My Bargain Finds

I just want to share because I always feel happy whenever I come home from a shopping escapade from Bargain shops (locally called Ukay2x). They have these clothes, bags and shoes ranging from P50.00 to P200.00 a pop. There are two major reasons I love shopping at these places. The number one reason of course is the price difference. I can get a brand new shirt (tag and all) at P50.00 compared to the P500.00 shirts in the malls. The second reason is that I have very weird clothing choices. I seldom find quirky pieces in the boutiques but I always do find something interesting in those Bargain shops that's why I got hooked. Sure its hard finding a nice dress or shirt but the hunt is so worth it. Besides, the place is air conditioned and the clothes are all in hangers so its much easier that you think. Well, for me anyway.

As a general rule for me, I prefer clothes and shoes which still has tags. Meaning they have not been worn yet. Also, I like going to the shops when they have brand new stuff so that I will have more choices. Some of my finds - check them out!!!

1. Black fitted jacket - I use this a lot because it fits me perfectly, its chic and comfy too. Jackets normally cost more in these shops I think because of the fabric.

2. Cocktail Rings - I actually saw this in one of those bazaars - but eye-love it!♥ Their inexpensive outfit-uppers!

3. Dress - This was actually found by a friend in an ukay2x and re-sold to me that's why its a bit pricey. I don't mind because I love the color and overlapping style.

4. Boots - My prized boots. When I got this the soles were clean and it was clearly unused. It just needed a little cleaning and sanitizing and voila! Fabulous without overspending.

Second-hand shopping is fun especially if you go home with unique and cheap treasures. My tips to be prepared for it?

• Bargain! - Don't be shy and haggle. I once got a skirt for P10.00 and that's because I charmed the lady and promised to buy a lot if she gave me a good price.
• Be patient - It's not easy to look for quality items when the ratio of ugly:pretty is 20:1 so don't rush and take your time. Also fit the items as much as you can. Clothes can look different in a hanger and in you.
• Dress Down - Some sellers hike up prices when they think you have the money for it. Also, you never know if snatchers and robbers are lurking around waiting.
  
• Bring smaller bills - If you look like you have lots of money then it would be harder to get a good deal.
• Hold On - When you find something nice and you are deciding never let go of the item just yet until you decide.
• Bring a Big Bag - so that your hands will be free to browse.

Happy bargain shopping!

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Eye Love

I've wake up every 3-5 hours at night because I need to do the #1. The good thing is sometimes Ozzy wakes up too and asks to go to the CR. So far, for a few weeks now there have been no bedroom accidents on his part. He doesn't even wear diapers anymore when we go out to church or the mall. The only downside to waking up middle of the night is that it takes me a few minutes before I get settled and fall back asleep. I keep on putting on moisturizers and eye cream to avoid having the puffy look. Besides, with 2 kids I might get wrinkles as early as 26.

Anyway, with the boy fully potty trained, I am seriously thinking of buying a bigger bed for us. I want to use my blogging money for the purchase so as not to touch our savings. That's for the lot we just bought and I don't want to get from it.

Hopefully, more assignments pour my way.T_T

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Treasured Award

I love love love getting awards; keep 'em coming friends. This one is from Issa of the blog About a Boy.

Thanks!

Let me share this Irish Blessings' friendship proverb:

"May there always be work for your hands to do, may your purse always hold a coin or two. May the sun always shine on your windowpane, may a rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the hand of a friend always be near you, may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you."

I am passing this to my online friends : Eds, Milet and Mhay!

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Money Talk & Fridays

It's official my summer anthem is the song As Strong As The Sun by the Astro Nuts. I love it. It makes me want to dance yet relax at the same time. How I wish I was in the beach right now sipping my cold drink while watching my son - Ozzy cringe when sand touches his toes. You should see his face. It's priceless when he says "doo-ty sand!" (dirty sand). Instead I am here stuck in the office however on a brighter note, its a Friday, the weather is just right and you know what that means....the weekend is a few hours away.

So..on a different topic, I just need to talk about this because it would be beneficial for the people who are going into business and would be needing a Corporate Credit and financing. Sites like EZUnsecured.com is worth visiting because its one of the trusted among many financing giants out there. If you are planning to start by buying Aged Corporations then much better for you because an existing corporation is easier when it comes to establishing a loan or financing. You can go to http://BusinessCreditMagic.com because they sell aged corporations from 2-10 years old. Besides, having an aged corporation is good because it has been registered to the Secretary of State a few months or xx years ago and are now available for purchase. The benefits of an Aged Corporation or sometimes called Shelf Corporations is that it can be up and running in less than 24 hours, it is credible, financing can be easier and faster and the last, Asset protection where you should keep your assets out of your name and into Corporations and other types of Legal Structures. This way that separate your assets from yourself then protects your assets in the case where you get sued.

Hopefully not anyway - but that is a good way to protect the asset.

.........I hope those make sense though. If not, please visit their site. For now, I am going to "pretend" to work so the boss won't get mad. I've actually done my tasks for the week so this afternoon will be a free time for me. Weeee. Happy.

Enjoy the weekend guys! ♥

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Purse Talk

A fab tag from Mhay of Married and Happy About It.

1. Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you can't go into your closet and pull out your favorite purse! We want to know what you carried today or the last time you left the house.
2. List how much it cost. And this is not to judge. This is for entertainment purposes only. So spill it. And if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, we'd love to hear it.
3. Tag some chicks. And link back to this post so people know why the heck you're showing everyone your bag.

I got this white hobo bag in Hongkong, December of 2007. I bought it for about 160.00 HK Dollars (approx 20 US Dollar) in their bargain shopping district - Kowloon. I love this bag because its big, light and sturdy. It goes with anything and it can be easily cleaned.

There are 3 sections of the bag, on one section I put all Ozzy's stuff (his extra clothes, diaper, sanitizer, powder, wipes, toys etc.), on the middle my wallet, camera and phone and on the third one all the other stuff specifically my kikay kit. I am the kind of bring a lot of stuff around to ensure I don't forget anything. I have a fan, alcohol, my car keys and perfume.

Usually I have my shades too (not included in picture) because I don't know where it is (I think I left it in the car) and it says in the tag I should just take a picture of my bag right now.^_^ That's it. Hope you enjoyed rummaging thru my bag. I know I enjoy rummaging thru other's people's bags! Lol.

If you're up for it, I'd like to see yours too: Francine, Gracie, Jenn, Jhelea and VMarie

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I Hope

That my friends cousin will pull thru with her promise. x.x

Remember my story about SSS? Well if not, a simple summary - they would require me to line up at 4AM to ensure I get a priority number for my ID capture. They only accept up to 160 people a day.

Anyway, I told my friends about this story. Well, my good friend J actually was number 161! He lined up around 530AM and still he wasn't served. 161! Imagine? So close but yet so far. Good thing for him his cousin who knew someone in SSS managed to squeeze him in. I hope J's cousin can squeeze me in too. I really don't want to line up there at 4 in the morning. This is one of those moments I hate SSS because of an inefficient process. On most times they are okay. I got my maternity benefits on time and it was quite a substantial amount already. Good thing I have that because I don't have any other medicare benefits in our company. I would have applied in Blue Advantage but I am not a North Carolina resident. Their policy has maternity options you know.

Anyway, I hope I can have my picture taken for my SSS ID already. I don't have any other ID with my married name on it ; except for my company ID. I want to have at least 2. My drivers license is still my maiden name. Which reminds me, I still have to go there. Haiii. I hate dealing with the Philippines government offices.

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Random Questions #27

Snagged from the gorgeous new mommy Chikai.

1. Do you miss the way things used to be? : Yes and No. I miss the cleaner air. I miss how kids can play outside without so much fear of bad elements. However, I like the technological advancements (who doesn't?) and the boundless choices.

2. Have you ever had a pet fish? : Nope, never my pet. It was my brothers.

3. Plans for tomorrow? : No specific plans. I just plan to finish all my due assignments.

4. What was the last alcoholic beverage you consumed? : Blue Kamikaze with hubby a few months back.

5. Do you say sorry first? : Depends; if it was my fault yes. But in most cases, I am always right so no.

6. Would you honestly say you'd risk your life for someone else? : Yes, if you become a mom you can answer this question in a heartbeat. Ask me this before and I would have hesitated.

7. When's the last time you had a headache? : Let's see...3 weeks ago.

8. Ever made a cake by yourself? : I think once..those chocolate ready bake cake you can buy in groceries..and it was a disaster.

9. What was the last type of fruit you ate? : Pineapple and Papaya.

10. What are you thinking about right now? : Food. What else! Lol.

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Of Weddings & Hubby's

Don't fear doing something outside the box when it comes to your wedding. Put your personal touch on it.

I found that quote in a website which offers best bridal prices; I found it inspiring because it can be applied not only to your wedding but in anything you do in life. Always remember to put a personal touch to it - to add a signature that makes it truly yours. I am just reminiscing here actually, I miss Hubby extra mucho these days. I just saw our wedding photo lying around in our bedroom in need of a good frame. I have been meaning to buy a nice photo frame for it for a few months(!!!) now but I haven't found the perfect frame for it. Tsk.Tsk. Maybe I should just make one myself? Talk about putting a personal touch. *wink*

Hubby and I have been chatting less and less these past few days because I have no laptop in my room; so we can talk properly when I'm at my work PC. He's busy too after 7PM because of work....so we usually talk in the afternoons only. I guess its the hormones talking, I just really really want to see him right now.

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Under Construction

Super having fun editing this blog!!! :) So forgive me for confusing you. This is still under construction.

Will have to stop and work now. I'll continue editing this later.

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Better Be Safe

In our day and age when everything is attainable in an instant - information, services, food, even slimming down can be done fast with technology and pills. Some people in their haste for beauty and perfection fail to realize that slimming down too fast has its drawbacks. Excess skin, health complications, botched liposuction and some even lead to death.

I've been doing a lot of diet pill reviews lately and I get to read a lot about it. Although generally they are safe it is still better to read about it first and ask the others who have tried it before trying it yourself. I am not at all against slimming pills or liposuction, don't get me wrong. I may even try it when I cannot handle my fats anymore but what I am trying to say is before doing anything drastic, proper research should be done.

Its better to be safe I should say.

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Greys Anatomy Overload

Been watching Greys Anatomy on video stream and I realized one thing: I can never ever be a doctor. I have a feeling I would get attached to all my patients, I would cringe with the sight of blood (duh!) and then I can't take it if a patient dies on me.

That's the reason I woke up late today for work. I slept late. Around 2AM to be exact. I could not stop watching Greys Anatomy episodes. Since I've stopped watching around season 2 I think...I've decided to watch again.

But I really love the series (minus Izzie-Denny tandem). Although I would want to see the doctors outside the hospital sometimes. It seems unrealistic that their whole world revolves around the hospital only. It would be nice to know more about the characters outside the OR/ER rooms.

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Right Time To Travel

Hubby was saying his friends and him are planning a visit to Paris, France a few months from now. He's still not sure about it though because as much as he would have loved to he still feels its not right to keep on spending during this time (read: recession and rampant OFW terminations). He has a point and I am so proud that he is very practical. Although it would have been nice for him to be able to travel and have fun - because I know its sad to be working alone in such a far place. But if we live in a perfect world; it would have been ME with him touring the romantic city.

He promised me though that we'll visit NY or Las Vegas because he loves to try the casinos there; we'll have Vegas vacations as our honeymoon when we can. Even though this means I would wait for 20 years for this to materialize I don't mind.

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Penmanship Tag

Got this fun tag from Dez of My Online World and I was pleased to oblige, although I am not fond of my handwriting.

So were my teachers back then. Teehee. They would complain that they could barely read my penmanship because the letters are too small and close together.^_^ I also don't know how to write in script.

Here are the instructions:

1. Write down who tagged you.

2. Answer these:- your name / username / pseudo- right-handed or left-handed?- your favorite letters to write?- your least favorite letters to write?


3. Write “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”



4. Tag five persons.

I am tagging : Kelly , Em , Milet, Peachy and Yenny Girl

Have fun!

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I want MORE.

I've been shopping less and less for myself ever since my first baby. His needs comes first. Now that I am expecting a second one, does this means no more shopping sprees for me?? Well, for one I am not really a heavy shopper to start with. I am more of the thrift shop girl.

However, when sale's are abundant I go a little crazy and go over the budget at times. Especially if its a beautiful dress or a nice cocktail ring! I have a few rings now but their not enough!!!

The point of this post? I can't seem to stop thinking of those fabulous cocktail rings in ETSY. Arrg. A friend is asking me to buy something for her and surely I will be tempted to add a little something for me too.

Must.Not.Succumb.To.Temptation.

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Annoy, Annoying, Annoyance!

Today I woke up late. I was having a not-so-good day.

It was already 8AM and I was suppose to be at work by 8:00...good thing Dad didn't mind. Three things annoyed/pissed me off.

1. Mommy Moment

My Mother is religious. She goes to church everyday, confesses once a month, goes to adoration chapel, prays the rosary more than once a day, goes to her prayer meeting regularly, goes to feeding programs every Thursday..you get the drift..

I, on the other hand is not AS religious. I pray the rosary too but not everyday. I go to mass every Sunday without fail, give my offering and try to be good everyday.

However, I guess all these things are not enough for her! I just confessed and when she told me to confess again, I asked why. She told me that I have lots of sins blah2x. For example, do I give offerings!? Hello!? I gave 3T last week for one of her causes; apparently that wasn't enough?! You see, whenever I can, I give. Without question or hesitation but to tell me DO I GIVE? and then followed by ITS NOT ENOUGH is hurtful. I am no saint, I am not perfect and by judging me - isn't that an un-catholic like? I just snapped because she's giving me a hard time this Holy Week. Remember my weekend getaway with friends? She thinks its "disturbing" to be having fun during this time. Arggg. Can't she give me a break? I seldom see my friends and we only have this weekend to meet up.

I'll just do my best to do what I can this Holy Week and ignore her snide remarks (if any) because generally Mother is the nicest, well-meaning person in the world, sometimes she just is too religious even for me.

2. Nanny Moment

Ozzy's nanny is not getting along with one of the maids and she asked me earlier if she can go home. I talked to her and told her that she's a good nanny and I hate to see her leave just because of some fight with the other maid.... and you know what was their fight about!? The other maids' BF keeps calling my nanny's cell asking to talk! So naturally the maid got jealous; see how petty? A guy would take away my nanny! The nerve I can kick his a**.

Anyway...Mom and I talked to both. Told the nanny never to answer calls from that guy to avoid conflict. Then told the maid that she should get a clue, her BF is a player. (well something of that nature but not really). We explained that guys are guys and they take whatever they can. Don't fight over them because its petty. So the nanny decided to stay and now let's see what happens.

3. Laptop Moment

Hubby was going to give me a new laptop and I was too excited. I should not have been because all the units on sale are already sold out. Sayang. However, he would still be on a lookout for another one.

==========

Arrg. I though Monday's got me down. Turns out, 1st day of work in a week gets me down! Hoping for a better day tomorrow.

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Something New

Who says staying at home is boring?

Well not me. I've been working from home since I graduated 2005. At first I was super bored and wanted to go out everyday or every weekend at least. However, now that I have a kid staying at home is something I extremely enjoy because it is non-stressful.

Some of my friends finished Master's Degree and I must admit I am a bit jealous. I would like to expand my knowledge too because as much as I enjoy staying at home I also would like to learn something new. Good thing I can do that in the comforts of my own home with vocational programs and online degrees I can learn online fashion design!

Now that's going to be a dream come true if ever.

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Jeri and Jerry

Ozzy's favorite cartoon show nowadays is The Adventures of Tom and Jerry. His Paternal Grandfather's name is Jeri so one time while watching the show he asked me if if his Lolo was a mouse too!

Lol. I had to explain to him that they only have the same name!

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Dating 101: The Six Biggest Dating Mistakes Women Make

Found this is Yahoo news and wanted to share it here since its informative and relatable. Yes, ladies?

Read On.

#1: They go on too many unproductive dates. "If you know how to date, and you're meeting losers, get off the market and go into dating detox. Clean your energy up so those people don't ask you out anymore. The problem is we women are very impatient. We want it now. Instant gratification! Sometimes the best single men are worth waiting for. You might get one good date a year, versus 100 bad ones, but he's worth it."

#2: They go out with their girlfriends in the hopes of meeting guys. "When you're with your girlfriends, you're not approachable. They're scared. Single men are very timid. I have this theory: Women who travel in packs do not attract. Men who are quality aren't going to go in there and ask you out while your girlfriends are standing right there -- he could get shot down.

#3: They think a guy will always like them if he just gets to know them. "A guy knows right away if he's attracted to you or not. There's no warming up. Men are microwaves, women are Crockpots. Women heat up very slowly. They take in information; they decipher it and download it into their computer. Men know in one second, yes or no."

#4: They overshare on the date. "Single women are so trusting that they tell too much information about themselves. They pump and dump -- they baggage dump! They say, "I'm all relaxed, now he's my best friend and I can tell him whatever I want." They're nervous, and they tell their life story -- and sometimes their life story is not a good story to tell."

#5: They don't let the guy talk enough. "The way you talk on a date should be like a tennis match, but the guy should talk three times as often. It should be 3:1. He volleys, volleys, volleys, now you talk. You can answer the question every time he volleys, but then you lead him with your question, and it should be topical to the conversation he's having. You don't say, 'Hey, do you want to get married? Hey, what's your ex-girlfriend like?' You don't do that. You lead with what he's talking about."

#6: They forget their manners. "The key to a good date is to smile. Engage with eye contact. Let him lead and then you compliment little things along the way. If he orders the dessert and you guys share it, say, 'Oh, this is the best chocolate mousse, I'm so glad you picked this.' Manners are key. Most people do not have manners."

Read More about it here.

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Life With Style no more.

I'm fickle minded. Fine.

Just changed this blog's title from Life with Style to Fun|Fierce|Fabulous since I loved that tag line and its mine.

Well...I believe its mine.

Besides, I cannot revive the other blog *insert roll eyes here* so I will just make do with this new one in the hopes of making it better than the previous one.

Wish me luck, no more down time from now on.

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Seat Sale, Yey!

We grabbed the chance to go to Manila this June because of Ceb-Pac Seat Sale as low as P188/one way when you Go-Lite (meaning you don't have any check-in baggage's). At 3 days and 2 nights I will really try my hardest NOT to have any check in baggage's for this trip. Hopefully by then Ozzy is fully-potty trained meaning we won't be needing diapers when we travel. Right now what I do is still have him on diapers when we go on trips especially if we go to church or somewhere far. But I will stop that practice already - no matter how hassle is sounds of bringing lots of spare shorts & briefs - because that's the only way he will learn.

Now, the only thing we need to finalize is our hotel accommodations, initially Dad was planning on using his credit card points to score hotel reservation promo's and free accommodation from 5-star hotels however, we decided against it because it would only go to waste considering we won't be staying in our hotels long anyway. We'll use it some other time though.

For the itinerary we are planning to spend Saturday somewhere like the zoo or something and on Sunday would be shopping/do whatever day or meet with some of the family day. We have lots of relatives from Manila but I doubt we can meet them all because of time constraints. Last time that we went to Manila we stayed for over a week and that was still not enough time!

Can you tell I'm excited?

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