Ayala Triangle Light Show 2016

I can't let the year end without checking out the light show at Ayala Triangle!

A DISNEY Christmas!

Our much awaited theme for our family's annual Christmas costume party was... DISNEY! Last year was Asian and the year before that was Ugly Sweater. It was easy for me to think of what to go as, since I've thought of doing INSIDE OUT for Halloween before. So here na lang for Christmas! ;p

Merry Christmas!

And here it is, the final Christmas card from the DIY photoshoot I did a few days ago. Hope everyone is having a wonderful and merry Christmas with their loved ones. Happy Holidays everyone, from our family to yours!

DIY Christmas Photoshoot

Shopping at MINISO Philippines

MINISO is a Japanese fast fashion designer brand that advocates a fashionable and relaxed lifestyle. Headquartered in Tokyo, it has opened more than 1,400 stores worldwide and dedicates itself to providing customers with quality, creative and low-priced products. Miniso opened their first store in the Philippines just last June and since then has quickly expanded to more branches around the metro.

To be honest, I wasn't familiar with this brand as first. But when I was invited to their launch at SM Southmall last December 15, I got really excited to check it out.

DIY No-Bake Cake

With all the Christmas celebrations, get-togethers, and reunions this December, here's a quick and easy dessert idea you can bring to any party, brought to you by MoneyMax.ph.

Winter Woodland Christmas at SM Aura

I swear, the Christmas display at SM Aura this year is seriously one of the nicest I've ever seen! I literally gasped when we walked by since it was so pretty!

Ever After High Christmas at SM BF

We love checking out the Christmas displays at the malls during the holidays. I just love seeing the different themes and decors every year, which provide such a great backdrop for some family pics!

Last year, SM BF did an Adventure Time display and the year before was How To Train Your Dragon. This year, the Ever After High characters take center stage in an Epic Winter display.

Make the most out of life with Friso Four

As a mom, it was definitely hard for me to adjust when my daughter started studying in a big school a few months ago. From being so sheltered in preschool, I felt she was now entering the real world where she would be exposed to so many things beyond my control. Of course, I don’t think we can ever fully learn to let go of our kids no matter what age. We’re always there for them, helping and supporting them through the years.

But letting them experience things on their own will help them grow up. Yes, they will get hurt and make mistakes, but we have to realize that they are a lot stronger than we think and give them credit for.

During my daughter’s first week in Grade 1, I was so worried about so many things. How will she find her classroom by herself? Will she be able to eat her food? What if she has to go to the bathroom? What if there are bullies? I was almost at the point of wanting to go to school and wait there until dismissal every single day. Yes, serious! ;p

But then, to my amazement, my daughter would always come home from school all excited to tell me that she had fun! When I would check her lunchbox, her baon would be finished. She even told me she was able to go to the bathroom all by herself! My goodness, she really is a big girl already!

Now, all I worry about is getting her homework done and studying for tests. And of course, as our kids grow older and become busier with school and other activities, we have to remember to keep them healthy so they can make the most out of life’s experiences.

That’s why I’m glad I discovered Friso Four, which helps make our kids strong inside by taking the best of nature and science. From its farms, cows are nurtured with extra care to get top quality milk. Scientists make the most of this natural goodness with a special process that locks in milk’s nutrients called LockNutri technology. This preserves the natural milk protein without over-heating, making it easy to digest for delicate tummies. And as a mom, when I see how resilient my kids are, I’m more confident to let them out in the world to experience life to the fullest!

So moms, let us remember that there’s a bigger world out there for our kids to explore, which will further encourage their development. And if they are strong on the inside, they can take on every experience with us behind them every step of the way.

Find Friso Four at selected Mercury Drugstores in GMA, Luzon, and Cebu. 

Visit them on FB: www.facebook.com/FrisoPhilippines

And their website: https://friso.com.ph/

*sponsored post

Make the home Christmas-ready with Taiwan Excellence products

When planning on what to splurge on this coming holiday season, a home investment is always a good option. Get a practical home upgrade, in time for the back-to-back family gatherings and parties with friends, with Taiwan Excellence products. There's nothing like a thoughtful gift to yourself than making your home life a little bit more comfortable and stylish.

Prepare your home to be Christmas-ready with the following Taiwan’s best brands that bear the Taiwan Excellence seal. Assuring superior quality, these products can give the best deals for the ultimate holiday home shopping.

Upgrade the bathroom storage

Keeping the bathroom comfortable is essential during the festive gatherings. Solve the clutter and maximize the space using Caesar’s Push-Open Bath Cabinet that will surely delight homemakers with its perfect balance of quality, design, and functionality. Offering a wide storage space, this solid and classy bathroom fixture has deep drawers. Automatically open the drawer by simply pressing any part of its panel. Its patented slide balancer, on the other hand, will smoothly extend the drawer with any vibration.

Delightful DIY with Dutch Mill Delight

The Children’s Garden in Gardens by the Bay Singapore

I've been to Gardens by the Bay in Sinagpore many times before, but this was the first time we were able to check out the Children's Garden. I think a lot of people don't even know about this place, since usually you just go the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest Conservatories. I myself just found out about the Children's Garden when I was searching for stuff my kids could do in Singapore. And guess what, the best thing about this place is that it's totally FREE!

Vancouver Vacation: Granville Island

Hubby and I went to Granville Island during our trip to Canada, and I have to say I really loved the vibe here! It was all very laid back with lots to see and do, like eating, shopping, and just people watching.

Sunday lunch buffet at Cafe Juanita

Would you believe it's my first time here at Cafe Juanita? Well, for one thing Kapitolyo is kinda far from where we live. Usually, we would only venture north to Quezon City or Pasig for special occasions haha! And this time, it was my tita's birthday.

Vancouver Vacation: Shopping at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet

If you love shopping (like me), then I'm sure you're always on the lookout for outlets when abroad. And when in Vancouver, you should definitely pay a visit to McArthurGlen Designer Outlet for good deals and discounts galore.

Our Candylicious Christmas Tree

I finally got our Christmas tree up! Ever since we moved in our house last 2011, our tree has had the same decor of gold and purple balls and flowers. I still like it, but then last year I saw these candy decors in SM that were so cute! I didn't buy them then, but then after Christmas I saw they were on SALE! So of course I ended up buying haha. ;p

Halloween in Singapore

Since we spent sem break in Singapore, I researched beforehand on Halloween events we could go to while we were there. This was the first time the kids wouldn't be able to go to the annual trick or treat in our village, so I still wanted them to experience Halloween even if we were in another country.

Sem break in Singapore (plus a lot of travel firsts!)

Gosh is it really November already?! Ang bilis grabe! Anyway if you're following me on Instagram (@mrsmommyholic), then you know I just got back from a family vacation in Singapore. We spent the entire sem break there which was 2 whole weeks!

A Pokémon Halloween!

Since I spent all that effort making my son's Ash Ketchum costume, I figured why not make it a Pokémon-themed Halloween na lang right? So say hello to Ash, Poké Ball, and Pikachu! :)

Vancouver Vacation: Grouse Mountain

Right after our visit to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, we headed to Grouse Mountain. As Vancouver's most visited four-season attraction, there's definitely lots of things to see and experience here.

Vancouver Vacation: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

DIY Ash Ketchum Pokemon Costume

Halloween is fast approaching and when I asked my son what he wanted to be this year, he firmly said: Ash Ketchum from Pokemon. He and his dad love playing Pokémon Go until now and I can't believe he practically knows all the names of the different Pokémons and their evolutions!

Vancouver Vacation: Once Upon A Time in Storybrooke

Have you seen the show Once Upon A Time? In the story, the Evil Queen banishes every fairy tale character we’ve ever known to the sleepy town of Storybrooke, Maine. But in reality, they film the show in Vancouver, Canada!

The importance of a bedtime routine from Johnson's Baby

Mothers all around the world share a similar challenge: getting their babies to sleep and stay sleeping. Studies indicate that 20-30 percent of babies experience sleep problems, including difficulty in falling asleep and sleeping through the night. This does not only cause problems for mothers, but also impacts the healthy development of their babies.

Vancouver Vacation: Steveston Fishing Village

One of the first places we visited in Canada was the quaint seaside village of Steveston. We saw a lot of beautiful homes, boutiques, and eateries all around.

Va Bene Pasta Deli in BGC

Had dinner with my friends about 2 weeks ago at Va Bene Pasta Deli in BGC. My BFF Pier was in town from Singapore and she was craving for some Italian food. She's half-Italian btw, so let's see if Va Bene passed her expectations. ;p

Vancouver Vacation: Shopping heaven at HomeSense

Shopping for home decor has got to be my favorite (next to clothes of course). And during our trip to Vancouver Canada, I stumbled upon a motherload of fabulous finds at HomeSense!

Specialty coffee at Bowen 24 Cafe

Did you know that coffee is the 3rd most consumed beverage in the world, after water and tea? That's why it's no surprise to see coffee shops left and right and in practically every corner. Well, here in the south, Bowen 24 Cafe recently opened last September 29, 2016 and they're here to serve specialty coffee that will make you rethink how coffee should really taste like!

DIY Balayage Highlights

Vancouver Vacation: Richmond Night Market 2016

Hubby and I went to Vancouver, Canada last month and we were able to check out the annual Richmond Night Market, which is the biggest night market in North America.

Mothers Who Brunch: Dining at Discovery Primea

One thing I love about the Mothers Who Brunch events are what else, the food of course! And last September 10, our group was treated to a tour of Discovery Primea Hotel including its in-house restaurants. Our first stop was FLAME, a modern European restaurant located on the 16th floor of the hotel. The newest creation under the partnership of General Manager David Pardo de Ayala and Executive Chef Luis Chikiamco, FLAME takes its name from the team’s burning passion and desire to create new experiences through food.

Mothers Who Brunch: Getting pampered at Discovery Primea

Last September 10, I was invited to another Mothers Who Brunch event in Discovery Primea. I love going to these events because I get to spend the day with fellow moms, as well as have some "me" time. We were first given a tour of the hotel, then shown the spa and salon where us ladies would experience a few hours of pampering.

The Terazi Spa, which is located at the 3rd floor of the hotel, offers many luxurious treatments which features a menu of traditional and natural healing therapies.

LEGO Certified Store opens in Alabang Town Center

The second LEGO Certified Store in the Philippines (the first branch is in BGC) opened last September 10, 2016 in Alabang Town Center. We were super excited to check it out because my kids love Lego of course!

Discovery Primea Hotel

My family loves staycations because it's more convenient than going on an out-of-town trip... but you still feel like you're on vacation! So when I was invited to a Mothers Who Brunch event in Discovery Primea, I was really excited since I would be able to tour the hotel and check out their rooms and facilities.

lobby

Tokyo Travel Diaries: Winter Illuminations

It's now the month of September and I'm sure you can already hear Christmas songs and see Christmas decors in malls! Anyway, if you're planning a trip to Japan for the holidays, you should definitely include seeing the Winter Illuminations in your itinerary. These usually start in November and last until January to mid February.

We went to Tokyo last year around the first week of December so we were able to catch a lot of displays. It was my first time to see light displays as extravagant as this, so it really took my breath away. Everything was just so magical and it felt so romantic, especially since I was experiencing it with the hubby (naks!). Anyway, I'll be listing the schedules last year so you can get an idea of when it starts and ends.

Hanamaruken Ramen in ATC

My son was craving for ramen one time we were at Alabang Town Center. Upon looking at the list of restaurants, we found one tucked away in the 2nd floor of the new wing. It was kinda surprising to find this place here since most of the stores on this level are for clothes, shoes, and sports stuff. And then suddenly, there's this ramen place in the middle of it all!

Tokyo Travel Diaries: Shibuya (plus our best meal in Tokyo)

We decided to explore Shibuya on our last night in Tokyo. Shibuya is one of Tokyo's most colorful and busy districts, packed with lots of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Of course, I was really excited to finally see the famous Shibuya Crossing in person!

Pico De Loro Beach & Country Club

During our stay at Pico De Loro, we rented a condo via Airbnb. As mentioned in my previous post, you will have to pay a separate club registration fee so you can have access to all the facilities in the resort. Since we went on a weekend, guest fee rate for adults was P1,200 per person (discounted for senior citizens), P400 for kids 4-12 years old, and free for 3 years old below. This is a one time payment for the entire duration of your stay. I believe if you go on a weekday (Monday to Thursday), guest fees are lower.

Renting a Pico De Loro condo via Airbnb

Finally, my family and I were able to go to Pico de Loro for the first time about a month ago. It was my mother-in-law who organized the trip since my brother-in-law and his family were visiting from the States.

Before, only Pico De Loro beach unit owners or Pico De Loro country club members were allowed to enjoy the facilities. But now, Pico De Loro is open to the public via the Pico Sands Hotel or by renting a condo. At first, we were thinking whether to stay at the hotel but since we were a lot, my mother-in-law just decided to rent 2 condo units through Airbnb.

Spatzle Euro Market Cafe at Shangri-la Mall

I found myself in Shangri-la Mall one weekend, and this was a treat since I'm rarely in this part of town. After checking out the vast choices of restaurants, hubby and I decided to have lunch at Spatzle Euro Market Cafe.

Tokyo Travel Diaries: Things To Do in Shinjuku

I just watched the closing ceremonies of the 2016 Rio Olympics, and got so excited when I found out the next summer games will be held in Tokyo, Japan! Hubby and I seriously fell in love with this city when we visited last year and can't wait to be back. Anyway, was reminiscing about our vacation and realized I still hadn't posted about some of the places we went to, including Shinjuku.

Cobi's Wagyu Burger 'N Steaks at BF Homes

Found another steak place around BF Homes, Paranaque when hubby and I were craving for some burgers one night. Cobi's Wagyu serves American Wagyu & Certified Angus Beef Steaks & Burgers at a budget friendly price.

Art In Island 3D Art Museum

I've already been to a 3D Art Museum in Korea about 2 years ago, which I enjoyed very much. My kids loved looking at all the silly pictures of their dad and me, so I jumped at the chance to visit Art In Island so they could experience it for themselves.

The Dessert Kitchen in Rockwell

I haven't been to Rockwell in quite some time, so I was happy to meet some friends there for merienda one afternoon. And where else to get dessert, but The Dessert Kitchen!

Divisoria Buys 2016

Since my brother-in-law and his family were here in the Philippines for a vacation, I knew I was finally gonna get a chance to go to Divisoria since it was part of their itinerary! Good thing my SIL was really excited about going so my poor hubby had no choice but to drive us there haha! ;p

Anyway, thank goodness for Waze since we were able to avoid most of the traffic. We left at about 7am on a Thursday and got there in about an hour. We parked at Lucky Chinatown mall which was really convenient since it's just a few steps away from 168 Mall. Only downside is that the rates are quite expensive at P50 for the first 4 hours, then P20 for every succeeding hour (if I remember correctly). We spent about P110 for parking.

DIY Linggo ng Wika costume

It's the month of August already and for school kids, that means Linggo ng Wika! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to buy a baro't saya or Maria Clara outfit for my daughter since there wasn't one available in the mall I went to. I had to leave for a trip soon and didn't have time anymore so I just had to improvise. :)

Our staycation at Acacia Hotel Alabang

We usually stay in Crimson Hotel when we're in the Alabang area, but this time we finally decided to have a staycation at Acacia Hotel.

DIY Rainbow Crayons

Do you have a lot of broken crayons which you end up just throwing away? Well, this easy craft can help you recycle those pieces in a snap!

Tokyo Travel Diaries: Souvenir shopping at Oriental Bazaar

Personally, I think the best place for you to buy souvenirs in Tokyo is the Oriental Bazaar in Harajuku. It's located along Omotesando St. and is just a few steps away from Kiddy Land which I also blogged about HERE.

Tokyo Travel Diaries: KIDDY LAND in Harajuku

I'm back to posting about our Tokyo vacation since I'm currently getting itchy feet again and wanting to travel! Anyway, if you have kids or just simply a kid at heart, a visit to KIDDY LAND in Japan is a must for you. :)

Giveaway: Win a $100 Gift Card From Sephora!

Find Out How and Where to Get Good Deals When Online Shopping and Win $100 Gift Card From Sephora

If you like online shopping like most of us do, well then let me share with you three valuable tips on how you can save and where to score the best deals.

3 valuable tips on how you can save when online shopping:

The cardinal rule in smart shopping is to avoid paying in retail. So my first tip is to hunt for coupons before making a purchase. Couponing is the best way to save when shopping either in-store or online, and luckily, there are now sites that are solely dedicated for coupons. There are actually quite a few sites but the best one out there is DEALSPOTR.

Dealspotr is the “Wikipedia of deals” with thousands of community members  posting and curating deals for 65,000 brands 24/7. In fact, it has 54% more working coupon codes than the other known coupon site, based on recent study.

(To know more about Dealspotr, you can visit and sign up HERE.)

Next tip is to stack coupons whenever possible. 

Some retailers, allow you to use multiple coupons per transaction so maximize your savings by entering the codes strategically. So for example you have a coupon code for a $10 off purchase and another for a 15 percent discount off — enter the 15 percent discount code first, then the $10 code so you’ll get 15 percent off the full price of the item, before the $10 discount. 

Lastly, avoid shipping fees. Most online stores offer free shipping if you spend a certain amount so take advantage of that. But in case you’re falling short of that minimum, search DEALSPOTR and more often than not, you’ll find a free shipping coupon on your favorite store. 

Now that you know these handy tips, Dealspotr together with moi, LipstickandChopsticks.com, RonnaBonifacio.com, Krissyfied.com, Tauyanm.com, and RochelleRivera.com want you to experience the “shopping high” so we’re giving away a $100 SEPHORA GIFT CARD to one lucky winner. 

To join, do all the mandatory steps on Rafflecopter (loading my take a while).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway will start today and ends on August 15, 2016.

The winners will be notified via email. Failure to respond to the email notification within 3 days will invalidate the win. Good luck everyone!