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2018 Recap: Highlights of the Year That Was

Monday, December 31, 2018


What's your 2018 theme?

I am not sure how this thing started or if there are others who also do this, but from ever since I can remember, I always start a year with a THEME. There was that year when I said YES TO LIFE more so I treated myself to things I love such as art and crafts classes and expensive concerts and fancy solo dining. There was that year I said I will be FEARLESS so I traveled solo, traveled with new people turned friends, got into a risky business, got a tattoo, and even entered a teaching job.

For 2018, I said my theme will be, well, the popular French phrase JOIE DE VIVRE. The Joy of Life. I want to experience more of the goodness that life has to offer. I thought that this meant getting into luxury bags and a Euro trip, but I guess it meant much much more.



Exploring Budapest: Public Baths, Bridges and Other Stories

Saturday, December 29, 2018


Prague was easiest my favorite city in this Eastern Europe trip. I was kind of denying it pa at first coz friends who've been to this side of the continent will tell me "Talaga!?" or ask "How about Stockholm?" (Or Oslo, Austria, Berlin, or the other cool cities I've been to!!). I love them all equally, as each has a different, and very distinct charm--and I am not just saying this for the sake! But Prague took me by surprise with its old fairytale vibe.

Coming in close is the capital city of Hungary which is Budapest. Tired from traveling for consecutive days, no pauses unless we were on sleeping trains, Budapest was refreshing and exciting and brought back so much of my energy.



“Baby, you are gonna miss that plane.” | Finally, My Vienna Travel Blog!

Friday, December 28, 2018


I had to pause my Euro blogs for months because of info and photos overload (lol). I had to live my life a bit again, go to new travels, and finally--after everything's settled--I am back again in those summer days in Austria.



Alternative Tokyo Itinerary: Other Things To Do On Your Nth Trip To Japan!

Thursday, December 27, 2018


It's my fourth time in Tokyo, and Cea's second, so we've been to the usual must-sees. Although our main agenda for this Japan trip is to go to Hokkaido, we both agreed that we will not leave Japan without spending a day or two in the big bright city.

If, like us, you can't get enough of Tokyo but want to steer away from the usual Harajuku, Ginza or Shibuya, here's an alternative itinerary that we did on our latest trip.


Hay nag hihinayang ako. I lost some of my Japan phone pics. I have a whole lot more in my phone compared to my camera for those "instant" moments where I don't need to fuss so much about composition, but just to keep a piece of the memory. I think hindi ko nasave yung photos ng maayos sa laptop kong mababa ang memory (Macbook probs huhu). Mabuti nalang talaga most of these pictures and videos landed on my Instagram, IG Stories, or my family's private FB group. The more that I am grateful na I am the real time poster that I am!!

Anyway, moving forward!

We arrived in Tokyo and the sun was already down. It was dark out as I peered through our taxi's window, I think it was even drizzling. It was cold, but not as cold as Hokkaido. Bright lights of Shinjuku greeted us to Tokyo's modern city. I love it, every contrast our next stop is lending us from where we just came from were perfect.

I had my phone's Google Maps out just in case our cab driver starts to do something fishy, but I doubt it coz we're in Japan. As we were nearing the capsule hotel that I pre booked via Agoda, I felt more and more excited and even at home! Hahaha! Welcome to the KOREA TOWN of TOKYO!



Merry Christmas guys! I still have about travel backlogs from this year, but iniisip ko nalang na at least there are so many stories yet to tell in this blog! Hopefully before the year ends, we are down to zero backlogs so we can start 2019 with new pages! 

Anyway, we're down to our last few hours in Sapporo, and honestly the days prior this Cea and I were  already running out of ideas. We wanted to do so many things but they wouldn't fit the time frame before our flight back to Tokyo. These other things include a visit to an onsen, a few more day-trips outside Sapporo, Mt. Moiwa, etc. But since we only had 3-4 hours to spare before we check out and ride the airport bus for our flight, we decided to just play it safe and visit one of the places I often see in Sapporo blogs: Shiroi Koibito Park and Ishiya Chocolate Museum

Finish Your Grocery List Online: Shopwise Now In Honestbee!

Monday, December 24, 2018

    
My hidden talent lol: I can stay in at home almost the whole week, and not even feel bored, haha! In short, I am a certified homebody.

But with the holiday season nearing, I had to go out for either 1) Christmas gifts shopping, which I just finished yesterday in SM Makati's Uniqlo, 2) To attend parties and gatherings (baptism of Aki), and 3) To of course buy some groceries in Shopwise!

Now you can drop the latter, make your list , and tick all of them without even leaving your home!

Lee Jong Suk in Manila!

Friday, December 21, 2018


This year has been crazy for this Kdrama fan girl. Even though I am on a temporary 5am-Club break, I had experienced the most unbelievable thing for a person who looks up to K Idols, and that's to see them in the flesh!

If you know about Korea's celebrity status, sobrang strict nila and you won't just see them in the mall or the streets unlike here in the Philippines or for Hollywood stars. But the lines are blurring because of these organized fan meetings, and I am grateful that out of the thousands of cities in this world--these Korean stars chose Manila as one of their stops (keep them comiiing!).

One of the unexpected K stars who visited Manila year is Lee Jong Suk. I first watched him in W Two Worlds, but the drama that really made it to my forever Top 5 is While You Were Sleeping. I've said this a million times over and I'll say it again, it's the Kdrama na napapalakpak talaga ako every end of an episode. I love the suspense of the storyline, and of course, Jong Suk and Suzy Bae were really A+++ actors in this series!

Months late but let me share to you some highlights of the LJS fan meet below. I also included a video compilation! Enjoy, fellow fan girls, and my 2019 wish is for every Korean fans to see their favorite Korean stars in the flesh!


Day-Trip From Sapporo: Furano / Biei

Wednesday, December 19, 2018


Ahhh again, when weeks passed by after a trip, my brain starts to take out some of the details which is very unfortunate as a blogger. So I will just try my very best to look back on this day to still make a comprehensive blog even with the delays!

Furano and Biei is a city and town in Hokkaido that traveller friends highly highly recommend. If you have time, budget, and energy to hop from one Hokkaido city to another, then you have to include Furano--and stay there for a night or two. I would have done so if not for time constraints and our huge maletas.

Furano / Biei are known for their lavender fields (Farm Tomita) with a wonderful view of the Mount Tokachi, the Blue Pond, and for their ski resorts. If you are into nature and the great outdoors, then make sure to visit Furano / Biei when you're on this side of Japan.


No Place To Hold Your Holiday Parties And Get-Togethers? Check out Zen Rooms!

Thursday, December 13, 2018


Last weekend, I had a staycation with Zen Rooms at the fancy Gramercy Residences, a luxe condominium in Makati right next to the Century Malls. My goal is to book for a spacious room to accommodate the annual Christmas party with my blog friends, and I think this place is perfect for such gatherings!


Gift To Me From Me (Gift Ideas For Yo Self This Christmas!)

Wednesday, December 12, 2018


The past days had been extra hectic that I can't wait to actually rest which means Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for me, haha! By being hardworking or for simply surviving another year, I think we all deserve a treat or two even if its means the present comes from no other than ourselves! Haha!

Here are some gift ideas that's best wrapped and sealed for you from you. 😁💛




Good news to those who don't have or don't use credit cards, but have lots of awesome 2019 travel plans already!


Updated Skincare: December 2018

Thursday, December 06, 2018


Annyeong! I'm back! I realized I haven't done an updated skincare post in a while because I got into a reeaaaally really lazy phase! I've been using sheet mask for weeks, most especially during my consecutive travels where I cannot afford to bring all my jars and bottles! Haha!


It's the most wonderful time of the year once again! Sharing to you this good vibes story on the best gift ever this Christmas: A home--a space where you feel at ease and loved. ❤ Read on!

Note: Story not mine, just want to share this to everyone! Other than the good vibes, I think that a lot of us might find this useful.. especially Loc&Stor Self Storage solutions that I just heard of now!

Jung Hae In in Manila: #SarangHaeInManila Fan Meeting

Tuesday, December 04, 2018


I can't believe hindi ko nablog to??? Or baka na delete ko ba?! Anyway, I was looking through my "fan meet" blog posts when I realized that I forgot to blog my Jung Hae In fan meeting experience last July 2018.

I super enjoyed this fan meeting, and narealize ko na naka ilang solo fan girling narin pala ako. "Walang makakapigil" lol. Just as long as I am here in Manila and afford ko, suportahan ko lahat ng pupuntang Kdrama oppas dito! Hehehe.




Korean girl group Momoland (Hyebin, Yeonwoo, Jane, Nayun, JooE, Ahin, and Nancy) is back in Manila for an exclusive, one-day-only fan meeting organized by multi-level marketing company Frontrow International. This private event is the company's way to thank its loyal distributors.


5 Exciting Pasta Sauce Flavors You Can Try This Holiday Season!

Monday, December 03, 2018


I have to admit, I am one of those whose go-to dish when tasked to cook is pasta, haha! Sure kasi na no-fail and masarap. It's also my staple meal at home when I am alone, since my sisters all go to office daily and I work home-based. 

If like me sawa ka na with the usual red sauce, then check out these five exciting new flavors brought to us be Del Monte's Spa Sarap Squad!