another red tag sale

If I didn't pass by SM Megamall yesterday morning, I wouldn't have known Megatrade Hall was having another Red Tag Sale on branded shoes. Offering 40-70% discount from September 16-20, the Red Tag Sale features the following footwear brands: Skechers, Rockport, Vans, Sandugo, Tribu, Dupe, Anta, Outland, Sonnix, Rider and Ed Hardy. Aside from bringing your cash, you have to be equipped with your decision-making skills if you wish to drop by. Why? Because there are a lot of cheap but fashionable finds you wouldn't know which one to get!


It took me and my husband hours before he could decide which pair of training shoes to get. An hour of fitting on the various pairs he liked didn't help him choose. To give him a breather, we went out of the Megatrade Hall, heard mass and ate a hearty dinner at Wham. With our tummies full, Gino was keen on finally choosing and buying his pair of training shoes. In 30 minutes, he had 2 pairs infront of him, still undecided which one to get. After asking me to choose the pair I wanted for him, he goes to the cashier paying for the pair I didn't choose.

Now who says girls are indecisive?

living the frugal way

I remember the many occasions my sisters tell me how stingy I am compared to them. But I refuse to be called that way. I think economical sounds better. With the current financial crisis the world is experiencing, shopping has taken a back seat for me and my husband. If it isn't necessary, we don't purchase items. We clearly draw the line between what's needed from what's wanted. Every centavo counts, really.


But Saturday night, as Gino and I went to SM Megamall Megatrade Hall's Shoe and Bag Sale, we totally forgot about living the frugal way. A few seconds after trying on a pair of Marc Ecko shoes, we found ourselves lining up by the counter to pay for it. We weren't able to resist buying 2 pairs of shoes at 50% less it's price! My husband's white and brown sneakers (shown above) was originally at Php3,600 while mine was at Php2,900.00. But with the discount tags, we paid just Php3,400 for both pairs!

Wait. I think that's still living the frugal way since we bought them on sale. And, that colorful Marc Ecko shoes is my husband's birthday gift for me!

basketball jersey and shorts

Brand new and authentic Nike items being sold at 10-30% discount are such rare finds. When you stumble upon it, what do you? Grab them, try it on and quickly pay for it. That's exactly what my husband and I did last Saturday at this Athlete's Depot in Ortigas Avenue Extension.


Sold at less 10% of its original price, we looked for a basketball attire for my husband. After fitting several pairs, he finally decided on getting this black Nike Fit jersey and a reversible Nike Basketball shorts. I really wanted to post a picture of him wearing it but he declined. Have fun in your game tonight labski!

christmas centerpiece

Some old Christmas decors at home were collecting dust and I kept thinking how I would dispose them. Wait! What did I say again, dispose? No way, Jose. Let's recycle!!! How about making a beautiful Christmas centerpiece for the table? Sounds good to me!

Materials Needed:
- basket
- clear vase
- candle (make sure it will fit your vase)
- gold trimmings
- red poinsettias
- red crepe paper torn into pieces
- Christmas lights

How To Do It:
1. Scatter the torn pages of crepe paper on the basket. Since my poinsettias are red, I used red crepe paper.
2. Arrange the clear vase at the center of the basket. Place the candle inside the vase. Choose a plain candle in white (or follow your color scheme).
3. With the Christmas lights plugged in, arrange it beginning at the foot of the vase to the edges of the basket. Make sure that the basket is well lit by scattering the lights around it.
4. When you're done placing the Christmas lights, put the red poinsettias at the base of the basket with its petals hanging at the edges. To add some color, layer the gold trimmings around the body of the vase.
5. Dim the lights in your dining area and light your candle. Voila! You have your DIY Christmas centerpiece!

Peso Power:
- 17" diameter Christmas basket: FREE! (old native fruit basket)
- 10 red poinsettias: FREE! (old stuff from my MIL)
- red crepe paper: FREE! (old stuff in my cabinet)
- gold trimmings: PHP 90.00 (Tiangge)
- Christmas lights: PHP 50.00 (Tiangge)
- plain white candle 6" x 2.5": PHP 67.00 (Wax and Candle Store)

CHRISTMAS CENTERPIECE'S TOTAL PESO POWER: PHP 207.00

Creating this DIY centerpiece was so consumer-friendly because it took just a small amount from Christmas budget. But the end product looked really elegant!

designing a christmas wreath

Designing a Christmas wreath has always been in my mind. At the malls, I am amazed to see how stylists conceptualize its design and colors. At Dapitan Arcade in Quezon City, I saw a lot of export-quality Christmas wreaths which I wanted to grab right away to hang at home. However, I thought designing my own would be challenging yet fun and rewarding. So how does one create a DIY Christmas wreath? Here's how I made mine.


Materials Needed:
- wreath of any size (made of plastic garland or fine twigs)
- green Christmas balls (frosted, matte, glossy)
- green flower and twigs
- silver twigs
- other green and silver ornaments
- glue gun
- glue stick
- Christmas lights (optional)

How To Do It:
1. Think of the design you want and conceptualize it. Do you want it monochromatic or of contrasting colors? Do you want it modern or old school?
2. Use only a variety of 1-2 color tones. In this wreath, I used metallic green and silver.
3. Scatter the bigger ornaments on the wreath and style it whichever way you want. When you're happy with what you see, get your glue gun and stick the ornaments carefully.
4. Get the smaller ornaments and style it around the wreathe. You may put it on the bigger ornaments to create depth. Stick them when you're ready.

Peso Power:
- 15" diameter Christmas wreath: FREE! (Old wreathe of my MIL)
- Christmas ornaments: PHP 478.50 (SM Megamall Department Store)
- glue gun: PHP 67.25 (Ace Hardware)
- glue stick: PHP 35.00 (Ace Hardware)

WREATH'S TOTAL PESO POWER : PHP 580.75

If you want Christmas lights on your wreath, put if before you style your project with your ornaments. Merry Christmas everyone!

invading bohol

Thanks to Cebu Pacific's Php500 Kahit-Saan promo. My husband and I, together with my in-laws, are invading the rich scenery and seascape of Bohol.

At Php1930 each all-in, my sister in-law was able to book us a flight to Tagbilaran Airport on February 15, 2009 at 8:00 am and a return flight on February 17, 2009 at 9:45am.

We are so excited! I initially suggested that we stay in Panglao Island. But reading some posts I found written by my travel consultant Ironwulf (sshhh... he doesn't know me), I thought staying in Loboc would be more convenient since it's closer to most of the places we want to see. Panglao is just a ride away from Loboc anyway. I am still searching for accomodations online and I found this very affordable yet decent resort called LobocHilltop Cottage. Although we all agree we'll save up a lot if we stay there, we are still looking for other accomodations. It pays to search and compare the rates, you know. Any suggestions in mind?

treasures hidden in dapitan arcade

We were finally able to search every corner of the famous Dapitan Arcade.

On a late Saturday afternoon, who would think the place would be quiet, so unlike Divisoria. And to think people just had their paychecks. The price of each item given to you by each store clerk isn't true as you can still make tawad. And up to how much can you haggle the price? Sky's the limit! As long as you have the gift in sweet-talking. Or maybe if you go there looking like an ordinary citizen of the world. Meaning, without your diamond earrings.

So, how do you get there? It's about 10 minutes away from Welcome Rotonda. When you see the branch of Burger King, turn right on Mayon Street. Then just go straight. It's a stone's throw away from the Baranggay Hall. You won't miss it. As soon as you see native baskets and ceramics scattered on the road, you're on the right track. And now, to give you an idea on what you may see there, here are our finds.






Happy hunting!

the search for the chest continues

It was an eye-straining night at Tiendesitas. Our eyes were popping out because of the native and antique furnitures we saw there. My husband and I just love 'em all! The ending? We didn't buy anything!

The chests were there. Magazine racks were scattered in every corner. Mirror with intricate frame designs. Basically, everything we wanted to add in our home were there. But we couldn't decide right away which ones to purchase. And so we decided to wait for another weekend to check out Dapitan Arcade. My husband and I both agreed that we have to make sure we'll get our money's worth with the items we'll be getting.

And just now, while checking out Ebay.ph I saw abaca items being sold (or made-to-order) from Clark, Pampanga! Their products are really nice. And THIS chest made of seagrass fiber is so zen-like! Export quality, I must say! If you're into native furnitures, check out their other items HERE. You might find something you like. The owner just texted me. They do deliveries in the Metro for a fee of Php700.00.

Now this new find would add more to our confusion. Teehehe.

the 5 people you meet in heaven (the movie)

All endings are also beginnings. Read the book first. And then see its theatrical version.


The 5 People You Meet in Heaven, a book written by Mitch Albom, is a must-read for anyone thirsting for the meaning of life. The story plot is mainly about Eddie (played by Jon Voight) who dies at the age of 83 after he saves a young girl in the circus. As you go through the chapters of the book, you'll agree with Albom in the concept that all lives are interconnected, directly or indirectly.

To watch the film version of the book, download it HERE for free.

haven for booklovers

This is currently my favorite place in the net. It's a haven for booklovers like me! And the best part of it all is that --- it's for FREE!


Aside from ebooks and magazines, the site also has audiobooks which keep me company whenever I'm on the road or just bored. Believe it or not, through this free site, my husband was able to download an audiobook of all Harry Potter series! Now isn't that an awesome find!

Dear blogmates, have your own share of these freebies. Check out http://www.freeebooksdownload.net now!

new nike shoes

First of all, I apologize. You won't appreciate this post that much because I don't have a photo attached with it. But I hope you still read it.

Saturday was a tiring yet a day full of discovery for me and my husband as we explored every corner of the Marikina Riverbanks Mall. My gosh... the outlet stores they have there are worth seeing! I got so excited I didn't get to buy anything for myself! But it's perfectly okay, really. Why? Drum roll please... Because my husband was able to buy a new pair of Nike shoes for an eye-popping bargain prize of Php1,350.00! Its original prize? Php2,030.00! That's an amazing 66% discount!

While on our way home, my husband and I listed down our Christmas gift list. With all the original and brand new-yet-discounted items we have found there, we'll surely make our loved ones happy this Holiday season.

Be going back to Riverbanks Mall this coming weekend. For my stuff this time! <wink wink>

guess? usa outlet store sale

Calling those who are on a budget like me. You will definitely love this news I found in the Marikina Riverbanks site. Guess? USA is having a special event sale in all their outlet stores in the Philippines! The big outlet sale runs from September 12-30.

Click the image for a bigger view.

A Guess? USA outlet store I know is the one in the Riverbanks Mall which is very near the entrance. So... I'll see you there this weekend!