My Favorite Week

If you ask me what my favorite week of the year is... I'd say, it's not the long holiday during Christmas season nor it is Holy week. Any guesses? Well, I think the photos below gives it away. My favorite week of the year is actually 7 days from February 28 to March 7 (8 days if it's a leap year) simply because it is the week when my husband and I celebrate both our birthdays, exactly one week apart. Our celebration usually starts a day before his birthday because my husband shares his birthdate with his dad. We have this so-called "pre-birthday" dinner with just the two of us, then celebrate his real birthday with the family the next day. 

So, how did we spend our birthdays this year, you ask? Another giveaway... we binged on sweets! A whole loooot of sweets.

Have you tried Tous Les Jous? MUST TRY! Specially to those cake lovers who aren't necessarily ultra sweet lovers like me coz some cakes are really really sweet to the point that your tooth will hate you. But Tous Les Jous? Oh TLJ... Sweet perfection to my palette. This is aside from the fact that they design the cutest cakes and the price is just right. 

Classic Chocolate Cake @ P398

For the hubby's pre-birthday dinner, I surprised him by bringing him to this new French resto in Molito, Alabang I've been dying to try- Le Petit Cheri. The place was very charming with touches of Paris here and there that's just so cute. They also have this nice area on the second floor, perfect for small events like bridal showers (the tamed version), baby showers or for any simple affair. 

The Clueless Mister surprised by my gift - a hard to find, already faced out, Ipod Nano (watch) for his once in a blue moon jogging sessions.

Surprise! Surprise! 

The food was good, although the meat served was not perfectly cooked and the potato salad needed a dash of salt and probably would have tasted better if it was cooked a lil longer. What's winner for me is really the ambiance coz everything's so pink! *haha* How girly of me to critic that. I guess I'm just not really that kind of a foodie. I just love to eat. The price range is P250 to P400, decent for special occasions.

Quick Verdict: Overall experience? Good. Will I come back? High Probability.

Now enough of the husband, it's my turn. For my pre-birthday dinner, it was my choosing to dine at a shabby Korean joint in BF Homes called "Masarap" (Delicious) *lol* No kiddin! When my friend invited me "Kain tayo sa Masarap" (Let's eat somewhere delicious) I thought she's generally saying to eat anywhere that's good. Little did I know that that's the actual name of the place. Don't judge the place by it's exteriors nor interiors though coz the food is actually really masarap, comparable to other pricey Korean restos in the village, but at a much cheaper price. And to have a sweet ending, we bought few cupcakes from Larcy's.

Larcy's Cupcakes

Larcy's created buzz in BF Homes when it first opened in December because of its  pink *again with the pink* and adorable architecture. I actually thought of celebrating my birthday there for a cupcake party but it failed my expectations when we first visited the place. Because giving up on a person nor place is not in my nature, I gave it one more try but sadly it failed me again. I don't hate it but I also don't love it. My pet peeve about the place really is that servers don't use gloves when they pick up your cupcakes and place it in the box and don't hate me but too much food coloring in their best-selling Red Velvet Cheesecake stained my teeth. I really hope their cupcakes and the smell of the place improves because the place does have potential. *Note to owners: I'd love to help*

To be honest, I was somehow sad when I celebrated my birthday this year because I usually plan my birthdays months before because I always want to make it special even how simple it may be. But this year? I really just had no energy although I tried planning a quickie hipster party but then I decided not to push through with it. 

Anyway... excuse the drama, it's the thyroid talking. So, I decided to turn the day around by having a simple dinner with the family at Papa John's, by special request of my dad. To my glee, the night turned out fun and nothing really beats spending your special day with the closest people in your life.

Sweet flowers fresh from Tagaytay from my Hubby

I don't know the relevance of siopao. I know, it does not complement Italian food but my mom got crazy buying a monster siopao for my birthday and served it on the table just for the funny sight of it. It remained untouched until the end of the evening.

Making a Wish

Can't get enough of Tous Le Jous, I just had to have one too. Special thanks to my sister.

For the sweetest finale, my sis-in-law also gave my cupcakes, this time from Sophie's mom. And between Larcy's and this, Sophies' Mom Cupcakes is the absolute winner. 

Sophie's Mom cupcakes

Sorry again for the late post. Just wanted to share...

xoxo

The Clueless Mrs.

30 before 30

This blog post is actually inspired by the 30 before 30 List of We Are Sole Sisters whose story is very inspiring specially to those who dreams of traveling the world or simply wants to live a life of adventure. (To We Are Sole Sisters, hope you don't mind me borrowing the title)

Since I have 364 days left before I actually do reach 30, I think doing this list is just very timely and will (hopefully) help me achieve some of the goals I have while I'm still in my 20 something. 

--- okay, 10 minutes staring at a blank page is just sad --- 

--- I thought this is going to be easy ---

Let me start with the things I want to prioritize and hopefully, the list of dreams I have been keeping in my head will just flow out in writing...

1. Get pregnant - Well, to be fair to the super wannabe lolos and lolas (both sides) it has been a year and I really do want to start a family already. I just hope "in God's time" comes quicker.

2. Get my Weddings & Events Coordination business (really) off the ground - I'm there. Almost. Just need to keep my focus and really work hard.

3. Get back into Fashion School - Done with my first day in taking a refresher course in Basic Pattern Making and hopefully I can really finish it till the end so I can advance to other courses.

4. Enroll for Advance Pattern Making and Haute Couture and be part of Fashion Institute of the Philippines' 2013 Graduation Show 

5. Experience surfing. Any surfing spots will do. 

6. Join a Volunteer program - I'm eyeing on something. I just hope it pushes through.

7. Lose 15 lbs. by May - Been trying since January and I have given up rice since Ash Wednesday. I cheated a bit yesterday at my Pre-Birthday dinner but I.CAN.DO.THIS.

8. Work on the interior design of our condo - Budget is all I need. I'll say one corner at a time.

9. Drive - Not just within the village but actually be able to drive going as far as Quezon City (North) and Batangas (South).

10. Get myself an iPad - To justify, I need this for my job. At least one client says so... many times already *wink*

11. Go or at least book a trip to Hong Kong - It's has been more than 10 years since my first trip to HK with my family and my husband hasn't been there so this is very important.

12. Fix up my blog and make Clueless Mrs. a dot com.

13. Own a car - long shot but who knows? I might be lucky enough to win the lottery or a raffle promo.

14. Start selling samples of my designs by December

15. Explore Mt. Pinatubo

16. Get featured in a magazine

17. Be recognized as a Fashion/ Prenup Stylist

18. Learn basic Make-Up

19. Learn how to bake

20. Get a bad-*** camera

21. Get another big break in modeling - last year has been a good one for me. Hopefully, this year would be better.

22. Go to Coron

23. Explore Cebu - I've been to Cebu twice already but both are business trips so it doesn't count.

24. Join at least three (3) Bridal Fairs this year - I've already joined one. Two more to go :)

25. Be more experimental when it comes to clothes and dress up beyond my "classic" comfort zone.

26. Apprentice with a Couture Designer - Really get hands-on experience in couture designing, sewing, etc. I believe this will help me master my craft. 

27. Eat at an authentic Indian restaurant - I'm talking about the ones where you have seat on big colorful pillows and belly dancers entertain you, with shisha and all. Sadly, I haven't tried this and I don't know where to actually experience this.

28. Learn basic photography

29. Start planning for our dream home - Also a loooong shot but only God knows...

30. Earn enough without finding a need to get a full-time job. - this would definitely be sweeeeeeeet.

So there, that's my 30 before 30 List! I know I still have 364 days but life is too short so I've got to start NOW. Let's see what happens and good luck to me.

Do you have yours too? Share it with me by leaving a comment below.

xoxo,

The Clueless Mrs.

My Day

As the title indicates, yes it is my day today because it is my *drumroll please* birthday! *trumpets roar* 

Here's a short video I shot earlier to say hi to everyone and spread the "wisdom" and love as I turn 29.

Enjoy!


xoxo,

The Clueless Mrs.

Rewind in Fast Forward

Before February finally ends (oooops... It's March already) but still - allow me a quick rewind of important milestones and blessings that showered my way this (last) month. 

Ever since I went into retirement and ventured full-time into business, I have to say I have been more hectic than ever. From legalizing my business, signing up for bridal fairs, ingress here and there, DIY-ing all my business needs from designs, website, and other paperworks, to non-stop meetings and research and follow-throughs post-fair *phew* it really never ends. They say, when it rains, it pours. Well, good thing I have a lot of pails and buckets to catch every drop from Heaven.

1. I've finished ALL permits and requirements to make my business as legit as it can get. 

Just in case you are curious, to start up a business you need to:

1. Register your Business Name with the Department of Trade & Industry (for sole proprietorship) OR with Securities and Exchange Commission (for partnerships & corporation)

2. Get a Barangay Clearance

3. Get your Mayor's Permit

4. Register your business with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)

Once you've secured your BIR Registration, Plate "Ask for Receipt," Accounting Journals and Official Receipts from BIR *voila* you are ready to go.

2. Booth Set Up #1 at the Lucky Chinatown Mall (Annex Bldg) as part of DTI's special collaboration with Megaworld for SMEs.

Our beautiful boutique shared with Dream Maker and BSK International Dolls

At the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Metro Festival at Lucky Chinatown
and here's my pretty mom doing her opening remarks.

DTI + Megaworld + Chinese Business Community

I-spy with my hazelnut eyes Fairytale's logo. Can you see?

During Chinese New Year with a Dancing Dragon at work.
Beside me are my very supportive and loving mom & dad.

3. Booth Set-up #2 at the Weddings & Debuts 2013 Bridal Fair

Our humble booth at the Weddings & Debuts 2013 Bridal Fair

Day 3 - Haggard and Exhausted but still smiling.

At work

I can't believe I achieved a lot in just 28 short days and I couldn't have done it all without the unending support of my family and the encouragement of all my friends and readers. So, thank you everyone and AJA! AJA! AJA! (to me).


xoxo,

The Clueless Mrs.

Yeah, I am this haggard nowadays :)

When Every Town was Painted Red

I know it's late (as usual) but I just want to share the culturally enriching sights I enjoyed last Chinese New Year when we spent it for the very first time in Binondo. All photos via Instagram.

While the Dragons rest

Luck Dragon @ work inside the Lucky Chinatown Mall

Money Tree

The Art of Paper Cutting

Chinese Calligraphy

Chinese Checkers

Lighted Cherry Blossoms at night

Illuminated Chinese Lanterns at night

Sometimes, it really just take a simple photo to tell a story and take a glimpse into history. It is fun to be part of a festive and rich culture that paints the whole country red every year with dancing dragons, loud drums, and a whole lot of tikoy. So, even how late this post came in, I'm glad to have shared it with you. It's really better late than never, don't you agree?

xoxo,

The Clueless Mrs.