Hello Kitty x Bruno Mars♥

source: Google.com

Another Hello Kitty Collaboration!!!  Honestly I did not see this coming... really unexpected.  Who would have thought that Hello Kitty will collaborate with Bruno Mars...

It was launched in Japan and they have opened a pop-up store at Miyashita Park that will run from January 6 until the 26.

source: Google

Pricey but cute limited collaboration merch are available...  Oh my Hello Kitty heart... I hope I get even just one item from this collab.

I am so into with this Varsity Jacket but it's too expensive... (Sad...)  The jacket costs 32,000.00 Yen which is approximately costs P12,000.00++ in Philippine peso.

Hoping I could get just one... (*wish!)

What do you think with this collaboration?

If you ask me... I truly love this one! (*wink!)

xo,

Chiq♥

My De Quervain Tenosynovitis journey♥

source: Google

Have you heard about De Quervain Tenosynovitis?  Actually I was not familiar with this until last December (2023).  When I had it...

My story:

Mid-December of last year, I started experiencing pain on my wrist (running from my wrist to my right thumb).  It was so painful, that I really had a hard time using my right hand.  Honestly, I cried because of the severe pain.  What's frustrating about it is that - I am right handed (it's my working hand).  I thought the pain will go away after taking pain reliever, wrist/hand massage, applying topical pain reliever but it did not.  

I tried researching about this and I found out that it was called "De Quervain Tenosynovitis".  So what exactly is it?  How can you get it?

According to Mayocliniq.org: 

"De Quervain Tenosynovitis" - it is a painful condition that affecting the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist.    If you have DQT you will probably feel pain when you turn your wrist, grasp anything or make fist.

How can you get it? It's most common on women between ages 30 and 50.  Whose job or hobbies that involve repetitive hand and wrist motions.  (In short my hand is overworked).

Cures:  (1) Taking pain relievers such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen: these only relieve the pain not remove it;   (2) Non surgical option is getting a steroid injection on the affected wrist; (3) Surgery; and (4)  Immobilizing the affected wrist with a splint or brace to rest the wrist.

I am not really into taking pain killers or pain relievers that is why I opted to endure the pain.  But as days go by it started getting worse.  I again researched for exercises to ease the pain, as well as other natural cures for it.  I tried them... it relieves the pain for a few hours and it goes back again.  I don't want to have steroids injection because of it's side effects.  Of the four (4) options mentioned above, I chose the last one - immobilizing my wrist with a splint.  So I bought a splint from Shopee at around P295.00.

I wore the splint from the time it arrived from morning til night time (I just remove it when washing and bathing).  The first few days it's still so painful even with the splint especially in the morning.  As days go by I started feeling less pain.  Please note that until now as of this writing (January 2024) there is still pain but it improved.  But I tried not to overwork my hand.  

Realization:  Things really happen for a reason... maybe my body is telling me to slowdown because I am not getting any younger.  Yes, I am guilty of overusing my hands - cooking, cleaning and doing a lot of things.  When this happened I realized I needed to rest.

I hope and pray that my hands will get better soon...  Please pray for me also. :)

And I hope you also learn from my experience.  Believe me it's not easy...

xo,

Chiq♥

  

Bag Trends for 2024♥

It's 2024!  I know all the bagaholics are excited to know what bags are "in" this year.  So here are some of the bags that will definitely trend this year. 

Hermes Carge Birkin 
source: Google

The Brick bag
source: House of Little Bunny

1. The Cargo - Cargo trended last year with regards to the now still popular cargo trousers.  Since functionality has been the key since 2020 because of the pandemic.  That Cargo trend now includes bags.  Yes, we have also seen this Cargo bag trend last year like the Hermes Cargo Birkin and the House of Little Bunny's Brick bag.  Bag with lots of pockets - Why not, right?   I am loving this trend, since I honestly have a lot of things in my bag.  Having a lot of compartments will make our bag more organized at the same time.. us being on trend.  

COS Oversized Quilted Crossbody
source: Vogue

Saint Laurent Jamie XL
source: Google

2. Oversized Bags - I remember a few years back, bags to tend to be on the smaller side.  We see small versions of bags like the Lady Dior (Mini size which is only 17cm), Louis Vuitton East West Metis (the smaller version of the popular Pochette Metis) and a lot more.  Now the big bags are coming back!  Bag that would fit almost every thing.  That's why we will be seeing the Saint Laurent ICare Shopper Tote more this year and all other larger than life bags.

Marc Jacobs micro tote bag charm
source: Google

Miss Caro Micro Bag
source: Dior.com

3. Micro Bags - Yes you read it right.  Aside from extra large bag being on trend this year..  There is a new shift from Mini to Micro bags.  Bags that can only fit your card, airpods or a lippie.  I think this is more of an accessory than a bag.  This is a continuing trend, a couple of micro bags came out also last year, let's see what new and exciting micro bags designs are coming this 2024.

Plaited tote bag
source: Zara.com

source: Chanel.com

4. Woven - Remember when Prada introduced their Raffia bag?  Expect to see more of these bags this year.  Be it leather, rope, raffia or straw as long as it carries amazing patterns for sure it will add a wonderful energy for Spring/Summer 2024.

Mango leather effect bucket bag
source: Mango.com 

Saint Laurent Le 37 Bucket bag
source: Google

5. Bucket Bag - Bucket bags making a comeback on larger sizes.  But you can also find smaller sizes but since XL bags are on trend... large bucket bags gives you a more impactful and bold look.

This does not mean that you have to buy luxury brands to get on the trend.  There are a lot of these bag styles that are very affordable.  Remember that fashion should not be expensive as long as you carry your bag with confidence it does not matter.  (*wink!)

xo,

Chiq♥

Mochi's Best 9 of 2023♥

Hello 2024!  I just want to share Mochi's best 9 for 2023.  There are a lot of milestones in his doggie life that is why it's really hard to choose his best 9.

• Saturday dates with Mochi are always the best.  I do take him with me every grooming time of this dog cousins... I love doing coffee dates with him and I feel that he loves it too.

• His first Tanay highlands trip, actually it's my first also.  I do love taking him on long drives and he enjoys it.  

• He turned 3 years old - last August 15.  

• One of my personal favorite is when he was invited by SM Megamall to join the Mega PupStar contest.  Even though he did not win the Grand prize, but he was chosen as one of the semi-finalists and finished Top 5.  (Not bad right?!)

• I don't really take him to pet events often... (coz I'm a praning dog mum, I don't want him to get sick).  There are only 2 events that we visited the one in Robinson's Magnolia and SM Megamall.  We met some of our favorite suppliers in Rob Magnolia event and even met Tofu the super cute Bichon Frise there.  Since then our fur mom keep in touch on our Instagram accounts.

• His first AI - it became a trend on Instagram and I would like to thank Frankie's fur mom for teaching me how to do it.  I got addicted in making Mochi's AI but the Coco Movie poster is the first and it received a lot of likes.

• Mochi as the Mad Hatter in Halloween.  As you see I love dressing up Mochi, and I really make an effort in making his costume because I wanted it to be unique.  In 2022 - He was Paddington bear, and last year I decided to dress him as Mad Hatter.  Looking forward to 2024 Halloween.

• Annual Christmas Get together with family, when I was a kid I always look forward to our reunion.. since I don't have a child - Mochi has become the center of attraction since 2021.

To those asking what's my Best 9, I think we have the same... but will try to share mine soon... ♥

xo,

Chiq♥