charmed life♥

I am writing this as a tribute to my Tita Linda who has passed away last March.  Honestly, I still can't believe that she's gone.  On my mind, it's like that she is in her home... just chilling and watching her favorite videos, live streaming of mass on her iPad.  And I am not sure if I could finish this without being emotional. I did a eulogy on the last day of her wake.. But I felt it was too short... (" bitin" )  and I want to honor her more. Who is my Tita Linda? To her siblings and close relatives she's their "ATE Linda" (eldest sister) To my cousins she's Tita.. To her friends - Linda... To her PGH workmates she's Miss Santos... To me I call her Tita but definitely she's my second mom. ( I am her loyal PA - personal assistant, sidekick, "dakilang alalay".. hihi) For those who don't know, I grew up with her... I spent my school breaks, Christmas vacations, with her (and my grandparents).  She always take me with her at ...

source: Google.com Just like that I am celebrating my 30 years in Sta Lucia Realty & Dev., Inc.  Time really flies so fast.  I started working when I was 20 (even turned 21 few days after working).  As I look back, I never thought that I will be staying in the company this long.  Honestly, it's hard to work in a company when you are related with the owners. (well that is the other half of Sta. Lucia).  At first I did not want to work there because I am afraid that people may think that I got in because I am a relative.  I believe I am capable of finding a company where I can showcase my abilities.  Being a graduate from a reputable university - University of Santo Tomas I know I can make it.  I was already accepted in a well-known bank in Makati when my mother told me that my uncle talked to her - because they badly need an accounting graduate.  To make the long story short, being the "obedient" daughter - I said yes... but I gave myself ...

source: Google.com Life is a learning process.  Aside from home and school, life teaches us a lot of things through our experiences.  Experience is the best teacher.  We learn from our mistakes, it makes us strong and help us to be better. Here are some of lessons I have learned for more than forty years. 1.  You cannot "Please" everybody - We don't need everyone's acceptance or you don't need everybody to agree with you.  As long as you are not stepping on one's foot, and you think you are doing the right thing.  But remember you must stay true with your values. 2.  Health is our valuable asset - As the saying goes: "Health is Wealth".  We must take care of ourselves: love, nurture and protect it.  We should not abuse our bodies,  let's start young in taking care of our health so we will not regret it when we get old. 3.  You don't always get what you want - This is one of the lessons, my grandparents taught me.  Even if you h...

A lot of people say that age is just a number, but let's face it we will all get old and there are things that we are no longer comfortable doing.  At 50 here are some of the things I feel I'm too old doing. 1. Wearing too short clothes - Though I don't wear micro mini skirts but I wore short-shorts during my younger years.  But now I am not really comfortable wearing that kind of shorts anymore  and same with micro mini dresses.   source: Google I said goodbye to short-shorts and now I go for medium length or Bermuda shorts.  The same with dress I am more comfortable to wear medium length dress with a few inches above the knee. 2. Wearing too much accessories - I believe as you age - "less is more".   source: Google Before I used to wear a lot of accessories: like stacking a lot of bracelets or bangles, necklaces.. but now I am more on the minimalist side - I'm good with just 2 or 3 bracelets.  I am okay with stud earrings and a bracelet or ...

Many people thought that you are lonely if you are single or you are not in a romantic relationship.  I don't know why this is a big deal to some people.  Yes, I am single.  But I could look straight into their eyes and say "I am not lonely."   I am not a man hater, choosy... maybe it's my destiny.  Who would wish to grow old alone?  As a child, I also dreamt of walking down the aisle wearing a wedding dress.  But what will you do if that's your fate.  I never questioned God..  Honestly, I also hoped and prayed for that... but every time I meet someone.. I always pray to God, if he is or the not the one, give me a sign or enlighten me - so I could make a right decision.  I believe that God has always guided me in all the decisions I made.  And I don't regret it.  I have a lot of learnings and I am thankful for it. There are times I wished that I have someone... especially when I am not feeling well or too stressed at work ...

An English afternoon tea is always a dream since I was a little girl.  Last month, I got to experience it with my Titas and cousins.  It was a double birthday celebration of moi and Crissy (my cousin).  We are both January babies and we are actually kinda namesake (that is both our 2nd names are the same).    Crissy reserved a table for us last January 21st... it was a wonderful (and sosyal) experience.  hihi... There are a couple of hotels that offer afternoon tea but we chose The Lobby at Manila Peninsula.  The afternoon tea starts at 2pm and it costs at P2,150.00++ (for 2 pax).   Why Manila Pen?  It's been a while since I have been there.  My last was in 2007, for my brother's wedding reception.  Still loving the ambiance, the iconic ceiling artwork and the grandiose staircase. Milk Chocolate Ganache tart What's my favorite on the 3 tier afternoon tea set - I love the Smoked salmon blini (Sorry I wasn't able to take a photo ...

Happy 2022 everyone!   This is my first post for the year.  Actually I was planning to post something on the first week of January, but unfortunately a lot of things happened.  My nephew got sick (his family is living with us), and our family doctor advised us to isolate for 10 days.  He did not required us to have an antigen test anymore, because we are all fully vaccinated (and majority of us have been boosted).  I am super worried also because I have senior parents but "Praise God!" that they did not get sick or had any symptoms (that's why - vaccines really help!). Quarantine Celebration:  I never thought that I will celebrate my 50th birthday on isolation.  When the pandemic started last 2020 I was very optimistic that by 2022 we will be back to normal.  Unfortunately,  we are still in this situation, I was hoping to celebrate my birthday even with my family and close relatives.  (Since the cases last December was low).  I...

Source: Google There are a lot of learnings that happened during this quarantine.  Maybe one of the positive things that  Covid-19 has taught everyone : having an emergency fund.  When I started working I admit, I buy anything and everything that I wanted.  (A new phone every year, clothes and bags etc).   But 5 years after I realized that I need to save so I opened my savings account in China Bank (this is not actually my first, I had a Banco Filipino Happy Saver's Club account before).  This is where I started saving money from my salary.  Saving P500.00 to P1,000.00 per payday, is not that bad, right?! From that time I realized the importance of being frugal.  Though I still buy things that fascinates me but I think about it first 1 million times before splurging. (hihi)  As time goes by I wanted to grow my money more I tried researching for different ways, like investing my money, getting mutual funds and etc.  I also tried the ...

Hello everyone!  I know it's been a while since I last have an update.  I do miss writing and sharing my thoughts, but because of the pandemic and "ECQ's, GCQ's whatever Q's" they call it piled up my office work.  I need to finish everything: update records and prepare reports.   Now we are in what they say as the "New Normal".  Wearing a face mask and shield is now mandatory, honestly I am not really 100% into the "full face shield" thing.  It's really hard to breath, with the face mask on + the full face shield.  Before they made the wearing of face shield mandatory I always wear a half face shield with my face mask and I think it's way better than the full face.  Often times I saw people wearing their full face shields on their head.. Anyway that's not the main subject of this post.. (hihi)  Let's go back.. we are in the new normal... and the Internet is really the number one most effective medium in this Millennium / Ge...

Exequiel Dumandan Robles , the man behind - the well-known real estate company here in the Philippines.  I know many things have been written about him, but I want to share my own.  I have known him since I was a kid: he was very down to earth and shy.  He seldom talks but will always give you a nice smile that would really brighten the room.  He was a man with a few words, but when he opens his mouth you will surely learn something from him. Humble beginnings : He started at a young age to help in their small business (Buenmar Realty). When Lolo Tura (Buenaventura Robles) his father passed away he took over his post being the eldest.  He felt that it is his responsibility to ensure the future of his mom Lola Inggay (Dominga Dumandan-Robles) and his 7 siblings. I admit that at first I have second thoughts of working at Sta.Lucia Realty.  It was him who asked my mom, because they badly needed an accounting graduate (that time) that will handle the...

Source: Google There are times when you just want to reminisce the past... Here are some "The Little Prince" quotes that really have a special place in my heart.♥  It's been a while since I have shared what's on my mind and in my ♥ of course.  Reading these quotes will always bring back memories.... Source: Google Source: Google Source: Google Source: Google xo,  Chiq♥

Ciao!  Yes I am one of those who got so addicted in watching Dolce Amore (Sweet Love), and after 7 months it's finally ending on Friday. (Sigh.)  Honestly, I never missed an episode. I am not a LizQuen fan but of all love teams now I love watching them.   Enrique and Liza have already matured as artists - both are no longer "just a pretty face".  Dolce Amore : It's not your ordinary romantic-comedy teleserye does not really focus on boy and girl relationship but also family love.  Forgiving, moving on and choosing LOVE above all. And now my liking in learning the Italian language came back.  Every morning instead of greeting my nephews "good morning" I go - "Buongiorno!"  Learning Italian and Spanish is a dream, when they removed Spanish subject in college before I really felt bad since I wanted to learn it.  Oh well... hope it's not that late for me to do this.  (*wink)  It's easier now... I sincerely thank google transla...

source: Rose Designs by Heather Stillufsen Bid voor Brussels... Pray for peace and our safety! My hearts goes to all the victims of this recent terror attack.. It's really sad to think that there people who have the guts to do this, that affects innocent human beings.  We live in one world, we are brothers and sisters... Let us make our world a peaceful place to live in. Let us continue praying for these wrong doings to stop.  Let us pray for each other especially to those people causing these torments, pain and suffering. We need more LOVE and less hate in this WORLD, our WORLD!♥

Let's start our Monday with this prayer! Lord Jesus, we come to you in our need. Create in us an awareness of the massive forces of conflict that threaten our world today. And grant us a sense of urgency to activate the forces of goodness, of justice, of love and of peace. Where there is armed conflict, let us stretch out our arms to our brothers and sisters. Where there is abundance, let there be simple lifestyle and sharing. Where there is poverty, let there be dignified living and constant striving for just structures. Where there is selfish ambition, let there be humble service. Where there is injustice, let there be atonement. Where there is despair, let there be hope in the Good News. Where there are wounds of division, let there be unity and wholeness. Help us to be committed to the building of your kingdom, not seeking to be cared for but to care; not expecting to be served but to place ourselves in the service of others; not aspiring to be materially secure but ...

SALVE REGINA, Mater misericordiae. Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevae. Ad te Suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle. Eia ergo, Advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte. Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende. O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria.  Happy Birthday, dear Mother!  Please continue to bless me, my family and the whole world. Thank you for everything! We love you dear Mother..♥

source: google Oh that hurts... Last night's episode really brought me to tears.  I really felt the pain that Agnes (Liza Soberano) is going through.  The arrival of Xander (Enrique Gil) made my heart jump!  Hopefully something good will happen tonight. (feeling hopeful)   I am not really into tearjerker teleseryes,   even on movies.  I want "feel good" romantic comedy, "stress na sa work tapos stress pa ulit"  so I really go for this kind of plot. Who is not addicted to this teleserye?  I can honestly say that I am completely hooked.  I never missed an episode when the show started in October 2014.  A simple farm girl (Agnes Calay) falling for a rebellious only son of a hotel magnate (Xander Grande) .  It seemed like a regular love story, rich boy falling in love with a poor girl (and viceversa) but the magic of Director Cathy Garcia-Molin a transformed it into the something worth watching. The teleserye also showed...

Photo credit: Heather A. Stillufsen It really feels great and overwhelming if a friend told you that you made her smile.  Can't really explain it but I am truly happy that whatever is it that my friend is going through right now...  I have lessened the pain in her heart.♥

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning the Lenten season. This also reminds us that we are from dust and to dust thou shall return . We should repent and follow the Gospel. 

I really can't believe that I'll get this far!  I am very thankful to those who patronize and support my online shop!♥  It actually started as a hobby... Now it's 3 years old already. Yes I got the name Fabulousity from Kimora Lee Simmons "Fabulosity" which means "fabulosity is about being the best at everything, looking fabulously sexy, having the best things, flaunting your fabulousness , and loving yourself and/or other fabulous people around you. Only a select few out of the whole human population are fabulous enough to live in "fabulosity"*   I used to watch her reality show on TV... and she really inspired me to have my own shop.  I am a lover of her Baby phat bags before.  Another personalities that inspired me to create my own accessories were Betsey Johnson and Tarina Tarrantino.  I so love their unique jewelries and accessories. It was my childhood dream to have my own boutique...and even though it's just a small on...