Birthday mAtcha

Yesterday, I met up with my best friend Jay for lunch and a matcha milkshake. Hanging out with one of my friends from uni always grounds me and helps put things into perspective.

Then, I went to Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe East Branch for some cuddle time with their furbabies.

To cap off my day, I went to UP Film for Eigasai, the Japanese film festival. I watched After the Storm, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

A good day for me involves delicious food, dogs, film, and great company. Looking forward to more on my thirty-third year!

33!

Yesterday, I turned 33! I spent the day with my Mom. We heard mass at 6am at the Pink Sisters Convent, where I gave thanks for another year and prayed for my intentions.

Then, I had an etag carbonara and black coffee at SGD. My mom had danggit lamayo. For dessert, I had the delicious bugnay yogurt.

For lunch, it was my favorite mushroom curry and brown rice at Coco Ichibanya.

And for post-movie coffee, I had the sinless chocolate cake and nonfat latte at Starbucks.

I am truly blessed and happy! Here’s to making 33 my best year yet.

Birthday Girl

Yesterday, I celebrated the eve of my birthday in style. I had a sumptuous lunch at Flossom with my best friend Luti. We ordered broccoli and cheese soup, cheesy chicken volcano, salmon and milk tea pannacotta. Everything was delicious!

Then, we went to Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe for some cuddle time with their resident doggos.

Then, we had street food for dinner at UP Diliman. That was fun!

I was touched that Luti gave me a new bag for my new laptop. I am really thankful to have a friend like her.

Paws Pet Cafe 2019

Yesterday, I got to chill out with Dr. Dogs at the PAWS Pet Cafe. These therapy dogs visit schools, orphanages, hospitals, and charities to bring cheer and furry hugs! I support this annual pop-up pet cafe because I love supporting PAWS. Please also support them and consider donating your time and resources. These gentle animals bring joy to so many people, and I hope that they will continue doing so.

Sta. Clara fiesta 2019

August 11 is always special for me. It is the feast day of one of my intercessors, St. Clare of Assisi. I make it a point to hear mass and drop by the monastery. It was a sunny day of thanksgiving and prayer. I will always make time for St. Clare, and I hope that she will never cease interceding for me!

MovEd Day 3

Yesterday, I braved the storm to volunteer again at MovEd.org’s HQ. It was soothing for the soul to pack school supplies for underserved children. I will never forget this experience, and I look forward to more opportunities to help out!

I ended my day with a brisk walk around the UP Academic Oval, a warm cuppa, and a pain au chocolat. Life’s good!

MovEd Day 2

Yesterday was my second day of volunteer service at Moved.org. I packed school supplies into plastic envelopes which will be sent to Bicol. It was therapeutic to help out, and it was worth braving the storm to serve!

Then, I watched two Cinemalaya films: Iska and Pandanggo sa Hukay. I enjoyed both, and it was a pleasant surprise to see Iska herself, Ms. Ruby Ruiz. She was there along with Theodore Boborol, the film’s brilliant director.

I ended my day with a visit to the dermatologist and my late dad’s favorite Shakey’s pizza for dinner.

I made the most of the rainy day by volunteering, watching independent Filipino films, and some self-care.

Here’s to sunnier days ahead!

MovEd Day 1

Yesterday, I participated in a volunteer activity at the Moved.org HQ. I helped in sorting out school supplies and packing them into plastic envelopes. These will be distributed to Marawi and Bicol.

I am thankful that I was able to join this activity as I met new friends and found joy in packing supplies. I look forward to joining days two and three of the volunteer activity, as it enabled me to realize how fortunate I am to help out.

Love, Susie

I love supporting handmade! I am enamored by the idea that the objects I use do not come from machines, but from skilled hands. Speaking of hands, I recently adorned my hand with a sparkly V ring from love, susie. It is a sister startup of one of my favorite jewelry brands, Pulseras By Kim. love, susie uses recycled silver and gold to produce fine jewelry that are customized for the user. I am delighted to own a 14k recycled gold piece from a startup that hires local goldsmiths.

It stacks well with my Borealis Crystals green sapphire ring! These rings make me so happy as they are both handmade and local.

I am into rings that remind me to continue supporting handmade as I knit and crochet throughout my busy schedule. It is the little sparkly things that bring cheer into my life, and I will surely rock these jewelry with pride!

Blue By Me

I just finished crocheting this exquisitely blue cowl using Furls Whims Merino yarn. It was included in the birthday present given to me by The Attic Yarn and Craftery. I enjoyed hooking this together, and it was the most comfortable yarn I have ever worked with.

Here’s to more scarves and cowls to keep me warm whenever I feel blue!

Wool of Strength

I recently finished crocheting this infinity scarf using wool blend yarn from Dreams Yarnshoppe. I think it’s wonderful that the handmade scene nowadays is booming, and that it’s totally cool to post things that we have made online. I crocheted this during a tough time in my life, as I am still dealing with the aftermath of my father’s recent passing.

Crotchet and the scarves I make using the craft remind me that I’m tougher and more creative than I think. Here’s to more scarves to provide warmth to my loved ones, and to keep me going!

Hooked with love

I ordered a handmade beanie from Che Formilleza, a crochet artist from Odiongan, Romblon. I found her work through my go-to yarn store, The Attic Yarn and Craftery, where she also sources her yarns. She’s a single mom with special needs who supports her daughter through crochet! I think that is awesome, and I will definitely rock this beanie knowing that a strong woman made it for me.

Monday Barks

I live for these precious moments with the dogs of Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe. These dogs simply spark joy and remind me to keep going. I will continue to visit these fur babies so that I can be reminded that a few hugs and a strong cuppa can inspire me to have a good week.

Cool Wool

Yesterday, I made time for some crochet at Starbucks. I ordered a grande soy latte with sugar-free vanilla, and made myself comfy at the meeting table.

I whipped out my Furls Whims Merino wool yarn and crocheted my heart out. I’m really happy whenever I’m in my own element, hooking the world away and getting lost in my stitches.

It was the perfect Sunday afternoon for me!

Single helix

Yesterday, I did something different- I attended a piercing party! It is simply a party wherein one is required to purchase earrings, then piercing is for free or for a discounted rate.

I’ve been following Suki Jewelry for quite some time now, and I love that they’re a local brand that focuses on 14k gold minimalist jewelry. They just turned one year old, and I couldn’t resist attending their piercing party at ASPACE Makati.

I couldn’t resist the pink decor and lovely designs of their jewelry, which can be found here.

After paying for my hugger, I received a free piercing coupon.

I chose to have my helix pierced, and it was painless! Kudos to the Skinworkz team for their professionalism and painless service.

What a way to celebrate my upcoming birthday! Indeed, it was a unique way to celebrate a chic Filipino brand. I also realized how strong and brave I really am.

Here’s to conquering pain in style! Cheers!

Funattic BIRTHDAY

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!