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! }

Made It Myself: Braids and Seed Beads Bracelets

Spent all of Sunday afternoon finishing up my handmade gifts for my friends in the office. I originally wanted to make my own version of these morse code bracelets, but I got reacquainted with this necklace I pinned a few months ago. Instead of necklaces, though, I made bracelets. I used silver seed beads, but ran out in the middle of the 11 bracelets I was making so I alternated some with gold ones.

I used mostly pink, peach, yellow, and greens from my mom's stash of string. I made sure to include green in all of the bracelets because 2013's year of the color is emerald. (:

And because I wanted to go handmade all the way, I made these pillow boxes out of an old paper bag. They're not perfect (because I missed a step!!! Hahaha!), but I'm pretty happy with how they look. You can make your own by following this tutorial on Mikko's website.

* Made It Myself will be a section I'll update regularly with all handmade and DIY projects. (:

Ten Things I'm Thankful For Tuesday: In Photos

What are you thankful for today? (:

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! (:

29

I don't remember when I stopped obsessing about birthdays. When I suddenly didn't mind that there was no party or that I didn't intentionally make plans for the day. When I forgot that I had to blow out a candle. Or that I had to open gifts.

But I remember how my ordinary birthdays always turn out extra special even when I have nothing planned. I should've known today would be no exception.

All I had planned in my head was to get a trim and hang out with my friends after work. I took a leave and spent all morning catching up on TV shows I missed and having lunch with my dad. Little did I know, a plan (in the making for a month or so!) was waiting to be revealed just hours from that moment.

There was nothing extraordinary about my day. Pizza, pasta, and time with friends was enough for me. Imagine my surprise when I got all that and more.

I'm crying again as I type this, because I'm reminded once again how incredible my life truly is. I have friends who know me well and know exactly what makes me happy. I can't even begin to imagine what I've done to deserve such wonderful, gracious family and friends. I don't know what else to say but thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart that's swelling with joy. I'm so lucky to have you in my life.

That said, Kahlua cupcakes for everyone soon!!!

How come you never go there?

Music Monday
How Come You Never Go There by Feist

Tasty Tuesday
Craving for fried Oreos and Tiramisu. Among other things.

Wishful Wednesday

My One True Love, we will be reunited soon. I promise.

Thoughtful Thursday
I love getting no-occasion presents from friends who just simply think of me when they come across something. I think it makes anyone feel special. Spotted a pretty necklace at the mall yesterday and got it for my best friend. I hope she likes it!

Fashion Friday

I can read you, you're my favorite book

Music Monday


Tasty Tuesday

Salidou (Salted Butter Caramel crepe) from La Creperie

Wishful Wednesday

I wish I'd have cute babies someday. (:

Thoughtful Thursday

The best gifts are those that come with no occasion! Swapped beauty products for paper products. Love!

Fashion Friday

Treated myself this payday weekend. Got the shoes I was looking at for a week plus a top and a dress. I also got a few things from Mikko's stash. Thanks, love!

Eager Beaver, 2011 Edition

Most people were dreading their first day back at work. I was mostly bummed at the fact that I couldn't use the computer while lying on my tummy. Work never really feels like work for me because I do practically the same thing on vacation: surf! The only difference is, I actually upload stories online at work.

But that's not the point of my entry. I just want to show you another reason why I was so excited to go back to work: my new office supplies!


Goodies from my birthday and Christmas. I love that my friends are equally obsessed with paper products and office supplies. The Candy Girls gave me my second Teneues planner by Hanna Werning. They were worried I wouldn't like the zebras, but I actually do! Last year's planner had bunnies and deer. (: My former boss Ines gave me the dolphin paper clips (so cute!). The sticky notes set is from Mark♥Barb. I love it! I was thinking of getting myself another design when we went to National Bookstore's Work Station launch but I'm glad I didn't because this pattern is so me! Thank you!


I got these cutesy sticky notes on a trip to Fully Booked with the Candy Girls. Hee. I have another Parisian-themed set but I thought these animals went perfectly with my planner. Donchathink?


How cute is my new mousepad??? Thank you, Margs!!! (: When I opened it, I let out a squeal. She wasn't kidding when she kept asking me to open it already because she said it was so me. Also, her gift had a bunch of sticky notes, too. (There are so many more I got that are not pictured here!) What I'm going to do with all these notes, IDK. But expect a note from me soon! d:


Here's my planner finally broken in: my first, uh, plan for the year. And I'm using a pen now instead of pencil because wala lang. That way deadlines, dates, plans are final because using white out is just going to make my planner ugly.

I can't wait to make plans for 2011!