Review: Alice and Olivia Casetify iPhone case♥

source: Casetify.com

Well, we see Casetify all over the internet either on Instagram or Facebook (even here in my blogger - *wink!).  I have to admit their designs were totally awesome but I had second thoughts of purchasing because it's a bit pricey.  When they had the Hello Kitty line, I admit I passed on it - not because I don't like Hello Kitty but there are other HK cases in the market  that I can buy for a much lesser price.  But when they recently collaborated with Alice and Olivia which I adore, so I have no other excuse but to get one.   Alice and Olivia especially the Stace Face design is my favorite. Alice and Olivia merchandise are also expensive I remember during our side trip to Hongkong (in 2019) I went in the Alice and Olivia boutique there was this small pouch that costs around P6,000.00+ (can't remember the price in HK$ anymore) : I really wanted the pouch but I find it too expensive for a small make up pouch.  I do have some AO items in my collection but those are from Starbucks.

Casetify cases particularly the Alice and Olivia designs comes in three types of protection : 

• Leather case : Protection: Basic; Weight : Very light;  Cost: $55.00 USD
• Impact case: Protection: Strong; Weight: Light; Cost: $45.00 USD
• Ultra Impact case: Protection: Ultimate; Weight: Mid; Cost: $59.00 USD

The designs available are : Stace face, Rainbow Stace face and Rainbow Quote and are available for iPhone 7 to 12 pro max. 

I purchased 2 Impact cases one for my iPhone 8 (Rainbow Stace) and XS (Stace face). It arrived after 3 weeks.  Both cases came in a red casetify box with free professional screen cleaning wipes.  When I opened the box - all I can say is WOW!  And when held onto them I can say that they are made from premium quality materials, the print is superb!  I was really amazed and contented with the cases.  Honestly, it is really worth it.  But I have not tried the "drop test" to see if my phone will be strongly protected.  I don't think I am going to do that.  haha ...  But I hope they will also last (forever).  I cannot really say about its durability at this time because they're still new.  Maybe I can write about them soon...  But for now with it's looks and feel --- I am giving it ♥♥♥♥.8 (4.8 hearts with 5 the highest). 

The collaboration also includes other merchandise such as wireless chargers, MacBook covers and Ipad  case.

For those who wanted purchase Casetify case here in the Philippines, these are the things you need to know:

1. Register at https://www.casetify.com/ for easy tracking of your order/s;
2. You need a credit card or a PayPal account;
3. There is an additional fee when you pay via PayPal - Foreign Currency Conversion fee; (I don't really know the basis of the computation);
4. When your order arrives - you need to pick it up the post office.  They will not be delivered at your door step, you will receive a notification from the post office; and 
5. Payment of custom duties/tax - P112.00 minimum for packages not exceeding P10,000.00   

I hope this helps...  Or if you have a casetify phone case, it would be nice if  you will share  with me your experience.  

xo,

Chiq♥

Bag trends 2021♥

For those who really know me, I am into bags.  I can have one pair of shoes but I cannot live with only one bag.  I do love bags be it luxury or any good quality unbranded bag.  It's been a while since I have shared something about "BAGS"... So what do I think the bag trends this 2021?  Due to the pandemic, people just stay home but for some who really needs to go to work (that includes me), I would really use something that is easy to clean (disinfect), lightweight and essentials are within reach.

source: Google

The Nylon:  

Last year we saw Prada Re-edition 2005 trending on social media.  It is nylon material (it's lightweight), and a very versatile two-way bag: you can wear it as a crossbody and a shoulder bag (it comes with a chain).  What's nice about the bag aside from being two-way you can easily clean or disinfect and it has a small pouch where you can put your sanitizer or your money.    

source: Stradivarius

Yes the Prada re-edition 2005 quite expensive, but you can find a similar bag in Stradivarius that costs only P1,145.00 (in Philippine peso) though this only comes in two colors : black and pink.

source: Prada

The Minimalist:

Bags that don't have extra accessories attached to it... the simplest bag the better.  We are into the new normal... and one the lessons we learned is the simpler the better.  

source: Mango.com

We can easily find a minimalist bag anywhere. Found this one at Mango which costs P1,995.00.

source: Saint Laurent

The Puffy:  

Puffy bag or clutch is like you are carrying a pillow with you... though I am not really a fan of this but some girls would love this.

source: Zara.com

This puffy quilted bag is now on sale at Zara at P1,495.00 (P2,595.00 regular price).

source: Dior

The Oversized:

The bigger the better right?!  It's like carrying your entire closet with you.  It will fit almost all of your stuff including your essentials.  It is also a multi functional bag - that can also serve as your shopping tote.  So there is no need to bring an extra eco bag with you.

source: Mango.com

I am really into big bags because I carry a lot of stuff... but a Dior book tote is too expensive.  You can get this oversized tote at Mango for P2,295.00 instead.

source: Bottega Veneta

The Slouchy:

Structureless bags that can also fit almost everything.  But I'd still go for the structured bags... it's really a hassle to dig in the bag to look for the things you need... 

source: Zara.com

This slouchy bag from Zara is now of sale from P4,595.00 to P1,495.00

source: Louis Vuitton

The Chained:

We have seen chunky chain accessories in recent years... Now these thick chains are new additions to accentuate the bags.  Giving the basic bag a fashion statement.

source: Mango.com

You can find an affordable bag with chain accent at Mango that costs only P1,295.00 (on sale at the moment from P1,995.00

source: Chanel.com

The Mesh:

Name that speaks for itself: bag that have holes.  These bags usually comes with a pouch in order to hide your things, if it does not have a pouch you might want to use one to conceal your belongings.

source: Mango.com

Grab this mesh bag at Mango it's on sale now from P2,995.00 to P1,995.00.

So which bag is you favorite?  Please let me know on the comment box.♥

xo,

Chiq♥

Grateful, Thankful and Blessed♥

Another year!   And I thank the Lord for it... I am grateful to my family, relatives and friends...

 My fervent wish is for the Covid-19 to disappear forever, so we can all go back with our normal lives.  Yes, the pandemic taught us a lot of things and we will carry that learnings wherever we may go and whatever we will do.♥♥♥

Thank you Lord for life, family, relatives, friends... 

good health, work, business... and for all the blessings...

I am not perfect but you love me Lord despite of my imperfections and flaws...

Money Saving tips 2021♥

source: Google

Happy 2021!  I know we are all hoping that this will be a better year for all of us.  Last year was really very challenging:  we have lost a lot of people due to Covid-19 (personally I have an uncle who died of Covid), many have lost their jobs, more businesses closed down and that is super heart breaking.  But I still believe that everything will be alright...  

What is the better way to start our 2021? Of course - An "Ipon Challenge"  On my previous posts I have shared some of my "ipon" tips... There are a lot of lessons learned during the quarantine period... especially if you don't have savings or an emergency fund.  My savings have helped me during those times and my small business also.  I started (really) saving money in 2014:  I have a savings account since 1998 what I meant about "really saving" was I have started investing, opening a time deposit and doing "Ipon" challenge.  In 2014 I opened my first time deposit account at BPI: it's a 90-day roll-over account so it renews automatically.

Here are my "Ipon/Saving" tips:

♥ All-P50.00 : So what does this mean?  Every time I get a P50.00 peso bill I don't spend it.  I have this container at home where I place them...  I was able to save P20,000.00 in 2018 and 2019 respectively.  This year I was able to raise P15,000.00 only because of not paying in cash ( I don't pay in cash 'coz paper money maybe be contaminated) I often use my debit card.

♥ Coins challenge :  Since I don't commute - all the coins I receive as change I put them in my coin banks.  Yes, I have several coin banks (bottles) with specific denominations for easy counting.  

♥ SSS Peso fund :  I started contributing P1,000.00 to this investment fund in the last quarter of 2018... unfortunately during this pandemic I was not able to pay my contribution because I do refrain from going out except for work.  And you can only pay your contribution at the SSS offices.   I hope they will come up with other payment channels.

♥ Pag-ibig MP2 :  I was lucky to have applied in this investment fund before the lockdown.   I applied online last March 2020 and paid my first contribution at Bayad Center.  Now I am sending my contribution via Gcash which is more convenient.  GCash charges P5.00 service charge P2.00 cheaper than Bayad Center.  

♥ Mutual fund :  I really wanted to have a bank investment but I don't know how, but my bank manager friend helped me.  I got a low-risk mutual fund at BPI it earns a higher interest as compared to my savings and time deposit.  Please note that the market prices fluctuate, better to keep your funds there for a minimum of 5 years so you will be able to see the fruits of your investment.

♥ Paluwagan :  Together with my co-workers we set up this "paluwagan" at work. We contribute P500.00 every pay day so every December we have an extra P12,000.00 in our pockets.

♥ Monitoring my expenses : I monitor my expenses everyday.  First thing you need is a notebook or planner to keep track of your daily expenses.  From meals, groceries, medicines and etc. I write them down every day and add them up at the end of the week/month.  And in order to save from buying food at restaurants, I bring my own lunch (baon) at work.

Aside from that I refrained from buying things that I don't really need.  I admit I am an impulsive buyer before... but as I grew older I now consider myself a wise spender.  Though I still indulge myself sometimes.. but not all the time.(*wink)

I hope these helps... I really want to inspire other people also in saving and investing.  I started late... I regretted it...  I just wished I started when I was younger.

xo,

Chiq♥

Hello Kitty Kitchen and Baking tools at Japan home PH♥

Another Hello Kitty update!  Japan Home Philippines just launched it's Hello Kitty baking and kitchen tools - Cook and Bake your delicious meals with these super cute Hello Kitty kitchen items.  

I love to cook and bake - these will be a great addition to my kitchen tools and utensils.♥

The Collection comes in 3 sets - the pink, red and black and the stainless steel.

Here are the things that I bought... from the Pink and Black & Red Collection:

I also bought extras because I gave them as a gift last Christmas.  As you can see the Pink collection is more on the baking tools/utensils, while the Black & Red are mostly kitchen tools...

Now I will be more excited to cook and bake...  These cuties will make my kitchen so adorable! (*wink)   By the way I also have the Hello Kitty x Chef made baking collection, will share them with you on a separate blog hopefully soon... ♥

xo,

Chiq♥

Top Nine for 2020♥

Happy New Year!  2020 has been a challenging year to all of us, and I know we are all hoping for a better and healthier 2021.  I want to share my last year's best nine.  Although we really don't want to look back on what transpired in 2020 (because we really want to close that chapter), but I am still grateful...  Yes, I'm grateful and thankful for a lot of things:  Me and my family are safe and healthy (even though Covid19 is still present until this day), I still have my job  (we all know that a lot of people lost their jobs because some of the businesses closed out),  my small online business is still open and that really helped me especially during the pandemic.

Top nine (part 1)

When Metro Manila was placed under quarantine there are no other things to do at home: it's either you clean, organize, bake and cook.  Well I did all of that... but that period really brought back my love for cooking and baking.  It's my first time to bake (a cake)  again after almost 9 years...  Every thing actually has a story to tell.  There are firsts, the return and the "imbentos" (new inventions).

Here are the firsts : Orange chicken, Shrimp Aglio e  olio, Baked Salmon, Baked sushi and Custard cake (which was the most challenging to do).  The returns would be the Puto with cheese bites and Siopao (last time I made them was during my college days) and  Chiffon pink cupcakes.  The "imbento"  is the Bacon and Cheese wrap with pesto dip.

I also have a part 2 of my best 9 that is via my instagram account:

Top nine (part 2)

These photos garnered the most likes... ♥

2020 has taught us a lot of things... A lot of lessons learned...  that small and simple things mean a lot...  Time with our loved ones are really precious and we should always make the most out of it (life is short)...  

Prayers and the Lord are our strength....

  

Wishing for a better, healthier and safer 2021 for all of us!♥

xo, 

Chiq♥