Raffle Giveaway a la Barrio

Where does the time go? Julia Fordham sings. And this barrio girl asked. 

A year ago, I've decided to take blogging seriously. The decision is predicated by my desire to practice and harness my writing skills. And to "immortalize" my adventures and mishaps in the big city. Being the barrio girl that I am, I feel that most of the time I play a pretend game of adult-sophisticate cosmopolitan woman. 

Yet, when you peel off the veneer, you'd see that am still very much attached to my roots. I have an insane fear of strangers and commuting. I've been in the city for six years now and yet I cannot go on my own outside of Makati. 

I haven't been to Divisoria. I don't know where 168 is. Or Tutuban. I just know that these are shopping havens for the serious shopper. But I've been to Binondo, for food trips.

In spite of my deficiencies, I celebrate my life in the big city. I love exploring restaurants, the parks in the city and the shops. Yes, I know where the relevant shops are. Mind you, am not a shopaholic. I just love window shopping. 

These things offered me enough reason to grow roots in the city even if it meant turning my back from the comforts of home. 

So, celebrate with me by following me on this blog. Together, I'll take to my discoveries, my booboos and my successes. 

And I shall give away exciting gift packs of Avon products. 

Loot Bag for the 5 winners. 

Loot # 1: Beauty Essentials

Loot #2: Hair Care + Body Contouring Cream

Loot #3: skin care essentials

Loot #4: assorted beauty products

Loot # 5 is still in the works. This blog will be updated in the next few days for additional loot items.

Disclaimer: I am an Avon associate hence, the giveaways but these are not sponsored by the company. All products are from my personal stash. 
 
Want it? Hit the Follow button. Leave a Comment.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Love begets love

I feel the love. The universe is on a roll sending me good vibes and that amazing outpouring of support from family and friends. And the world has truly become a global village. 
I am so overwhelmed. Right now, I feel like I am the luckiest girl in the world. *silent scream* 

It started with the formal announcement on my save the date.  

a save the date cum buy your ticket now e-card to all our friends.

In a matter of hours, most of our friends have already booked their flights and reserved their hotel accommodation. I feel so blessed. 

Everyone is just so excited to be one with us in this celebration. My initial thoughts that no one would probably attend, save for a few, were thwarted when I get confirmations as early as Day 1 that they're coming. It's one event that hardly needs an RSVP. 

As a young girl, I fantasized about a fairytale wedding in a forest-like setting. It would have been a total production. Now that am older though, I realized that what I really, really want is an intimate gathering of family and friends. 

Am keeping everything, sleek and simple. Befitting to a laid-back destination, I must say. I no longer want the frou-frou of celebrations like this. We dream to celebrate in muted style, understated elegance, if we can achieve it. 

The moment we declared to the world that we're indeed, getting married, the idea became real. We needed already to sit down on the planning and logistics. 

We spoke to friends who shall have a special participation on the big day. And that's when we get surprised, time and time again. 

I flew in to Cebu for work. And took a side trip (an extra weekend stay in the city) to meet with friends and share with them the news. I was looking for an officiant, and my friend re-introduced me to one. I had a chat with him and he agreed to fly to Davao. Incredible. 

The same friend will gift me with calla lilies to be flown in all the way from Baguio. And her daughter's singing, too. 

Photo credit: Pinterest

Suddenly, am all set. Nearly. The night I was to leave back to Manila, another friend met me for a night cap. She's ecstatic for me. We've friends for long that we've been through a lot of relationship conversations. And then she asked, "what can I pledge for you?" Just told her, show up, that's all. But she insisted so I promised I will think about it. 

And then, I met with my maid-of-honor, her hubby and smart kid. We had a great mongolian lunch. After a lengthy catch up, we firmed down the details. And then, she offered Cebu lechon as her present. Am I lucky or what? 

On one hand, when I flew to Davao for another business trip. I received more goodie good news. My Godparent (mom of MOH) will give me another lechon. Sigh. Am drowning in so much blessing. 

I've never been so overwhelmed in my whole life. But things keep getting better. Another good friend gave an early present. An extravagant amount for my wedding shoes. Am dreaming of a fabulous pairs of Jimmy Choo and Christian Loubotin. A girl can dream, right? So the money she gave is still in my purse, as I search for the next best thing -- a Choo and Loubi may just be a dream yet. 

All those happened last April. 

Fast forward to this month (May). 

Another surprise unfolded in the wee hours of the Thursday (May 17) morning while I valiantly tried to sleep the remaining few hours before I catch a flight back to Cebu. I was tossing around the comfortable bed of Marco Polo Davao when I just sort of give up on shut eye. Instead, I browsed through my facebook page. Thanks to free wifi!

My good friend (one of my bridesmaids, supposedly but her vacay is in December yet) who's from Canada sent me private message. She's wondering if my cake is already pledged for. If not, she will. I told her, a friend has made it her present for us. 

This morning, she sent me another message. She's sending me $$$ so I can just buy the shoes that I want. Oh my. *fans self* 

When it rains, it really pours. Another girlfriend is generously lending her ceremony stuff such as the bible, ring pillow, arrhae, fascinator (hahaha not) veil and cord. She had a beautiful wedding last March. Aw. Very pretty bride, too. 

They say a traditional wedding must-haves are: something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.

I think I already have them all. I have a bit of something from family and friends. We haven't tied the knot yet. The ceremony is yet to happen. But am already bursting with happiness and love. 

All of my friends have actually pledged. Some are specific for my wedding day. The rest are gifting us with their time and presence. 

See you all on the big day!

Christmas Dinner at Barcino

'Tis the season to celebrate friendship!

Last Wednesday, we joined the multitude who celebrate the season. Like everyone else, our version is comprised of dinner and gift-giving. A week before the dinner date, we picked our Christmas baby. And an email blast was sent so that everyone can express their wishes. A day or so later, we already have a working wishlist board. 

For a very minimum amount as the price of the gift, everyone of us went crazy imagining what would truly be that something we wish to receive. As this is an adult version, ahem, we are really trying to be grown ups, we responded with fervor that item that we fancy to receive. I, for one went crazier than everyone else because I almost wished for the moon. One of my friends brought me back to earth when she emailed back saying I should stick to the budget. Sobered, I asked for a pair of non-brand jammie :-). 


Because we worked in Avon, we went together to Greenbelt 5. But we dispersed as soon as we were out of the parking lot. Ha! We had to buy yet our gifts! Mind you, we had just a few minutes to spare but we were determined to take great pains even in shopping, even in selecting the gift wrapper. 


At 7:30pm, we all trooped to Barcino at Greenbelt 2. Our tummies were already grumbling by the time we got there. Good thing Kat, Erica, and Me-an had the good sense to order ahead. 

Always ready for the camera -- Erica & Me-an. These girls rock it!

Tres Marias: Mei, Erica and Me-an.

Yes, the first thing they ordered is a pitcher of sangria. 

A pitcher of sangria (P840) quenches the thirst.

I must say, service is fast in this tapas place. Our food arrived in no time, at all. 

Pretty hand? That's Kat's. Food: Fideua (P395). It's crisp noodles with shrimps, drizzled with mayonnaise. The lime gives it a certain tartness that counter the richness of mayo.

Datiles con Bacon (P195).

We had Paella Negra (P375) and Tapas Gourmet (P725). In light of the state we were in, we just forget to take snap shots. 

Customary to all our dinners, the conversation continued long after we were filled to the brim. And no one has thought of the exchange gift ceremony, yet. Hahaha. 

Now, I remember why couldn't leave yet. Mara and Mars are still a no-show. They double-booked themselves, ahem.

We wanted dessert at Bizu. So, we paid our bill and head there. At Bizu, we ordered coffee and its famous macarons. But the most memorable is the moment of discovery of who our mommy is and the gift that we kinda know what yet we still believe in being surprised. Labo. Hahaha. 

Bizu Macarons (P45 each). Yum.

Bizu Cake.

Cafe Mocha (P145)

 When the excitement couldn't be contained anymore, we just had to wing it. 

These are the treasures waiting to be unearthed!

Merry Christmas, gals!

And then, the kicker of the night. Me-an has outdone everyone. She brought her gifts for us. Aw.

Great gifts come in small packages :-)

Merry Christmas, everyone!