On Top of Things

We had Mother’s Day lunch at a nice restaurant inside a five star hotel. While we were enjoying the sumptuous food, we also had the chance to view our city from this vantage point. 

It is quite humbling to note that while our urban sprawl is not the most striking of cityscapes, there is still beauty amidst the chaos. There are pockets of greenery and quiet places. I am reminded that there is hope in a city where you see the negative on the foreground. 

Because when you focus on the bigger picture, you will see the potential of your life in a place that is worth stepping back for anyway.  

May you also find your new perspective today, as we begin another week of hustling in this place we call home.  

Comfort Brunch

Yesterday, I was feeling down because I had a difficult conversation with a good friend of mine. It was challenging for me to point out some painful truths to her, but it was worth the effort as we both understood what went wrong. Even if I was the one who had the upper hand, it was still uncomfortable to discuss things with a friend, especially since she is the sensitive type. However, sometimes these conversations are necessary to ensure that the people we love address their concerns. I promised myself a hearty brunch after that discussion. 

I delivered that promise to myself in the form of corned beef and talangka brown rice from my usual, Breakfast Bin. 

For dessert, I walked to Papa Diddi’s for corn and strawberry x double chocolate ice cream scoops.  

It was dreamy to eat it next to this charming Underwood typewriter, which is still functioning well according to the staff! 

I then proceeded to Human Nature to buy some necessities and have some of their in-house brewed coffee, Cafe Lugud! They have free-flowing coffee for all of their customers. I usually bring my own reusable tumbler and have a cup or two after shopping.  

I had a fulfilling day, even if it did not begin on an easy note. I am continuously working on myself, and being a good friend is one of the hats that I strive to wear. Of course, I should love myself before I can even be a friend to anyone. This is why I constantly find ways to improve, so that I can always say that I love being me!

Pixie Confidence

I frequently get asked when I will grow my hair long again, and the answer is probably never. I have enjoyed having pixie hair for years now, as it is a wash and wear style. It has saved me time and energy as my hair requires minimal​ styling, just a bit of wax and I’m good to go. It matches any outfit, whether I’m in workout gear, corporate, or casual clothes. 

I like experimenting with lipsticks, and my pixie goes well with blue, gray, black, red, or pink lips. I enjoy looking fierce with minimal effort. I only go to the salon for a trim once a month. I purchase a jar of wax that lasts me a month and a half, and when I don’t have time to air dry my hair, I use my blower to get the job done. I use a strengthening shampoo from my online shop​ everyday to keep my hair sleek and clean. Lastly, it has also allowed me to stand out in a sea of long-haired maidens. 

If you are also considering a pixie cut, I would suggest that you go for it! It’s only hair, and it will grow longer if you realize that the pixie isn’t your cup of tea. I did not expect this level of commitment when I first had my pixie cut, but I fell in love with the minimalism of the whole process. Also, I can wear striking earrings without looking too extra! If you want a good excuse to wear sparkly bling and still look chic everyday, then go for the pixie cut. Try a bold lip while you’re at it. And always smile, because people will notice it more when you have very short hair. 

Remember, a sleek hairstyle will never make you feel good unless you are already confident on the inside. Work on that first, then get the pixie. You can thank me later.  

Calado Oh Na Na

I have recently shared with you my favorite handmade hoop earrings from homegrown brand Calado. My Mirasol spiral hoops were handmade in Dauis, Bohol by artisans who have inherited their skills in filigree and silversmithing from their ancestors. Their artistry can be traced back to the Spanish colonial times, and Calado is committed to preserving their craft through their handmade jewelry line. 

I am impressed with the quality of my earrings, and I feel pretty whenever I wear them. I think one of the reasons why I feel confident whenever I wear brands like Calado is because I am a strong supporter of the local handmade movement. Becoming a conscious consumer has also let me be naturally drawn to goods which were ethically and fairly made.

I am happy that my earrings, just like many of my belongings, adhere to my handmade lifestyle. It is my hope that more people will discover the joys of conscious consumerism and the beauty of each handmade object. I will continue to share my handmade finds here on my blog, so watch out for my lifestyle posts! Together, we can all discover that hands will always be better than machines in terms of quality and heart. 

Waffle Reward

Whenever I feel like giving up, I always remind myself that I am worth more than my mistakes. I have had my own share of shortcomings, but I have learned from them. I make sure to take note of my areas of improvement so that I will know what specific things I have to work on. I am determined to be the best version of myself by highlighting my strengths to reinforce my limitations. 

Having said that, I do reward myself for small wins! Recently, I have been slaying through my workouts. I have decided to eat my favorite food as a personal backslap. For instance, I had this delicious bacon, egg, lettuce, and tomato (BELT) waffle sandwich from Breakfast Bin. It was delicious and satisfying! 

How do you self-audit your skills? What areas do you have to improve on? And how do you reward yourself for small wins? I hope that you will also find the balance between self-improvement and self-care! 

Another Barkin’ Sunday

I visited Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe last Sunday to get some good vibes from my favorite furry friends. I visit the cafe whenever I need a few hugs, licks, and cuddles. 

I am never disappointed because the cafe has plenty of dogs to have coffee with. All dogs are clean, soft, and fluffy! 

I was able to spend some time with lots of dogs! 

My favorite dog is this chiweenie named Ella, who has been giving me some TLC for the past three years. I know I’m not supposed to have a favorite, but I do. She is the sweetest.  

What places do you go to whenever you need some good vibes? Do let me know! For now, consider visiting Barkin’ Blends at Sta. Lucia. You will definitely have a better day after meeting their dogs. 

PAWS Feature on Rated K

Last Sunday, I was on Philippine news-magazine show Rated K for five seconds. I was there as part of the feature on The Philippine Animal Society or PAWS. Pet adoption is one of my advocacies, and I was blessed to have supported the PAWS Furst Date event last Valentine’s. All proceeds from their pop-up pet cafe go to the animal shelter, and all of the featured dogs and cats were adoptable!

While I am waiting for my human Mr. Right, I carry on with supporting causes I believe in. I also shop from social enterprises like Human Nature. 

I do intend continue supporting my advocacies even after I get married. It is only ideal to practice what I preach while I am still single and able to do everything that I can on my free time. 

If you are interested to adopt a shelter dog or cat, please contact PAWS to find out how you can meet your next best friend. I guarantee you that PAWS takes care of all their shelter animals, and they will ensure that you will be matched with a suitable furbaby. God bless you!

Mangga at Mali

Yesterday, I went to Malingap Central Food Hall for some roast beef, gelato, and good vibes.  

But first, I posed by this 90’s wall because it made me happy! 

Alfred’s roast beef did not disappoint! At less than P200, this meal was a winner.  

Next, I had mangga & suman gelato from Manila Creamery. 

It was so delicious!  

Sunday food trips make me smile, and I love discovering new restaurants near my place. Do message me if you have any suggestions for me to try!  

Spinach Tartufina Carbonara

Salta! (yes, it is really spelled that way) is one of my go-to Italian restaurants in Quezon City because they serve handmade pasta. I have a soft spot for chewy, handmade goodness, so it is not surprising that I have fallen in love with this their spinach tartufina carbonara. It is a light balance of flavors, complemented by the gooey, runny egg and parmesan cheese.

It is sunshine on a plate. 

I highly recommend this pasta dish because of its genius play on light flavors. It is good for one hungry person, so be sure to eat it on an empty stomach so that you could appreciate its generous serving.

Enjoy! 

The Craft Central Cafe

I have been sharing my craft journey here on my blog, whether it is through knitting, journaling, or brush lettering. I have been fond of working in cafes and restaurants, but sometimes, people tend to stare or blurt out unkind remarks when I stay at a place that is not necessarily for crafters. 

This is why I am ecstatic that The Craft Central finally opened their cafe at Vertis North. It is close to home, packed with craft supplies and handmade goods, and is a safe space for crafters! 

Their menu features light food, which is perfect for crafters to munch on during an hour or two of working. 

I was happy to discover that they also carry yarns and notions! 

I ordered the parmesan chicken picatta open sandwich, and it was delicious!  

I simply feel giddy whenever I am surrounded by handmade love.  

The cafe has a balcony with succulents! 

For dessert, I had a brownie and their delicious americano.  

It was difficult not to feel happy as I was eating beside these jars of calligraphy ink... 

...and locally-made pins! 

The cafe also has decent WiFi connection, so I was able to watch the ADB Meeting via livestream.  

I had a yummy meal, a productive seminar via the interwebs, and a new hangout! I will surely be back!

Sunnies Cafe UP Town

I am a huge fan of Sunnies Cafe. I first tried their food at their Bonifacio High Street branch, and I immediately fell in love with their unique California-cool ambience and hip eats. I also became a regular at their Megamall branch, which became my go-to cafe whenever I am in Ortigas. So you can simply imagine my joy when I found out that they finally opened their UP Town Center branch, which is near my place!

Finally, there is millennial pink goodness close to home! 

I ordered the caramelized spam rice bowl, which never disappoints. I soaked in their hipster interiors and enjoyed my meal.  

I consider eating out by myself as sacred me-time. It is during my solo dates that I get to discover my interests, plans, and upcoming goals. It is fortunate that I have developed the habit of recording my musings during these outings, and these frequently turn into my future blog entries.  

After my meal, I took a selfie at their famously pink washoom. 

I had a lovely time as always at Sunnies Cafe, and I will definitely be back! Here’s to more millennial pink plates and fabulous coffee shop realizations. 

SCbit

Yesterday, I drove to the UP Main Library to catch SCbit, an exhibit to remember the UP Shopping Center. Despite having been burned down, many people have wanted to relive the memories in this nostalgic place. I myself had a lot of happy memories here even if I wasn’t a UP student. I drank strawberry chocolate shakes, ate plates of tapsilog, brought my books for photocopying, and even had a pair of fashionable specs made.

The facade of the library was lovely! 

I think it is commendable that students from the UP Library Science department have taken the time to put this exhibit together. They have diligently looked for photos, interviewed stakeholders, and researched at the University Archives.  

My photos were included in the exhibit! I am thankful that Nicole, one of the organizers, has reached out to me to ask for permission. I gladly said yes!

I miss the Shopping Center (SC), primarily for the food, cheap photocopy shops, and the Sarabia Optical Shop, which was where I got these fashionable specs!

The exhibit was a walk through memory lane. It was touching to see the efforts of the students in putting this exhibit together. I hope that the SC will be rebuilt so that more people will be able to have a one-stop shop in the middle of UP again. 

St. Joseph’s Blessings

Yesterday, I celebrated Labor Day and St. Joseph’s feast day by visiting the Pink Sisters Convent in Quezon City. It is incidentally dedicated to St. Joseph. 

I prayed for blessings, opportunities, and love! 

I then proceeded to Breakfast Bin for a hearty bowl of toasted naked longganisa, egg, and talangka brown rice. I also read You are a Badass  by Jen Sincero, which is very timely in my life. My BFF kindly lent me his copy, and it is helping me process things. 

I also took advantage of the traffic-free roads and drove to St. Clare Monastery. I echoed my prayers and gave thanks for everything good in my life.  

This May, I want to grow as a person and worker. I am thankful and excited for all the opportunities I have yet to receive. Here’s to a productive month ahead! 

Kate, Pasta, and Gelato

I recently got to have lunch with my Lucas relatives. The highlight of my day was that I got to spend time with my goddaughter, Kate!

At two years old, she’s already a seasoned selfie pro. 

She diligently wears the watch I gave to her last Christmas. She also accepts edible gifts, like cookies. 

I ate this delicious bowl of aglio olio pasta as Kate watched cartoons on her iPad. Amici is always ideal for family gatherings. 

We took more selfies between our mains and desserts. 

I got my usual mint chocolate gelato and coffee for dessert. 

Kate seemed fascinated with my handcrafted bangles! She tried removing them, but they’re practically attached to my wrist. Heck, I cannot even remove or tighten them without the assistance of a strong guy. 

I had fun with Kate, and it will be her third birthday soon. Time flies indeed, and I look forward to taking more selfies with her as the years go by. 

Sunday Sunshine

Yesterday, I started my day with a brisk walk at UP.  I took this selfie at home to motivate me before my workout, and believe it or not, this tactic works whenever I feel too sleepy to move in the morning. 

I enjoyed my walk as I listened to early 2000’s music. 

I satisfied my craving for beef tapa by eating at Breakfast Bin. I customized my tapa rice bowl with brown talangka rice!

It was delicious and filling! 

It was my first time to try their tapa and I am now a fan! I will definitely continue working out and eating breakfast so that my days will continue to be sunny, bright, and full of opportunities.  

Toastmasters and Food Trip

Yesterday, I ate breakfast at Mister Kabab. I had my usual special chicken chelo kabab, double ground! It was the perfect way to start my day. 

Then, I drove to the Pink Sisters Convent in New Manila to pray for my intentions. 

I was my BFF’s guest to the Camanava Brunch Toastmasters Club meeting at Kitchen of Cakes and Coffee. 

It was actually enjoyable!

Of course, I ate dessert first. Their cheesecake was to die for. 

For lunch, I had the salted egg linguine. It is must-try!

Then, my BFF and I had crepe and lemonade. I had my usual strawberry choco crepe at Crazy Crepes. 

That was a fun Saturday! Here’s to more happy days ahead. 

Hey Jude

I visited the National Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus the other day to pray for my urgent personal intentions. 

It was a Thursday, so I was able to hear mass.

I also stayed for the novena prayer to St. Jude. 

I joined the crowd after the novena in approaching the statue of our patron. 

I visit St. Jude whenever I can because he is a powerful intercessor. I am praying for needs which are beyond my comfort zone. Please keep me in your prayers as well. I hope that I  will receive the blessings that I am yearning for. 

Public Forum on the Philippine Competition Act

Yesterday, I was privileged to attend the Public Forum on the Philippine Competition Act at the Rosemary Ballroom of the City Garden Grand Hotel, Makati. 

I began my day with knitting.  

Then, I registered and enjoyed the view with a cuppa. 

It was a productive day filled with insightful talks on the Philippine Competition Act (PCA). I understand the PCA more after in-depth explanations have been presented by key experts from the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC). 

As a consumer, it is important to know my rights to a free market that is fair, just, and kind to enterprises. Also, I am proud that our government has the PCC which is actively educating the public regarding the PCA through forums and talks such as this one.  

I am thankful to have been fortunate to attend this seminar. I enjoy these events because they sharpen the saw, so to speak. I also learn from experts from relevant fields. I am sure that the learnings I will gain will benefit me when I rejoin the corporate world soon.  

Until the next seminar! 

Purposeful Inspiration

I received a thank you card from my World Vision sponsored child. I treated her family to Noche Buena last Christmas. My gift also let her choose a present for herself. I was humbled when she asked for a water bottle as her gift.  

I always appreciate the letters I receive from my sponsored child because it allows me to see the bigger picture in life. I am looking for a corporate job not just to sustain myself, but also to support a child’s education. I am thankful that World Vision lets me share my blessings in the simplest manner. Being a child sponsor for eleven years has taught me the value of sharing and giving. I will never stop supporting World Vision for as long as I have the means to do so. 

In addition to that, I also received thank you letters from the Pink Sisters. They always pray for me, as I frequently drop by their convent to give them my letters containing my intentions. I am thankful that these sisters keep me in mind, and yes, I will continue visiting their convent for as long as I can!

Sharing, praying, and giving are just some of the ways that work can be meaningful. Having an income will let me support these causes, which will in turn inspire me to work hard and persevere in my job. It is my prayer that I will land the best job for me soon, and that I will continue to support my sponsored child and sisters in Christ.  

Corned Beef and St. Clare

Yesterday, I tried another dish at Breakfast Bin which is not their toasted naked longganisa. I ordered corned beef, egg, and brown rice. It was delicious!  

I love eating at Breakfast Bin because the staff are attentive to my needs. They also whip up the tastiest all-day breakfast meals that keep me coming back for more. 

After my meal, I went to my dentist for cleaning and catching-up. Then, I proceeded to St. Clare Monastery for my weekly (I try my best!) visit. 

The Monastery also has a statue of St. Jude, whose intercession I always implore.  

Whenever I feel challenged, I go to safe places like Breakfast Bin and St. Clare. I nurture my soul by nourishing my body and praying for my intentions. It also pays to give thanks for all the blessings I continue to receive.  

May you also find your own rituals to renew your spirit and reset your system.