Thursday, 29 December 2011

9 Mornings : Having a Bag of a Time!

Posted by clapalisoc | Thursday, 29 December 2011 | Category: , , , , , , | 0 comments

In a fast-paced world where everyday living is more than just about the basics, the [modern] woman will tend to power dress bearing in mind "If you look good, you'll feel even better." Aside from the usual combo of a top and a trouser or skirt or the typical dress, accessories are also a must -- necklaces, bracelets, ribbons, pins, belts and bags. I'm almost sure that every single girl in the earth has a passion for bags -- whether they are vocal about it or shy and kept in thought.


Personally, I have always had this desire for bags. I'm not the brand conscious gal and I would usually buy something practical (but looks and feels good on me). This year, there were a couple of bags that I've been eyeing but never got the chance to buy one for all sorts of reasons. Much until this season of gift-giving came, hubby was [too] generous to let me buy what my heart was drawn to.



The classic nautical print.


Can be used as a handbag
or... as a shoulder bag
I remember this one time that a colleague of mine used a bag with a nautical print design -- red and white. I fell inlove with how it looked and wished I can also find one for me to keep. During a Christmas shopping day at Gateway, we stopped by Bench to get some shirts to give away. I spotted a bag (of blue's and white's) that was a little unusual. Upon a closer inspection, I realized that it can actually be used as a shoulder bag or as a hand bag -- pretty cool (and it was nautical print!). I was hesitant to get one because I have already splurged on a couple of pieces for the season but my loving husband took a hold of one and assured me that there is nothing to worry about.



Long live Longchamp! 


Nice and neat
Longchamp!
I had been wanting to have one since last year but it's price, which is something I consider too much, have been denying the wanton that's been creeping inside even when hubby had been pushing for me to get one. Much until this day came (when I was browsing the net for whatever finds there maybe), I came across this page that offers a limited number of Longchamps on sale! I immediately informed hubby about it and in no time, I got my first ever Longchamp bag!


For the love of anything floral.


Floral love!!!!
I am currently wild about anything with floral print -- bags, pouches, shirts and blouses. I am a little picky though on which print to like. I had been yearning to own a floral-print bag but there is not much in the sea of shops I've been in (Greenhills, a haven though I try and avoid buying one from there :p). One day, while hubby was shopping for some dailies in a Bench store (yes! Bench it is once more!), I was enthused to see that they have floral-printed bags! I immediately grabbed one, leaving hubby behind without a clue and with no choice but pay for it.


That crazy looking girl.


Gotta love that girl :D
Crazy girl :p
I've been seeing a lot of Longchamp and Marc Jacobs bags (obvious imitations) in GH. I have been long interested in owning a Marc Jacobs bag simply because I fancy that cute, crazy and cryptic looking girl printed in some of their bags. It's something unusual but it's all over the place! A fine morning, while online, I was able to spot a bag that really caught my attention. It looks clean and simple and with that cute girl in the print! With hubby's go signal, I immediately flashed my card and went ahead in buying. I realized later on, this bag will be very useful when we're visiting beaches and going on swimming trips -- it's plastic and will definitely keep our out stuff away from the water!


Four bags in less than a month is (a bit) too much for me! But, what the heck, I deserve to splurge once in a while, right? :)

Thursday, 22 December 2011

9 Mornings: Every Cup Counts

Posted by clapalisoc | Thursday, 22 December 2011 | Category: , , , , , , , | 0 comments

Yuletide season is almost synonymous to non-stop shopping, bargains, super sale events, salary bonuses and most of all, promos. Every single establishment is jiffed-up, ready to empty the pockets of people (especially those who are into the Holiday rush). From department stores to grocery establishments, retail shops, restaurants, appliance centers and even coffee pads -– all have their own gimmicks. 


One popular coffee shop (busier than ever) during this season is Starbucks. People go gaga over their “Limited Edition” planners. Lining up and drinking as much coffee as they can (with effects that vary such as keeping you up late in the middle of the night and the like) filling up their SB promo cards with stickers and gain one, or even all, of the released versions of the planners.


I am actually one of those who would go into a coffee trance to get the prized Starbucks planner. But more than just completing the stickers, there is something more in this craze for me. It’s my chance to consume as much Peppermint Mocha and Toffee Nut flavors that I can (that keeps me all hyped up)! Just thinking about it excites me! Imagine... it’s only once in a year that these drinks are unveiled for consumption! Also, for me, every single cup counts.


My first Toffee Nut cup!
Starbucks for yourself : “me-time” that is ever so precious. When you need a break from the (crazy) corporate world and just want that alone time to sit back and relax.




Starbucks breakfast with dear hubby
Starbucks with someone very special : that special date with the love of your life. To catch up, enjoy each other and be thankful for all the blessings.




Signature Iced Choco for Cherienne, Peppermint Mocha for Hubby & Toffee Nut for me
Starbucks with the whole family : the perfect bonding time. A shy away from the usual day-to-day activity that most times become so familiar.




Starbucks with Roy & AC behind the camera
Starbucks for AC
Starbucks with dear friends : a time to unwind and enjoy the company of friends dear to you.



Hubby is also a Starbucks nut, we ended up getting a total of four planners -– Oak, Spruce, Cherry and Bamboo. (Talk about getting 4 out of 5!) Funny how we arrived with them, when we did not really aim to get that many, just enough for the two of us, drinking coffee whenever a chance slips in. Being advocates of the "Peppermint and Toffee Nut gods" that we were, we never noticed that we eventually earned planners, a piece at a time. 


Spruce for me :D
Cherry for Hubby
Oak for Mom
Bamboo - no one owns it yet :D
For whatever reason(s) you have jumping into this planner menace, the joy of the season and the uptake is something that can not be replaced by any promo or bargain. Let every single cup count and let every memory last forever.

Tuesday, 20 December 2011

9 Mornings: Fun for the Little One

Posted by clapalisoc | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 | Category: , , , , , , , , , | 0 comments

Our little girl, Cherienne, is growing up fast. Sometimes, I miss the little baby girl who is very much satisfied sitting in her crib and quietly playing with her toys. Today, she is all grown up -- running around the house, writing everywhere when she gets a hold of a pen, pencil or crayon, screaming when she wants to and asks for chocolates every now and then. She knows how to count 1-20, recognizes colors and shapes and knows the alphabet,  sneaks out the room with mommy's heels, and lasts a day just watching TV and DVDs (sings and dances like there is no tomorrow and so much more!). Yes our darling angel had grown up.


The past few months, when she's in our room, she has been patiently watching DVDs in a very tiny screen (which is just a spare monitor of her portable DVD that hubby has installed in our car -- A special shout out "Thanks, Dad!"). She learns a whole lot from her Disney series and she never complained about her tiny screen (or at least she doesn't know how to do so yet). Every now and then, she would request for Disney Channel but we're not able to give that to her without leaving the room, heading out to the living room. Because of this, hubby decided to get her the tube. Not only that this will make Cherienne happy, it will also be very useful for me (and for hubby too) whenever we are too lazy to go out of the room. 


Sharp 24" LED TV
Since we have limited space to our wall, we can only buy as big as 24 inches. Off to SM Makati, we went straight to the appliance department and scouted with a mission to get the best bang for our bucks. We ended with a 24 inches Sharp LED TV (such a hard decision). It has multiple functions like Full HD, USB capable, audio output, HDMI and can even be used as a PC monitor. Hubby says its worth enough to last long before changing technologies (I left the decision to him with a nod. Haha).


Playing Tinkerbell for the little girl
Since we needed it to be mounted on the wall (just to make sure that it is out of reach of the little girl that draws on anything with anything), we got a sturdy mount most dealers recommended (Sigma). On it goes, clamps the TV to the flat space, all metal and cold -- much like a robot arm going up and down and swiveling left to right. After a few adjustments, "Voila!", Sigma does its job.


Seeing the joy in the eyes of our little girl while she enjoys her favorite TV shows and DVDs is indeed priceless. Teary-eyed the first time she saw it was enough to lift you to cloud nine. She stayed up the whole night (much until she could) before hitting the sack. It's so cool to be a mom!

Tuesday, 13 December 2011

9 Mornings: A Childhood Favorite

Posted by clapalisoc | Tuesday, 13 December 2011 | Category: , | 0 comments


Poppycock
Do you get that giddy, excited feeling when you see something that you enjoyed as a child but suddenly went out of the scene? That something that reminds you so much of some unforgettable fun times of your life as a child? I'm sure snapshots of your cherished memories are playing right now. Recently, hubby and I decided to do our regular-weekend-trip-to-the-mart at Rustan's, Makati. While scanning through, his eyes hovers aisle by aisle for some extra treats (that's the kid in him), after finishing up our list, we got to this lane with some rare finds and goodies ("Ooooh! Treasure!", hubby says). My heart was so delighted to see a familiar treat that I wasn't able to control myself in making that excited scream, which made my husband think something was wrong -- Poppycock. I got myself two cans of my long time friends :D


Before there was Chef Tony's, there was Poppycock
I remember Poppycock as a sweet popcorn treat in a can with nuts and tons of caramel. Whenever I think of Poppy (cool nickname, huh?), I vividly remember this one lazy afternoon, I was still in grade school then and we (myself, my grandparents and my uncle) were in my grandparents' room watching TV. My aunt came in bringing a can of Poppycock. Being the sweet tooth that my grandpa was, he instantly opened it and we shared the goodness until the can was empty. For several years now, I've been asking hubby where we can find Poppycock but we were not lucky enough to spot one until that fine day in Rustan's Makati. 


Childhood memories are something to treasure. And it always feels so wonderful when you see, hear, eat or meet something or someone from your childhood. It's true when they say that memories are forever...

Friday, 2 December 2011

9 Mornings - Life is a Celebration!

Posted by clapalisoc | Friday, 2 December 2011 | Category: , , , , , | 0 comments

My Raymond & Cherienne
December has always been a special month for me and in no doubt that it's my favorite time of the year. Not only that it's a season for all the good things in the world, where you literally count your blessings, December reminds me of the happiest and defining moments of my life. Looking through the years, I can proudly say that each December has molded me to be the person I am now and has brought me to where I stand at this moment. So each time, as we approach the 12th for the year, I can't help but get exhilarated! So much to thank for, a lot to celebrate about, so many to give of the the blessings bestowed. 


It has also been my tradition to do something I love each December -- write. I used to write letters, create scrap books and document every single day of my December in a journal. Last year, I decided to create a blog series for the yuletide season, 12 Days of Christmas, which featured small and simple things that made my Holiday Season extra special. This year, I'll continue with what I've started with yet another blog series -- 9 Mornings.


Why 9 Mornings?


Don't get me wrong, its not the religious niche you'd think (which you might have already), just the tradition of waking up in the morning and feeling the cool December breeze makes me realize more that God is great and that every  single morning is a blessing. It's also the wonder and a deeper raison d' etre that turned my life around. It's all about this -- 9 blog entries of the 9 precious gifts that the good Lord has bestowed, together with the feelings and experiences that go with them... my 9 Mornings.

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