Close Enough?

Saw these swag chandeliers by Stcy Garcia from LampsPlus.com ($99.99)







I don't know if those three alien-looking external fixtures can be taken out, but the shade is also sold separately...

Not quite... but close enough right?

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I Want: For Our Dining Area

I like this for our dining area!



I saw a lamp shade with a similar pattern in Regalong Pambahay, and I have asked before (prior to seeing this beautiful picture in DominoMag.com) and asked if they make chandeliers with a Damask pattern or if at least I can buy the shade alone (bigger size though).


This, but in Coffee or light brown shade


Negative.


Where can I get one similar to this?

PS: I also want those chairs. Loving this look talaga.

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Eanna's Smilestones

Here's quite a few that I should blog about...

• She walks like a pro - and she doesn't like riding on her stroller! Whenever we are in the mall, she enjoys walking. When we're "away," she goes to us, holds one of our fingers, and pulls us to go where she wants to go.
• She wants to eat her food by herself. She doesn't know how to use her utensils, but she's getting there. Right now, she uses her hands to eat. Messy, but fun to watch hahaha.
• She knows how to kiss us when we say "Kiss Mama" or "Kiss Papa" Love it!
• She does "flying kiss" LOVE IT!
• She still loves making "beautiful eyes" hehehehe.
• She loves her reading time with me. And lvoes her Strawberry Shortcake book.
• When we give her medicine, she already opens her mouth and doesn't resist. Puera bati hahahaha.

Hmmm... what else? Will post these every now and then. Miss my Bebe bigla. Hay. Gotta go home now.

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My Home Says That I Am...

Got this from Jen's blog...

What Your Home Says About You

You come across as somewhat intellectual. You can be quite insightful at times. You have amazing hygiene, and it shows. You are sparkling clean! You are a very domestic person. You enjoy decorating, cooking, and making things homey. You are a very nurturing person. You find meaning in taking care of others. You feel settled in your life. You have enough time to focus on little details. You are a very self sufficient person. You can get along well without much help. Your friends see you as courageous, dynamic, and bright.

What Does Your Home Say About You?

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Weekend Purchases

There was so much on sale last weekend (bazaars, mall sales, etc) it was quite a surprise that I didn't give in to temptations and opted to buy stuff that we already planned to get. Well, save for this Santa Claus dress for Eanna, that is. Hahaha.




Christmas Decor
I initially planned on not having that much Christmas decor (just sue the old small Christmas tree we had last year). However, the decorating bug bit me, and so I was really wanting to get a few Christmas decors. I was still cautious in our purchases, so we just bought a few and assembled them. No big Christmas tree purchase though. Hehehe. I liked the colors that we chose as these really went well with the colors of our living room.



New Console for our foyer. I have been wanting this small console for quite a while, so when dear hubby gave me the go signal to get it, we immediately did. Hahaha. Love, love love it. Now, our lighthouse table serves as our side table in the living area, and the glass nest tables are now where they were initially intended to be - center/coffee tables. I'm really kinda loving how our living area looks like. Except our tv stand which need imporvement. Hahahaha.



Of course my post will not be complete without more pics of Eanna. Hahaha. Here she is enjoying the "polar bears" and this winter animal (I forgot hahaha). This is the first time she wore her denim jeans. Love it on her!


Domino: The Book of Decorating
I got this in National Bookstore, and I am falling in love with this book! Lots of ideas on how to pruce up your own space. Love, love love it. I wish though that Domino Mag is available here. Is it? I am not sure. This is my little Christmas gift for myself. hehehe. I caught hubby reading it, he looked so cute reading it while waiting for me to wake up. Hehehehe. Any guy would fancy this book too. It is a must-buy!



That's all for now. Hope you had a pleasant weekend too. Oh, this weekend there is an urban Bazaar in Powerplant. See you there (I hope)!

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External Hard Drive

Yipee! I finally got what I was thinking of getting some few weeks back, a portable hard drive!

Western Digital My PASSPORT Elite 320GB Portable Hard Disk Drive


My old laptop is already slowing down and for fear of it crashing anytime, I finally decided to get this lovely passport-size hard drive. This weekend, I will transfer all our files (images, videos, other documents) before we get our laptop checked (it probably needs reformatting). I hope that this is a good investment since I really don't want to buy more USBs and memory cards other than for my phone and for our camera.

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Eanna's Party

I know, it's a late post, but better late than never, right?

Anyway, we held eanna's birthday party in our condo's clubhouse last 08 November. At first I was hesitant to push through with the party given that my Grandfather passed away a week ago. But everything's already in place, so we just went ahead. The party's theme is "Strawberry Shortcake" and save for the giveaways for the boys, we did our best to stick to the theme.

Here are the pics of our giveaways:





Caterer: Vickoy's Catering
We met them during our friends' wedding, and we love the food they served. What's good with them is they are flexible with the menu... I got one viand from different packages. Hahaha!

Soup: Spinach Soup
Main Course: Roast Beef with Mushroom Gravy, Mini Pork Barbecue, Fish Fillet with lemon Butter Sauce, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Asparagus Tips with Tofu in Garlic Sauce, Baked Lasagna, Steamed Rice
Dessert: Chocolate Fountain
Drinks: Free-flowing ICed Tea and Soft drink

For the kids:
Spaghetti, Hotdogs and Marshmallow on sticks, and mini burgers.
We also had a Sorbetes Cart for the kids (and adults nyahahahaha!)

Decor and Cake: Jacque Tan
We had a Strawberry shortcake backdrop, standee, balloons, and tabletops. Simple, but we loved it.

Most of the kids that attened the party were from our condo. I didn't know Eanna was famous hahahaha. Anyway, at least getting Bobbie the Magicman as our host was worth it. The kids loved the show, and Bobbie was a really good host. Highly recommended!

Aside from our guests, we also invited the maintenance staff of our place and gave giveaways to their kids too. They have been very good to us, and like I said earlier, Eanna is famous and can be voted as Dansalan's darling baby girl. Hahahaha.

It's such a wonderful and fulfilling experience, you know, celebrating our baby's first birthday. Initially I didn't want to ahve a big party but gave in to hubby's wish of thorwing a big one for our own strawberry shortcake. Good thing he convinced me!

Gifts!
Thanks to all the gifts we have received! eanna surely loved all of them!

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My Green Living Tips

I still can't get over my wonderful experience in being featured in Moments (Net25, Saturdays at 6:30 pm). Aside from talking about being a Mom, I shared some tips on "green living":

1. Use compact flourescent light bulbs instead of incandescent or halogen lights.
2. Minimize use of lights especially if you have big windows. When building a house, do keep this in mind!
3. Do not waste water. Don't leave faucets running.
4. Start your own herb or plant box. Grow your own herbs for cooking!
5. Unplug appliances when not in use. Most important is the TV / entertainment system. Even if on standby, they still consume electricity.
6. Use bayongs or the eco-friendly bags when going to the market, grocery, and when shopping.
7. Use biofuel for your car.
8. Segregate your waste. Use excess plastic bags in lining your waste baskets for disposal.
9. Do not throw used bulbs and batteries in your regular waste bin. They should be disposed of properly (either I give them to the condo maintenance team or to our company since they have proper procedures in disposing them).
10. Patronize organic products!
11. Reuse paper and recycle them.
12. Talk about green living to your friends and discover more ways in promoting environmental awareness - books, websites, seminars.

I'll be sharing new ways from time to time. I hope that other people will be more eco-friendly in their daily living. Like what I said in Moments, it's about time.

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Christmas Gift for Enrique

Christmas time is near and though I have list of gifts to give, I still do not have an idea what to give hubby for Christmas. I shopped for him in HK, so clothes are out. I got a bag for him too to replace his really old messenger bag he uses whenever he travels. Shoes? Uhm, he is happy with what he has now and I don't think he'd appreciate it. How about electronics stuff? we were suppsoed to get a new laptop but then we held back because my old one was replaced and so I can just give the old laptop to him (hehehehe). PSP? His interest in it went down. He is however wanting to get the iPod adaptor for our car.

Griffin RoadTrip with SmartScan for iPhone and iPod




Features (from Apple.com)

• Play music from your iPhone or iPod on your car's stereo system as it charges
• Easy one-button set-up--SmartScan searches the radio dial for the three clearest broadcast frequencies, automatically programs them to pre-set buttons, then automatically selects the best of the three for in-car broadcast
• Quick switching between pre-sets
• SmartSound Plus technology for clear sound under real-world conditions
• Flexible steel neck and interchangeable model-specific cradles position your iPhone or iPod perfectly
• The look of a custom in-car installation without the cost or inconvenience

Hmmm. Puede!

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Grrr....

Sometimes you can't help but wonder if it is all worth it. If it is worth fighting for.

Or do I just give up?

Right now I'm in the mood to give up.

Grrrr.

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Stressed

I'm really stressed right now. At work, uncertainty is looming over us. Much as I want to think positive there is this small cynical voice in me that says it might get even worse. At home, I'm a bit stressed too since Eanna's Nanny extended her stay in the province (she got sick). We've got no household help, and both hubby and I are trying to keep things together… he at home, me at work. Can't help but wish I'm just home helping out. Good thing that our Nanny will be back tomorrow.

Still, I can feel my body giving up real soon. I ache all over and I feel so low-bat. I need a vacation, similar to Disney vacations where I can feel like a child again, no worries and all.

*Sigh*

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Games Galore

Last year, I was very hooked into playing games online, as well as downloading those free games into my computer. This year though, I got too busy with work and mommy-hood that I completely had no time for my favourite past-time. And now, I kinda miss those good ol' days when I just lounge around in our living area and play with the computer to my heart's content. I found a website called Midoritech.com that offers a lot of computer games, including kids computer games. They have games for Mac too, and that’s a relief for me since we plan to get a Macbook sometime, and I need to have a mac solitaire installed in it. Hahaha. Plus, for those who have the new iphone, this site also offers iphone games too. *Sigh* Makes me wish I had one, you know.

Anyway, do check it out!

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Artistahin!

Did anyone of you happen to watch Moments of Net25 last Saturday? If you did, then you'll most likely know why my title is such. If not.... go watch Moments on Sunday 11 am!

Anyway, the whole shooting for Moments was a wonderful experience, but I was a bit scared of the final cut of our segment. What a relief when I got to watch it, and it wasn't bad, you know. it was pretty ok (for me at least)! Word spread in our family my relatives quickly called me and asked if they can have their own copy of the show. Sikat ba? Hahahaha. Even my relatives from the US and Canada heard about it, and were asking too for their own copy.

Anita of Net25 just gave me a call and congratulated me, because a lot of the fans of the show texted her and said our segment was really nice. Yipee!

Hello, showbiz! Naks. Feel na feel ba? Hahahaha. Let me indulge and relish the experience. Hahahaha.

On the vanity side, even though my aunts told me that I looked relaly nice and telegenic daw hahaha, I thought I looked fat. My cheeks were bulging like crazy, and my arms look like thighs. Hahaha. Oh well, still not to worry and no need to take the best diet pill in town.

Seriously, I do hope Moms who watched the show learned something from what I shared, and that they too become environment-conscious and help save our planet. Go green living!

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Hirap!

Enrik just got out of having a mean cold. I just got out of flu. Eanna is still sick (diarrhea?). Then we don't have a yaya nor a helper. Yaya went home to attend her Lola's funeral, and will be back next week. Since I cannot skip work (lots of work to do especially after some drastic developments in our company), hubby is the only one taking care of the house and of course (mnost importantly) Eanna. Poor bebe.

Plus, my family is insisting that we invite my cousin over to our condo for dinner before he goes back home to Canada.

Hanuba!!!!!!!!!!

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Another Week.

Another week of work. Usually I look forward to work because it gives my brain a boost (surprise!) and keeps my mind going (you know, to temporarily not think of problems and all). Yet, this week, and the next weeks to come, I dread going to work, for fear that more bad news be said to us. Last week was a temporary respite from this feeling, with preparations and actual party fo Eanna, plus the wonderful experience taping for a segment for Moments (MomStyle segment!) of Net25. Then Sunday night came and thoughts about work trickled into my mind.

*Sigh*

Hope this week will not be as tiring as last week. It is only Monday morning, and I already feel drained.

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Wordpress Concern

Wordpress has contacted me about my other website's content, and demanded me to delete all posts that have paid content in them. As if I remember all! Should I just ignore and risk getting my blog deleted? I replied that I don't remember all posts since they're not in just one category, and that I no longer accept paid posts in my blog. Still, they replied that I should delete all. Ngik.

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Sad Things: Purchase of a Vehicle

This is just a follow-up on what I have recently posted about the effect of the world financial condition to us consumers, employees and the shipping industry. I guess now it's not only the shipping industry that is feeling the effect of this global crisis, but all industries in general. Which is why I'm quite confused as to why Honda still has the "guts" to increase their prices for their vehicles. We're now pressured to confirm by today else we will lose the discount and risk getting "hit" by the price increase. Don't they know that people are now trying to save and thus price increases might not do them any good?

Now, we are rethinking whether we should still pursue in getting a CRV or just a Civic. I'm quite worried about what's happening, so I really don't want to splurge on anything right now. I talked to my husband about my worries and he agreed that we should just get the Civic as it's much cheaper. Many people have asked why we should get a new one- well, it's because our old car is showing signs of age (but still very good maintenance and runs well) and I guess after 12 years we have to retire our good ol' trusted car.

Up until today we're still uneasy about the urgency in paying the downpayment today (well, not that we would resort to selling my bags, clothes, shoes and jewelry, as we have joked last night hahaha). We still have until 12 noon to decide. Yaiks. Good luck to us.

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The Drama Queen Is Alive!

For a couple of days now, my inner Drama Queen is doing her work and is doing quite well. It is getting to be really irritating though. I've become more sensitive, weepy, and moody, as if I've been PMS-ing! No amount of progesterone intake could take away this peuso-PMS. Poor hubby doesn’t know what to do. One minute I'm, all lovey-dovey with him. The next minute, I'm this grumpy old woman. What's wrong with me? I should be happy and cheerful and all since hubby is here. Instead, I can be given an award for being such a drama mama. Hahaha. Oh well, maybe I'm just being "KSP" to my lovey. This too shall pass... I hope soon!

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The Effect in Shipping

Wow, now we are feeling the effect of the world financial condition. First, there was slower loading of luxury cars onboard our vessels. Then our annual party for seafarers is cancelled as part of our cost cutting measures. Now, it seems that even our Christmas party is affected and we will not have one this December. Our Oslo office cancelled theirs, most likely we will cancel ours.

As for our seafarers? Hmmm… let's see, but people have been whispering that the "tides have turned." We'll see.

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