Catching Up With Friends at Cafe Viñedo

 

"Sometimes… Just spending some quality time with good friends is the only therapy you need."

Last Friday, I met with my gurls. It's been awhile since we've seen each other.

Usually it's Dee and I who often see each other in a regular basis but we've been so busy we haven't meet up. And so, were glad that Jara was able to come with us this time.

We first meet-up at the usual cafe that Dee use to hangout. And then move to a nearby quaint cafe that Jara recommended. The cafe is so nice and serves healthy food and drinks. See more of the place in my in CDO blog. 

Jara ordered dragon fruit with guyabano smoothie, I ordered the avocado with spinach smoothie, and Dee ordered for peppermint tea coz she's on a keto diet. We also tried their spinach meaty lasagna, which was indeed meaty, tasty, and affordable.  

We dine outside to enjoy the fresh air from the plants surrounding us. It was a perfect moment for catching up and sharing our frustrations in life, but often the mosquitoes ruins the drama.

It was a great time. We all go home with a happy face and a light heart, with some of our worries and stress were unloaded. Were hoping to do this more often coz it really helps a lot in facing mundane and stressful things in our lives.

And what makes it even more exciting is that we get to discover new place in the city. 

 

Driving Lesson Day 1

July 17, 2019, Monday, my first day on learning how to drive... I am actually nervous. I'm scared, what if I mess up and make a mistake that will result to an accident... That's how freak out I am to driving.
When I arrived at Oddysey Driving School office they let me watch a video on the basic terms use in driving,  and the controls of the car which is essential to know when driving, and Oddysey teaching technique (which I actually don't understand what). 🤔

After 30 minutes, im off to meet my instructor. He drove me to Taguanao while telling me the controls and what to do. For a newbie with no background on cars and driving, I'm so confuse on everything he said because his so fast and he was driving so his not really pointing on the controls he just mentioned.
When I sat on the drivers seat and start driving I was really scared. I was expecting we will practice the basics of driving (like what I saw in the YouTube tutorials) at a quiet residential street, but no I am going to drive at a slope, downhill, and uphill road. Imagine my terror! 😱 Good thing I watched some manual driving tutorials in YouTube beforehand so I was able to have an idea what I should do.

I struggled on the curves and staying on my lane. The drivers car seat is giving me hard time to look on the road in the side mirrors. I don't like my instructors reaction every time I made a mistake...  I need to tell him what to teach me, his not really mindful of his student feelings and learning progress. He only starts to mind when I already made a mistake or we almost met accident.

Thankfully, amidst the struggle on learning and trying to understand my un-organized instructor I survived day one. As expected, I'm not excited on the next session because of my instructor. He seem to be the bigger source of my fear and pressure in driving. I don't think I will get my money worth having him as an instructor. I requested the office for a replacement but sadly they said they have no available driver to replace him.

***

About The Look....

There was a restrictions on what to wear during the session. No wearing of slippers, sandals, high heels, short pants and sando. And so I opted for a casual comfy style.

Top: SM Department Store

Pants: Uniqlo 

Shoes: Converse

 

 

Relationship and Whatnot

Among my group of friends I was the one who is very vocal on getting married and have a family.
However, as I years gone by, Im the only one remained single and available. All 3 are married while the other one is in a relationship. Even the most vocal person who always said she's not going to get married got hitched just recently.

I have always dream of getting married and have a big family, for the reason that family is one thing I have always longed to have. I grow up without a father and a siblings.

Months after having my son and through my early years journey as being a single mother, this dream come to halt. I even said to my self and to everyone who push me to get married that I will no longer get married. In my mind, its no use getting married coz I already got a son. However, as I grow old and become wiser I realized that being single for life is something I don't want, and being alone makes me more sad and lonely. I realized I'm a family oriented type of person.

My son wants a big family too...

He wants me to get married and for us to have a family. He enjoys it when we gather and eat together. He likes it when were doing things as a family. And he wishes to have siblings (specifically little sister). Even though his worried that the man im going to be in a relationship with will not gonna like or accept him or will be a strict on him, he still encourage me to get married for us to have a family.

"Never apologize for having standards. 
People who really want to be in your life will rise up to meet them." 

My past relationship made me a strong person, and I have mentally built a wall that protects me emotionally. Or Im probably just not that attractive that no one really pursued me.

People always say, "It's because you have high standards that you cant find a boyfriend!". I always roll my eyes hearing that... Just because im a single mom and in my 30's, I'm just gonna jump into relationship with any guy I just meet. NO! A big no. Relationship to me is sacred. When I enter into a relationship its going to be on the road for marriage. No, I'm not putting pressure but isn't that what relationship supposed to be?
And besides, I need to be sure with the person I'm going to be in a relationship with, either the relationship last or fall short, coz it's not only me... I have a teenager in the picture and at stake. I'm not just putting my heart out to the man but also my sons heart. I need to be extra careful.

The hopeless romantic...

I believe in instant connection. I believe in spark. Its something Im looking for in a person I am going to be with. It should be someone Im not hesitant in showing the me inside this body. I am such a complicated person and not to mention moody and sensitive. Someone who will see me past the awkwardness and tackless mouth that I tend to show to hide the shyness or nervousness. Someone who will understand and love me unconditionally.
I believe I'll meet someone soon. Someone who is not perfect but perfectly compliments my personality. Someone whom I will say... worth the wait. <3 p="">

What I Wore | Lace Long Sleeve and High Waisted Short

Hey there! How are you doing?
I will be sharing my outfit at one of my weekly coffee date with my best friend.
Since last year, we've been doing this weekly coffee date. We sometimes go window shopping or buy errands, but most of the time we're seating at The Coffee Bean Tea Leaf with our latte or ice blended drinks and talk about each others life updates and struggles. 😜

 

As you know, I love bohemian outfits but my go to look is high waist shorts and long sleeve top. I just love how this look can go casual, preppy, and classy, depends on the footwear you go with it. 

The top I'm wearing here was both at Surplus years back, when my bestfriend and I went window shopping, and just wore it for the first time on one of our random coffee date. I just love how the long sleeve is in lace, just perfect for the hot weather were having. This is actually not 2in1, the black top is attached to the lace underneath. What I don't like in this top is that the its so delicate, you need to be very careful not to tear it. I've accidentally tear the shoulder part but thankfully I was able to sew it.  

The high waist shorts is not new but I don't think I've shared this one here in the blog. Contrary to the top, the shorts actually thick and has a silk lining. When its hot its thickness can be uncomfortable and make your legs and ass sweaty. 😅
As for the footwear, I like wedges for its comfortable for walking and still give the whole look a lady-like vibe.
The bag is a birthday gift from my bestfriend, and according to her she bought it online at Zalora.

Outfit Details: 
Top: Surplus (SM Downtown) 

Shorts: Robinsons Department Store 

Bag: Zalora

Shoes: Dilao Shopping Center

Pokemon Pikachu Headphone from Lazada

Hey everyone! Sharing to you a review of the Pokemon headphone that we purchased online through Lazada.com.ph through merchant name is Anime Zone.

January last year, when I recommend to a friend to buy a headphone for my son since its on his Christmas wish-list. So we ordered this POKEMON GO Enthusiastic Pikachu Cool Super Bass Anime Headphones at ₱249.00 in Lazada.

The Review...

The quality is good, with its cheap price the audio is not compromise. I love the vibrant color as well... Sadly, it only last a few months because the wire near the ear muff was cut. And then I was not able to have it fix because the ear muff cover is also starting to tear up. 

Don't I deserve to be me?

You know when you reach the point of your life that you’re so tired of people around you. Tired of always following what they want. I've always been the type of person who always follow what everyone wants and adjust myself to the situation or to the person. I just keep silent even if i'm no longer comfortable or tired. I always please everyone to like me and in order to fit in. 

 I guess lately that change a bit... lately all I wanna do is make myself happy and not pressure myself in making other people to like me. I never thought Id reach this point... but i'm probably tired of pleasing people around me. I just felt that the more I please and follow them, the more I feel hurt and lost my drive to live in this world. 

I  feel uninspired day by day thinking, hearing, or reading people expectations on what I should do and I shouldn’t. 

I feel like I have no right to do what I want. 

I feel like they are saying those coz i'm often wrong in the end and so I have no right to decide on my life.  

I feel so restricted to be me... to be happy... 

Yes, I've made mistakes. I mess up most of the time. I've made bad decisions. But don't I deserved to be me and be happy because of it? 

 Freedom and Peace. Why is it so hard to get?

#LifeLately | After The Long Hiatus

Hey everyone! It has been so long since I've updated this blog. I actually felt ashamed to my readers and disappointed in myself, since I keep on saying I am back and going to post regular updates. Yet, I am still missing in action. 

The challenges...

I noticed...what's holding me back from updating this blog regularly is that I want a well-organized and well-made blog post... Something that my readers will have some take away after reading. Something that is relevant and pleasing in the eye (image-wise most especially)… And so, it's stressing me out and not publish a post in the end...

With a lot of backlogs that I want to share, I got so overwhelmed on which one I should be sharing first and how to share it. Since it's been so long or it happened way back already.

Anyways, this time around I decided I won't make any more promises and I won't pressure myself in creating perfect and well-made content. I will let everything flow naturally and share whatever it is that I wanna share, whether it's insightful or not.

I realized... that blogging has been a therapy for me to express what I feel and what I wanted to say. It exercises my mind to think... not just anything superficial but to think happy thoughts. Blogging has helped me overcome my insecurities and anxiety... It helped me to successfully practice mindfulness and gratitude, without me knowing. Every time I clicked the publish button and share something here in my blog I feel happy, accomplished, and blessed.  

And I wanna experience that feeling again...

So to start, let's do the Life Lately series (read more about this series here),
since it's the perfect (and easy) post to start with...

---

Watching

Nothing... I haven't been watching anything from K-drama to YouTube vlogs. During my free time at work, I play mobile RPG (Role Play Games). I got addicted to playing games that I mostly spent my time and staying up late playing mobile games. 

Thinking

I am thinking of going back to watching K-drama's again though.
Can you recommend me a feel-good or romantic-comedy K-drama?

Wishing

I'm honestly wishing for prosperity for me this year... last year it was tough.

Hoping

I hope that I will continue to post more updates here on my blog regularly. And that I won't be lazy or feel overwhelmed anymore.

Wanting

I want to travel somewhere!

Needing

Inspiration... I don't know, just lately I felt so uninspired.

Feeling

Sad, because I uninstalled Survival Heroes. I am taking a vacation from playing this game. I so much enjoyed and love playing this mobile game but I had to stop for some reason that is hard and long to explain. T_T

Wearing

Something green... Sleeveless top and shorts. I just realize this now while typing. XD

Mumuso Green Tea Bubble Facial Cleanser

  

I both this facial wash at the recently opened Mumuso Store at LimketKai Mall. I was attracted at the built-in brush in the bottle. And upon reading the packaging it's main ingredient is Green Tea. It's my first time to use a bubble facial cleanser so I was really curious and excited to try it.

Upon using the facial cleanser, the pump functions well. And i love how convenient it is to just pump it. The cleanser immediately bubbles when you pump it out. The silicon brush is gentle to the skin. And I like how it easily cleans the face especially if your washing the make-up on your face. I also like the feeling of the brush on my skin. I feel like the dirt, oil, and dead skin cells are really brush off my skin. It does have a scent when using it. 

I like that  it has cover in the brush. However, I do recommend to wash the brush thoroughly with water because they tend to get dirty eventually.

After using this cleanser, my face didn't feel dry every after wash which is good. And even though the packaging says peeling foam, I didn't notice any peeling in my skin while using this product.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 2018 Giving Journal

The first time I saw the The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's Giving Journal at the counter of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL), I immediately felt that I'm going to own one soon! 

This past few days I've been thinking of making use of a planner for next year. List down things I need to do, plans, goals and memorable moments. 

And then a few weeks ago, happiness was delivered through my email inbox. I received an invitation from CBTL staff to attend the 2018 Giving Journal Launching event here in our city.

Its my first journal from CBTL and I must say it doesn't disappoint. The 2018 Giving Journal comes in four designs; Green, Gray, Blue, and one with a customizable cover. The quality is superb. It has lots of things and notes that you can do. Will really help you plan out your year right and be mindful of how you spent each day of your life. In addition. there are 12 coupons inside that you can use for the whole year of 2018. And also, a few more coupons from CBTL sister company.

What's more interesting thing I learned about CBTL journal campaign is that this is also for a cause. The proceeds of this campaign will help out the Real LIFE Foundation which provides educational assistance to those who need it the most. So it ain't bad to indulge for a few more cups of coffee this season to get the journal coz with every cups you buy your helping someone finish school.

 For more info on what expect in the journal see below for my sneak preview of the journal. 

Aint it amazing?
This journal may be redeemed for free when a stamp card is completed with 12 stamps. You need to ask for the the stamp card and check on the card which coffee to purchase in order to get a stamp. You can collect stamps from October 21, 2017 to January 14, 2018. Now if your not a coffee drinker but interested to own the journal then worry no more, you can purchase this journal for Php 1,999 at any The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf store.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Online Shopping Tips

Christmas is finally in the air! I still cant believe how fast time flies nowadays. 

Or is it just me adulting that I feel like the time flows out so fast?

Whatever it maybe, we can't deny the fact that with Christmas just around the corner, holiday parties and gift giving will keep us busy. The good thing is that with holiday cheers comes, a lot of promos and sale happening offline and most specially online. 

The most notable year-end sale are the Black Friday and Cyber Monday. What I love most about this kind of sale is that you can get bigger discounts on a wide variety of things and saves you the hassle in doing last minute gift shopping.

As early as now, I already started hunting online on things I needed to buy and stuffs I plan to gift to friends and family. This will save me time browsing online on what to buy and I will also avoid buying unnesccessary things that are not on my list.

Just recently, I learned Yoins Black Friday & Cyber Monday sales and so took the opportunity to browse on their latest ladies cute sweaters (coz you know I always have sweaters in my bag whenever I go out and besides its been raining lately here in our place) and fashion women co-ord sets (I just found this so cute and modish, a perfect gifts for teenager cousins and nieces). And the good news... As early as now you can already see some items are already on-sale!

Choose for 1-3 online shops where you plan to buy the things on your list. Choose the one whom you already trusted and shopped a lot previously. Probably one for fashion, another for make-up and skincare, and another for general stuffs or gadgets.

Research for ratings and reviews on the stuff that you want to buy. Look for better alternatives, always compare each brand or seller. Check the warranty/guarantee or return policy of the products. And also check the shipping because it might cost you a lot. 

You can also start adding to cart the stuffs that you plan to buy. So that when Black Friday and Cyber Monday happens the items are ready for checkout and reserve for you. The only thing you'll be doing is adding the quantity or removing items that are not on sale or not worth buying yet.

I do hope this tips helps you. Feel free to add more tips in the comment section.

Have a happy Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping!