Vacuum bags

I've been looking for vacuum bags for the longest time now, and I finally chanced upon an online seller with some affordable products.

The company is called XPLORE and aside from vacuum compressed bags, they also sell stuff like foldable boots, luggage scale, perfume atomizer and other latest travel products.

I emailed them to inquire and got a reply very quickly. The 60x80cm vacuum bags (2pcs/set) were P199 and you get 20% discount if you get at least 4 sets. Free delivery too.

So I got 4 sets for a grand total of P637 (for 8 bags all in all) and they got delivered two days after I deposited the payment. Super fast and efficient service. :)

I've been wanting to store some of my out of season clothes plus those that don't fit me right now (since I'm preggy) as well as some of the kids' stuff, and it's been quite a challenge fitting them all inside orocan boxes. Plus, I've always wanted to use these when we travel to save space in our luggage.

Anyway, the vacuum bags are so easy to use. Just put all your clothes in and close the bag like you would a regular ziplock bag.

Open the valve and use a vacuum cleaner to suck the air out. You can also do it manually by compressing the bag by hand to push the air out.

Close the valve and you're all done! Instant space saver, plus I love how the stuff inside are protected since it's airtight and waterproof. :)

Anyway, for inquiries and orders, you can check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/xploreunli. Or call 09998193543 / 09178227787 / 6246249 or email xploreunli@gmail.com.

Home Decor and MORE from Zalora

While Zalora may be known more for being an online fashion store where you can get clothes, shoes and accessories, you may be surprised to know that they also carry a wide array of Home & Living products. So when I saw an email from Zalora asking me if I'd like to write about some of the stuff I like from their site, I didn't even need to think twice about it! I actually already have a mental checklist of some of my favorite items from repeatedly browsing their store. ;p

What I love about Zalora's Home & Living section is that they have a great assortment of brands and items ranging from storage, cooking & kitchen tools, bath, dining & entertaining, bed linens, rugs, and window treatments. They also have an impressive selection of pillows & throws, wall decor, lighting, candles & scents, and even pet accessories!

Anyway, here's my top picks from their site. I can't even begin to tell you how much I need these things in my life. Like NOW. ;p

THROW PILLOWS
If you're a regular reader of my blog, you know how much I love throw pillow covers since they're such an easy and inexpensive way to change the way your room looks. Here's some of the gorgeous and trendy pillow covers they have online. I'm in love with all the prints and patterns!

Keep Calm throw pillows from ARQ Curtains (P499.75)

Made from 100% polyester. Dimension: 16x16 inches

EMPIRE HOME 16x16 Throw Pillow Cases (P466.75)

Made of cotton canvas with invisible zipper opening. (does not include a filler)

THROW IN THE THROWPILLOWS Covers (P298)

Throwpillow Cover with one-color print; hand silkscreened using water based non-toxic paint and has a back zip closure. Material is Cotton Polyester Blend Canvass. Size 18"x18". 

PHOTO FRAMES
You know I can't resist a good picture frame when I see one. I really love these colorful ones which is just like what I used for my silhouette art.

SLIQUE Photo Frames (from P199)

4x6 / 5x7 / 8x10 photo frame set of 2. Made of plastic.

ORGANIZING
I'm currently obsessed with fixing my closet and putting everything in its rightful place. These organizers are just perfect for that.

AT HOME Scarf Organizer-ring (P299)

Features 12 rings that can hold and organize your scarves, belts, and other accessories. 

CHICTEES hanging pocket organizer (P499)

Features a 12-pocket jewelry organizer with hanger. Contrast piping. Foldable.

KIDS & STORAGE
I love how cute these would look in the kids' room!

3 SPROUTS Storage Bin (P1950)

A bin sporting kid-friendly animal motif. It’s made of 100% cotton canvas, with polyethylene coating on the inside, and measures 17.5" in height and 17" in diameter.

TETROPACK Photostools (P2200)

Has stable wood-based panels made from recycled wood fibers. The panels feature high resolution digital prints, finished and protected with UV-hardening lacquer. Maximum load is 150 kg.

ACCESSORIES
I love vintage looking pieces as well as anything floral so these items would look great in my bedroom or living room.

REGALONG PAMBAHAY Metal Planters (from P200-P350)

Made of square-tapered galvanized steel. It features a full decor of decoupage paper and acrylic paint.

Wastebasket Chinese Flowers from TETROPACK (P1700)

A trash bin that features Stable wood-based panels (MDF), furnished with high-resolution floral prints and protected by UV-hardening lacquer. Measures 41 cm (L) x 25.8 cm (W) x 25.8 cm (H). Made in Germany.

CLOCKS
I love bold pops of color around the house so these clocks would be the perfect way to add some life to any wall.

NEXTIME Wall Clocks

GIFT ITEMS

I'm a big fan of anything quirky and Zalora has quite the collection of novelty items, travel accessories, planners and stationery. Here's some that I would love to give and receive as gifts.

Mr. Pepper & Mrs. Salt from QUIRKS NOVELTIES & CURIOSITIES (P695)

Available in green and red. 100% recyclable. Measures 4 (D) x 8.8cm (H). Imported from Thailand.

Famous Faces Travel Wallet/Card Holder (P200)

10.5 x 7 cm (folded size). 2 internal pockets for cards. Made of vinyl.

AUDREY-FLIP NOTE by Wellspring (P450)

A flip open notepad that comes with a pen. Made of metal. These are great for notes on-the-go as they fit snugly inside pockets, purses or briefcases. Each pad measures 4 3/8" height x 2 3/4" width. 

Anyway, what's also great about Zalora is the Cash on Delivery (COD) payment option they have for major cities in the Philippines. I for one prefer this, since you don't have to worry about giving your credit card details or even lose sleep over whether your items will get delivered or not after you've paid. Plus, they also offer FREE shipping for orders P1,000 and up (if you order less than P1,000 you’ll be charged a flat shipping fee of P100 for delivery to Luzon and P150 for delivery to Mindanao and the Visayas). And don't forget about the P250 introductory gift voucher when you sign up for the first time. So whether your looking for that perfect accessory to complete your outfit or your home, there are really so many reasons to start shopping at Zalora. ;p

Early Christmas presents

My in-laws finally came home from their US vacation a few weeks ago. And while we, especially the kids, missed them so much, this also meant one thing... PASALUBONG for everyone! ;p

I felt like a giddy kid waking up on Christmas morning all set to open Christmas presents. But this time, I was eagerly awaiting the opening of the balikbayan boxes haha! Although I already knew the stuff I was going to get since I had already searched for these online and even ordered some of it myself. ;p

First up were these fabric cube bins from Target. They come in many colors but I just got the beige ones to blend in with our white shelf (which I got from S&R). They're just perfect for holding stray toys and books in the kids' room.

from Target

now it looks more organized!

stuffed toys in one of the drawers

plus a bonus OWL drawer too, which the kids love wearing on their head!

My daughter Miley is super addicted to Bubble Guppies so I really searched online if they had any toys available in the States. I found these at Amazon.com and I'm so happy they were able to buy all 3 characters! My mother-in-law emailed a picture of the toys when they got it and Miley was so excited already. I even asked her the day before her Mama and Lolo came home: "Miley, are you excited? Mama will be here tomorrow!" And you know what she said: "Then I'll have my Bubble Guppies!" (talagang un ang priority? haha!)

from Amazon.com

And finally, what I was most excited about! If you read my post about my favorite online shop, you know how crazy I am over Urban Outfitters' home stuff! I regularly browse their Apartment Section, especially the SALE items, and these were the things I ended up getting:

from Urban Outfitters

from Urban Outfitters

I wanted to get more bedding stuff but I decided to wait and check the quality first. But it's REALLY GOOD! I totally love the prints and the colors are so vibrant in real life. I am definitely buying more in the future when I have relatives going to the States again so they can bring it home for me.

I also bought this cardboard deer head for Sabe's room. Can't wait to assemble and put it up!

from Urban Outfitters

We also had other pasalubongs like clothes, shoes, and of course sooooo much stuff for the kids! It definitely felt like Christmas in our house! I was telling hubby maybe the kids shouldn't get all the toys at once since they'll be so overwhelmed. But of course, their grandparents were so excited to pamper the little ones after being away for so long. As for me, I'm super happy with my new goodies. Oh, and the best part? That "amoy PX" smell! I could spend all day sniffing our new stuff, feeling ko galing na din akong States hahaha! ;p

Crazy over storage! (Howards Storage World vs. Daiso Japan Store)

I'm a self-confessed shopaholic. I realized though that the things I go gaga over usually depend on what stage in my life I’m on. I’ve been crazy over clothes ever since, but it skyrocketed when I first started college and finally stopped wearing a uniform. When I started working and had to wear corporate attire, it was an excuse for me to restock my closet with slacks, skirts, collared blouses, and of course, new shoes and bags (hey, I NEEDED them)! When I moved to a new job in an advertising agency where the dress code was pretty much express yourself, I felt that it was unforgivable to wear the same thing twice (yes, with a new job comes a new wardrobe) . When I got pregnant with Miley, I got obsessed with anything baby! It was no surprise that the day before I went into labor, I was at Mothercare during my lunch break, buying stuff for Miley (they were on SALE!).

Of course, when we bought our house, I went crazy thinking about how to decorate our home. Since we just stayed with my mom before, all we owned was whatever was in our room. Everything else, we had to buy (yipeeee!) I’ll do a separate post on my interior decorating adventures, but for now let me tell you about what I am currently obsessed with – STORAGE!

I first read about Howards Storage World in Real Living magazine (my bible on decorating). I decided to check out their website and my heart started racing when I saw their online catalogue. They had everything you could ever need to keep your home organized and clutter free. I made a list of what I wanted and pretty much gave up halfway through, it was easier to make a list of what I DIDN’T want!