Yesterday, I received my order from The Attic Yarn and Craftery. I bought yarns and used my birthday discount. I made sure to stock up on favorites for the next few months so that I can knit and crochet in style.
Life is better with yarns!
Barkin’ hugs
I’ve been feeling sad lately due to some challenges on the work front. Some deals have not pushed through due to budget constraints. I had to be creative with my monthly expenses to maximize my resources. This phase has also enabled me to know who my true friends are. I have reached out to my cousins and friends for help, but no one responded. Some have even expressed hatred, while the rest have just seenzoned me.
I cannot really force people to help if they don’t feel like it. I have been helpful to anyone who needs my assistance through the years, so it’s sad that I can’t expect the same from others. I am trying to move on and working on finding more sustainable employment at the moment. For now, I frequent Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe for some canine therapy. A little positivity goes a long way, and some hugs from these doggos help keep me going!
Lab’I Day
Yesterday was perfect for making my own red lipstick!
I took my mom to Lab’i Lipstick Design Studio to DIY some lipsticks. I was delighted to learn that their lippies are made of organic ingredients that are safe even for pregnant women and little girls. I had the time of my life as I chose the shade, actually making it, and releasing it from the mold! It was also a treat to select from their various available cases and essential oils.
I was glad to have chosen this activity for my bonding afternoon with my mom. We had fun! This is not a sponsored post. We just enjoyed the process and took home some beautifully pigmented organic lipsticks.
Make your own lipstick too! Drop by Lab’i and see the organic difference.
Attic Family
Yesterday, I received my first birthday gift for the year. I was surprised by my Attic Yarn and Craftery family with an early birthday present, and it did not disappoint!
I received a pair of Furls knitting needles in 6mm and a hank of blue Furls Whims merino yarn. I adore Furls, as it continues to provide fiber artists with notions that are ergonomic and beautiful. I have a couple of Furls crochet hooks that are comfortable to use and easy on the eyes.
I am touched with this care package, especially the handwritten note.
The Furls Whims merino yarn was irresistible! It feels luxurious. It was a breeze to crochet with my Furls 4mm hook, and it was also a treat to wind the hank into a ball. It really is a yarn made for crocheters to have an easier time.
I can’t wait to try the knitting needles for my next knitting project! In the meantime, I will continue crocheting this dreamy cowl.
I am a very lucky girl indeed!
Special thanks to The Attic Yarn and Craftery for my Furls haul. Please check them out for luscious yarns and notions!
Hook and Ella
Yesterday, I got to crochet while waiting for my lunch at Flossom. It’s a charming cafe that doubles as an orchid shop at SM North Towers. The dreamy ambience inspired me to whip out my WIP (work in progress) and just crochet!
My cheeseburger bolognese was delicious! It was the ideal Sunday brunch entree for me.
Later during the day, I visited Ella the chiweenie at Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe. Being with dogs put a smile on my face, and I consider it therapeutic.
I hope that you also get to do the things you love on Sundays!
He cares mission
Yesterday, I got to reconnect with my college friend Kath at He Cares Mission, where she is a regular volunteer. She invited me to visit the center, which serves hot meals and Sunday school-style worship to street children every Saturday. I found a home that cares for Jesus’ youngsters, and a renewed sense of direction. I was able to help serve lunch and I enjoyed the experience! I will definitely be back.
He Cares Mission needs volunteers during their Saturday worship and lunch from 9am-12nn. They are located along Visayas Avenue, Quezon City. For more information, please visit their Facebook page. You may also drop by in time for Saturday worship to assist their regular volunteers in serving the meals to the children.
God bless us all!
SecureIT
I enjoyed the SecureIT, a Data Privacy and Business Continuity Forum which was held at Dusit Thani last July 25. My key takeaway from the talk was that effective data privacy starts with personal diligence. We must always be mindful of the information we share online, and the passwords we use to access our emails and social media.
For the rest of the forum, I am sharing with you the slides from the speakers. May we all be conscious of our online security, and become advocates for effective data privacy practices.
Dogs and Prayer
I am thirty-two years old, and by this time, I am already aware of the activities that make me happy. I enjoy being with dogs, so I frequent both branches of Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe. Yesterday, I went to their east branch and it was memorable, as always. Then, I attended Fr. Suarez’s healing mass, which is held at Sta. Lucia every month. It was my first time to attend the said mass with my mom. Afterwards, we had dinner at Goldilocks, where I got to relive childhood memories by ordering sago’t gulaman for dessert.
Dogs, prayer, and food make me happy. I know this much is true.
Sunshine tuesday
Yesterday, I spent the day at Maginhawa, my favorite foodie street. I had dirty ice cream before watching Sunshine Family at Cinema Centenario. Then, I had late lunch at Yummy Tokyo, where I had some curry ramen. I capped off my meal with Thai milk tea from Moonleaf.
Everything was delicious, and the indie movie I watched was hilarious! I keep myself young by eating my favorite food, and frequenting microcinemas. I suggest this itinerary if you find yourself at Maginhawa. You won’t regret it!
Crochet and martini
I enjoy combining unlikely experiences together. Yesterday, I had a martini while crocheting. The strong kick of the cocktail complemented the soothing repetition of my crochet stitches. It’s not for everyone, but it is in crocheting while drinking a cocktail or a bottle of beer that I can make the hobby sexy for myself.
It is in redefining my favorite hobbies that I get to see them in a new light. It makes me want to keep on crocheting or knitting, or whatever it is. Keep your pastimes interesting, and it will definitely make your life more fun!
Cleansing Quartz
I enjoyed crocheting this infinity scarf using Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball Yarn from The Attic Yarn and Craftery. It was a pleasure to hook this piece together using a 6mm crochet hook from the same store. I enjoy crocheting while listening to podcasts and finishing the novel Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (which I loved, by the way). I highly recommend this yarn as it is therapeutic to work with and is kind to the hands. Go crochet something today!
July Npl
Yesterday, we had the New Products Launch at the Human Nature Flagship Store. As a Core Advocate and Dealer, it is exciting to witness new products being launched in the market, and of course to try them out in real life!
I brought our helper Racquel with me to join in the fun.
We had Filipino merienda of buko pandan and various kakanin to welcome new products in our catalogue.
We launched our Marine Caviar facial cleanser, Sunflower Oil body butter, and the new shades of our bestselling tinted lip balm and loose powder. You may support my business by buying these natural products from my online store: http://www.humanheartnature.com/buy/speakoutsam. Not only will you help my business thrive, but you will also help families in communities supported by Human Nature. Please buy today and change lives in your own small way!
Shake Shack!
I finally tried Shake Shack yesterday! It was worth the hype. I had the single cheeseburger and ube shake. Both were delicious, and I’m glad that I made the trip to BGC.
Highly recommended!
Thursday Woofs
I spent time with the dogs of Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe SM North branch because I missed them so much! I was with them last Sunday, but I am really attached to these doggos. I can’t go on without seeing them every week.
They take my stress and worries away with every hug and lick. I hope to spend more time with them! And I hope that you can visit them too!
Back to Me
Yesterday, I spent the afternoon window shopping. I looked at yarns for some inspiration for future knitted and crocheted scarves. It’s a treat to surround myself with colors that make me happy. This definitely motivates me to continue being creative with my crafts.
Then, I attended A Geek’s Guide to Love, an event hosted by the Asian Institute of Management. I was tasked to pick one thing that I need from a set of choices. Of course, I chose coffee.
It was an insightful evening about love in the time of dating apps and social media. In the end, I realized that I should just continue being myself, and that the right guy will be there to pursue me at the right time. In the meantime, I’ll carry on with knitting, crocheting, and blogging.
Life is too short to wait for a man. For now, I’ll be the geek that I am and always go back to me.
KnIt, Mint, and soup
I just finished knitting the cowl that I began in Boracay. I continued making it in Coron and Manila, and it’s satisfying to see its completed state. I am pleased with the different pattern formed in the yarn, considering that I always hoard this variegated yarn from The Attic Yarn and Craftery. It’s also a cozy wrap to keep the chill away from the neck.
After knitting and running errands, I went to Moonleaf compound in Maginhawa to buy my favorite peppermint milk tea and patronize the new ramen place onsite, Yummy Tokyo.
I had the curry ramen which was a delightful bowl of happiness! The curry flavor was comforting in this gloomy weather. I was later joined by my best friend Luti and she seemed to enjoy her tonkotsu too.
I’m delighted to have finished a cowl, enjoy an old favorite and discover a new local ramen place! Life is about appreciating usual traditions and making new discoveries. Here’s to more finds and raves!
Boracay Cowl
I finally finished crocheting this cowl made of The Attic Yarn and Craftery yarn with sprinkles! I started making it in Boracay, then I continued hooking it in Coron, until I carried on with it here in Manila.
I am enjoying life’s adventures with crochet! It’s a simple hobby that I can bring with me wherever I go. Here’s to more places to explore!
The 7th day
I spend a lot of time at Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe because it helps me regroup and put things into perspective. I am still grieving my father’s passing and helping my mom organize our lives, so I’ll need all the positivity that I can get. Dogs nurture my soul and they just uplift my mood. They are cuddly creatures who keep me going, and this is why I spent my Sunday with them.
I hope that you can also visit a dog cafe if you can’t have your own dog like me. Dogs really are angels on earth, and they will work miracles in your life.
Weaving Sunset
I spent my Saturday morning and afternoon weaving on my loom. I had spare yarns in colors that harken the blazing Manila Bay sunset. I wove with that specific scenery in mind, and the result is a moody woven piece made of orange and pastel yarns.
I am happy with the result, and I gave this to my friend Luti as her condo faces the Manila Bay sunset. How meta!
Greek and Tea
Yesterday, I got to eat dinner with my best friend Luti at a Greek restaurant. It was fun to indulge in healthy food for a change, and it was also nice to be back at Ortigas, which is my favorite CBD.
For dessert, we had Xing Fu Tang milk tea. It was reminiscent of my boba sesh with my maternal cousins from LA last week.
I really enjoyed last night and I hope to spend more time with genuine friends like Luti, who don’t judge and keep me going. Sumptuous food and indulgent drinks definitely make every reunion better!