Crafts/DIY: Paper Bows

Here's a cute way to decorate your gifts. Instead of ribbons, why not use paper bows?

You can print out the last photo below, then use that as a template on old wrapping papers or old magazines like these:

Read more for instructions...

Food: It's Always Great to Have Free Pizza

Yep, you read that right. Free pizza. One of my all-time favorite pizza places, California Pizza Kitchen, is giving away free pizza for every order of regular or thin crust pizza on the 2nd National Pizza Day this coming August 15 in all of their locations in the Philippines for both dine-in and take-out. Nice right? While you're at it, visit their newest location at Eastwood Mall.

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CPK Philippines gives free pizza on 2^nd National Pizza Day,

opens new location

 

Every pizza lover’s dream day is back.  California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) has opened its tenth location in the Philippines in time for this year’s celebration of the 2^nd National Pizza Day on August 15.   The new CPK is located at the ground floor of Eastwood Mall, Eastwood Cyberpark in Libis, Quezon City.

For the National Pizza Day celebration, CPK is giving away free pizza from a selection of five new flavours for every order of a regular or thin crust pizza.  The free pizza choices are Untraditional Cheese Pizza, Garlic Chicken Pizza, Hawaiian Pizza, Wild Mushroom and Caprese Pizza.

Untraditional Cheese Pizza is made from Mozzarella, fresh Mozzarella and tomato sauce.  Garlic Chicken Pizza is topped with roasted garlic, grilled chicken, sweet caramelized onions, fresh Mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, slivered scallions and crushed black pepper.  The Hawaiian Pizza deviates from the traditional style served in other pizza hubs as it’s topped with Canadian bacon and slivered scallions alongside the classic Mozzarella, tomato sauce and pineapple ingredients.  Wild Mushroom Pizza has Shiitake, Abalone and white mushrooms alongside garlic olive oil, slivered scallions and Mozzarella, Romano and Parmesan cheese.  Last on the menu of free pizza choices is Caprese, a pizza topped with Basil Cashew Pesto, cherry tomatoes, fresh Mozzarella and topped with fresh basil leaves and Grana Padano Parmesan.

Aside from the free pizza, diners can also enjoy refillable Coca-Cola for only P50.  All five pizza selections will be served exclusively on National Pizza Day and will not be on CPK’s regular menu.

“These are five new pizzas that clearly showcase what CPK has become known for:  California creativity and innovation with every meal.  People come to us for a memorable dining experience of unique pizzas, salads, pastas, soups and sandwiches, appetizers and desserts, and an impressive wine and beverage list.  We beef up our menu with tasty innovative dishes that make our guests keep coming back to taste their old favourites and experience new dishes,” said Archie Rodriguez, President and CEO of Global Restaurants Inc. (GRCI), CPK’s local partner.   

CPK Philippines is the first franchise to operate outside the United States.  As a testament to its popularity in the country, the restaurant has been expanding its presence and regularly updating its menu.  The Eastwood Mall restaurant is CPK’s second location in Quezon City, after opening in Trinoma Mall a few years back.  Last year, CPK also opened in Harbor Point Mall in Subic, its first branch outside Metro Manila. 

“As foodies, Filipinos have grown mature.  We have been exposed to global flavours and are willing to try new dishes that CPK brings to the table.  This inspires us to create something extraordinary out of simple ingredients, adding to it the same familiar California twist.  It is no wonder that people look up to us now as the pizza authority,” he added.

CPK has promised more offerings on its 16^th year in the Philippines, including the rollout of a new menu and the opening of another location by the next quarter.

“Filipinos have always been pizza lovers.  And yes, the numbers are growing!  We have seen this as more families and groups dine with us.  There is also the clamour to expand in other key cities and be present in almost every gathering,” Rodriguez said.

The National Pizza Day free pizza promo is valid for dine-in and take-out in all CPK branches nationwide only on August 15, 2013.

Celebrate the National Pizza Day at CPK in the following locations: Alabang Town Center, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, TriNoma, Greenhills Promenade, Power Plant Mall, Greenbelt 5, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Subic Harbor Point Mall, W Global Center Bonifacio Global City and Eastwood Mall.  For latest news and updates, follow CPKPhilippines on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Love: The Day I Got Something from Love vs. Design

A week and a half ago, I received a sample packet of the baby stationery collection of Love vs. Design. It was supposed to be a preview, but because of the uber slow postal service here in the Philippines, it took forever for me to receive it. Getting it was the highlight of my day. I get really giddy receiving packages with pretty things inside.

It came in this. The sticky address label was so pretty. I really, really love it.

Inside was this card stock folded envelope of pastel parallel pattern and color block. It was sealed with a gold polka dot washi tape. Super cute!

It even came with a handwritten note on this flat card with a royal blue and peach color combo.

What's inside you ask? They're a sampler of the new baby collection from Love vs. Design. Most of them are birth announcements and they are so awesome. They are a great way to give out to relatives and friends who want to see your new baby. I know, I know, there's facebook and all. But there is something about receiving something that you can actually hold that I really love. I had one made when Allie was born. But that's for another post. Maybe I'll share it with you someday. Now, you have to check out these goodies.

First up are these flat cards/postcards and gift tag. They are free printables and you can download them from here.

Now for the other lovely prints --

Thank you Love vs. Design for this adorable treat. It really made my day. Thanks so much!

For more information, visit Love vs. Design's Baby Collection.

Freebie: Printable Labels For Your Kitchen

Designed by the Lia Griffith, here is a free printable for your spice racks. It mimics a black vintage chalkboard, and

Deal: Gelatissimo BOGO on Summer of Italy Sorbet

Love sorbets? Here's a pretty good deal for you. From June 8 to June 16, Gelatissimo is offering a buy one get one free promo on any Summer of Italy sorbet.

P.S.
Don't worry about your diet, ladies. These are 100% fat free. 

Crafts/DIY: Hermès Jigé clasp

Can't afford the real thing? Well, here's a cute craft project for you. You can even customize it if you are that creative. You can download the templates from here. Enjoy!

Image from Hermes

Font Love: A Couple of Emily Lime Freebies

So okay, I am loving every single font from Emily Lime. Then, I found some fabulous (and free!) dingbat fonts from Emily Lime that I want to share with you. Enjoy!

Links after the jump...

Freebie: Matilde Font

It's time for Freebie Friday! Here's a free font from typedepot called Matilde. Download it for free from typedepot.

Image Credit typedepot

Print: 'Here Comes the Sun'

The sun came back yesterday. Yay!

Crafts/DIY: Starbucks Make-Your-Own Tumbler Design

We got this tumbler for my dad from Starbucks and personalized it with a photo of him and Allie.

You can change the design of the insert inside the tumbler and make it your own. The downside? I didn't find any readily available template from the Starbucks website.

So, what I did was I scanned the insert so that it would be to size, and manipulated the design in Photoshop. Below is the final product.

Kind of blurry, but you get the point. :)

I did one for you, my dear readers. I think it's very Kate Spade-ish. Download the actual size from this link.

Freebie: More Lilly Prints

There are new free downloadable prints out on the Lilly blog. Well, I guess they're new for me. I just saw them today, and I haven't been logging in for the longest time. I love them! I hope you do too.

Image from the Lilly blog

Crafts/DIY: Cute and Easy Cupcake Flags

When I saw cute cupcake flags in Somewhere Splendid, I knew I had to make them for Allie's party.

They are super easy to make. All you need are:
* toothpicks (I like the smooth round ones)
* patterned paper

1.  I made my own flag template and design, customized especially for Allie's party (you can use patterned paper too). Download the pink and green flags (I removed the letter 'A' from the pink flag design so you can use it however you want) from here.
2.  Cut the diamond shapes. I find that using a cutter, steel ruler and a cutting mat is easier and faster than using a pair of scissors especially when I had to make about a hundred of them. :P
3.  Use sterile gloves to assemble the flags in order to keep the toothpicks clean.
4.  Have a clean container ready. Something like a rubbermaid plastic container or ziplock will do.
Tip from the mom who did this 100 times in 4 batches :) : Fold the cut paper in half. Put some glue on the backside of the paper. Place the toothpick at the folded part, then seal.

I had little yummy cupcakes made by my cousin's pastry chef friend. They were frosted with pink, green and white. We just stuck the cupcake flags in to finish. I think this is a lovely way to personalize cupcakes. Don't you agree?

Photo by Resonance Photography

Photo by Resonance Photography

Freebie: Orla Kiely Inspired Multi-Stem Pattern

There was a lot of Orla Kiely bedding for Bed, Bath and Beyond going around design websites -- I first saw it in Apartment Therapy. I got so excited. I adore Orla Kiely patterns, especially the multi-stem.

via Apartment Therapy

Wouldn't this make a cute desktop wallpaper pattern?

I just had to create one for myself, and I like to share it with you. But please, download it only for personal use. Here's the link. Enjoy!

Freebie: Font Love Blanch

From the source of free font Lavanderia, here is another one by Lost Type Co-Op -- Blanch. Enjoy!

Freebie: Floral Heart Monogram

Oh. My. Goodness.

I just recently followed Wedding Chicks; it's a site full of all things pretty for a wedding. I love browsing wedding stuff. It's my secret fantasy to become a wedding planner (not so secret anymore, I guess. Teehee.) .

Anyway, Wedding Chicks recently posted a free printable that I love. Make your own customized print at their website. Here's the link.

--and here's my customized print. Have fun making your own!

Inspiration: Scrabble

I had Scrabble as a class in college for PE. I know, lame right? But I wasn't not athletic (I'm still not), and I didn't want to get all sweaty. And besides, I LOVE board games.

So here's an inspiration board dedicated to Scrabble, one of my all-time favorite games.

1. Backyard Scrabble (via Sunset) -- a home project by architect Kristy McAuliffe. It was made from a wood frame, poured concrete that was scored into squares and separated by joints. Colored squares were made from water-based concrete stains. Letter tiles were made from baseboard trim with precut, adhesive-backed vinyl letters and numbers sealed with spray lacquer. Tile trays were created by a metal artist friend.

2. Scrabble Placecards (via Caroline Tran) -- DIY this using cardstock and your desktop printer. Glue in one scrabble tile unto a letter. Et voila!

3. Lettered Pillows (via shopdirsta) -- made-to-order pillows. I can see this as diy-able if you are great at sewing. You can sew white letters/numbers on grey fabric. If you don't know how to sew like me (I should really learn how to sew), use some fabric spray paint and freezer paper to stencil in the letters/numbers.


And because I love my readers, here is a free scrabble love print for you to use. Just copy the image.

Freebie: Love Print

To those who believe in fairy tales...

Fonts: Gill Sans Ultra Bold, Pea Olson
Print: Lilly Pulitzer's "A Thing Called Love"
Heart: Adobe Photoshop stock image

Freebie: Lilly Pulitzer Wallpaper Prints (Part 2)

I'm still crazy finding inspiration for my daughter's Lilly-inspired birthday party -- and what a treat I got when I looked at the Lilly blog. Once again, they are giving out free -- yes, free -- wallpaper prints. Download them from this link.

I haven't finalized my daughter's invitation yet. But it's looking like the print I chose is finally having a couple of contenders. :p

A Thing Called Love
via Lilly blog

Mariposa
via Lilly blog

Spritz
via Lilly blog

Freebie: Custom Mood Board (and How-to)

Freebie Alert:
I miss doing mood boards. I haven't done one in ages. I know I should do one again soon. I'm just lacking the right room inspiration. If you like the mood boards I did, and have a room that you want to redecorate, I welcome requests. I'll do one for you for free if the room idea you have inspires me. :) So send some suggestions my way, and help me rid myself of some mood board craving.


Mood boards I did before:

A navy and mustard nursery

A Reader's Bedroom

A Paris-Inspired Bedroom

A Bright and Bold Nursery

A Gender-Neutral Nursery

Anyway, back to my real post. A reader requested that I post a tutorial on how I do mood boards. I am by no means an expert, but I think it's a great idea to share with you how I do them. The way I want my mood boards to look is to make it feel like a real room so you can visualize it without clutter.

I usually use Photoshop, but Keynote works too.

Okay, here we go.

For a sample image, I am using West Elm's Slipper Chair (so pretty).


STEP 1:
Scour for images of your selected pieces. Images with plain backgrounds are easier to manipulate. If you can find one with a white background, the better.

STEP 2:
Clean the image so that only the piece that you want is left. Erase even the white background. Keynote's "alpha" or Photoshop's "Lasso" will do the trick. You need to delete the background even if it is white.

Using Keynote: Click and drag out the color/s you wanted to make transparent. Do this over and over again. See what I mean if your photo is not clean?

Using Photoshop: Use the lasso tool to select the chair, then ctrl+shift+i to invert the selection, then hit delete.

Cleaned up image using Photoshop.

STEP 3:
Layout your mood board. Add text or numbers to identify the pieces. Here I used my Reader's Bedroom mood board and replaced the swivel chair with this one.

Here's the before photo:

STEP 4:
Share the love!