As I blogged before, I want to personalized my gifts to the people I love. That's why I have decided to do some DIY projects. Well most of my projects, I gave it to N. (Hehe) The real plan is that I 'll give matching mugs for me and N, photomagnets for my relatives, snowglobe for my friends and cookies for other good friends. But I didn't have enough time to finish them all so these are my gifts to them.
Lately, I've stopped posting new blogs but I shall post them as soon as the holidays are over. I've been busy with work, and getting gifts to be prepared this Christmas. Since I have a job now, people might think that I should be more generous with my gifts but I realized that it's the thought that really matters. That is why I am doing DIYs as my gifts for families, friends, and workmates this year. I want to share them a piece of my effort, so that they would remember me always. :) A month before December starts to sink into my mind, I have planned what to give to my favorite people. Listing down all the materials needed for every project and it almost drove my crazy as hell. I've been in and out of DIY, hardware and online crafts store just to look for the perfect materials. But some didn't go as I planned because one: I lacked materials; and two: I don't have enough time to finish them all. So here are some of the materials I've bought when I went to the mall with my mom. Some baking needs, and jars for the snow globe. I will post the finished projects soon too. Because of too much stuff that I have bought. It almost ate up my room, especially my work station. Again, I went crazy because of this mess and it's still messy right now. Don't worry, I was still able to find things here in this crazy jungle. This is just 1/4 of my room and I should clean it first before showing the whole thing. I definitely need to clean this mess up before 2013 ends and welcoming 2014. Start the year right! Happy Holidays! I hope you too could try out DIY projects as well. It's not just it would cost less but you just put your heart out to that and it would really mean a lot to the person you will be giving it to. Will keep on exploring more DIY projects and I am excited for 2014!
The real plan was just to pick up the wheel chair which my aunt used and it will be donated now to my mom's friend since one of their relatives got injured from the typhoon Yolanda. And we end up hanging out at Sky Ranch Tagaytay. But we check out Nuvali first before heading there.
Ever since I was a kid, I used to write down the things I want for myself (or at least the things I want to achieve) on a piece of paper, and keep it like a bucket list. Until the list got longer and I realized that maybe the things that won't tick off my bucket list/ wish list, aren't coming because it's not the right time to have them yet. Like in my favorite quoation: "Not all the things we want are the things we really needed." (Hindi lahat ng gusto, kailangan.) To get things straight, Bucket list and Wishlist are almost the same. It's just that Bucket list is achieved long term or it's the list of things you should do before you die. On the other hand, wishlist is the short term goal and most of the time it would consist of material things. This 2013, I want to share my wishlist for this Christmas. I am calling the attention of my family, school buddies and office friends (especially who got my name for the exchange gift!) BTW, I wished for a planner, phone lens, or cropped hoodie from Forever 21 because it's sweater weather! lol so yeah, here's my real wish list --- that I would really love to buy for myself since I have my job now. But if you're generous enough to give me some on the list, you may reach me.. via railway. Choz! You can reach me anyway, duh. Char! 1. Dream catchers Who doesn't want to have these cuties? I tried making myself one. Searched Google how to DIY and it seemed very easy. Tho I have successfully made one, I want to change the materials I've used since I just used whatever is here at home. I find making the web very addicting so I want to buy more materials for this. Making one serves as a stress reliever. But for now, I'll probably look for an online shop who sells these kinds of designs. 2. Floral Crowns Most of the time, I'm good with loose shirts and shorts because I'm kind of boyish. But some things in people change, like in my sense of fashion. I still have the boyish side of mine, but I have to accept that I am a girl and I am in love with flowers too. I'm not seriously going gaga over flowers literally but they are pretty, so I think these floral crowns are perfect for every girl's crowning glory. It's like an instant accessory for us girls. I don't mind if it's too big or too minimalistic. I'm good with both sizes and any colors. Just like in the dream catcher, I made one DIY-ed floral crowns. It turned out really cute but I think I need more practice with designing it or just tightening the stem tapes over the flowers and wire. Yay for DIYs! 3. Brown Rice 2014 Planner I've been using a planner since I entered college and now I find it hard not to have a planner with me, even if I have a smartphone with planner apps. There's nothing better than having the usual paper and pen so I could doodle, plus with my own font style. lol. So anyway, another campaign from Dakila is promoting Brown Rice, together with Oxfam. I know coffee and tea shops are having their own planners, giving it away in exchange of the stickers. But for me, it's not really practical to have that kind of planner, plus I'll be gaining weight from all the sugar and calories from frappe. hehe. And this is why I think the Brown Rice Planner is perfect for me since I'm giving myself a healthy living for next year (or at least I could start now right) You could have these planners too! Check them out here at the Brown Rice Facebook page to go to the Yogi Fair and get one! Here's a closer look on the planner. 4. SHMILY Shopping Spree I just found a new hobby!! Aside from the DIY dream catchers and floral crowns, I wanted to explore more DIYs. I am inspired by BuzzFeed DIY blog. I don't really know what to make right now but I wanna go shopping here at SHMILY Arts and Crafts Store! I went to Divisoria and got disappointed since I didn't find any craft store there. I should have searched Google first before going anywhere (Pffft). Anyway, they have an online store for quick transactions but I can't really choose what to buy. I might go impulsive buying again. So I want to visit this store soon!! And it's almost near my relatives' house so I know where to go. Hehehe 5. Penny Board Since the beach is hours away from home and I don't have a car to go on a road trip, I want these babies because with them, I can surf on concrete everyday! Though I'll just need to learn to ride like a pro on them. =) I don't know much about the specs of a board but I want to spend more on a penny board, just for cruising. I'm thinking about of buying at Androgyne Manila, costs 2,500 for brandless or BigH Skate Co. which costs 3,500. I'm still thinking when to buy one because I'm prioritizing buying gifts for family and friends. 6. Universal Clip Lens Even though I have a Nikon 3000 with me, I rarely use it now because it's heavy and uploading photos is time consuming. And buying another type of lens is too costly. Now that I have a Samsung smartphone, which almost everybody has their own smartphone, they come in handy when taking photos. But with photo sharing sites such as Instagram, photo-editing apps like camera 360 are too mainstream. Right now I am using Snapseed and VSCO cam. Anyway, I really want the fish eye lens but the lenses come in one package which has wide and macro lenses too. They cost around 800 per set and found them at Betina's Gadget Shop thru Google. 7. Japanese Bike or Fixie I used to have a BMX as my first bike when I was 15 but someone stole it and my dog got lost for three days. Luckily my dog went back home and I assumed that it went with the burglar. I'm half pissed but still grateful. I never bought a bike since then. But just recently, I borrowed my friend's fixie during Bayanihan Republic. and I fell in love with it instantly! Chos. But seriously, it made me feel the adrenaline rush again being on (or behind) the wheels. I'm going to use it for cruising, like for the Penny Skate. Stuck between a Jap Bike since they're a cutie and girly, and a fixie since it really blew me away. I haven't canvass yet but with online ad sites, I found some second hand Jap Bike for 2,500 and the Fixie cost around 7,6oo - 7,900. I saw some ads to that costs 7,000 (probably second hand) up to 18, 000. Wow 8. Thrift Shop Galore I am not really a fashioista but I am trying my best to look good, trying to fit in the society. Since I'm from a college that requires white blouse and green skirt uniform everyday, my fashion sense didn't bloom that much. Good thing that I have a friend who aspires to be a fashion designer and I am truly inspired by her sense of fashion. And now that I am working, I have to look professional, corporate but I also want to be chic. With the pressure I am having now and being inspired by my Mars, I want to go shopping. I don't need to shop in expensive boutiques (unless if it's payday) because I am more of a thrift shopper. I always feel guilty after going into impulsive buying or "retail therapy". But I have a Polyvore account, just to check my sense of fashion. haha! There are a lot of thrift shops popping out everywhere and here's my list of thrift shop spots in the country (or at least Luzon) 1. Baguio. (On my last visit last two years, I saw a fur coat, legit pastel pink fur coat that costs 5 pesos only.) 2. Tagaytay (My cousin told me that everything is below 20 pesos but when I got there recently, the cheapest is 50 pesos but most items costs 150 and up.) 3. Quiapo (I just passed by these thrift shops near Quiapo church but I never got the chance to check them out because it's too crowded there.) 4. Cubao/ Anonas Station (You can roam around Cubao area if you want but the best find is at Anonas Station near Cubao. My friend and I went there once. I got a comfy printed top. and my friend got a leopard print jacket for 200. Most items cost 90 - 300.) 5. Taytay and Cainta, Rizal (Taytay is known for great supplies of fabric and garments, which is why it is cheaper there. I haven't checked out their thrift shops but I guess I need patience to see them all. Same with Cainta, where I live. I eventually liked going in public market with my mom during the weekends to check new arrivals. The one near the Mercury Drug mostly sells high waist shorts for 35- 75. Then on the left side of Big R, garments costs 50 all. Got legit H&M and Roxy tops, and a peach G2000 corporate coat for 150 there! hehehe And so I want to travel PH for beaches and thrift shops! Another thing for my bucket list. Yay! 9. Surf Board I am really into surfing and I wanted to get serious with it. I am not really sure what type of surf board to have first as an amateur but I found some old fun board displayed at a junk shop/ Upholstery shop along Karangalan, across Buenas Market. It needs some repairs and fins but surely it will work for me. Tho I haven't asked how much they are, I hope they're less than 5k and I'll grab it for summer. I am starting to get confused with these boards and obviously I need to know more. I need to check Surf Science more hehehe. Okay, so Aloha Board sports is now selling Fire Wire boards which costs around 30k (the last time I checked is August at Megamal branch, and I am not updated now) 10. Poi I'm not really good at this but I want to learn! The ninja LED poi looks so fun in the dark. When I was in college, there's fire dance performance by one student, and I was stunned. I want to learn so I made my own sock poi, or should I say suck poi because I seriously suck at it. Anyway, I checked out Home of Poi for some basics but it's really hard, I need real instructor. Anyway, check their shop or just go to online ads to get one. :) 11. Voxwagen with Surfboard load Since I am kind of boyish, I am into cars too, you know! I like getting behind (or on) the wheels and I am inspired by drag racing, Fast and Furious, or just Mustang car shows. Even if this baby released a new model, I still want the old one, the vintage and classic. Some are being sold even if they're really rusty, it's just that the buyers would still repair them and make them look good as new. While I was walking to my work place, I saw a Yellow Vox with a surf board on the top load. I stopped for a while in awe, literally! And again, I told myself that I am gonna have that one day and just stroll at the beach. But for now while saving enough money to have my own car, I want the toy version of it! I don't know where to get one but I'll hunt this one! Cheers for this wishlist for now! They might turn into my monthly rewards if they won't come to me this Christmas.
I grew up in this town and it's my first time to experience the Fiesta here. I know it's kinda ironic for me since I live here but we don't usually celebrate it in our subdivision. But anyway, I just realized that it is really a different world out there. And reality hit me again for the nth time. It was a Sunday and we attended the mass at Cainta Catholic Church, instead of the usual Megamall church because it's Fiesta. We met some good family friends after the mass and looking back, the church really changed a lot after some renovation it had. The biggest change is the main altar. My parents reminisce their wedding day and my baptism here. Some part of me wants to get married here too, someday. I don't know but I'll get married. After the mass, the Knights of Columbus lead the way just outside of the Church to start the lighting of the Christmas tree. Below is the video for the countdown. There was a procession before the mass started but we weren't able to see it. We just saw people surrounding these floats parked inside the church area where they carry patron saints and Mother Mary. After the mass and lighting of the Christmas tree, my family and I roamed around the "bayan" and this is what it looked like. As usual, traffic because people took so much space for the street because street vendors are everywhere. There's no organization going on here obviously. Good thing some traffic enforcers arrived and fixed this or else the baby inside the taxi with no air con would suffocate because of traffic and too many crowd. I took some courage to put out my smartphone to take these photos. I can seriously be in trouble if some stranger would snatch it away from me. I am indeed guarded by my angels! I just need to show you guys, because this is another piece of reality. We definitely need more photo journalists out there. I seriously can't get off my spot until I took a shot of this last one. Of course, trash all over the place left by human beings. OH GOODNESS. I think people should be aware of climate change and change starts inside of ourselves. I am indeed disappointed. I am not being self righteous here. I am just bothered, alarmed and what else, yes, exaggerating right now because climate change is already happening but we never act up against it.
I hope we could learn from this.. a simple trash, small it may look like but as they dumped all together, we'll be sorry for ourselves. |