Foxy

My first digital camera was a cute little pink Cybershot U that I insisted on buying purely because of kawaii factor. I dragged my Kuya to Megamall in search of the maarte 1.3 MP cam (wala pang zoom!) and we celebrated my purchase at Almon Marina.

{ One of the first shots from that camera }

I still have that cute camera in my room and it still works, haha! But most of your phones probably take much better pictures. d: I'm keeping it for sentimental (and cuteness factor, obvs) reasons.

{ In Five Cows after Christmas lunch at Omakase in 2007 }

My next camera was a sleek, silver Canon IXUS that my mom and kuya gave me for Christmas about five years ago. My friend Kaich and I were camera twinsies until iPods/iPads/smart phones happened and we all forgot about our cameras. Everything was on TwitPic, Instagram, etc.

Until one fine Christmas afternoon, I walked into the mall, just planning to use my GCs for a new dress or a skirt (ended up with both, lol). I walked out with that and a paper bag from a camera store. HAHA! Talk about low EQ. I've actually been looking at the Fujifilm X100 ever since I found out Kristina of Kris Atomic was using that as her point and shoot, but it was just too much money for one thing. Last year, one of my photographer friends emailed me a link to the Fuji X10 and said it might be the camera for me. Didn't really consider buying one since my IXUS was still working and my brother would let me use his LX3 when he wasn't using it. Then Reggie posted about the X10 and I started looking at reviews online. Saw that it had film simulation (Provia, Velvia, and Astia) and I was sold (dali kong ma-convince, no?) Fast forward to two days ago, I finally got myself a camera with my own money (well, next year ko pa masasabing nabili ko na siya kasi naka-installment, haha).

Here are a few photos I've taken with it so far. The two photos of the bilo-bilo chair (haha) were taken by Pat (thanks for assessing my purchase, wahaha). Didn't do anything to these photos except resize them and put a watermark. Whee!

Christmas At Casa Alcaraz

{ Mini Nutella + Gigantic Elsie's Croissant }

{ Lazy Girl's Guide To Gift Wrapping: Tie with twine and make cards out of old business cards with washi tape and your trusty labelmaker.}

{ Raspberry Pie on the lips, Callalily on the tips. }

{ Simple dinner with mi familia ♥ }

 { With Ate Elena who prepared our Noche Buena.}

{ Nutella Crepe Cake from Dessert Du Jour. My brother's fitting description: a crepe version of Quadratini! }

 { My dad's face of glee riding his brand new wheels. }

{ My favorite 3-in-1 and my dad's gift from the grocery—which my brother paid for, hahaha! }

{ Managed not to open my treats till after 12mn. Yay for pretty things! }

 { I am aware I am no longer 15, but thank you to family and friends who indulge me and this ridiculous obsession. My small 1D collection, hahaha! }

{ Impromptu MRT ride because Shangri-la was not open and we didn't know till we got there. Whoops! I love my new sneakers. }

 { Christmas Dinner with my dad's relatives. So sad there were no lumpiang shanghai leftovers for today! }

 { My niece who shares a mutual love for the boys. So happy she read through this in one sitting! }

Christmas Eve

It's been four years. It doesn't really feel that long unless I read my previous entries and I'm proven wrong. It has been that long.

Five years ago was the last Christmas we spent with you, in an unfamiliar place that almost reminded me of Shake, Rattle, and Roll. I watched you get wrapped in sheets of powdered carbon, laying there while the acetate blackened by what supposedly had the power to remove all the toxins from your body worked its magic. I read a book by the shore while you sat in saltwater, hoping to be rid of the liquid your body had been retaining, causing you to bloat. I laughed in amusement as you slowly slurped your liquid pancit.

Five years is pretty long. Half a decade, a young preschooler, more than your entire high school or college stay. But five years is also pretty short compared to the years prior to that First Christmas. I always wonder if I'll ever get used to it or if I'll ever forget how painful it is to lose someone you love. And every year, though the tears are no longer as frequent and steady as the first time, I slowly begin to accept that I'll always remember. And it's okay.

Though I sometimes wish things would remain the same, I know that change is expected. This time next year, I don't know if we'll even be staying in the same home. There will be new people in our lives. And there will probably be new traditions to get used to. But one thing I know for sure will never change, I will always have a family to come home to.

Merry Christmas! I hope that you have a family to celebrate with tonight. ♥

Oh, But I Thought I'd Ask You Just The Same

Music Monday

Tasty Tuesday

{ Good food, yummy drinks, and tons of stories. Always good to share with friends. }

Wishful Wednesday

{ Maybe it's time to take a leap of faith. (: }

Thoughtful Thursday

Source: theshoppingbagstore.com via Macy on Pinterest

Fashion Friday

 

{ Currently on my want list }

* weekly-themed post adapted from That's Chic

Unlike Everyone Else

Music Monday

I still get amazed when we get contacted by people outside the Philippines, requesting to be featured on the site or in the mag. Once Upon A Time Music in London got in touch with us to feature their artist Coastal Cities, but I'm liking Crash & The Coots who are also under them.

Tasty Tuesday

It's Christmastime in Casa Alcaraz. We actually also have our black tree up too! Someone's extra excited for the holidays (read: my dad).

Wishful Wednesday

Hopefully I get to finish the rest of this before the year ends. It's quite imperfect and there are some parts I just totally guessed (I'm sure crochet experts can spot those in an instant), but I have to say it's kind of growing on me!

Thoughtful Thursday

{ via Style Scrapbook }

Fashion Friday

My aunt and her husband are back from a trip to Europe and they got this beautiful Murano pendant for me. I still don't know if I'll wear it on a chain or the black ribbon it came with. This is my second glass pendant and I love it!

Ten Things I'm Thankful For Tuesday: In Photos

What are you thankful for today? (:

Christmas Time Is Here

Music Monday

Tasty Tuesday

Baked cupcakes for my friend Mikko's family. Piped Cream Cheese frosting roses on Red Velvet and Kahlua cupcakes. And topped S'mores cupcakes with Marshmallow frosting. If you're curious about them, hop on over to my Page on Facebook!


Wishful Wednesday

Praying for all those who lost someone this year. Death isnever easy, but I know it's even more difficult to deal with at this time. I pray and hope for peace in your hearts and for love to surround you in all possible ways.


Thoughtful Thursday

I've been using the same planner for the past 2 years and I finally got one for 2012! I  absolutely fell in love with my first Hanna Werning teNeues planner that I've stuck to it for 3 years and counting. Here's to making plans happen in the coming year. I'm so excited for all the adventures!

Fashion Friday

Madewell Spring 2011 {via Nylon}

Holiday Rush

Last year, I was super efficient and got my Christmas shopping done at least a month before Christmas. This year, I panic bought gifts on the last weekend before Christmas eve!

I had a plan, though. To get to the mall right when it opens and get out before the madness starts at lunch time. Got to Megamall at 10:30 this morning and was out by 12:30. Not bad, right? I also rewarded myself with a tall glass of Iced Milk Chocolate from Blenz. Yum!

Speaking of rewards, yesterday was the annual Candy Girls Christmas lunch and pseudo exchange gift day. Some people will think, what a corny idea to pick out gifts and just have your "mommy" pay for it, but it's so much fun! I think we've been doing it for 3 years now.

 

Aside from picking out a present from my mum Marley (a pretty dress from Love, Bayo that I fell in love with the moment I saw it on their lookbook), I got myself a new wallet from Accessorize (they have a buy 1, get 1 promo going on for regular priced items!) and another floral dress from Mango. Both were on sale so I didn't feel too guilty getting a few gifts for myself, haha. Why is it so hard to stop buying stuff for yourself when you're out gift shopping for other people?

I passed out on my bed after shopping this morning so all my plastic bags remain unopened. I still have to wrap them all up before my friend Alyn's birthday party tomorrow. Will bake mini cupcakes for her dessert table, too! Still haven't decided on a flavor, but I'll figure something out tomorrow.

I've been feeling exhausted the past couple of  days (multiple orders, late nights, etc etc) but I'm getting excited for the holidays! (: