Manila Shopaholic

Before I start anything else, I just would like to tell you a story. I think it was around 2005 when I first started being really into Feng Shui. At that time, I think that was the height of the popularity of Feng Shui Bracelets. I remember that it was that year, that I was able to buy my first Feng Shui Bracelet from Charms and Crystals by Joy Lim. At that time, one bracelet costs around PHP 2800. A few years ago, I asked again how much one bracelet would cost it hiked up to around PHP 6800. Can you imagine that?!

I wouldn’t spend that much money for a bracelet. And so I looked around for an alternative place where I can order bracelets. That time, it was still Multiply. (Oh, I just suddenly missed Multiply.) I came across A Charmed Life by Ysa Yason. (Linking you to their FB Fan Page.)

I think in the past, I have already ordered around 4 bracelets from her. One was a combination of citrine and amethyst, 2 are for health – the other one was predominantly red (corals) while the other one is a combination of corals and jade. The other one on the other hand, was something I gave my mom.

Around the first week of May, on the same day, 2 of my Feng Shui items broke – one was a pendant and the other was one of my super favorite bracelets from Charms and Crystals broke. They said that the bad vibes and negative vibes were picked up by those objects. Yes, I kind of believe that. But what I didn’t know was that when the bracelet broke, I couldn’t have it restringed anymore. This one I found out from my cousin over the weekend.

Going back, I looked back at my past conversations, it was actually May 1 when I messaged Ysa over her Facebook Fan Page asking her if she had a bracelet for that specific thing. And she said that she had. So, it was like a normal order for me. Something that I have already done for the past years.

Some days after, she asked me something. She mentioned it already before to me but never really pushed through. But I think this time around, it’ll push through already! And she gave me the bracelet that I was supposed to order as a gift! Wow. That really came as a surprise and really a blessing.

PLUS, she gave me other items as well. This really made me happy and made me feel so blessed. I guess in a way, it’s God’s way of telling me, don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything in your life – if I take something out or something in your life is broken, I’ll replace it with something MORE.

BUT, the physical things or tangible things are not really what made it more meaningful. I guess the words  that she said about my blog were really what made my heart soo happy. You know with all the bloggers out there especially the UBER popular ones, I really don’t know if there are people who are reading my blog. So whenever someone sends out a note to me about this, that really makes me happy. It makes blogging worth it.

Aside from that, our principles and beliefs about crystals are the same. To everyone out there who would want to be into crystals, yes, crystals do have healing powers – as they say. But this is not a magic stone or does not work as a magic cure for your illnesses or problems. It’s just there to enhance something or to try to correct something. The bonus part is that, you will look good when you wear them. That’s how I do it.

So anyway, here goes my latest collection of accessories in mycloset !!

Charm Bracelets:

Okay, so I have been trying to finish The One Hundred items that Nina Garcia listed in her book and with this, I will be able to crush out no. 19 And I not only have 1 but 2! Yay for me!

The one thing that you have to note about this is the Mystic Knot. This one symbolizes a long and happy life full of good fortune.

Necklace:

This is my first semi-precious necklace and I instantly fell in love with it. It is made of carnelian which helps the insecure person (haha – BOOM) and Amazonite on the other hand is known as the “Hope Stone”. well I hope and pray that this necklace will bring me good fortune!

Elastic Bracelets:

This rose quartz bracelet is a popular one given that a lot of people have Love problems. Known as a Love stone, it promotes love for self and others. Yep, better to love yourself first before others.

Zoisite bracelet is something that is new to me. It is an energizing stone that turns negative into positive. Also this bracelet has an evil eye – which is something that I am familiar with already. Protects you from bad vibes.

Bag Charm:

Made out of pink and gold charms and tassels!

Well, that’s all folks. Again, don’t forget to visit Ysa’s Facebook Fan Page – Charmed Life by Ysa Yason. Truly worth it.

This is probably one of the longest entries that I have ever written and I hope that you got a little something  from the story I relayed to you! Faith, Hope and Love. Always stay positive because yes, good things will come our way! Have a great week ahead of you!

This is a really delayed post. I got this case last May 6, and it was created by my friend’s sister.

Cute, huh?

My friend, Jen and her sister, opened up a new business called Goob. For now, they only specialize in making cases for iPhone 5, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s. They’re actually hoping that in the years to come – when the business would already pick up, they would also cater to other phone models as well. Good luck to you girls on that!

For me, a pretty cool thing about this is that Jen’s sister actually draws these things. I, obviously, have never had any gift for drawing, so I’m really amazed with people who actually have gifts for the arts.

This particular case that I have – is something that I actually asked her to design specifically for me! This is really me… a girl on her laptop drinking coffee with a lot of shopping bags. Yes, I am either working, shopping or blogging when I am online. Hihi. Guilty as charged.

Her sister liked the design soo much that they’re offering to the public. So, for all of you guys who embody the true shopaholic, this one is for you!

I actually have a lot of other ideas in mind but this is still a secret. But I’m pretty sure that some of you would be able to relate to these designs in mind.

Check out all of their designs at their website.

What’s more? They are Filipino made. Good job, Jen and sister! I am soo proud of you!

P.S. Check out the packaging, so professional! I wish that you would be able to supply the iPhone stores for this. They are crazy not to have this in stock.

P.S.2. It comes with a screen guard as well!

P.S.3. CHECK IT OUT NOW!

Hey Everyone!

How was your week? It has been such a long time since I last posted, been really busy with a lot of things and been sick, too.

Last weekend was Mothers’ Day. I hope all of you guys had a lot of fun with your mommies! We surely did.

So, what did you give your mom for Mothers’ Day?

I gave my mom flowers.

This was actually the first time that I’ve ever sent my mom flowers and she was really touched. <3 Mission accomplished.

Also, I gave the following spreads that I ordered from Taste Central.

Divine Vanilla Bean Caramel Sauce Set

By: Casa San Luis

Price: PHP 560

Crema de Chocolate Caramel Sauce Set

By: Casa san Luis

Price: PHP 520

Seductive Salted Caramel Sauce Set

By: Casa San Luis

Price: PHP 520

I have to admit!! It’s soo yummy!! The down thing about this is that I can literally hear myself get fat. BOOHOO! Goodbye, Diet! But I really need to diet cause I have an upcoming beach trip. *Note to self: Must have self-control.

On the other hand, my sister gave this TWG Tea that I can’t wait to taste. (P.S. Sister, yes mom is sharing your gift to me. YAY for me. )

Red Christmas TWG Tea. I haven’t tried it yet but it smells soo good. As in. <3

And because it’s loose tea leaves, we didn’t have a tea kettle. I looked for a tea strainer and I found this from Hokkoh Shop. They call it Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La Tea Strainers! How cute and witty, huh? You can buy it at PHP 50 per piece or PHP 400 for a set of 10 (which I got).

So happy with all of these colors!!

What about you? What did you give your mommies for Mothers’ day?

Love,

Manila Shopaholic <3

Part of my goals for 2013 is to save up a LOT of money. Actually, good think about the generation right now is that they are more aware of stocks, bonds, etc. I for one only learned about this around 2010. I started out with stocks – company stocks I think around that time. And because the economy of the states, wasn’t really all that good, the prices of the stocks dropped. BOO. But at least right now, it’s picking up again.

I have always wanted to invest in the stock market ever since I heard about Citiseconline but never really got around to doing it. But this time around I finally did.

Citiseconline is an online portal that allows you to trade stocks online. I am actually quite nervous about it. This is money we’re talking about here and money doesn’t grow on trees. So I really have to be careful and pray to God that I play my cards right. On the other hand, I’m also quite excited about the outcome of all of these. There are just soo many dream and aspirations that I have that actually entails money. *Yes, it’s true. Money makes the world go round. But not the sole reason why the world goes round.*

To be able to help me out understand better this whole stocks hullabaloo, I have also enrolled myself in Bo Sanchez’s Truly Rich Club.

I know of a number of people who have subscribed to this. Although I don’t know about the results of their investments. It’s a bit difficult for me to ask these things because I really don’t know what to ask. And besides, opinion of people is relative. Like for instance, if someone says, they made a lot, that doesn’t necessarily tantamount to the fact that “a lot for them” would be “a lot for me”, right?

So, let’s just hope and pray that this works out. If it does, then it’s going to be a SUPER great year for me. Looking forward.

CBTL is treating you to 50% off on their most famous beverages every Monday, from 3PM to 5PM!

Hello everyone! How was your weekend? I’m pretty sure it was one great one! And I’m sure that everyone who went to the #MYOH2013 (that have probably flooded the Twitter World and the Instagram World. I, for one, had a great time. I always have a great time whenever its MYOH. I guess it’s one of those times when I can practice my creativity. You know, once in awhile, we all need an outlet.

This year’s MYOH, had a theme called “You + Havaianas: The Search for the Next Big Havaianas Collaboration.” On top of that, they also had the prevailing theme “Where will your imagination take you?” And that’s why as you enter the Rockwell Tent, you will be greeted by these luminescent decors really enhancing and taking you to the next level of imagination. Probably, it’s all in line with Dan Matutina’s collaboration with Havaianas which features a glow-in-the-dark sole.

*This was my choice actually*

*I dubbed this as shooting stars*

The tent was beautifully decorated, I would have to say. There was the faux hot air balloon in the middle which was made up by a LOT of slippers (cool, huh?), wheels wherein you can mix and match the soles and the straps (to make deciding a lot easier), etc.

Oh and that’s me in the ugly pic. Not very flattering but I wanted to post this because I wanted to share with Carlaine that I’m using the bag that she gave me. YAY. Thanks again!! :*

There were lots of yummy food served as well.

There were also photos of collaborations everywhere. Amongst all of the collaborations, the Mothers Day 2012 was the one that caught my attention. This was then called “Mommy and Me”. The collaborations were designed by celebrity moms such as Courtney Cox, Nina Garcia, Rebecca Romijin, and Tori Spelling.

And this year, participants were also invited to create their own designs. This was mine *kakahiya*. Yes, I do not have a creative bone in me in drawing BUT I do have a knack for colors (thank you very much…).

And the other entries were like these.

Look at that bird!! I hope that wins and I hope I get the chance to participate again!

And this was Ida, the girl who did my creations!! Thank you for being so patient with me. I knew you were nervous and all, but you did a fab job! :*

For those folks who would still like to join the You+Havaianas: Search for the Next Best Design COllaboration, you can still join:

• Submit your entry online via www.youandhavaianas.com

• Entries will be accepted until June 9, 2013

• There will be 20 short-listed entries coming from online and on-ground submissions (those that were submitted during the MYOH events)

• Shortlisted entries will be posted online

• Public voting will be done from June 17-August 18

• Scoring of the 20 entries: 70% online votes + 30% from the chosen panel of judges. The judges will be given the following criteria: 50% how well the design answered the question: “How do you live out summer everyday?”, 20% synergy with the brand, 20% creativity and originality, 10% technical skill

• How to vote? You can vote online – once per day. But if you purchase something worth PHP 1500, you can get to vote 10x for a particular design

• The winner will get a certificate course from a reputable design school in the Philippines, merchandise from Havaianas, Bobble, David and Goliath, Max Watch and more.

• For more information check out http://www.youandhavaianas.com