some time

I think I really work hard.

Goes to the office around 6:30am and usually goes home around 8pm. That's actually more than 12 hours of continuous hard labor :( Not only am I physically exhausted, I am mentally drained and emotionally troubled at the end of each day. All of which I try, really really try not bring at home to my kids.

I always pray for a peaceful, restful weekends.

Unfortunately though, weekends are the only time I can do my chores (outside work). Like, bring my kids to Megamall for their drums and guitar lessons. Do the grocery, pay bills and do other household errands. Other times there will be school projects and supplies I have to help with or buy. Some weekends, bring Bubbles (our super behave dog) to the groomer. Prepare my kids school uniform for the whole week. Include pa the trips to the dentist and the pedia.

I am thankful and will forever be grateful for mom who is always here to help me. Without her I don't know how my 24 hours will be able to accommodate everything.

I am not complaining. Not complaining at all.

It is a blessing to have a stable job. A paycheck I can bring home every 15th and 30th of the month. When so many others are looking for one, I'm thankful that I have one that pays me well, appreciates my talents and sees me as an important part of the organization.

I am thankful for the weekends. Because I get to be with my family, especially with my two adorable, lovable, kind-hearted Cj and Basti.

I'm just wishing for some me time. A pampering massage to ease my body aches and pains; a quiet corner to read a book; a long, luxurious bath; a quiet coffee time.

I'm sure this me time will soon come.

And when it does, I'm sure I will savor and enjoy each moment.

muji and gap trip

After drums and guitar @ megamall, the four us went to high street so Cj can splurge on Muji, which she has been so excited to visit since its opening last week.

Cj went straight to the stationary, pens and papers stacks. She bought several notebooks, pens, colored pencils, some origami papers. A notebook for his Dada. While Basti got a sketch pad.

I went around to look at the clothes and some kikay stuff. Not so excited anymore coz I went there last Thursday and got a shirt, a couple of soaps and several notebooks. I'm quite disappointed though, I was expecting more. More stocks, more choices, more items. But it was quite limited compared to the Muji's of HongKong and Singapore.

When it was time to pay, we had to join the long line of customers who are all waiting for their turn.

While Cj and I are queuing, Aj and Basti went down to Gap. Here's Basti's Gap stash (a jacket inside the paper bag).

And here is Cj with her Muji and her own Gap stash.

Then it was time to go home. Aj and I are happy because the kids were happy. It was a fun, tiring afternoon. And it was also a magastos afternoon :)

saving up for these

Kelan kaya?

they like cpk

I'm so proud of my son for eating, and liking broccoli :)

Last weekend, we had lunch at CPK Shang. Basti is a chicken kind of kid. Loves anything that is chicken. Thus I was mildly surprised when he ate and actually liked broccoli.

Cj ordered her CPK staples: avocado club eggroll and wild mushroom pizza.

It was a nice lunch, and my kids enjoyed it. Especially Basti who 'almost' finished the broccoli.

P.S.

Basti's drawing while waiting for our food to arrive -- it's him as a king. See the crown?

cafe juanita -- new address

Aj and I had a quiet dinner last night at Cafe Juanita -- in its new address. . Just a stone's throw from its original location, across the street to be exact.

We were lucky to get a table on a Friday night without any reservation.

While the old location has been a landmark for many, the new location is quite nice given that it is much more bigger and spacious. Unfortunately though, parking space is still scarce.

Here's the hallway to the entrance.

Here's the interior. Pretty much the same as the old one. Same eclectic feel and environment, showcasing the diverse collection of plates, cups and saucers, chandeliers, old tables and chairs, nicknacks and so many more.

You can choose to dine Alfresco.

Aj ate french onion soup and pepper steak while I ordered mushroom soup and sisig on tofu with garlic rice. Food still taste the same; yummy, yummy, yummy :)

And here is me after I ate that comforting, and definitely scrumptious meal.

stuff i want

I want so many things.

Sometimes I think I'm a bad person because I want a lot of stuff.

Muji for pens, papers, comfy tops and pants, bedside table, and kikay stuff.

Getting Zara stuff like a simple ruffled top with a pair of jeans, a to-die-for boots or a leather bag, an everyday shirt that comes in white and black.

Promod with their cool, french styles, specially love the bags and scarves.

GAP for my fave gap shirts, fave gap tops and fave gap pants. So comfy.

Shoes. I love shoes. Cheap lang like Charles and Keith, Aldo, and flats from Gap.

I like 7 for all mankind jeans, fits me perfectly.

Dorothy Perkins for slacks, fits me to a T.

Love Kiehl's: ultra facial cleanser, toner and moisturizer.

I adore L'occitane: lavander hand cream for soft hands and the Vert for the fresh green tea smell.

So love Jo Malone nectarine blossom and honey.

Ooooh, i want, i want. Wish it's Christmas already :)

Oh Don, seriously?

Mad Men's season (4) ender has one big SERIOUSLY DON?!!!

my boys

Many say that they look a like. Some would say that he looks like me.

But I say that he looks both like us.

My Basti.

And My Aj.

love, loving these

Uber sexy dress.

Casual Top from Anthropologie.

From Barbara Bui 2010 Fall Collection.

By DVF.

I'm loving cooking

It is just not so long ago when I thought I could never whip up anything edible. Somehow I found myself cooking, out of necessity at first, but now because I'm loving and enjoying it :)

I used to cook with a recipe as my guide, but now, I can proudly say that, most of the time, I just use my judgement.

Recipe guides are nice, but more often than not, it is layed out in a pretty predictable manner -- ingredients and the steps/procedure on how to go about the cooking of the dish; often it would show the finished product for appetite appeal.

But I found this site They Cook and Draw -- a blog devoted to showing off the beautiful work of creative people: illustrators, artists and designers -- who also loves cooking. And I find these rendered recipes so much interesting and fun.

Here are some of the gorgeously illustrated recipes you will find in the site.

windows

Windows, especially with balconies, i like.

With the greens and the flowers, it looks fresh but rustic and classic at the same time.

Here are some that I particularly adore.