Shopping: Cath Kidston and Amy Butler

I've only been to one Cath Kidston store. It was in Thailand.

I was surprised when I found some authentic Cath Kidston and Amy Butler (and other cutesy patootsy brands) stationery here in the Philippines at ... tan-tan-tanan ... where else but National Bookstore.

Found them at National bookstore Greenbelt 1. Hurry, once the Cath Kidston and Amy Butler fanatics learn that they sell it, they'll be gone in an instant.

Crafts/DIY: Ring Dish

Have you seen these trinket dishes from Anthropologie?

Giraffe Trinket Dish $16
Wishbone Jewelry Dish $48

Well, since Anthropologie is non-existent here in Metro Manila (please come over -- pretty please?), I decided to make my own.

* white ceramic dish 

Source: I got these tiny condiment plates from a bazaar ($2/8 pieces). They also sell these

at department stores. The cheaper, the better. 

* animal figurine

Source: This one is from a baking supply store. I think they're cake toppers. ($1/pair)

*gold paint pen (Sharpie or Artline)

Source: National Bookstore

* instant glue (like Mighty Bond)

Source: National Bookstore or local hardware store

[1] Color your figurine entirely with gold pen. Make sure you get into the cracks as well.

[2] Once you finish, try out how it will look on your dish. 

[3] I decided to put it near the corner. But don't glue it just yet. Draw in some

polka dots. Make it random just like the one below. 

I tried using hole reinforcements as your stencils, then I colored them in. The problem

was that sometimes the color bled out, so some of my dots looked ugly.

I prefer using the Artline brand on the dish. I tried Sharpie, but the gold

color on the dish just wasn't gold enough.

[4] Secure the figurine with instant glue. Tada!

I'm a Cheap Date. So What?

For months, I've been bugging Daddy E to take me out on a lunch date. I wanted to try the foodie spots at UP Diliman, and I'm not talking about the different restaurants at the university. I'm talking about the Rodic's and the Beach Houses of the area, especially when the news about the Beach House will soon close broke out. For those who are not familiar with Rodic's and Beach House, they are the canteens and not-so-secret eating spots for students of UP Diliman. So yeah, they are seriously for the budget conscious.

I didn't have the chance to eat at any of these places when I was at UP. I don't know why, but yeah, I have no excuse. So now, I'm trying to make up for lost time. I've tried Rodic's earlier (read about my experience here), and I enjoyed it so much, I went back for seconds.

This time, we wanted to explore other foodie places in the area. Enter The Snack Shack and Jing's Lutong Bahay. The Snack Shack's this tiny spot beside PhilPost near the tennis courts, while Jing's Lutong Bahay is down J.P. Laurel street.

The Snack Shack is just a tiny burger and sausage shack put up at the corner of J.P. Laurel and Roces Streets. I actually didn't notice it when we went and looked for parking at the Shopping Center near it.

A P70 quarter pounder wasn't all that bad. It's quite yummy actually. I like the way the patty was grilled too. I like it better than most fast food places. You can also put add-ons if you'd like.

So my tip is, you order this ahead of time. You can send an SMS to their number 0915-259-9495 around 30 minutes before. If you're not pressed for time, just go there and order your burger. Then walk for about a couple of minutes down J.P. Laurel Street and look for Jing's Lutong Bahay. They sell fruit slushes which fill up about a Starbucks Venti (I would say) -- for only P40! This was my P40 strawberry shake. Not bad, right? After you get your fruit shake, your burger at The Snack Shack will be just about done. Wow, a P110 lunch date? That's less than $3! Coolbeans!

If you're an alumni of the University of the Philippines, this is a great idea! Daddy E and I are both from UP, and we had a wonderful time trying these out. Come to think of it, it still is a great idea for couples and friends even if you're not from UP.

Wanna go try them out? Here's the map:

The Snack Shack
Roces cor. J.P. Laurel Sts.,
University of the Philippines, 
Diliman, QC

Jing's Lutong Bahay
113 J.P. Laurel Street,
University of the Philippines, 

Diliman, QC

Crafts/DIY: $0 Valentine's Day Art

I was looking at my messy desk, and found some scraps of used stationery and some cut origami paper. I didn't have the heart to throw them away because they were still in good condition -- no wrinkles or anything like that. For some reason, I thought of tangrams using right triangles and decided to make art using the paper I found.

* paper scraps 

(stationery, newspaper, origami, 

wrapping paper)

* card stock for backing

* scissors

* ruler

* all-purpose glue

[1] Cut your paper scraps into workable rectangular strips.

I found that 1-1/2" strips are easy to manage.

[2] Then cut into squares. Then triangles.

[3] Play around with the triangles to make a shape, like how I did

letter "A" below.

or you can make a heart, too.

[4] When you're happy with the positioning, glue the shapes on

cardstock. You can frame it after and give it as a gift this Valentine's.

Toddler: Playtime

When I was a kid, the things that occupied my time was studying and playing outside. I remember my yaya putting lampin with baby powder on my back to keep me cool while playing (yes, it was Johnson's baby powder). My mom used it on us, and I use it on Allie now, especially after bathtime.

Kids now are so attached with digital technology that simple things like playgrounds are being taken for granted. When I was a kid, playing on the street in front my mom's house was still considered safe. Now, I guess I'm too paranoid to let my daughter play there. I find it unthinkable. So whenever we get the chance to go to the playground, we go. There are a few that we go, and it is such a joy to find Allie enjoy it.

Indoor playgrounds are great too. You don't have to worry too much about heat, sunburn or even rain. It was Allie's first time in Active Fun, during the Johnson's Baby Play Factory event last weekend. She was so excited to go and play, she didn't want to eat inside the event place first. Haha. The event itself was like a children's party. Balloons were everywhere, and the food is totally stamped with kids' party label on it -- spaghetti and chicken lollipops! Yum. Kulang nalang hotdogs and marshmallows on sticks.

I went inside the playground with Allie. I got tired but I had so much fun too.

After playing for like an hour or so, I had to change Allie's clothes because I didn't want her catching a cold because of her sweaty clothes. It was good that the folks at Johnson's gave us tons of baby powder during the event, so I was able to use that for her body to make her feel refreshed.

They also gave us this cool Play Factory toolbox.

Inside was this tiny flyer saying, "Introducing, the newest tool for unlimited fun! PLAY FACTORY from Johnson's Baby Powder. It can be anything! Turn it into fairy dust! Use it in a dance step! Use it for drawing patterns on the skin! The possibilities are endless! Turn powder time into a fun, engaging, imagination-filled activity with Johnson's Baby Powder!"

It reminded me so much of my childhood. Well, I'm sure most of you in my generation used baby powder in your play kitchen. I remember mixing it with water and lotion and pretended I was cooking a delicious meal for my dolls. 

Allie's no different when it comes to baby powder. This was taken a few months ago by my mother-in-law. It's good they had this huge bottle of Johnson's Baby Powder right? At least there was still some left for actual body use. Haha.

Crafts/DIY: Blow-Box Garland All Lit Up

When I was a kid, I used to do blow boxes. Yes, it was the time of the paper airplanes, paper boats, and all other kinds of paper folded playthings. Origami was an awesome pastime then, and now it's making a comeback.

Here's a good way to use blow-boxes -- garlands! I used these cool Chiyogami print origami paper from Muji and some $3 tiny Christmas lights.

Check out this link on how to make them. So easy. Have fun!