My New Baby

I am into crafts and to take my love for it a step further I got myself a new sewing machine.  This is the real thing - Singer Inspiration Series.  Super far from my "cutesy, toy-like" sewing machine, which my lolo bought for me years ago. Don't get me wrong ha, I love my small machine (to death) but since I'm taking up courses like bag design and soon fashion embellishments, I need to have a heavy duty machine which will be my tool to create wonderful pieces :)

[caption id="attachment_622" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Singer Inspiration"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_623" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="My little sewing machine =)"][/caption]

Compare their sizes ;)

[caption id="attachment_624" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Mommy and Baby"][/caption]

The Singer Inspiration 4228 model has the following details:

-28 Stitch Patterns
-Automatic Needle Threader
-SureFit™ Bobbin System
-NoError Threading™
-Fully Automatic 1-step Buttonhole
-StayBright™ LED Light
-25 Year Limited Warranty

I'm super duper excited! Can't wait to start with the projects that I have in mind - perfect for Christmas.

Good Deed Today

i was planning to volunteer in packing relief goods for the Ondoy victims but schedule is tight so i opt to gather some used clothes from my cabinet and baby clothes from my nephew (which by the way is VERY important coz there are a lot of babies who don't have anything to wear) and some baby caps.  i also bought assorted biscuits and plastic bags for packing.

[caption id="attachment_614" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="biscuits"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_615" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="plastic bags"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_616" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="sepi's baby clothes"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_618" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="more clothes"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_619" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="caps"][/caption]

it was hard to part ways with these clothes for sentimental reasons. tee hee. but we know that a lot of babies can benefit from this - better than waiting for the clothes to turn yellow inside the box...

but there were 2 shirts that i can't give away...sepi's 2 favorite pooh baby shirts. hehe. i just had to set these 2 aside...

[caption id="attachment_617" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="pooh baby shirts :)"][/caption]

Delivered everything at Luca Shop (owned by Ms. Divine Lee) at Power Plant Mall, Rockwell.

Anyway for those who wish to donate, here are some of the sites where you can drop off your donations or volunteer in packing:

(re-posted from venus and mars blog site)

LOCATION BREAKDOWN FOR VOLUNTEERS AND DONATIONS FOR VICTIMS OF TYPHOON ONDOY.

NCR!

QUEZON CITY.

- go to ateneo de manila university, katipunan avenue, and proceed to the college covered courts to volunteer. shifts are in three hour cycles. you can go as early as 6AM but it goes on the whole day.

- please bring packed/cooked food to 12 Denmark, Loyola Grand Villas, QC, and help @patriciahizon whose group was the only one helping the victims in tumana today.

- TULONG BAYAN, to volunteer, just go to Balay Expo Center in Cubao, Edsa cor McArthur, 8AM onwards. contact (02) 9137122 and look for Mary, May or Cam

- donations accepted in MIRIAM COLLEGE insa office.

- donations also accepted in UP DILIMAN, CHURCH OF THE RISEN LORD.

- for the GMA Kapuso Foundation, you can drop your donations at Samar St. cor GMA Network drive, QC. Behind GMA complex. Beside Malayan Bank. Tel # 9284299, 9289351, 9827777.

- for those who want to volunteer for sagip kapamilya: call 4132667/4160387, or go to #13 examiner st., west triangle, QC

- the other address for sagip kapamilya is sct. bayoran corner tomas morato. look for Girlie Aragon or Jet at 0916-7227806 or 0929-5348176

- this is the REAL SAGIP KAPAMILYA ACCOUNT for your donations: banco de oro #56 300 20111 under abs-cbn foundation. to all those spreading fake accounts, please naman..

PASIG:

- MEGATENT, Meralco Ave, Ortigas beside Renaissance. Volunteers and donations very much welcome! Very big space! Open 24 hours til Friday! To donate for supplies, please deposit to BPI account #302 903 4469, under the name Trina Francesca Soriano, and text 0917 9423166 after depositing.
**i've gone to this site and i must say it has an efficient system going on, and all the volunteers are very friendly! saya!

- according to @margaga, poveda school (beside galleria) opens 9AM tomorrow and is open to all volunteers and any kind of donations.

- according to @angel21kawaii, CFC Center in Ortigas is receiving donations in cash or in kind. Call (02)7270682-87 or 09195359036.

- donations can be dropped off at victory church in ortigas, contact 6311212 or visit the victory website.

- if you want your donations to be sent directly to TANAY, RIZAL, send your relief goods to 11th floor, Tai Pan Place, Emerald Ave., Ortigas and contact Josette (0917.826.9718)

MANDALUYONG:

- GAWAD KALINGA is accepting volunteers and donations, base is RFM gym in pioneer. Contact Raul Dizon 09178888109 and Felice Caringal 09178888304. for other GK sites you can help out, check out this blog.
**my friends have gone to this site and had so much fun cause of the great energy in the place!

MANILA:

- DLSU along taft avenue will be accepting any and all kinds of donations starting 830AM.

- CSB alumni also accepting donations at 9/f dls-csb school of design and arts building, along pablo ocampo street, vito cruz.

- UST is also accepting your donations, proceed to the Tan Yan Kee Student Center.

- donations can be dropped off at victory church in malate, call 5221212 or visit the victory website.


MAKATI:

- White Space in Pasong Tamo ext. / Chino Roces is in need of volunteers to pack goods

- you can drop of your donations at Assumption College, San Lorenzo Village, Makati

- you can drop off your donations at the following stores in rockwell powerplant mall: aranaz, luca, greyone social.

TAGUIG or FORT area:

- donations can be dropped off at victory church in the fort, you can call 8171212 or visit the victory website.

- you can drop off your donations in embassy superclub in the fort.

PASAY:

- @elizabacud shares that Manila Doctors College will also be accepting donations. Bring anything that can help at Speech Lab., Macapagal Blvd, PasayCity

SAN JUAN:

- La Salle Greenhills, Xavier School, and ICA (right beside Xavier) are also accepting donations. Xavier will be accepting goods till 12midnight.

- Accepting donations at Valencia Hills. Contact person is Carlo Paguio at 09175664367.

FAIRVIEW area:

- Help needed in Fairview and Novaliches. Please send clothes, food, water, meds & blankets to the Divine Savior Parish in North Fairview.

SOUTH (alabang, las pinas, paranaque):

- drop donations or volunteer at DE LA SALLE ZOBEL. Contact Ms. Angie Brazan at the Social Action Office 0917-8597602

- you can drop donations at the ATC concierge, call 8422782 or 7721860

- san beda alabang in alabang hills village is also accepting donations

- you can help pack donations 10AM at st. james church, ayala alabang village

- you may volunteer at Red Cross Alabang - ATC along Zapote Road fronting National Bookstore call 8097131 for info

- CFC center in Las Pinas City is accepting donations. it is near Verdant and in front of the construction of SM Center Las Pinas. Contact 09174493154 / 8460809

- There are two new drop-off points for relief goods. Recipients will be various areas, including flooded Parañaque & Muntinlupa areas. You can get in touch with Jeff Tagle (09178875824) and Katrina Villareal (09175298332) respectively for details.

Lulu Belle @ Rockwell

I saw a Yogurt Place at Power Plant Mall named Lulu Belle.  The place is really cute, with soft cow dolls in the counter.  I ordered plain yogurt with mango toppings.  Price is comparable to White Hat and Red Mango.

[caption id="attachment_609" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Lulu Belle"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_610" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Lulu Belle Yogurt with mangoes"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_611" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Yogurt Cup"][/caption]

Taste reminds me of the I Love Berries yogurt - sweet.  It's okay but I still look for the "sweet-sour" taste of the yogurt.  It's still White Hat for me :)

First Time in 6 Years...

I woke up around 7:00 A.M. Skies were really dark. Strong rains. Howling Wind. The first thing that came into my mind was "Will I have classes later?" (currently taking up Bag Design at Fashion Institute of the Philippines). My school is in Pasig and I don't want to be stuck in traffic considering that the rain is really pouring heavily. I took a bath then decided to have my breakfast first at Jolibee. When I went down, I was so shocked...



This is the first time I experienced this flood eversince I moved in 6 years ago =( It was really makalat in our walk way since a new gym just opened - still fixing and painting the walls etc. Shucks! I didn't have any idea that it has been raining the whole night til the morning to have flood like this.

I wasn't able to go out anymore. Worst part is that water went inside my cousin's house downstairs. I had to ask help from a friend who lives on the 2nd floor to help them since she has a 2-month old baby. I asked them to stay first in my place.

I checked out the street and water was everywhere :(



I started to panic because (1st) I don't have any food! I wasn't able to go to the grocery the day before. (2nd) My sister kept on texting me because the roof in my lolo's house is giving them problems again (tumutulo!) and my lolo wants me to check on it (duh! as if i know what to do with the roof!) and (3rd) I have to make some deliveries and I couldn't text my clients because I don't have any load.

Anyway, after a few minutes of deep thinking, I decided to relax and just make the best of what I have at that moment. At least my house is on the 2nd floor and my place is safe. Something to be thankful about....

More street shots.



Filipinos are really innovative huh?! This made us smile :) According to the "manong" this ride costs

P100 :)

We were all hungry already but since there's no food, we can't cook and can't buy too, we feasted on Lucky Me Pancit Canton! Reliable as ever! =)

*While watching the news, I was so shocked to see the effects of typhoon Ondoy...I will continue to pray for the victims of the typhoon...*

PEPPER LUNCH

I've been wanting to eat at PepperLunch for the longest time.  I've read good reviews about it so my taste buds are craving for it.  Anyway, since classes are suspended today (and tomorrow), I decided to have some "Me" time after I delivered stuff at Dressing Room, Power Plant Mall.  I bought some stuff like a new pair of jeans, some shirts at Bayo and lotion at Beauty Bar. Then...had my lunch at Pepper Lunch.

I asked the server what their best seller is and instantly told me that its "Beef Pepper Rice."

[caption id="attachment_595" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Beef Pepper Rice"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_596" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="top view of my pepper lunch :)"][/caption]

My meal arrived "in a blink of an eye!" I love the fast service :) My platter came with paper trimming to protect "me" from the sizzle.  It also has the instructions (which I didn't read for I was so hungry!) on how to eat your Pepper Lunch meal, on how to cook your beef, chicken or salmon.  After a few spoonfuls, I noticed how the others eat their meals - I slowly read the paper trimming  and followed the instructions (HA! just when I'm done eating half my meal!!!)

I also love the orange chopsticks that they gave me.

[caption id="attachment_597" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Orange Chopsticks"][/caption]

VERDICT: I love their Beef Pepper Rice!!! I am already thinking of bringing my lolo and sister there to try their food.  It's really good and not too expensive. A must try! =)

Blue Bunny Ice Cream

I always see the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Cart in Price Smart, Macapagal branch. I'm not really an ice cream enthusiast so when I am there I usually order Price Smart's Pizza or Chicken Roll (which is absolutely divine!!!)



But recently I was able to taste Blue Bunny's Chunky Chocolate Chip Premium Ice Cream and the verdict?  YUUMMY! The richness of the french vanilla ice cream mixed with the chunky-ness of the chocolate chips - not just small bits but more of "nugget" sized choco chips!!!! The best!!! I'm dying to taste the other flavors like their take on strawberry ice cream :)

A "Maki" Afternoon

My tutee, Jori, loves to eat California Maki.  Since she just had her Trimestral Exams finished, I promised her that I will teach her how to make her very own Maki at home.

[caption id="attachment_588" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Homemade Maki"][/caption]

Ingredients:  seaweed wrap, cucumber, crabstick, jap rice, carrots and mango with japanese mayo =)

BUSY...

I haven't been blogging for some time now. Been very busy with work, accessory orders and deliveries plus with the new addition to my uber busy schedule - I went back to school. Almost done with my Business Start-Up classes at BMA and now enrolled at Fashion Institute of the Philippines.  I will be taking up Bag Design (and Fashion Embellishment maybe! =)

I promise to update my blog - after I finish my pending projects =)

Anyway, I just have to post something - for this made my day...

PIOLO in NEW YORK





His clothes are all from Bench. I think this picture is a part of a new AD campaign for BENCH.  Handsome!!!! =)

(photo from chuvaness.livejournal.com)

Bag Charm for a Friend

Terese is a friend from High School.  She was my seatmate when we were in 4th Year. Ha! It was really a blast! Wink, Wink ^_^ =) I can honestly say that she was one of my closest friends that time. She would always come to my rescue, defended me, made me smile, cried with me, became "depressed" we me. Haha! Those were the days...Sarap balikan...She is really a good person - inside and out. Lucky to have known her =)

Now Terese has her own family - a loving husband and a super, duper, cute baby boy named Tristan.  Since she's in the country for vacation (her family is based in the States), we'll meet up with some friends later for dinner. Super excited. I love seeing old friends =)

I made a simple bag charm for a dear friend. Since she's a new mom, I decided to include baby items like a rocking horse, baby shoes and a baby shirt with the letter "T' in the middle (everything handmade by yours truly =) I also placed a silver heart locket where she can place a picture of her family. I hope she likes it.

[caption id="attachment_573" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Tristan"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_574" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Terese and Tristan"][/caption]

Will post some pics later tonight after our dinner. I'm sure it will be fun!!! Can't wait... =)

I Have Fallen In Love

This is a song for the late President Cory Aquino

Lyrics by Ninoy Aquino
Music by Jose Mari Chan

[caption id="attachment_570" align="aligncenter" width="207" caption="Ninoy & Cory"][/caption]

I have fallen in love
With the same woman three times
In a day spanning nineteen years
Of tearful joys and joyful tears.

I loved her first when she was young
Enchanting and vibrant, eternally new
She was brilliant, fragrant and cool
As the morning dew.

I fell in love with her the second time
When first she bore her child and mine
Always by my side, the source of my strength
Helping to turn the tide.

But there were candles to burn
The world was my concern
While our home was her domain
And the people were mine
While the children were hers to maintain.

So it was in those eighteen years and a day
Till I was detained
Forced in prison to stay.

Suddenly she’s our sole support
Source of comfort
Our wellspring of hope
On her shoulders fell the burden of life.

I fell in love again
With the same woman the third time
Looming from the battle
Her courage will never fade.

Amidst the hardships she has remained
Undaunted and unafraid
She is calm, composed
She is God’s lovely maid.

***

It was a poem dedicated to Pres. Cory and created by her late husband, Ninoy Aquino but later Jose Mari Chan created its melody and made it a song.

The poem is so touching and it proves a love, almost perfect, from a man who loved a woman, all his life over and over again.