Recycled boxes

Slowly, things are getting delivered and organized.

Had some recycled boxes made for the children's room.

Happy weekend!

Shutters in the making

from this

to this!

Remember the sample shutters?

Well, finally, after 2 months of waiting, they installed today!

Place is so dusty 'cause they had to fit and saw on site

But I think worth the wait

Though, I still have several window shutters to be done

And might be finished in 4 months

At least I got one to be delivered and finished already!

Slowly getting there.

Ways to conserve electricity

Our electrical bill


Manila probably has one of the most expensive electrical rates
And I don't know anyone who has less than a 5 -digit monthly bill
I am so proud on how we keep it low
It even got lower when we moved to a bigger place
It even became a challenge for me to keep it lower every month
Here are some tips to keep energy usage lower than usual
Especially when it's 37 degrees !

Ways to conserve energy

1. When we were planning our place, we wanted to maximize daylight
and maximize we did. We only need artificial light for 2 hours max everyday
2. And when we do use artificial light, we made sure we installed either LEDs or CFLs
3. We do ironing once a week, heat is more energy consuming than cooling appliances, so our ironing lady does ironing only once a week
4. We installed ceiling fans, it really helps in proper venilation of an area and we open our windows for cross ventilation.
5. We had solar water heater installed (again water heater consumes a lot of energy), very convenient, very efficient, just turn on the tap and it works!
6. We unplug, we have been unplugging for years. It's convenient 'cause we bought outlets that you can just switch on and off. If not mistaken, you save 25% by doing this.
7. When we bought our appliances, I was very conscious of the energy rating. We bought energy efficient and with high energy rating appliances ,and, so far, I think it works.
8. We didn't buy a dryer. I always want our clothes to be sun dried, I feel it's cleaner and the sun dries our clothes so fast anyway, for free!
9. Am quite conscious on maintenance of appliances. Our aircon filters get cleaned once a week and I have it professionally cleaned 2x a year. Same goes with other appliances like refrigerator, they work better when cleaned regularly.
10. Am planning to put V-kool or 3m tints on my huge windows to minimize heat.
11. We have solar panel provisions and ready to be installed.
12. I have taught my kids to respect fuel and energy. It's not about the money (especially since all our bills before were paid for by the company) , it's about the resources being non-renewable and once consumed, how will the future be?


I know it is hot nowadays and everyone's elec bill will go up. Hope these tips, in a way, not just help the bills but more so conserve energy.

Stay cool in the heat!

Maintaining a home

the ladder for reaching the ledge, still not high enough for the height

the cleaner bravely cleaning

If you know me, you know am a neat freak

It's an innate thing

I've been neat for as long as I can remember

I got it from my dad

My family teases me about it

I remember in grade school, all my Sanrio products

are nicely displayed

Early on, I was into the art of collecting

Back then, a girl of 8

Weird as it may sound,

once I've made my bed

I will not sit or lie on it anymore

I love the fact that it's beautiful

and crease free

So, it's actually fitting that am married to a Swiss

them being clean & super organized

I must say, I think my neatness & orderliness, still a tad above them, haha

My hubby once said, "what Martha Stewart does once a year,

You do everyday!"

Okay, quite exagg but a bit close to the truth

But lately, must be age or just really have my plate full

Been learning how to turn a blind eye with unreachable spots

Our place is 12 meters high, I also don't want to stress my staff to clean such height

But my hubby, in his own kind of neatness

bothers me with his complaints about those unreachable dust spots

Hence today, the cleaner is here to reach the unreachable

while the carpenters are fitting the shutters

and the electrician's fitting the aircon

I have a full house again today

and though I've been wanting to go out

The thought of finishing everything is utmost on my mind

Until the dust settles yet again...

At least I get to blog...

Still living in construction

scaffolding still needed

sample of my shutters

pantry shelves arrived

Sorry for the silence, yes, I know, am still busy with our home

a work in progress

Taking awhile for punchlisting as I made them stop 'cause I can't bear having workers

everyday in the house

Aside from the noise, dust, privacy issues

I can't go out!

But then you gotta do, what you gotta do

And since I had my break

I got my psych good again

for the noise, workers, and patience with mediocrity

Thing is, though everyday is busy

Everytime it's a step forward

And I am thankful for those people who help make it happen

Happy almost weekend!

The heat is on

my very comfortable maxidress

w/ my friend, Joey

You can really feel the summer now

Our house since it's all glass is the sun's best friend

I don't even have to leave the house to get a tan

Summer's here and wearing comfy clothes is utmost

What I like about this maxidress is, it's so easy to wear, no effort at all

and you look polished right away

Had dinner last night with my friend Joey (Here comes the bridesmaid, April 2010; Monday, Dec 6; Montage with Joey posts)

She and her family are visiting from the States

Just saw her last December and now it's her turn to visit

Had dinner at Enderun

Good food, as expected

Then we had dessert at home

Nice to be able to share our life with friends

though separated by distance

but never the bond

May you have a meaningful holy week!

Graphicity

Was just lounging in my son's room the other day
and figured I don't have anything for everydayflair yet
Should I just change it to weekly flair? hahaha

Anyhow, saw how graphic the lamp and shutters looked and liked it
Very graphic

Have a restful week!

The Story of my Dress

This gown was sewn the night before the wedding!

There's a story to this gown

It was made the night before the wedding!!!

I am one of those women

Who is lucky enough to have my own cutter/seamstress

I don't really need to go to a designer

since my seamstress is a very good one

Months before the wedding, been texting her

But she never showed up to our appointments

Until a week before the date!

She asked me to buy a chiffon fabric

which I objected to

but she said I don't have a gown yet with that fabric

So, I let her talk me into it

Until...

I saw the gown and it looked like curtain!!!

I just couldn't wear that thing!

So I had to tell her how it's not me

and that I won't feel comfortable wearing that, blah, blah, blah

I saw her concern when she suggested

Ma'am , I'll just make you a new one

I didn't think , at first , that it was a good idea since

it's the afternoon before the wedding!

She might not show up!

To cut a long story short, she delivered the dress

at 8 p.m. that night and fit was perfect!

You know what she said?

She was able to finish my dress and do it herself, not her staff

because she didn't get a single call or text from her other clients

Even from the one whom she was supposed to meet with

She said , she couldn't believe how that happened, there's no day where

she doesn't get a text or call

And she said how amazed she was!

I got goose bumps when she was telling me that story

I believe in angels

And it just amazes me that even with something

as trivial as what I'm going to wear

The angels work hard to make me comfortable and stress-free

And all I could think of was

It pays to believe...

Have a blessed Holy Week!

My brother's wedding

photo taken by my 9-year-old

w/ their cousins

my hubby was godfather

The last of my siblings to get married

Everyone's now settled

Since we have the groom

All preparations were done by the other team

We basically just showed up

My husband was one of the godfathers, I was commentator in Church

and our youngest was Bible bearer

Weddings are always a merry time

Seeing relatives and family friends

Relatives came home from the States

just to witness this special occasion

As I was watching my brother walk down the aisle with my mom and older brother

I can't help but remember my dad

He must be smiling to know that finally his youngest found a partner

Can't help to think about our wedding too

We had a beautiful wedding

We even had a horse and a carriage as our bridal car

To this day, people talk about it

My mom even said a friend of my brother's who just visited from the States

and was one of our groomsmen at that time

Said our wedding was his dream wedding

And that was 14 years ago!

But you know what

more than the beautiful, well-planned wedding

the Forever part is what couples signed up for

Weddings are just a prelude to the work one needs to make it work I had my dream wedding, yeah, I got the one which I dreamed about

when I was still a little girl

But come to think of it, didn't get to enjoy that much

all we did was take photos with people

Beautiful and yes, perfect as it was

I didn't have so much fun

It was really for other people

I am just glad

That I am having fun in my marriage.

And that's where it really counts.

Stay in love!

Judging by the cover

Was in Kamiseta, Market Market the other day And was looking for outfits for summer Got a printed dress, so cute, can't wait to wear it to our summer vacation! Though we still have to wait about a month and a half for that as it's not schoolbreak for us yet Was pleasantly surprised to be asked which packaging I want for my dress Pretty cool stuff, huh? Just wonder how much of what I paid for went to this budget, haha. Enjoy your Sunday!

Welcome to the club, Bits!

my best friend Cel in her newly renovated bedroom

w/ college friends Dina & Jenny, & Mio

w/ Robi, Dina, Jenny, Gulley, & Mio

Celebrated the 40th birthday of Bitoy (Vincent), Cel's hubby

Was fun catching up with old friends and just seeing familiar faces

Our whole family enjoys parties at Bitoy & Cel's home

Always something to do for everyone

I get a high telling stories and updating friends

and hearing how their lives are going

Though my husband, as always, was observing me

told me after, "I didn't see Jenny saying anything"

Translation: You were talking too much, your friend wasn't able to converse, haha

Oh well, what does he know, love that he can't understand Tagalog, hahaha.

Smile!

Enjoy your weekend!

Long-ing

At an event last night

Wearing my very comfortable, loose long dress.

Enjoy your Thursday...

Up there

antique narra table - ours 4 chairs - borrowed (hubby had a small get together) fookien tea plants - bought in garden shop in White Plains Our roofdeck, just like the rest of the house, is still a work in progress But, we're enjoying already the perks of dining outdoors And the cool breeze I would still want to have my vines growing That would take time though Can't wait to wake up to lots and lots of greens! Happy Monday!

What's your fortune?

Was in the grocery the other day when I spotted this box of fortune cookies At 75 pesos, can't complain Haven't opened it though but would love to serve when entertaining Just some cheap thrill Who doesn't enjoy that?

NARS

w/ Rima Ostwani at NARS, Glorietta At an event last Friday with my dear friend, Rima. I don't usually go to events anymore unless it's for Town & Country But when I got the invite from Stylebible (thanks Isha & Nikki!) to attend the NARS make up workshop and text was addressed to Rima & myself, I had to go. Rima & I have been so busy, our sched's don't match. Though a week won't pass without us talking over the phone We both took time to suppport Stylebible, and, of course, see each other. Oh and yeah, come June, NARS will come out with new make up for summer. Am already awaiting the illuminator Stay pretty!

Fully Booked find!

Was in Fully Booked Thursday and Friday for their store sale Guess how lucky I was to get this Carolyn Roehm book for just a little over 500 pesos!!! I just love her style! I'm gonna go read now...

Sunday mess

Relaxing on a Sunday Watching Friends DVD Kids played with Wii Lazing around in the comfort of home Have a relaxing Sunday! Everyone knows how obsessive compulsive I am when it comes to neatness (Fine, fine, in just about anything)

So, Sunday is my day off from being that

I let myself go and relax

Watching "Friends" on DVD

Kids playing with Wii

while organizing still on the side

Don't you just love Sundays?

Enjoy...