Welcoming the Inevitable

Just a week left until my birthday (I'm turning 33, yikes!) and I am sick. Boohoo! I have so much things to do and it's not that I am complaining because I'd always choose lots of orders over lots of free time to finish my books and watch my Korean series, but it seems that I can't focus!!! I keep on jumping from one task to another. I need to FOCUS. And I think I can't do that much right now cos it's my birthday soon and my thoughts are now mainly occupied with all the dinuguan and cake I'll be eating ☺

Anyhoo... here's my wish list for Cumpleaños 2015... Olé!

1. I still want Daddy's Dinuguan and Becky's Kitchen's Swiss Chocolate Cake or Conti's Mango Bravo. Walang mintis, every birthday that's daddy's gift to me cos he refuses to cook dinuguan on ordinary days kasi nga I'm so big already and I guess I eat plenty whenever we have dinuguan for ulam. So tanggap ko na na pang-special occasions lang and dinuguan such as, mi cumpleaño ☺

2. I really, really, really want these display stands

nakakainis, I can't find the solo pic of the wooden cupcake stand

images from Celebrations Partycentral FB page

I already have my own display shelves pero since I'm a hoarder, I want more! Haha! Just one of each lang naman eh ☺

3. AC and I watched Inside Out yesterday and I decided I also want a Joy plushie.. for obvious reasons.

image source

although Sadness plushie looks cuter... 

4. Charmed bracelets! Unconsciously, I've been collecting charm bracelets and I don't mean the expensive Pandora ones cos methinks they're ugly and expensive. What I like are rose quartz, jade, etc.. I am not very familiar with the other stones. AC started it. Well, I bought my first bracelet in Eastwood in a bazaar- an Amazonite bracelet which I already forgot what it was supposed to do for me. I bought it mainly because of the color but it's all faded now :( Then AC gave me tiger eye ba yun last CNY for good luck and jade bracelets. Then AD bought me rose quartz then AC gave me jade ulit. Eh I want this violet charm bracelet which is supposed to give me business luck ☺

Argh. I swear I have plenty pa to add to this list. Memory gap na. Sabi ko na nga ba I should've written them down. Will update na lang as I remember ☺

Inday's Day Out

So I was supposed to meet up with an online seller in Glorietta yesterday. I sent them a text message Monday morning, around 11am to ask if we could meet up Tuesday in Makati para aside from the meet up, I can do all the other errands I've been meaning to do but didn't because, well, procrastination. They replied, "text tom early morning." I assumed it was a 'go' as long as I text them early.

I was in Makati at 7:30 in the morning. MORNING! I woke up at four frickin' thirty so I could hitch a ride with AD going to Makati. I sent the supplier a little before 8am to confirm our meet up. Reply ba naman sa akin, "tomorrow na lang." ANO 'YON? WALA SIYA SA MOOD? BUKAS NA LANG?!? Well, I was also at fault because I assumed tuloy nung Tuesday. It just happens that they're the only supplier of this material I need so I'm putting up with the unprofessional conduct. So fine pumayag ako na 'tomorrow na lang.' We're supposed to meet today at 12nn in Megamall. I sent them a message asking for a confirmation if the meet up will push through because I'm only going to Megamall to pick up the material and pay them. I texted them twice. No reply.

Hay. Nakaka-high blood.

So anyway aside from the no-show supplier, I was able to do all the other stuff in my to-do list and some more... Eto ayaw ko na napapadpad ako sa Landmark eh. Tapos 10% off pa on all regular products. Presenting yesterday's stash

decorative tray

black crate
actually part of a set but may also be purchased individually

The black crate is part of a set. There are 4 boxes and I got the third biggest. I really want it in white but it's out of stock so I got just one in black. Their sale is until the end of the month and new stock in white will be coming so I will wait for those ☺

wooden something from Landmark and Pantone mug from SM

I guess to other people this isn't a splurge but to me it is. I don't need them, well maybe except for product pictorial props, but I didn't really need to buy them. I'm kuripot that way. Haha.

I avoided the grocery to avoid unneccesary purchases but I needed to buy toothpaste (and if I find the Scholl pedi thingy), I went to the toiletries section and ended up buying not just a tube of toothpaste

because they're on sale...

I've been eyeing the Bifesta for about a year already but didn't muster enough courage (until now) to shell out 400 to buy it. Haha sabi sayo kuripot ako eh. The St Ives Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange Scrub I saw last month in Savemore but put off buying it as I still have lots of facial washes and scrubs but because it's 10% off, bumili na rin ako kahapon.

Ooooh, it's so pretty ☺ This is how the Bifesta bottle looks like when you peel off the plastic. I love muted pastel colors.

And since we're on the topic of facial washes and scrubs (and indirectly, hoarding na din), here are the facial wash and scrubs we've accumulated (wala pa jan ang mga facial bar soaps)

from L to R: St Ives Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange Scrub, VMV id Skin-Buffing Cleansing Scrub, Nature
Republic Argan Foam Cleanser, Olay Thermal Mini-peel and Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser

L to R: ROC Resurfacing Facial Cleanser, Sebamed Liquid Face & Body Wash, Benzac Facial Scrub,
Maxipeel Exfoliant Scrub and Asian Secrets Lulur Whitening Facial Scrub

My favorites: Even if I just bought it yesterday, the St Ives Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange Scrub is definitely one of my faves because of the scent (reminds me of  Neutrogena's Grapefruit facial wash) and I love the fine, grainy scrub texture (reminiscent of the other St Ives scrub, Green Tea), plus you could never go wrong with a St Ives facial wash and scrub ;) Another fave is the Benzac Facial Scrub whose scent I also love love love plus it's really effective against pimples and blackheads (ie. it doesn't make me break out). The downside of Benzac is it's a little pricey and I can't use it everyday ( just twice a week, tops!). The third runner-up is the ROC Max Resurfacing Facial Cleanser. I don't how much it costs cos it was AC who bought it. I also like the texture but not so much the scent. Its label says it's to be used prior your anti-aging soap/cleanser so the active anti-aging ingredient can penetrate your skin better.

I used to like the Olay Thermal Mini Peel; however, the warming effect, I think, has an effect on my skin. The dry areas (skin in between the chin and lower lip) and singit-singit sides of the nose, they darken on continued use of this scrub so I just use it occasionally. The VMV id Skin-Buffing Cleansing Scrub I bought last year as part of a set. Around this time last year, I had a bad case of pimples. mega-breakout galore! So I was desperate. I was sad and desperate which means I was easily cajoled into buying this beauty product. I followed the instructions to a T. They said the breakouts were going to worsen at first then improve eventually, with continued use of the kit. I used it for almost two months. I stopped using it when my complexion didn't improve.

The Sebamed  (bought here) and Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser (pasalubong from AB) were purchased I think last 2013 and 2012, respectively. Kaya sila tumagal ng hanggang 2015 kasi hindi ko masyado ginagamit- mga once a month pag nagsawa ako sa ginagamit ko. The Asian Secrets Lulur Whitening Facial Scrub I must have used just twice or thrice. I bought it last 2013, too.

Maxipeel Exfoliant Scrub was bought on impulse, wala lang. Haha. The Argan Foaming Cleanser was a birthday gift to AC. I love the scent but I noticed my skin gets oilier after using.

So there my boring chronicling of the facial wash and scrubs we have in our bathroom. I'm bored. And too tamad to do anything productive. Bleh.

Monday Na, Rainy Pa

Time flies. It's been a year since we were evicted from the original location and moved to our temporary place of business which was our extension aka my "lab." If Facebook didn't remind me, it would've totally escaped my memory. 

So while having my lunch today, I was thinking about the days of August as I have a deliverable before the 21st. I was counting how many days I have left to work on the order. Turns out I only have, more or less, two weeks and a half to work on it. Basta, this year has swooshed on by and before we know it, it's already 2016. Pero siempre birthday ko muna. 

First up, an update on my sorry life. Haha. Joke lang. I just feel sorry for myself when sisters make plans without me #bakitfamilybatayo and most of the time, I like spending my time by myself. These days nga lang, I've been spending too much time alone. Unti na lang iha-high five ko na sarili ko. Makes me think of going back to IC and further my Spanish-speaking skills (or still lack thereof, even after 28 levels) just so I have an "extra-curricular" activity. Kaso lang masyado nang mahal ang 5 kiaw every two months just so I could mingle. With that amount, I can buy a looot of supplies already. 

Speaking of supplies.. I have all the supplies I need to start production pero I'm still NOT starting production. You see, I am a little preoccupied with my "gadgets" as I have not yet fully familiarized myself with them and now, my new printer's acting out. The magenta cartridge isn't dispensing ink and it's actually killing meeeeeee because I wanted to print labels already!!! And I need a ride to go to my supplier to have it fixed. Dapat talaga nagdri-drive na ako eh. Duwag ko talaga. So instead of printing labels, I discovered something new that "iPhone" (aka my plotter cutter) can do... et voila

I CAN MAKE BOXES!!! ☺ 

so I spent the whole day yesterday making boxes, addict mode. That was a good decision I made, purchasing that printer and plotter cutter, although I still need it to generate income, mabawi lang ang cost which could've bought an iPhone (hence my cutter's name- iPhone) but I would never choose an iphone over my "iPhone." Sorry, ang sabog. 

My goal is to buy a laser printer next year. But that could still change. I am happy with my current printer but I feel that a laser one has better output. It all depends on the the feedback and, of course, the budget.

So toodles for now as I have yet to "construct" a Lalaloopsy-themed label.

It Is What It Is

Before I "officially" start work, here's something of interest to me I saw on the net.

First is this comic strip on 9gag which accurately describes the romance aspect of my life right now (and for the last 15 years, HA!)

photo grabbed from 9gag

Although it can't be for the last 15 years cos we only got legit "hi-speed" internet connection in 2005 or 2006, so mga ten years lang pala.

STAAAAHP EEET

Ayan, patapos na naman ang buwan and that means another end-of-the-month round-off post. There's only a week left of July. Ang lapit na ng birthday ko. Haha. Yes, ibalik ang ugaling atat mag-birthday. 

So what have I been busy with this past month? 

☻ I've been familiarizing myself with my newest gadgets aka the plotter cutter and the printer. I'm slowly getting the hang of it. I have wasted so much paper and laminating films and money, but as they say, practice makes perfect. At least kapag full-on production mode na ako, gamay na gamay ko na sila. Just yesterday, I finished my very first project using my own printer and cutter.

kinilig ako

Grabe ang sense of fulfillment ko, haha! Hindi pa perfect, I've yet to know how to tinker with the color settings at kung anu-ano pa (and more paper and stickers to waste) before I perfect the art of printing and cutting my own labels. 

☺ Supplies shopping, Ayoko pa siguro makita ang susunod na billing ko sa credit card dahil alam ko magiging madugo haha. I should start production already para hindi na ngarag pagdating ng Nov/Dec and I can focus on getting more orders. 

☻ Tried out a new burger place- Bypass Burger. Sarap ☺

The place was inconspicuous. If my brother-in-law didn't mention about this new burger place, I wouldn't have noticed it. Tamang-tama din cos this month's craving was burger! And Army Navy's Charlie Bravo. Oh my liver!

Umm.. yan lang pala. Nalungkot naman ako. Akala ko napaka-productive ko eh. 

2015 Reading Challenge: Kiss Me Again

Just a thought before I start with the book (non) review: I just watched Something Borrowed again and I just realized I wanted Rachel to end up with Ethan. I forget what happened in the book, if Ethan was really into Rachel or if that was just in the movie version. Ngayon ko lang nakita yung pinaka-ending, the scene after the rolling of the credits- Darcy was in London calling after Ethan and then to be continued... The thing is, they never really made a movie adaptation of Something Blue. Wala lang. Sayang.

So, now back to what I was here for, a (non) review on Rachel Vail's Kiss Me Again. From what I remember, I enjoyed this book's prequel, If We Kiss. Ngunit subalit datapwat... the circumstances following the marriage of Charlie's mom and Kevin's dad. SEE?!?!?! Even if they're technically not blood-related, it still feels incestuous and their parents' marriage made their landian more convenient for these teenagers. Kalurks.

Charlie and Kevin's flirtationship reminds me of Cher and Josh in Clueless, but everything happened after Cher's dad was already separated from Josh's mom and Josh was in college the duration of that relationship so there were no creepy feel to it. In Charlie and Kevin's case, they're living under one roof, with rooms just next to each other's.

I wonder if there's a third book in this series because that ending was pretty open-ended. Chaka. I was thinking that somewhere along the book, they'd be caught by their parents or even if they decide by themselves that they should stop whatever it is they have, there's still that creepy memory that they made out with each other once upon a time- ang awkward diba? But the book ended with there two teenagers playing everything by ear, seeing where things would lead them. Ay, afraid.

Waaah!! I am seven books behind my reading goal. Boo! And it looks like it'll be harder for me to meet my goal as we approach bazaar season. But I'm still going to try... and maybe lessen time spent playing Farm Heroes Saga and Candy Crush Soda.

2015 Reading Challenge: The Demon King

I've never been into fantasy and magic-themed books. I believe, after Harry Potter, there wasn't any book that I've read that belonged to the same genre. Maybe with the exception of Kasie West's Pivot Point and Split Second which dabbled in fantasy and the paranormal but still not as full-on fantasy. If it were just me, I honestly wouldn't choose this book but I wanted to give other books a chance (aside from my usual), so I picked a number from 1 to 100 which led me to The Demon King.

The Demon King is a sort of introduction to the Seven Realms series. The book introduced us to Han Alister and Princess Raisa who are the main characters in the series. They already met here in the first book but sparks haven't flew yet. Although I am a little conflicted because Amon Byrne seems to be a worthy contender for the princess' heart, but his duty being Princess Raisa's protector (and the position is also bound by magic), he cannot pursue the princess. Well, even if he didn't choose to be the princess' protector, I reckon he doesn't really have a chance to be betrothed to her which I think made him finally accept the position.

"What about my own choice? Amon thought. Raisa would never be his; he knew that. But if he took himself off to Oden's Ford, and after that to a posting at Chalk Cliffs, chances were the pain would fade in a decade or so. He was only seventeen. What would it be like to be with Raisa constantly for the rest of his life, as her captain and counselor, to see her married, always within reach, knowing he could never have her?'

Saksak puso, tulo ang dugo. Hahaha! Oh well, such is life, Amon.  And it's not as if Raisa doesn't like him back because she does! So Book 1 ends with Raisa and Amon on a journey to Oden's Ford but Raisa feeling that Amon is keeping his distance from her.

It was a tragic thing that happened to Han. My heart goes out to the boy who has lost his mother and dearest sister and who has also told the truth about his real identity. When it rains, it pours, ika nga. Pero in fair, now he has something to occupy himself. Before finding out who he truly is, he was sort of an in emo-mode with Dancer going off to Oden's Ford and Bird also training to become a Demonai warrior.

I'm really excited to see how Han and Raisa's relationship will evolve and how our dear Amon will take everything that's happening around him. Already started with Book 2: The Exiled Queen but I think I need a quick read so I can catch up with my 2015 Reading Challenge Goal of 50 books. I am currently five books behind schedule and that's without counting this month's four books. In total, I am nine books behind! Boo!