#paelbalbaboco

Sa di mawaring dahilan, habang ako at si Pael Ganda (paelbalbaboco) ay naguusap sa kung ano-anong bagay dito sa office, bigla na lang napunta sa usapang lumang Tumblr. Yung mga panahong kapag ganitong oras, buhay na buhay ang dashboard sa mga long posts. Paghaba ng post mo, pagdami ng likes nito. Yung mga panahong ang mga bloggers ay masipag pang magbasa. Yung panahon na ang Tumblr ay nagsisilbing online diary mo, kung saan ikukwento mo ang nangyari sa araw mo. Nakakamiss. Hay.

Yung panahon na buhay ang TTH at GPOYW. Yung panahon na ang bawat “kada” ay kada talaga. Hindi yung masabing may kakilala ka lang sa Tumblr, hindi yung hindi mo pa nakikita sa personal, hindi nakakatext o nakakatawagan. Yung kada na hindi lang virtual, pero friends in real life.

Higit sa lahat, yung panahon na ang Tumblr ay hindi lang tungkol sa pagpapa-cute, pero lahat ng post ay may sense at masarap basahin.

Hooray for my very first blog post for this year! I know holidays are now over and so do our expenses. Haha. Just so you know, you're not alone and I feel you. :)

Since I'm saving some money for myself, I usually start my days right by wearing the old but still good to wear clothes and worn out shoes then start to plan out what I should buy. We, fashion lovers, should target only those clothes and shoes that every fashionable lady must have. Because the possibility of having a fashion dilemma would decrease if almost all types of clothes and shoes would be in our closet. 

This Monday, to start my week with the feeling of being beautiful, I opened my wardrobe and I chose a dress that I have been worn multitudinous times but still...looks new. And look what I've got!

This ensemble was inspired by my own wardrobe pieces and my love for the combination of white and gray.

I went up for a casual dressed up style. In my outfit, I chose a gray short sleeves from Tribal which has been an item I’ve fancied buying last year. I love wearing short sleeves because it is a universally flattering sleeve that most people wear regularly. Unlike any types of shirts, short sleeves are quite comfy. I paired this to my low-rise shorts which in turn adds volume to my body. And to make my outfit completely on trend, I used my doll shoes as a substitute on my thin heels. With this, I have no fear of wobbling!

Outfit: Tribal short sleeves, low rise shorts from Dollhouse, Shubizz golden doll shoes,PinkBox white pearl earrings and Avon bangles.

PERKS OF BEING THE ONLY DAUGHTER

When we were given the task to post our OOTD's, I kind of panicked. I mean, look at me! I don't even know how to dress up properly. Will my usual attires do? Loose shirt, jeans, and  sneakers? Oooh, my mom would kill me if she learned that I dressed poorly in this task. So this Wednesday, I opted for a semi-formal look which I think is a bit timely because it's the first Wednesday of the month and we have to wear a corporate attire. 

My mom prepared her pink Bayo longsleeves, and I found her new Penshoppe pants hanged on our cabinet so I decided to give it a try. Oh my! Our secret is spilled! But yes, you read it right. I borrow my mom's clothes frequently and I'm not ashamed of it. It kind of makes me feel closer to her every time wear  her clothes. :)

This night is full of excitement and beautiful yellow-red lights of Tanauan. I am new here at the City of Tanauan since I locate myself @ Calaca, Batangas. I am studying here at Tanauan so I got to explore it even for a day. Hope to explore more on this city.

Tanauan, officially the City of Tanauan, is a first class city in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 152,393 inhabitants in 30, 354 households. It was incorporated as a city under Republic Act No. 9005, signed on February 2, 2001, and ratified on March 10, 2001. The Southern Tagalog Arterial Road starts at the municipality from the north side of the expressway. The expressway connects the town with the rest of Batangas. Currently the expressway is being connected to the South Luzon Expressway. Jose P.Laurel Highway connects the city to Calamba City and Santo Tomas on the north and with Malvar and Lipa City to the south.

As the day comes night, different people on the street, different vehicles comes across my eyes. Everyone’s busy searching for pearl, searching for churches, searching for food, searching for gold.

Some people believe that Tanauan derived its name from the Tagalog term tanaw, meaning to look after through the window. In the midst of development, we envision to share the exquisite and enticing places being painstakingly preserved and nurtured in the city. We seek to share its rich history, cultural heritage, natural attractions and the values, traits and traditions of a warm and friendly citizenry. If you come across Tanauan City, you’ll observe the loop of red and yellow that represents the color of Tanauan.

As I observe the city, I was delighted by the crunchiness of this so-called “Chicken Skin” located in the Night Market (near the 7 11 Convenience Store).

The Church. Roman Catholicism is most dominant and visible religion in Tanauan City. St. John the Evangelist is its patron & its main church is the St. John the Evangelist Parish. La Consolacion College Tanauan (formerly Our Lady of Fatima Academy, 1948), run by the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation, is the first Catholic school in the city. Other catholic schools include Our Lady of Assumption Montessori School, Daughters of Mary Immaculate School (Lay-operated). First Asia Institute is converting from a non-sectarian school to a Catholic (Christian) School.

Iglesia ni Cristo, Jehovah's witnesses, Mormons, Islam and other religious groups are also present in the city.

This is Tanauan’s Library and Park located at (Nicolas L. Gonzales, Sr. Memorial), Mabini Avenue,Tanauan City,

Thrift store shopping, or what is more popularly known locally as ukay-ukay, has been in the country for ages. With a lot more ukay-ukay stores sprouting up all around the country these days, it does look like thrift store shopping will continue to be popular for a long time, what with people now becoming more frugal.

To help you out, here are a few tips and tricks that should get you through the ukay-ukay experience. 1. Comfort zone When going to an ukay-ukay, wear old, comfortable clothes that can be layered upon. There are two reasons for this. First, ukays aren’t exactly the most glamorous of places, so you want to stay as comfy as possible in the midst of all that hustle, bustle, and heat.

Second, you don’t want the ukay garments to touch your bare skin—there’s no telling where they’ve been or when they were last washed. Try wearing a loose tank top over a snug one with stretchy leggings. That way, when fitting your thrifted finds, you can just throw them on top of what you’re already wearing without creating too much bulk.

2. Low key is the key Keep your appearance simple. Don't risk calling attention to yourself by wearing flashy, expensive accessories or being too made-up. The trick is to blend in and look like every other shopper. Otherwise, you may find vendors suddenly jacking up their prices because they think you can afford it—or even worse, you may inadvertently make yourself as an easy target for pick-pockets.

3. Bag lady Bring a roomy crossbody bag that you can sling across your chest. You’ll need both hands to rummage through the racks—and fend off potential competition. The extra bag space is also ideal for stashing all your purchases. You wouldn’t want to leave any of your fab finds behind, would you?

4. Bigger is not better Small bills are the only way to go when shopping in an ukay-ukay. Haggling is a quintessential part of the experience, and it’s pretty hard to negotiate a lower price when you’re flashing big bucks. Usually vendors will give you extra discounts if you buy in bulk; but remember, “the bigger the better” should apply to your hoard of garments, not the denominations of your bills.

5. Good things come to those who rummage Patience is a virtue that every ukay shopper must possess. Rifling through dozens of racks and digging through the same amount of bins can be pretty daunting to a neophyte, but it’s always best to go through each and every single one. A gem might be waiting for you somewhere, buried underneath all that musty fabric!

6. Check,check and double-check Be sure to thoroughly examine each piece that you plan to purchase, whether it’s a blouse, a dress, bottoms, or footwear. Check if the stitches are tiny and aligned, the lining intact, and any embellishments in acceptable condition.Pit stains are a definite no-no—they’re pretty much impossible to remove, not to mention utterly unhygienic.

Be resourceful and think of all the possibilities—can you update the garment by removing the sleeves or raising the hem? Will it still look great if you alter it? If the answer is no, then it’s best to leave it on the rack.

7. Get chummy Befriend the sales staff or owners of your favorite ukays. It’s important to be friends with the people in charge because they can update you on new deliveries and give you first dibs on the freshest merchandise.

8. Constance makes the heart grow fonder Be a regular fixture at your ukay of choice. That way, if you aren’t palling around with the salesgirls just yet, you can still stay updated with the products and prices. Here’s a tip: just before new stock comes in, ukay-ukay owners usually drop their rates. Pieces that sell at 3 for P100 on a regular day can plummet down to P10 each! Believe it.

9. Buddy system Bring a friend! Together, you guys can try on a bunch of funny outfits and have a Zoolander-style walk-off. That way, you make the shopping trip a fun event, rather than a chore.

A friend can also help you cover the area at a faster pace and be your sounding board when deciding on a particular garment. Just be sure your buddy loves treasure hunting just as much as you do—there is nothing more annoying than a whiner.

10. Just do it Chances are, if you see a unique piece, you won’t find it anywhere else. Take a leap of faith and buy it while you can! It’ll only set you back a couple of bucks, and if it’s of a reasonable quality (given the ukay circumstances), you’ll get a lot of wear out of it—and compliments on your personal style, to boot!

Source: "10 Tips for Fruitful Ukay-Ukay Shopping" by Leona Laviña-Panutat

With so many available ukay-ukay stores, how does one know where to go? To be safe, you can always go to the more popular ones that have been around for a while now. There are such places in Bangkal, Makati and in Makati Cinema Square. You can also try the Anonas Mall in Kamias and stores in Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City, as well as Starmall in Las Pinas.

It makes for some riveting discussions and I always end up learning something new about the very people who I grew up with. One day someone (probably me) asked, "If you had to eat food for the rest of your life, what would it be?" Tough question! Especially for a person who essentially likes everything, with the exception of goat cheese, I know, I know.

But truth be told, I'd have to say first, I want to experience the perfect breakfast? Go to Breakfast at Antonio’s and experience one of a kind appetizer and dishes♥ An omelet set, fries and meat . Not a very foodie answer, but I've got to be honest.

Second, is to eat my home baked cookies. This is not an original concept since these cookies are called “Zingerman’s Funky Chunky Dark Chocolate Cookies” Here is the original recipe and for a great video on how to make them, please refer to http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Zingermans-Funky-Chunky-Dark-Chocolate-Cookies . Enjoy!

MAKES 12 LARGE COOKIES Something about the richness and varied flavor of these cookies seems to make them work best when they're made big, but the recipe works fine for smaller cookies, too.

1 2⁄3 cups all-purpose flour 3⁄4 tsp. baking soda 3⁄4 tsp. fine sea salt 2 vanilla beans 1⁄2 cup butter, at room temperature 1⁄2 cup firmly packed muscovado or dark brown sugar 1⁄4 cup plus 2 tbsp. sugar 1 large egg 8 oz. dark chocolate, broken or chopped into bite-sized pieces 4 oz. walnut halves and pieces, toasted

1. Preheat oven to 350°. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. 3. Split the vanilla beans lengthwise with a small, sharp knife. With the tip of a small spoon, scrape out the seeds into a large bowl (reserve the pods for another use). Add the butter and mix together. Stir in the sugars and egg until creamy. Gradually stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture until thoroughly combined, then stir in the chocolate pieces and nuts. Chill the dough for 10 minutes in the refrigerator. 4. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. For each cookie, form 1⁄4 cup of the dough into a ball, then press out on the cookie sheet into a 3 1⁄2" round, about 1/4" thick. Place the rounds of cookie dough about 1 1⁄2" apart. 5. Bake, one sheet at a time, for 7–10 minutes, or until cookies are golden brown and baked through. Cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute, then transfer to a rack. 6. Serve hot or cool and store up to 2 weeks, although to keep them that long you may have to hide them as well.

Third, be completely humble and gentle as you go to Toast Box, Soledad 2, Nuvali x Traditional Taya Toast Set with Nanyang Delights. On the next picture is an actual dish in Sonya’s Garden in Tagaytay.

Come visit them and enjoy. Toast Box Solenad 2, Nuvali, Tagaytay - Sta. Rosa Road Sta. Rosa , Laguna , Philippines

Phone: : (02) 915-2856 Website: www.toastbox.com.sg Facebook: facebook.com/toastboxphilippines Landmark: Nuvali

Sonya's Garden http://www.sonyasgarden.com/contact_us.php Barangay Buck Estate, Alfonso, Cavite, Philippines (near the vicinity of Tagaytay City, Philippines)

For reservations, call or text the following numbers:

+63-9175329097 +63-9175335140 +63-9175231080

I can't describe how much Tanauan means to me. I was born here and I've lived here my whole life. I have many best childhood memories centered in this place. I am surrounded with the people and things I like and there was never a dull moment. 

I remember the days when my family and I had  our three-week vacation in Nasugbu, Batangas. After two days of staying in this place, I used to start longing for our home. I already miss the smell of my bedroom, the softness of my blanket and of course my playmates.  I also started to miss the playground in our subdivision, the park where my mom and I used to spend our time after school hours, the "manang na magtitinda ng ice cream" and our club house. Truly, Tanauan seemed to have something special that set it apart from all the rest.

But, in my eighteen years of being a resident of Tanauan, I've never been in Tanauan Event Center. That place seemed to be not exclusive for ordinary people, therefore I didn't make any choice of visiting it. But, as what requirements in our school need, I tried to go on this place. I want to share my exploration on the place I've never been. (Yes. "I'VE NEVER BEEN" even though it is just a walking distance from our school)

When I reached this place, I saw different kinds of paintings inside the hall(Tanauan Event Center). But when I asked a man if I can capture the hall or just the door, he refused to agree. That's why, I just had my picture on the entrance. 

My next stop over is in Darasa, Tanauan. This is my newly found river. (I don't know the name of this river.)

After a hard day's work, nothing is more refreshing than a quiet walk along the riverside. The sight of this river have a peaceful effect in my mind. Every sight and sound inspires a spirit of rest and peacefulness. I enjoyed the rippling surface of the water and the birds singing their delightful notes in the trees. 

And finally, when nighttime and darkness is starting to set, the air is crisp and calm. While walking on this place:(A lane going in and out the river)

I think of a place in where I can capture a sunset. And with just as easy as counting one to ten, Soledad Park in Darasa came to my mind. Upon reaching the place, the sunset presented a spectacle of majesty and calm beauty. 

 I look up into the remote distance. How vast and wondrous the sky is! All the oranges, reds and yellows flow together to create a stunning picture that dives into the horizon. For me, it keeps going on forever in which the world will never end.