Hey Bebe! It's Yah' Birthday!

It's official. My boyfriend's turning a year older today. Cheers, Bebe!!!

*♩♪♫♬ Hey! It's yah' birthday, it's yah' birthday, it's yah' birthday. Hey! ♩♪♫♬ *

This year, Bebe's birthday gift is a PS3 unit. Being my partner and my best bud, he certainly deserves this new baby! Voila!
We already tried the PS3 once. Bebe played tennis and some sort of zombie game while I gave Sing It! a shot. Great fun!

We haven't read through the pages of its manual yet. We'll do that some other time. *wink*. Since the unit only comes with one controller, we are looking for the best place to buy another one over the internet. As of now, the price seems to be too much so we've thought that it's better to look further. Better yet, wait for a little while until hopefully the price of a single controller drops down (I wonder when that would be???) or get a reasonable deal.

Anyhow, tonight's going to be a super delicious Kebab dinner with Bebe - with or without candlelight. Yipee!!! I am going to bake sponge cake and top it with super creamy leche flan. I sure hope he will like it!
Cheers to you Bebe. Cheers to us. Cheers to life. Labyah, labidoobidoobs!

See yah' latah' pipz! Time for me to hit the kitchen!

Mix And Match Moments #7

The last Mix And Match Moments (M&M) entry I published here was on December 22, 2009 --- definitely felt like a lightyear had passed me by already. My blogging mood did not yet reach its optimum energy level since the day I arrived from my vacation but my conscience kept on reminding me to update my M&M meme. So a couple of days ago I forced myself to mix and match again and here we go!As usual, I fixed my hair and did my own make up. I checked which dress to wear and what shoes to pair it with for my humble "photoshoot". It did not take me a lifetime to decide on what to put on. The quick decision making wasn't a disaster anyway - excellent!

Outfit details:

• A sleeveless dress with stripes of green, dark brown and light brown
  
• A pair of open-toe heels from Celine which you can also find on one of my previous posts
• A pair of silver earrings
• A handcrafted bracelet from Kultura Filipino
• Make up: Maybelline and Avon
  

I guess that's it for today's Mix and Max Moments meme. Until next time and enjoy mixing and matching your outfits!

Photoshop - Not My Cup Of Tea (Yet)

I downloaded an Adobe Photoshop program months ago on my desktop to try it out. I gave up after only an hour of clicking buttons, etc. I honestly did not know what I was doing nor where my work was heading. From then on, I decided that this type of program wasn't just my cup of tea (well... I do not really like tea anyway --- I am a coffee lover *wink*).

Yes of course... I was disappointed. Knowing that even kids could do it, I found myself deeply lost in this type of software which made me feel really horrible. Did I give up that easy? At that particular moment, yes I did. I thought that there are simply some things that I wasn't designed to do. Did I delete the program? Nope. I disappointed myself and had accepted the fact that I could not do all the things I would want to do but I also had the desire to give it a another try. Not now though nor in the near future but one day.

As of the moment, I am contented (or not really???) to crop, rotate and resize photos at photoshop.com (a not-so-complicated online photo editor) or at photobucket.com. Pasting some texts and adding little extra graphics on my pictures are what I consider bonuses.

One day I will be shouting out to the world that Adobe Photoshop's already my cup of coffee --- one day.

iPhone App Review: iPark It!

iPark It! is the second parking game I've installed in my iPhone. I've spent at least two hours each day playing this game during the very first week. It's totally addictive especially to desperate drivers like me.

I do like the idea of having a stirring wheel on the screen that my right thumb can easily access while the forward and backward button can easily be navigated by my left thumb. The first few tries have been difficult but the moment I've gotten used to the controls, I already find the game easy to follow but still challenging.

iPark It!'s objective is simple. Navigate yourself by following an arrow that leads you to a particular parking spot. You need to avoid crashing or scratching the car on your way there. If your car hits something, you will have to begin from the starting point of that particular level. Once you've parked the car smootly, you will then proceed to the next level. The higher the level, the harder it is to maneuver around the area. Be careful! You only have three tries to complete each level! If you are not able to complete a level after three chances, your game will end and your score will be added on the game's scoreboard.

Have fun playing iPark It!

By the way, there is a free version of this game so feel free to install the free version first. I am sure that you'll like this parking game. Until next time!

My Eight New Pairs Of Shoes

Six days have quickly passed and I am still not done unpacking my luggage. My friends say that I might have not yet accepted the fact that the vacation's finally over. I don't think so. I am fully aware that I am back to my second home, Sweden. It's just that I do not have the sufficient amount of energy to unpack and find a space for my new clothes in my closet and my new shoes in my shoe corner. My closet's a mess and just thinking about rearranging everything makes me feel all worn out already.

Anyhoo, I was able to check out my new pairs of shoes yesterday afternoon. My boyfriend had asked me a couple of times about the number of pairs I would be adding on my shoe cabinet. Since I couln't figure out the exact number of pairs, yesterday afternoon I ditched laziness off my shoulder and started bringing out the shoes I bought while in the Philippines. After all, my boyfriend deserved a perfect answer. It turned out that a total of eight new pairs would be added up on my 60+ pairs of shoes in our apartment. Not bad! I thought that I only was able to bring with me four or five pairs. Eight was just perfect!

I got hold of two pairs of Converse (just realized now that both have shades of pink *wink*), three pairs of ballerina shoes (including a pair of white Crocs), two pairs of high-heeled shoes and a pair of white sandals. Too bad that I could not bring with me the shoe boxes. The boxes were too bulky to bring along.

The photo above makes me want to go shoe shopping again. But well... I have to stop this craziness or I'll end up filling our apartment with shoes. Yayks!

Two Great Nights At Merrj (Bar and Resto)

Just a few steps away from the apartment we've rented in Quezon City (Philippines) lies an "almost hidden" but absolutely great nightspot --- MERRJ BAR AND RESTO.

My uncle who was driving us (me, Madde, Micke and my younger brother Mark) around Metro Manila during the last couple of weeks of our Philippine vacation recommended Merrj to us. We passed by this place three or four times (on separate occasions) before I finally exclaimed, "Okey, it's time to check this place out!"

OUR FIRST VISIT was on the 23rd of February. We were fresh from our from-opening-until-closing shopping episode at TriNoMa. Our outfit that day wasn't really fit for a bar and resto visit but we head to Merrj anyway.

Merrj IS LOCATED at 39 Mother Ignacia St., U-K Moomba Plaza (Corner Roces Avenue), Quezon City. For first timers, Merrj isn't that easy to find. When I've typed down the words "almost hidden" earlier, I really mean it.

I wasn't aware that Moomba Plaza is a refuge to four or five (something like that - can't really fully remember) bars and restaurants. When my brother sensed my puzzled thought, he simply whispered, "That is why Moomba's a PLAZA, right?" Why haven't I thought of that? I guess I was too tired from the whole TriNoMa thing. I could not even remember the exact name of Merrj! All my brain was telling me at that very instant is that the bar begins with an M! I first got a glimpse of the place "MyBar". We went there but even before reaching for the door, I thought, "This doesn't feel right." I told Mark, Madde and Micke to proceed upstairs just to check it and voila! --- Found it! Whew!

*First impression: Cozy and very friendly atmosphere*

We were immediately greeted by one of Merrj's friendly waiters. I inquired if there was a specific DRESS CODE to abide with. It was a relief to hear NO for an answer. *sigh* We asked to be seated outside to grasp fresh air while enjoying the night away.

*Menu: Amazingly affordable!*

Madde and Micke took pleasure in a bucket plus additions of San Mig Light and Pale Pilsen (bucket = 180Php; bottle of San Mig Light/Pale Pilsen= 35Php) while my brother and I took delight on two glasses each of their pineapple juice (we both do not really drink). *oops* (each glass only costs 50Php)

By the time our stomachs were craving for food, we ordered Nachos Overload (priced at around 250Php) and Chicken Quesadilla (+/- 150Php). Our tummies and taste buds were both satisfied! Extremely delicious food for very friendly prices. *burp*

While having our sumptuous meal, Micko (one of Merrj's co-owners) approached our table and started a conversation which made us feel more welcome. (Thanks for the friendly chat! It was definitely appreciated.)

We were only billed 875Php. "Wow!", was our reaction. We were expecting for something between 1,500 to 2,000Php. Impressed and satisfied with everything, we promised ourselves to drop by again before flying back to Sweden.

SECOND TIME AT MERRJ: Febuary 27

The second time around, we already planned our Merrj visit. We dressed up right and brought a professional camera with us. Although we did not intend to stay for too long (we were scheduled to spend our whole day shopping at MOA the following day [our last day in the Philippines] so we needed to spare some energy for the shopping day), we did have fun!

*Second impression: Felt like home!*

The waiters recognized us, offered a table immediately and served our orders in a flash. As usual, Madde and Micke had a bucket of Pale Pilsen, San Mig Light and additional bottles. Mark and I once more went for pineapple juice. Because we weren't so hungry that night, we only requested for Nachos Overload. We just paid something between 500-600Php. Fantastic!

Micko was again present. We had a little chat ... more of a farewell, see-you-next-year type of conversation. He also introduced Joan (his girlfriend) to us who without second thoughts joined us and exchanged ideas with us. (Thanks Joan!)

on the photo below: Madde, me and Micke
on the photo below: a huge plate of Nachos Overload (highly recommended)
on the photo below: Joan, Micko and me
on the photo below: Merrj's bar corner
on the photo below: me, Madde, Micke and Mark

If you are somewhere in Quezon City and you happen to be in search of an excellent place to unwind, chill and hangout with friends without making your wallet cry, visit Merrj Bar and Resto. You so DON'T want to miss this! Rest assured, you'll never regret the experience!

Merrj Bar and Resto = Coolness! Two thumbs up! ... and yes! They do have a band every night to complete your bar and resto experience.

*Feel free to check Merrj's Facebook page*

Two Tankinis I So Want To Have!

I've been feeling down for days now. Fever, headache and colds have hit me since the day I've come home from my Philippine vacation. It is most probably due to the very cold weather we are experiencing in Sweden at the moment. So far, this is the coldest and the longest winter for me. Believe me when I say that even if I come from a tropical country, I have nothing against winter and I love snow but this time around, I must admit that the temperature's too cold for me to handle. I so wish to fly to the Philippines (again) with my boyfriend and enjoy the beach NOW!

Since reality is poking me right at this very minute, I have to slow down on daydreaming about visiting my all-year-round summer spot (the Philippines). It can't be done at least for the succeeding six to eight months. My boyfriend needs to work while I have to focus on my studies. Oh well... doesn't matter. I am anyway aware that one day, my boyfriend will again be very busy booking for a flight for two to the Philippines. Until that time comes, I'll be patiently waiting.

Speaking of going to the beach, I've noticed that I do not really own a swimwear. Maybe it's time for me to finally have a pair or two in my closet. Hmmm... Voila! I've found two two-piece swimwears that are perfect for my taste!

This Bendita Praline by Agua Bendita Swimwear 2010 (please refer to the photo below) is something I've been searching for a long time. I so love the ruffles, the colors and the print. Since the top is a tankini (which is something I prefer than just bikini tops), this pair will provide me moderate coverage --- just the way I like it.

Just like Bendita Praline, the Soph Cobalt Bluson (please refer to the photo below) which is designed by Badgley Mischka, also provides moderate coverage. The drapery style down the middle of the tankini gives this bathing wear charm and elegance. Love it!To make my swimwear list (at least) complete, I might add the OndadeMar Swimwear Beach Cool Tunic on my beachwear must-haves (and the hat, too!). Oh my! I never thought that looking for swimwear for women could be so much fun!