Bargain Shopping!

     6 days left before I fly off to a foreign country where I'd stay for more than 3 months...and I haven't even packed my bags yet. Typical me. 

     However, this time around, I have a rather acceptable excuse as to why I haven't bothered on packing my things yet. And that is: I have nothing to pack.

     All my life, I have lived in a tropical country. So my closet mostly contain of light-fabric clothes. But due to the fact that where I'm headed off to is Lutsen, Minnesota, there will be snow and the temperature is twice or thrice colder than the humid climate I have grown accustomed to. 

     I've been asking my parents to give me money so I can buy nice coats and jackets to wear to MN. But they find it useless to buy such apparel since I won't have any use of them after I get back to Manila. I was quite devastated, mind you. Especially because ZARA is on sale with their pretty winter coats and jackets (which they sell here in the country and it has always baffled me who buys them with regular price). 

     My mom said that if I insisted that I buy coats and jackets, then I should go look and shop at Ukay-Ukay stores. 

     I wanted to be angry at the thought of buying used and outdated clothes...but it seemed like a nice and practical idea considering my other option (which was to ask around and borrow clothes from my friends and relatives). 

     So, I asked my shopping buddies (a.k.a. sisters) and Pachig to accompany me on a shopping trip at Pasay Road. 

      There are so many ukay-ukay stores everywhere nowadays buy I insisted that we go there specifically because I know for a fact that one of my childhood friend and co-blogger of http://kimpoysnotes.blogspot.com/ is an aficionado of bargain shopping there. So, I braved to go there - an unfamiliar place. 

       My sisters and I were beyond happy with all the things we saw and bought. Especially me since I was able to buy the clothes that I needed to buy...and all for a very low price!

Here are my purchases: 

Loose purple cover-up with floral lining: Php 50 

Rosette satin cover-up: Php 300 

Sequined vest: Php 280

Cream and Black dress: Php 180

Black parka/jacket: Php 300 

Purple parka/jackey: Php 50 

     I have never bought so many pieces of clothing in one shopping trip. But considering their prices, it's really okay! ♥ I am now a fan of ukay-ukay shopping. 

      I'm not an expert on this kind of shopping or anything. However, I'd like to share a few common tips when you go shopping at ukay-ukay stores:

• Haggle - Don't be shy to ask the sales lady or cashier person for the "last price". The things with ukay-ukay is that the clothes do not have price tags - the sales people tell you the price. Once they say the price, subtract up to at least half the price and go up a little since they surely won't allow you to purchase it with very low price. Go up and up until you are halfway through the original price. The sales people will somehow and eventually agree to a price you named. Just be patient! 
• Check for damages - Keep in mind that most of the clothes sold in ukay-ukay are used. So don't forget to check if the zippers are working, the buttons are complete and there are no unremovable stains on it. The store only has one piece per clothing...so if it's damaged, they can't replace yours with a new one. 
• Re-check - Before you pay, re-check for damages again. It's better safe than sorry! 
• Wash thoroughly - As I've said, the clothes are used mostly. You don't and never will know who the clothes once belonged to. I'm not saying that they may have skin problems or odor problems (although it most likely is possible), but it's really better safe than sorry. You don't want to itch to death because there are mites and such attached to the fabric of the clothes. Have them dry cleaned or wash them thoroughly in warm/hot water to sterilize them. 

     There you have it. I had such a fun day! I hope you did too.

     A. 

Movies Under The Starry Starry Night

     Last February 16, 2013, my friends and I, along with my sisters and a couple of their friends, went to Nuvali at Sta.Rosa, Laguna. We went to this event: 

     It was all our first time to experience something like this! ♥ And boy, was it worth it. It was free of charge, however, we had to spend for our food (duh!) and transportation. It was also my first time to ever watch "Breakfast At Tiffany's", "Pretty In Pink" and "Like Crazy". So imagine my great excitement. 

      We brought along some mats and cooler full of ice to keep our drinks cold. Also, we brought chips, bowl of pasta and shared a bilao full of California Maki and other Japanese food. And of course, cameras were present! 

L-R: Maple, Myka, Pam, Carla, Dane and Moi

Our view! Yes, there were a lot of people but the screen was still bright and I can still hear the movies...which were good. 

     And of course... my friends and I had the need to take some weird photos of us. We're not us if we don't do something weird or different every time we're together. Part of why I love them to bits! ♥

     I hope y'all had a fun weekend! This week is almost halfway through. So just hold on tighter! Friday will come sooner that we all hope for. 

     As for me, I only have 12 days left before I bid goodbye to Philippines. Excited! 

    A. 

BOOKLIST

     I will most likely be bored (definitely) on my upcoming flight to US. This is why I am trying to collect as many books I want to read as I can before March 3 arrives. However, the world is playing a cruel trick on me because somehow, all the books on my book list are either unavailable or expensive. 

     So, here are the books I'm talking about. If you happen to see any of these at any bookstore around Metro Manila, please please please inform me! I'd really love to have these. 

1. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

 2. Size 12 and Ready to Rock by Meg Cabot

3. Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan 

4. Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

5. Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

6. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman 

7. Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender

8. Unspoken by Sarah Reese Brennan 

   
     There you have it! See how long my booklist has become? Wish I can buy them all at the same time. ♥ Anyway, have a great week! If you have any book recommendations, feel free to tell me all about it. :) 

     A. 

BOOK: Stargirl

     I don't know how to begin, really. All I know is this is my favorite book of all time! Well, okay... ONE of the favorite books. 

     I remember first reading "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli when I was in 6th grade. I'm not going to write the synopsis of the book or anything like that. I'll just be sharing with you guys what I loved about it. 

     First of all, the title alone is mesmerizing. Add to the fact that one of the main characters in the book is actually named Stargirl. That character alone is enough for a young girl like me (I was young when I read it, ok? Haha). It made me want to be different and not be afraid about it. Her name's Susan but she introduced herself as Stargirl just because she wanted to! I wish I was brave enough to have introduced myself with a different name just because I felt like it. 

     Stargirl never showed fear about being secluded or persecuted by her peers so long as what she's doing makes her feel happy even if that thing is not considered as normal under such circumstances. Well, not until she met Leo! ♥ 

     If Leo was a real guy, he'd probably be one of my first loves/crush. Typical guy, yes. But the way he treated Stargirl and how he described her (he's the one narrating in the book) is just too sweet. So imagine my dismay when I read the sequel of Stargirl, "Love, Stargirl" and found out that Leo wasn't in it! I know, I'm biased. But whatever. 

     I highly recommend this book for young readers. I believe it's about finding yourself, loving for the first time, finding true friends and believing in yourself and the ones you love. All of life's greatest lessons in one book! What can be nicer than that? 

     I remember writing about this book in one of my major subject's paper this semester. I was surprised that my professor graded me a perfect score for it and that she added a note at the bottom and said that she herself read it personally when she was about 15 years old. I was happy that she was able to relate to my submitted paper. 

     So, the next time you visit a bookstore or library, I encourage you to look for this book. And then tell me all  about it once you finish reading it. ;) 

     Happy reading! 

     A. 

Organizing

     I am not a really organized person (my sisters can vouch for that!). In fact, I don't think I am organized in any way. Even my thoughts are usually jumbled up with one another most of the time. 

     But since it's a new year, I want to do something different...and that's starting to be organized. Don't expect me to change in a snap of a finger, though. This is an old habit of mine and it'll be really hard to remove. So as a form of "baby steps" to change, I got myself a pretty little planner. 

    I got this planner last December at TOMATO. It has all kinds of free discount coupons, stickers and "passport" stamp page where whenever you buy something from their store, you can have the page stamped and by the end of 2013, you can claim a certain prize. 

     Although the main reason why I bought is is because it looked utterly pretty, I am trying to really be organized! Right now, I am multitasking by writing random events on this organizer while I'm also blogging about it. 

     Another thing I'd really like to organize as well is this blog. What do you think? It's becoming too random and quite like the inside of my head. Hahaha. 

     I would now like to put up categories here. Any thoughts as to what these might be? I was kind of thinking something along the following:

• Fashion - my OOTDs and/or shopping hauls
• Food - I am a certified pig and usually end up committing gluttony so I might as well write about it!
• Books - reviews of my read, to-read, and booklist
• Favorites - weekly/monthly random favorites (I am excited for this!) 
• Travel - I will be traveling quite a lot this year...so might as well write all about it! Plus, I've always had wanderlust.
• Personal - family, friends and personal thoughts and photos. I promise to stay away from ranting my problems with you guys. ;) 

     So there you have it! What do you think? I'm going to start labeling each of my entries from now on. I think this is a good way to start being organized. 

     Remember, don't be afraid of change! It's the only thing that's permanent in this world - might as well get used to it! 

     Happy Monday! 

     A. 

My Treat!

     As March 3 is drawing closer, I want to spend as much time as I could with my family and friends. So, today, I asked my sisters if they'd like to go to Bonifacio Global City with me... and that it's my treat. 

     Of course, they said yes! Hahaha. We wanted to go to IHOP - the newly opened and very first branch they have in the country to grab some famous pancakes but we decided at the last minute to just walk around Market Market and Bonifacio High Street. 

     Upon arriving, we were dismayed and stressed with the fact that the malls were super duper crowded! It seemed like the entire population of Metro Manila suddenly decided to go to BGC at the exact day and time that we did. We could barely walk and breathe properly inside the mall. I am not even exaggerating! Last time I braved a crowd that large was during last season's SALE! 

     Anyway, my sisters and I decided to eat first and I treated them to an early dinner at Banapple. As usual, I ordered the Baked Creamy Cheesy Penne while my sisters had Lasagna Roll-Ups and Chicken Parmigiana. 550 peso meal for 3 yummy dishes? Money well spent! 

Pretty lights at Banapple! 

Part of why i love this place: the ambiance. 

Le Younger Sister. 

Our yummy food! 

Le Elder Sister

     After eating, we went to my favorite store and place at BGC: Fullybooked! I don't know if you guys know but I am a certified book worm. I can read an entire novel in a single day if I'm really hooked to it. Plus, I am a proud owner of a collection of books that practically consists of more than 100 books. And I intend on adding more to it each time I enter a bookstore. 

     I am currently collecting all the books of the "Pretty Little Liars" series by Sara Shepard. And well, I'm only waiting for the final ones to be released and I'm all done with it! So as I wait, I want to read "Warm Bodies" (yes, it's the movie that's showing now and it was originally a book first), "Flipped", "Size 12 and Ready to Rock" and, luckily... I finally found a copy of this somehow elusive book:

     Upon waiting for the staff of Fullybooked to look for a copy of this book for me (which I bought and intend to read on my upcoming flight), I found this really awesome and interesting book which I intend to buy the next time I visit BGC. Has any one of you read it? :) 

    That's right, it's title alone is THE coolest thing there is today! "Zombies VS. Unicorns"!!! How awesome is that? It's a book with compilations of short stories by some of the most famous authors of today's generation and it includes one of my personal favorite author which is the ever talented Meg Cabot! Gotta have this book soon. ♥ 

     After that, my sisters and I walked up to the other end of Bonifacio High Street where we went to Cotton On. I bought a blue back pack which I intend to use as a carry-on bag for my trip. Don't have a photo of it yet, but I will next time (too lazy to get my phone). 

     The best part of the night, though, was where I bought a little padlock for 50 pesos (which will be given to a charity that I can't remember the name of - Oops!) and we'd get to lock it to the newly installed "wall of padlocks". You know that famous one from Korea where lovers from all over the world go to lock a padlock which has their names written on it and they'd throw away the key to symbolize that they'd actually be together forever and never let go like the padlock? Well, I'm glad to say that Philippines has its version of it now! ♥ I just hope that Boni High didn't just put it up in relation to Valentine's Day but actually let it stay there for a long time... otherwise, our padlock will just be gone! :( 

     But since my sisters and I are all single (I think! Haha), we decided to just write our names on the lock as a sort of "siblings pact". To include our parents in on the padlock, we used their wedding anniversary as our lock's code. 

     To end my treat with them, we of course, had to have some dose of milktea. We saw this new place called "Dakasi" where Pam and I ordered Oreo Milktea. ♥ It was yummy and it was also affordable. Which makes it a whole lot better! Haha. 

     Day well spent with my sisters! Sure will miss them when I'm away. Although my wallet is now crying from all the money it lost, it's okay. Money comes and goes... but moments with sisters are priceless! ♥ 

     Happy weekend! 

     A. 

Sunset

     Since I will be leaving Philippines in 2 weeks, I kind of suddenly have this urge to take photos of the Manila sky every once in a while... especially as dusk is arriving. 

     I'm not saying that where I'll be going does not have a setting sun, but I'm pretty sure that nothing can beat Manila sunset. I'll let you all know when I find something better somewhere. But for now, feast your eyes on the very beautiful and picturesque skyline of Manila. ♥ 

     These photos were shot at the Mall of Asia last week. I used my iPhone 4 to take them. Nowadays, I don't really like lugging around my very heavy DSLR Nikon camera. So I always end up using my ever reliable cellphone/game console/mp3 player/digital camera. I am very grateful to Apple for this. ♥ 

     Life's short. Appreciate the simple things in life. No matter how busy you are, don't forget to look up to the sky every once in a while. :) 

     A. 

Post-Midterms

     A huge sigh of relief was what my friends and I shared the day we got through Midterm Exams Week (February 4-7, 2013). 

     Of course, we all felt the need to detoxify our stressed and beat up minds and bodies. So we did our somehow traditional post exam 'gala'. 

     We went to Resorts World Manila last February 8. As usual, we ate... a lot! And watched a movie. This time around, we watched Jackie Chan's latest and last action movie entitled "Chinese Zodiac". I don't know if I can say that I'm a fan of Jackie Chan but I love all his movies (the ones I've watched, at least) and I never fail to laugh and be amazed by his action stunts - makes me wish that I knew martial arts and kick some ass! 

We always match our outfits...somehow. Without actually meaning to. Creepy. Hahaha.

These two are also starting to unintentionally match their outfits! Hahaha.

     It may sound cliche to actually say this... but there is never a dull moment with these three! We laugh at the silliest and simplest of things. Mostly we laugh at each other but that's what friends are for, I guess. As they say, "Real friends don't get offended when you insult you. Instead, they call you something more insulting back". Ain't that true. 

Our matching customized name bracelets! ♥ 

Just because our thesis topic is all about this product. ;) 

     No matter how different you may all be from one another, so long as you still manage to get along and actually laugh and have a good time together, consider them as more than just friends and be siblings! I honestly don't know what I'd do without these 3 Nerdies! ♥ Love them to the moon and back. 

     Keep your friends close! ;)