood Oriental. I would've ordered the same but when Grace's order was served, I found only a scarce amount of seafood on her bowl. But, it tasted great according to her despite having only one piece of shrimp and a couple or so of squids. :)

Complimentary Egg Drop Soup

Each serving of rice topping came with a complimentary bowl of Egg Drop Soup. It's just so-so but still appreciated as it warmed up our hungry tummies.
.

Siomai House Pork Siomai - Php 25.00

TJ treated us to an order each of Pork Siomai from Siomai House. Mine proved to be too spicy for my taste as TJ accidentally put more than a few scoops of chili so I only finished two of the four pieces.

This is by far, the cheapest Friday Food Trip we've ever had but it was the most fun ever. We were laughing all the while we're eating and we didn't even have to shell out that much money. J.Co Donuts will be on another Friday Food Trip post because the line to the cashier was too long when we returned to the store and I was too impatient to wait in line. :)

                       Total Costs: 

                       Php 178.00 - Lechon Macau with Kangkong x 2

                       Php 89.00 - Mixed Seafood Oriental

                       Php 75.00 - Pork Siomai x 3

                       ------------

                       Php 342.00

Magic Wok
Food Court 2nd Flr Alabang Town Center
Muntinlupa City Philippines

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for work. Even though, we had to go on overtime everyday for the past two weeks and honestly, it was very tiring, still, it means business is doing good that there is more than enough work for everybody. Plus, it's an additional few hundred pesos on the payslip. Hehe.

Another blessing I am thankful for, and I'm sure the rest of our family as well, is the blessing of a new life. My  youngest brother now have his own little angel and it's a sweet baby girl named Zalia.

Johan went Trick or Treating

It was his first time and, of course, I became a stage mom. I was so sure he'd look really cute dressed like Russell, the Wilderness Explorer, from the movie Up so just a week away from the date of the activity, the three of us trooped to SM to search for his costume. Luckily, I managed to complete Russell's uniform, had the neckerchief made from orange cloth and the sash from a brown one. I printed out badges and taped as many as I can into the sash.

Come dress rehearsal a day before the activity, Johan didn't want to put on his costume! I was so worried for I didn't know how to convince the boy to put even the shirt on. Then I had this idea, I remembered how cooperative Johan became when it comes to brushing his teeth after I downloaded cartoon videos of kids (and animals) brushing their teeth and had him watch those. I immediately went online, downloaded a copy of the movie Up and had Johan watch it a few hours before we leave the house. I also pinned all the additional details like the sash and the neckerchief onto the shirt so that'll mean less things to have Johan put on - just make him put on the shirt and his outfit is complete!

Everything I did proved to be effective because Johan allowed me to put him into his Russell costume when it was time. Boy, was I so surprised because there was not an ounce of resistance coming from the little guy. And he looked really, really, really cute!

Yes, he's missing one badge which he managed to take out just a minute
after I put it on him

Showing off his treats

Munching

It looks like he's doing a salute but he's merely "looking" for the car

It was just a short event but I'm glad my son got to experience it. However, all of his treats are hidden somewhere in the house where he can't find them. Despite that, I'm sure he enjoyed the short time that he was allowed to eat treats without me waving my finger at him and telling him, "no".

This'll definitely happen again next year. Hmm, what will Johan wear next time?

All Saint's Day 2012

It has been a family tradition that we go to Manila Memorial Park annually and this year is no different. We all decided to go on the 2nd of November instead of the 1st because some of our cousins still has work and also to avoid the huge crowd at the cemetery.

We went there early, anticipating yet a long line of cars entering the cemetery, but there was no line at all.  It was a good decision not to go the day before because surely it would take a lot of time just looking for a place to park the car.

The day was perfect. It was not too humid and the wind was blowing so the kids (and the oldies) weren't grouchy at all.

It was a good day to exercise those chubby little legs and run around.

A good day to drink taho, eat hotdogs and hard-boiled eggs.

A good day for climbing trees.

But more than anything else, it was GREAT day to spend with family.

Friday Food Trip - BreadTalk

Today is a holiday, hooray! We just arrived home from the cemetery after spending almost an entire day visiting our Angkong and Mamang. I'm sure most of you are enjoying the long weekend which started yesterday. I am having the time of my life getting to spend two whole days with son and I still have two more days to go. Woohoo!

Anyway, since it's a holiday, me and my friends weren't able to go to a new restaurant (we'll go someplace new next weekend, though!), but I made sure I passed by BreadTalk last Wednesday before heading home to try out some of their products.

Spring in the City - Php 40.00

My friend TJ has been raving about Breadtalk's Spring in the City for as long as I can remember. I haven't tried it until now because whenever I pass by BreadTalk to buy some, they're out of stock. I guess that's how in demand they really are. 

TJ has been right all along. Spring in the City is deliciously good! I can tell that the bread is really fresh, the filling is yummy, I'm actually salivating now as I write. You should give Spring in the City a try and I swear, you would be coming back for more. If there's a branch near me, I probably wouldn't be able to finish this post and have ran to get more of this. Try Spring in the City, you won't regret it.

Applewerm - Php 40.00

As I was looking for other products to try, I saw Applewerm. It's like an Apple Pie with a tiny hint of Cinnamon. This one is just as good as Spring in the City. There are huge chunks of apples inside and the sweet syrup is perfect. I could eat a dozen of this and never tire of it.  Just look at how good that filling looks in photo and I can attest that it tastes even better!

BreadTalk usually has a long line of people waiting to get their hands on some of their breads. I didn't understand why until now and I sure will be among those in line in the coming days. I am yet to try their assortment of Flosses, been hearing so much about those.

                       Total Costs: 

                       Php 40.00 - Spring in the City

                       Php 40.00 - Applewerm

                       ------------

                       Php 80.00

Keep Calm and Eat Floss!

BreadTalk

Ground Level, Corte de las Palmas, Alabang Town Center
Alabang-Zapote Road, Alabang
Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, Philippines

Thankful Thursday - Halloween

I'm on longggg weekend! I can't believe I am actually going to experience four long days without work. I am just so grateful that one of my office mates gave up his scheduled leave for today and I was given his slot. Four long days of bonding with family. I still can't believe it!

Johan will be joining his first trick or treat activity on Saturday and I'm so excited for us. I only hope he wears his Russell costume and won't pull out all the badges that I am yet to attach to the sash. I've already finished making the flag and the neckerchief, though.

Tomorrow will be spent with family. We'll be going to the cemetery to visit our departed loved ones and like the previous years, I'm pretty sure it'll be lots of fun with unlimited food. :)

Happy Halloween and enjoy your long weekend!