My Reward Bag: Balenciaga Mini City

After 11 years of working for my previous company, I got myself a new bag. This is my reward bag for all those years of dealing with irate customers. Well technically, it's not really new because it's preloved by a reputable seller. The previous owner sells designer bags and she said she's selling this bag because she just changes bag whenever she feels like it (lucky her!) I'm glad that I was able to get this bag since I've been drooling about this bag for several months now. It's not on my previous list of bags I posted before but I like this one because I wanted something small and light - a contrast to my Pashli bag. At first, I was hesitant with Balenciaga bags because I've read they have soft leather (lambskin). I don't want to a bag that can easily be damaged by scratches. I wanted goatskin or calf skin since they're more durable and strong. But after reading and watching lots of online reviews, I was convinced that Balenciagas are not that delicate like what I've imagined as long as you're taking good care of your bag. 

So without further ado, here's my new baby! Its official name is Balenciaga Agneau Giant Mini City Gris Tarmac. 

Balenciaga Agneau Giant Mini City Gris Tarmac

I never thought I'm going to say it, but I love the beautifully crafted distressed agneau lambskin! It's very soft and very lightweight too! I don't fill this bag with too much stuff, just the essentials, and it's still very lightweight. With regards to its color, I think gray is a perfect color for me. I can wear it with most of my outfits which consist of jeans and long dresses. 

Like any other designer bag, I think Balenciaga bags do need to be taken care of. This would be a challenge for me because I have the tendency to just toss my bag inside my closet. Also, liquid should be kept away from this bag to prevent the color from fading but what should I do if I have sweaty hands? Isn't sweat a form of liquid too? That's the only dilemma that I have have. Thankfully, it has a strap so I don't have to carry it in my arm at all, I can just carry it around my shoulder. Overall, I do love this bag because it's so easy to carry and very stylish. I know I made the right choice, just look at the other celebrities who have the same bag like me. 

Kylie Jenner and Shakira

Kourtney Kardashian, Adriana Lima, and Lindsey Lohan

Friendship Goals

New acquaintances would think I'm a snob because I don't smile a lot and I'm quiet at first. Some would also feel "scared" to come up to me because I have a strong face and intimidating look. But once they get to know me better, almost all of them would be surprised that I'm a nice and funny person daw.

I'm not really bothered by it all because I do have many close friends. As a matter of fact, I recently celebrated my 25th anniversary with my closest friends, my gradeschool barkada. Since silver anniversary is a milestone for every relationship, we decided to have an out of town trip to Cebu. We were originally 13 in grade school but 4 transferred to a different school and the remaining 9 became closer than ever. Since 3 of them are now based overseas and 1 couldn't make it, only 5 of us went to  Cebu to have a weekend all by ourselves - free from our husbands and kids.

Before checking at the hotel, we decided to have a half day tour of Mactan city. The obvious choices were Magellan's Cross, Taoist temple, and local delicacy shopping at Taboan Market.

Magellan's Cross

danggit, pusit, and other dried fishes

We wanted to explore more but because we choose to do the pasalubong shopping first, we smell like danggit at noon so we decided to check in at our hotel.

We stayed at Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu from February 26 to 28. The only description I can think of is BEAUTIFUL. It is! My photo op friends were in heaven because every angle are Instagram worthy posts.

pool

Ibiza Bar

beach front

My photos may not give justice but believe me it is one of the most scenic destination I've been to. On our second day, we were planning on going to Larsian barbeque but decided to experience Ibiza Bar at the same hotel. We're on a limited budget so Php1000 entrance is a lot. But since we're already in Mövenpick, what we heck, we just went for it! Anyway, we've been to Larsian in our previous Cebu trip with ur respective families, it wasn't our time to Cebu for most of us.

Ibiza Bar at night

I wasn't able to take a picture of Ibiza bar at night but you may refer to the picture above on how it looks like during daylight. After a bottle of wine and a glass of cocktails, we were ready to call it a night at 10 PM because our flight was at 6:50 the following morning.

More the experience itself, I had so much fun because I was able to bond again with my friends. At this fast paced digital world, it is nice to know that there will always be those people who accepts, understands, and cherish you for who you are. Cheers to our 25th girls! Looking forward to celebrate another friendship milestones with you all!

How To Really Love A Child

Every now and the, my mother-in-law would give me newspaper or magazine clippings about parenting. Sometimes, she also lend me books (which are just piled up together with old magazines and children's books at home) on how to raise kids and be a good parent or spouse. I haven't read any of the books (sorry, mommy) but I always save the clippings for reference.

Today on Valentine's Day, I want to share one of those clippings, my MIL gave me and my husband. It is timing because it's about love - how to really love a child.

picture taken from http://www.spreukenenwijsheden.nl

"Be there. say yes as often as you can.

Let them bang on pots and pans.

If they're crabby put them in water.

Read books out loud with joy.

Go find elephants and kiss them.

Encourage silly. Giggle a lot.

Remember how really small they are.

Search out the positive.

Keep the gleam in your eye. Go see

a movie in your pajamas. Teach feelings.

Realize how important it is to be a child.

Plan to build a rocketship.

Stop yelling. Invent pleasures together.

Surprise the. Express your love. a lot.

Children are miraculous."

- By Sark

I Need To Be Fit!

This will be my battle cry for this month. I know that I'm not physically in shape but I didn't know it was that bad...

this picture isn't mine ;)

I wanted to lessen my son's exposure to TV and gadgets so yesterday, I hid all the tablets at home and told him we'll go outside and play. I was thinking of introducing him to some of my childhood games like tumbang preso, piko, taguan tao. We tried them all and he liked it! We also planted seeds and watered our plants. My boy was so happy that he didn't want to go back inside the house. In a way, I was satisfied because I've achieved my goal -- he totally forgot about using his iPad and watching TV -- and he wants to go out more!

After his nap, he went to school and I was left at home alone. I was researching online about ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and thought that I should have him do more physical activities instead of using electronic devices as his "babysitter." As I was planning our activities for tomorrow, I started feeling muscle cramps in my leg. My feet also hurts and have a certain kind of numbness to it. My body aching and was badly craving for a soothing massage.

I then realized how badly out of shape I am. To think all we did were to jump and run for a couple of hours. I cannot even cope up with my 4-year old. So today, bodyache and all, I ask my son to do light exercises with me: jumping jacks, neck rotation, bending, etc. I'm feeling more tired now to be honest. I just want to rest and sleep. 

But I need to change ASAP. So I ate the last bite of graham cake we did last weekend. I'll start eating more healthy from now on and I'm hoping by the end of this week, we'll be able to do brisk walking or jogging in the park near our home (I can't even jog for 10 minutes without resting). I don't necessary want to be as sexy as I was before (because I know it won't happen anymore) but I just want to be fit. I also plan on getting pregnant so this is a good way to start our TTC (Trying To Conceive) journey. If anyone wants to share their fitness regimen (yung simple lang ha?) that a beginner like me can do, please let me know. God knows I badly need one.

Forty Winks and a Good Night's Sleep

As a newly stay-at-home mom, spending your day taking care of your child and managing your household can be a challenge. It seems so easy but I realized that it' not. You cannot reason with a 4-year old boy like you do with a colleague; you will never win. You cannot ignore the toys on the floor like you do with the pieces of office supplies on your office floor; no one will clean it but you. You also cannot count the remainder of your 8-hour work day like you do at work since your work is 24 hours. It's only been more than a week since I've resigned and I'm already missing my routine as a regular employee. Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty much loving every moment I get to spend with my son (including his tantrums) but my body I still not used to "taking it easy." I've worked for more than 13 consecutive years so forgive me if I still haven't get rid of my work routine yet.

The only positive side to this new career is I get to sleep a lot of hours now. I love sleeping for more than 8 hours a day! When I became a working mom, this is the only thing I was deprived of. On a good day, 5 hours of sleep was already a luxury. Make it 4 interrupted hours on a regular basis and you can just imagine how cranky I could get. I long for the days that I will sleep for more than 8 hours like when I was single and without responsibilities. I'm so happy that I get to do it now! One time, I get to sleep for 9 hours at night with a 3-hour siesta in the afternoon! I was soo happy and recharged the next day! Pure bliss!

I went to the office the other day to have my exit interview and do my clearance. As I was preparing myself, I noticed that I don't need a concealer anymore to hide my dark under eyes. It's not that noticeable anymore. Yes! One beauty problem solved! Just search online the different benefits of sleeping and you'll now what I mean. I'm so happy that I get to catch up on my z's after 4 years of being a mom, if you know what I mean.

I'm also taking advantage of this opportunity because I know that when we finally have the business we're planning as well as possible online jobs I'm eyeing, I may not be able to enjoy this again for a long time. So for now, I try to find ways to rest and sleep. I also checked online and found this article a nice read for sleep deprived mom that used to be me. It's not about the physical benefit, a lot have to do about the mental health and general well-being of us moms who are working for more than 16 hours a day.

2015 Year-End Review

2015 had been a great year for me and family. For starters, we became debt-free and got a life insurance/investment. But then again, we got a new car that we're paying monthly for it, so there goes being debt-free. Nevertheless, I'm proud to say that we became wiser (read: thriftier) with our finances. The main reason is we want to send our son to a better school. As we know, better school may SOMETIMES mean more expensive. We had to give up some of our simple luho like out of town trips and weekly spending at the malls. I guess it helps that my husband and I now have different schedules and restdays. A simple out of town trip would take months of planning and adjusting. Frankly, the stress just wont justify the 3 or 4 days of relaxation, so scratch that. We had just one out of town trip this year and that was to Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan with my parents. That was good enough for me.

This year, my husband resigned from his job due to various reasons. I was glad because I know the stress was killing him. He wasn't happy like he was before. Good thing he found another job that is much closer from home. The work is still stressful but atleast it doesn't take a 2-hour travel time from our house to the office.

The little boy super loves his new school. He gets upset every time classes are suspended or during vacations. He enjoys school and is excited everytime I wake him up to change to his uniform. Too much excitement that his teachers recommend that we have him assessed for Attention Deficit and Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). They said Quino couldn't finish his activities, always full of energy to the point of being rough and hurting his classmates/teachers a long the way. As I mentioned in my previous post, part of my reason for resigning from work, is to spend time for my little boy.

We also celebrated our son's 4th birthday party at Don Henrico's Pizza with our family and close friends. It was a dinosaur themed party and I loved it so much because I know my son was so happy. I specially loved the part when he was opening his presents at home - that boy was so excited and overwhelmed, he didn't know which toy to pick and play with first!

As for me, I got myself my first designer bag! It may sound as shallow for some but I've been fantasizing about it for a long time now so getting one is like a dream come true for a regular mom who has modest earnings. Not to sound repetitive, I decided to resign from my 11-year work in a call center industry. I'm still technically employed but rendering my terminal leave now. I love the simple things of waking up and sleeping with my son by my side.

This new year, I hope I'll have a rewarding career as a work-at-home mom. I wish my husband finds a better fulfilling job and for my son to outgrow ADHD and have a better social skills. I also hope we'll be able to set up a small franchise business this year. Oh and it would also be much better if we'll have an addition to our family too.