View from My Window: Siete Pecados (Islets of Seven Sins)

When travelling, I can’t help but be enamored by the views from my window.  Regardless if it’s a plane, boat, bus or car ride.  It ranges from islands with glistening white beach, rolling fields of rice and sugar cane or picturesque mountains.

As a child, I would always clamor for the best seat - a window seat.  This didn’t change until now.  If it’s my first time to visit the place, I always request for the window seat.

But lately when I get to my seat, I fall asleep forgetting to savor the view.

Then recently after settling on my seat and the fastcraft on the move, I looked at the window.  I saw these islets - Siete Pecados (Islets of Seven Sins). 

Childhood memories came rushing in.  I remembered those times when it would take 2 hours with a big boat to cross between Bacolod and Iloilo.  I would then come rushing to the balcony and enjoy the view under the heat of the sun with the salty air breeze. 

Then it hit me.  I should share this moment - the view from my window.

View from my window:  Siete Pecados (Islets of Seven Sins), Guimaras

These islets are between Guimaras and Iloilo. 

Fastcrafts from Iloilo bound for Bacolod or vice versa would pass these islets.

Road Trip to Mambangon Springs

During our brief vacation at Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, our day started with a simple errand to drop off our Aunt and cousin.

After dropping them off,  we needed to make a U-turn then head back to the Old House.

But the great view of Kanlaon Volcano and rolling fields of lush green sugarcane was beckoning us to keep on driving.

Never saw my hubby, LU this excited over sugarcane.  He's used to rice fields but not to the dancing sugarcane leaves.  He kept on driving - enjoying the view and the breeze of fresh air.  Then he made a turn and drove up a hill.  Standing there, I had to prod him that we need to go back.

When we got back at the Old House, I shared his excitement and the impromptu roadtrip to my cousin.  She decided that we should go for another roadtrip.

That is how we ended up at Mambangon Springs, La Castellana, Negros Occidental which is only 30 minutes drive away. 


The cool spring water was invigorating.  There are big stones that you can sit on and enjoy the water.  Soda bottles can be placed on the water and get them cold soon after. 

There is no dress code.  Dogs are not allowed to swim.  There is also a sari-sari store where you can buy some drinks and simple grocery items.

Another simple joy with my family.

How to get there:

Take a Ceres bus from Bacolod City to Kanlaon for P70 but get off at Cabacungan.  Then take a tricycle to Mambangon Springs at P10 per person.

What's in my Kikay Bag # 2 ?

I thought I found my "ultimate" Kikay Bag.  I was wrong.

I was having coffee at Greenbelt with my sister when she took out her kikay bag.  I liked it! I took it from her right there and then.  :)

It was a Muji cosmetic bag that she bought two years ago.

It is black with cute white polka dots.  It has slip containers on the cover for make up brushes, another big slip container and gartered in front to hold some cosmetics. 

I have been using it for almost two months now.  Despite its slim design, it was able to hold over 33 of my kikay stuff!  :)

1.  Bath & Body Works pocket bac

2.  contact lens container

3.  Muji kikay bag

4.  cotton buds (a hotel freebie)

5.  La Cross tweezers (i like the pink container :)

6.  Marc Jacobs pocket mirror (cute design!)

7.  Vitress pocket-sized cuticle coat (for frizzy days)

8.  Swish breath spray

9.  Revlon super lustrious lipstick - Soft Suede

10.  Revlon super lustrious lipstick - Kiss Me Coral

11.  The Body Shop eyeliner

12.  Watsons container with Revlon super lustrious lipstick - Coralberry (scraped from lipstick tubes - tipid!  :)

13.  Mac studio fix + NC30

14.  Mac eyeshadow Expensive Pink

15.  Shu Uemura eyelash curler

16.  Watsons container with sunblock SPF80 from my dermatologist, 17.  Beabi container with Vaseline petroleum jelly (doubles as my hand lotion and lip gloss :)

18.  Beabi container with pimple spot treatment from my dermatologist (zaps the budding pimple asap :)

19.  Watsons oil-blotting sheets

20.  Maybelline The Magnum Volume Express waterproof mascara, 21.  Watsons spray container with The Face Shop power perfection BB cream

22.  Garnier BB eye roll-on

23.  Etude House Proof 10 eye primer (this really works!  I dont retouch my eyeshadow anymore :)

24.  Etude House Goodbye Pore Ever pore primer stick

25.  Mac brow shader in Porcelaine / Browning

26.  Nars blush in Orgasm

27.  The Body Shop travel slanted brush

28. The Body Shop travel eyeshadow brush

29.  Shu Uemura travel eyeshadow brush

30. Shu Uemura travel lipstick brush

31. The Body Shop foundation brush

32. The Body Shop body brush 

I placed the Bath & Body pocket bac dangling on the handle for easy access.  I need to clean my hands before touching my face.  :)

A good find from Muji.  Actually my first MUJI.

Fino Leatherware Midtown Spring Tote

After streamlining my bag collection, I decided that I will only keep classic authentic leather bags and canvas bags.  These are easy to maintain and dont peel off unlike the faux leather ones.

Bags are investments.  :)

I've been prowling Fino Leatherware stores for my next purchase. 

Then I saw this tote bag.  Its genuine brown leather with croc print - another classic.  Its Fino Leatherware Midtown Spring Tote.

It is roomy and has slip compartments.  I can just throw my stuff in when I'm in a hurry.  I also like the elegant bag tag with their brand on the metal detail.

This was not an impulse purchase.  I thought about this bag for months.  I got this bag during their sale too at 15% off.  :)

Another happy purchase from Fino Leatherware. 

Anthology Shoes - My Solemate

I was having coffee and cake at Calea during a Bacolod trip when the boutique next door caught my eye.  I saw some cute ballet flats on display.  I was on the quest for the replacement of my favorite ballet flats because the synthetic upper cracked.

That was my first Anthology Shoes experience.

Tripoli caught my eye.  I liked the square metal buckles.  I loved the fact that it was made of genuine leather and really comfortable. However, the price made me think 10x!  I needed to research first to justify my urge to splurge.

Upon checking online then, I just missed their mega sale!  

I realized that the brand has been there for a while and quite a favorite of bloggers. It has been featured on magazines too that I have read but I didnt pay attention to it then.    

I made up my mind - I'll get my first pair!

I was obsessed with it!  I kept going back and forth between Rustan's and The Ramp at Shangrila Mall.  There were limited styles and sizes on each store.

Finally, I bought my first Anthology Shoes! Tripoli in ostrich print leather and also their Limited Edition. :)

Im so happy with it that upon checking their website anthologyshoes, I bought three more pairs!  They have an ongoing Warehouse Sale!

I got their black Bondi wedge (I dont have a black wedge), patent black carnaby (for comfy travels in corporate attire) and red san francisco (I couldnt resist my fave color).  I saved over Php5,000!  :)

I love Anthology Shoes. 

Proudly Filipino.
  

Outlets:

The Ramp Glorietta The Ramp Shangri-la The Ramp Trinoma

Rustan’s Shangri-la Rustan’s Makati Rustan’s Alabang

SM Megamall SM North Edsa

Tru Powerplant

The Flat Shop Greenhills The Flat Shop Glorietta

Red Dot Tuguegarao Red Dot Laoag Red Dot Vigan

Seed Bacolod Seed Iloilo

Spruce Lim Ket Kai CDO Catalogue Gaisano Mall of Davao

My Last Visit

(Reposted.  Originally posted on Thursday, February 21, 2013.)

I am very proud of my company's building situated in old manila. 

It is nondescript but full of character. 

I remembered my first visit.  I was in awe of the heritage items which were taken for granted. 

Its been over a year since that first visit, but I still feel the same pride and at the same time humbled.

Outside, I was confronted with realities.  People who made their choice to work and live in the streets of Manila.

Life is tough but everyone seem to find simple joys and smile.  With every trip, I appreciated my blessings.

This is my last visit.  We are moving.

What's in my Kikay Bag # 1?

(Reposted.  Originally posted on Friday, February 15, 2013.)

I love bags!

So I'm kinda OC with the stuff I put in my bags.  I really enjoy reading "What's in My Bag?" articles too.  This made me decide to make my own.

Let's start with my Kikay Bag.

I've been searching for my "ultimate" kikay bag and finally, I found it! Plus I love the zebra print. :)

It was the last piece at the back of the rack.  If not for its print, I will not notice it.  It was an unlikely brand for cosmetic bag - COSE @ Php199 only. 

What I like - big zipped compartment for cosmetics and another smaller zipped compartment for brushes.  It also has a slip pocket which could fit a makeup brush (I didnt use it though).

Its so convenient! I dont have to dig through the bag for the brushes since they're placed separately.

Im also OC with my favorite brands - I placed them in a zipped mesh bag which I slipped inside the big zipped compartment.

View my ultimate kikay bag and its contents:

Zipped mesh bag- mac studio fix+, nars orgasm blush & mac expensive pink e/s

Small zipped compartment- the body shop brushes (face, slanted & eyebrow), shu uemura travel brushes (blush, eyebrow, smudger & lip), la cross tweezer and eyebrow blade

Big zipped compartment- marc jacobs mirror, small hair doctor comb, shu uemura eyelash curler, maybelline magnum mascara, garnier bb eye roll-on, the body shop eyeliner, revlon lipsticks (coralberry & love that red), vitress hair cuticle coat, swish breathspray, vaseline petroleum jelly in small beabi container, sunblock spf80 in small watsons container, watsons oil control sheets and wet tissues.

Review:  After a week, a sewed top portion of the big zipped compartment got detached resulting to a hole.  I think this was a factory defect.  My kikay bag no. 1 was not sturdy enough to hold my cosmetics.

Sunrise at the Airport

(Reposted.  Originally posted on Thursday, September 15,  2011.)

I can only have 3 hours of sleep so I had three accommodation options --- 1. hotel and risk not waking up and miss my flight, 2. stay up in a coffee shop or 3. airport bench. I chose the latter.

With two hours of sleep and earned a middle-east OFW acquintance, I learned a few life lessons.

Beggars cant be choosers.

If one has nothing to lose and a lot of obligations, they take more risks. They become more open to learnings. With each learning, they improve their life.

Patience is a virtue.

With only two hours of sleep and several unanswered calls, I became more impatient. I was tired and sleepy. I didnt want to wait. But saving a life took precedence over me. I fully understand this.

Walking across the tarmac of Iloilo International Airport at 5:30am, I looked back at the airport control tower.

I was struck in awe with the beauty of sunrise. It was a shadow and glow of contrasts.

Another reminder that life is not black or white but several shades of gray with bursts of gold.

I Love - Fino Leatherware

(Reposted.  Originally posted on Friday, August 5, 2011.)

I came across this brand back in 2005 at Alabang Town Center.  There was this store with leather items. But I wasnt hooked then.

Then in 2007 while walking around at Trinoma Mall in Quezon City, my new wallet's zipper pull broke.  It was a synthetic leather.

I realized the value of real LEATHER.

On the corner was FINO boutique and it was on sale!

Browsing through their stuff - I came across a deep red croc medium wallet and I fell in love.

That started my FINO LEATHERWARE deep red croc leather obsession!

Over the years I was able to start a collection: Brahmin satchel bag, orgazanizer, card holders, checkbook case, passport case, key holder, key chains, pen case, bag tag and finally a big fat wallet.

I need to control my urge to splurge on FINO so im sticking to red croc leather items only!  Im still looking forward for more.

Tip, they're on sale annually usually from mid-June until mid-July.  Plus they have a lifetime warranty on leather, excellent packaging for gifts and great customer service.

FINO is indeed a value for money - elegant and eye-candy.
Proudly Filipino.

(FINO LEATHERWARE has branches at Glorietta, Rockwell, Mall of Asia, Alabang Town Center, Shangri-La Mall and Trinoma.)

My FINO red croc leather collection =)

Living Life in a Suitcase

(Reposted.  Originally posted on Sunday, September 11, 2011)

I grew up having a 5-year plan, a 10-year plan, short-term plan, long-term plan - I love to plan!

However barely 50% of my plans came to reality which is ironic since I worked in a result-oriented industry.

Things dont always work out the way we want them to be because HE has a greater plan.

The solutions? Acceptance and simplify. So here I am now - living life in a suitcase.