Jennifer Behr

I want this so bad! For someone like me who always loves to accessorize, this headband is a gem!! Literally and figuratively! Priced at $625.00, how in the world can this precious thing land on my waiting head?! Will I be able to post photos of myself wearing this gorgeous find?!

So Sad

                                                                                    

I grew up with his songs.

I danced with his music. 

He's always been larger than life. 

Now he's gone and I still couldn't believe it.

He will always be alive through his music. 

R.I.P. Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett too.

What a sad day this has been.  

Naot

I've come to know this shoe brand when the hubby and I were (window)shopping in NY! I was about to get myself another pair of Birkenstock Madrid sandals in patent leather...I am such a big fan of Birkenstock since my cousin who was married to a German guy inroduced me to that brand during my childhood years. Do you remember those days we'd wear Birks with socks?! hahaha! (I hope no photos of myself wearing that 'trend' would ever resurface! )And so, while browsing through Birkenstock sandals, this baby caught my attention. Doesn't it look like it comes from the same family as Birks?

Despite the similarities, this one is under a different brand -- Naot. Naot footwear began 30 years ago in Israel and came to the US 13 years later. These sandals are so far the most comfy ones I've ever tried on! Well, I haven't really test-driven these (with long walks or long standing) but just the feel of it when I tried 'em on should be enough to make me choose it over my long-time fave Birkenstock! It has a cushiony feel that seems to embrace my feet! I found out that it's made with memory foam. Talk about foot ecstasy! And let's not mention that it has sparkly stones over its metallic leather strap which makes it equally stylish as well! This particular sandal is called Marissa and is sold at $ 136.00

I'm hoping that my Israeli boss would find me a pair of these in his native land on his next trip there for a much much less $$$. Wish me luck!

My Papa

In the spirit of Father's Day, I'd like to pay tribute to my papa who's always been the number 1 man in my life! In so doing, I'd love to share with you just some of the teachings he always impart with us...(there's just waay too much!)

1. It's always good to give than to receive. He always tells us that having more to share is always better than being on the receiving end. (When we were still in the Philippines we'd prepare baskets filled with grocery items which we distribute to the less fortunate during Christmas. I actually miss doing that.)

2. Education is a treasure. My papa is a very studious person. He refuses to stop learning. He always reads and continues to gain knowledge. You will always have the edge when you are educated. (p.s. the girls in our family are such mall rats!! my papa was never the one to complain to drive us to malls, but you will always find him in National Bookstore or Borders while we girls spend hours in shopping!)

3. Well-Rounded. My papa didn't only instill in us the value of education. He wanted us to be well-rounded individuals as well. Whenever we had guests at home, he didn't want us hiding in our rooms! He wanted us to be sociable and to entertain our guests properly.

4. When I wasn't married yet, he always tells me that I should finish college and get a good job. He tells me that I should always have my own money so that when I get married my husband wouldn't totally take control of me. It's always nice to have my own.

5. If it ain't broke, why fix it. My papa is far from being a cheapskate. In fact, he prefers more expensive but higher quality things and so it takes him quite a while to replace stuff. If you can still use it regardless of it looking old and overused, why replace it?

6. Always find a partner that will bring out the best in you. In my younger years, he always tells me that my boyfriend/husband should have the characteristics that will help me become a better person, not someone that will drag me down but rather help me in reaching my dreams and goals in life.

7. Choose your battles. "It's not good to argue all the time." I hear this a lot when my siblings and I fight and argue. He always tells us that "kung kayang palampasin, palampasin na lang."

8. Don't stoop down to their level. In connection to #2 & #7 my papa has always wanted us to be peacemakers. Whether it be on the road (with unruly jeepney drivers) or in our school (with bully classmates) he always tells us not to stoop down to "their" level. I remember him to always say that he will only fight with people with much higher stature that him although it doesn't necessarily mean that you won't be fighting for your principles. Hindi nagpapatalo ang papa ko but he knows how to "fight" with pride and with grace.

9. Always pay your bills on time! Enough said.

10. Capture every moment. When I had Marielle he always reminds me to constantly take pictues of her. My papa is such a "poser." No wonder my sister and I love posing for the camera. My papa is always always "camera-ready."

11. Think Positive. I got my optimism from papa. The never-say-never-always-aim-high attitude he has has rubbed on me. And he's very vocal about this. Our old house used to have posters with such positive quotes that would often remind us to always think good and always dream big.

12. Always Pray. More than being religious, my papa is very spiritual. His faith is his strongest characteristic. He never fails to remind us the power of prayer. Whenever we get a new car, he would handwrite a prayer on an index card, a prayer we should keep in the car -in the glove compartment, specifically- and pray everytime we drive. When we travel, he would do the same thing: he would give us a prayer we can recite to ask for guidance and safety throughout our journey. Now you get the idea, our papa is like a doctor he has "prescription prayers" for everything. In essence, he just always wants us to talk to God, to let God know that He is NEVER forgotten.

I could go on and on and on with this....

After writing all this, now I realize that so much of me is influenced by my papa. I'm still looking forward to learning more from him.

Thank God It's Friday, and for many other things as well...

thank God it's Friday! which reminds me that it's been a week now that I got this bad cold! I think I got this from Marielle or shall I say I took this from Marielle when I said that I wish I'm the one who's got the cold. God is good. He gives me all that I wish for. Now I wish that it goes away....far away that it doesn't reach any living creature. Good thing I'm a hoarder! I stocked up on Kleenex when it went on sale for 99 cents!

Now I need a really good massage. Living in the States makes it almost impossible for me to get this "privilege" which used to be a "vice" in Manila! But again, God works in many ways...the Chinese people really know how to make everything affordable and I'm not just talking about those almost authentic Chanel and Hermes purses but they have gone beyond that and accessed even the most kept nerve in my body. For $15 I can be in ecstasy for 60 minutes! They call it foot massage but they also massage your head, shoulders, back, arms, and hands...in short you get a full body experience! Try it and I'm sure you'll tell me it's the best $15 you've ever spent!

Marvin's Car Cake

*This is waaaaaay overdue*

This year Marvin didn't want any big party or some crazy night out for his birthday. All he wanted were lots of sushi and tempura. One would think that it's such an easy wish...BUT not to me! It was my first time to roll sushi and fry shrimp tempura!! Goodness gracious! Now I know why Japanese dining costs sooo much!! From peeling the shrimps' shell, to deveining it, to making sure it comes out straight when cooked, to rolling the sushi on the bamboo mat down to slicing it evenly!! After that night, I realized that that was in fact Marvin's most difficult birthday wish to date!! *I have to thank a lot of people who helped me pull it off!!

My labor (of love) actually began the day before his birthday...I went to my second cake decorating class and came up with a "Birthday Car Cake" for Marvin. I'm glad he liked it! :)

We left for New York 2 days after his birthday (that is the reason why i was MIA for a looong time!) I will be posting photos of our trip soon!!

The Pressure is On!!

I got my very first cake order!!! Everytime I bake it's always for my family or friends who never had to pay me. But this one is different...I'm actually gonna get paid for baking!! I'm excited but nervous!! I'm praying my cake turns out good...and tastes good too!!!

The pressure is so on.

By the way, father's day is just a few days away....what to give, what to give???