Bazaar Hopping & Christmas Shopping

Last weekend was a busy one for me since I decided to check out some of the bazaars that were happening around the metro.I took my mom and sister with me since I'm pretty sure hubby wouldn't have appreciated the heat and the cramped rows of stalls filled with eager shoppers like me.

First stop was the St. James Bazaar in Alabang. I've been to this bazaar once before and I remember it was really hard to find parking and it was hot! Well, seems like nothing has changed. Since it's held inside a village, the houses near the venue naturally wouldn't allow people to park in front of their houses. It was a good thing we went quite early so we were still able to find a spot in one of the empty lots which was for concessionaires hehe! But we did ask if it was ok to park there and the guard said yes. =)

There were definitely lots of good finds here and I really enjoyed going through each of the stalls, especially the food items which offered free tastes! But after a while, I was sweating so much since it was quite hot! But hey, since this bazaar had no entrance fee, who am I to complain? =)

We also decided to check out the NOEL Bazaar and the Supersale Bazaar, which was both held at the World Trade Center on the same weekend.

I really just wanted to look around for Christmas gifts but me and my sister ended up getting matching cover-ups and bracelets from the Supersale Bazaar. =)

Here's our "sister shopping day" photos from Instagram! =)

Anyway, there are still so many bazaars and sales happening this month! Check out my post HERE for a compiled list. Happy shopping! =)

Tagaytay Trip

We went to Tagaytay last week with the kids so that we could all enjoy some quality time and feel the cool breeze. Thankfully, we were blessed with perfect weather, sunny and windy all at the same time. It was chilly which meant the kids could run around outside under the sun and not get sweaty yey! We had lunch first at Antonio's Grill where we had some really good Filipino food. To be honest, I'm not such a fan of Filipino cuisine but this was really yummy! I seriously enjoyed every bite. =)

Sabe wore his new hat the whole time while here's Miley doing her "model" pose while waiting for our food

fried chicken, liempo. bulalo, crispy pata

After, we headed to Taal Vista Hotel for some dessert and so that the kids could play in the garden. I love how the whole place was decked out in Christmas decors, you could definitely feel the festive vibe. And of course, there's that lovely view of the Taal Lake with the volcano in the middle.

Our usual order, Halo-Halo for Mama and Miley and the Volcano Eruption (Taal Vista's signature dessert) for me and hubby. I swear, this is one of the best desserts ever, I wanna go back to Tagaytay just to have this again! The mix of the hot chocolate with the cold vanilla ice cream is just heavenly and sinful all at the same time. ;p

Can I just share, Miley has this habit of removing her socks and shoes whenever she enters our house or a room. I guess she picked it up from me and her dad since we don't allow shoes (especially coming from the outside) inside the bedrooms. Now, she does this all the time, even putting her socks inside her shoes then putting them away (aww so cute!). So it was so funny when the moment we settled into our seat, she immediately proceeds to remove her socks and shoes and then running on the rug! Feeling at home?! ;p She did agree to wear her shoes again after having dessert though (thank goodness!).

Here's Sabe enjoying his fashyown outfit! It was also so funny since he's been constipated these past few days and what do you know, he poops twice while we were at Taal Vista! Sorry TMI haha! ;p

The kids had sooooo much fun playing in the garden. And like I said, the weather was just perfect. I took so many pictures that day since we were all just having a super great time! These are some of my favorite shots of the kids. Priceless!

Here's the kids "sliding" down the grass... Sabe was the one who started it, with his Ate following suit. ;p

And here's the kids picking flowers...

Sabe was having so much fun, he didn't want to be bothered to have a picture taken by the volcano. The moment he broke free, he ran right back to where we were playing! Come back here little rascal! =)

I just feel so blessed to be able to experience and share moments like these with my family. Makes me appreciate the beauty of nature too. Definitely planning more of these little outings soon. =)

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

Patterned Silhouette Art

One of my most popular posts is the DIY Silhouette Art and I get so many compliments on the actual thing when people visit my home.

I saw this tutorial on using clashing patterns which is another great way to showcase your silhouettes. You'll just need to trace the outline of your image then paste them on top of different printed paper (gift wrappers are perfect!).

View the entire tutorial HERE via Project Nursery!

New bathroom wallart

If you read my blog regularly, you know that 1) I love buying picture frames then displaying them on wall galleries and 2) my hubby absolutely hates it! Well, he actually hates the drilling part most.

I've actually been using double-sided tape to mount some frames but there are other surfaces where it won't stick as well. So after months and months of broken promises, I finally got hubby to get to work! And here's the result! =)

Here's the new art for Miley's bathroom:

And here's the one for Sabe's bathroom:

all frames from SM; all art from Etsy.com

Here's hubby hard at work with me cheering (or more like annoying) him on... Go, go go! You can do it! ;p

see how HAPPY he looks? =)

ok fine, mahirap na mag-drill!

And after 10 years, this towel rack is finally on the wall too! Yahoooo! =)

As a reward for all of hubby's hard work, I allowed him to play NBA on his Playstation... without me or the kids disturbing him for one afternoon. Haha! Well, it was worth it! =)

List of December & Christmas Bazaars 2012

I've compiled a list of some of the sales and bazaars this month since I'm sure everyone is in full Christmas shopping mode already. Or maybe others would want to join these bazaars as concessionaires. Anyway, enjoy!

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Supersale Bazaar. On December 1-5, 10AM to 9PM at the World Trade Center. For more details, visit www.facebook.com/supersalebazaar.

St. James Christmas Bazaar. It is the biggest in the South of Manila with more than 500 concessionaires. On December 1-2, 9AM to 9PM at the Cuenca Community Center, Ayala Alabang Village. Free Entrance.

Rockwell's Moonlit Bazaar. Shop from 12 noon till 12 midnight at the Rockwell Tent on December 1-2 & December 7-9 for clothes, accessories, snacks and gift items. For more information, call 898-1702.

Noel Bazaar 2012. On December 1-2 at the World Trade Center & on December 14-23 at the PICC Forum Tent. For more details, call 687-0654 or 687-0604.

The Grand Holiday Bazaar on December 1, 2, 14, 15, 16, 22, 23, 10AM to 9PM at the BF Homes Subd. Holy Spirit QC Clubhouse (Covered Court).

Karpos Shopping Fair. This Pre-Christmas bazaar will be showcasing unique and innovative non-food products from aspiring and established businesses and entrepreneurs on December 1-2 at the Mercato Centrale, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. For inquiries, email: hello@karposmultimedia.com.

Grand Festival Sale. Enjoy discounts of up to 70% on great selections at the most irresistible sale in the South on December 1-2 at the Festival Supermall, Filinvest Alabang.

Fashion Outlet Sale. December 1-2 at Megatrade Hall in Megamall and December 7-9 at SMX Convention Center in the Mall of Asia Complex. For inquiries, call Alphonse Estacio at 556-2971, 0917-5578706 or email: adestacio.smxedg@gmail.com and eventdevt@smxcc.com.ph.

American Women's Club of the Philippines Bazaar. With more than 300 vendors from all over the Philippines, and, in fact, all over the world. You'll find everything from clothes and bedding to furniture to jewelry to one-of-a-kind handicrafts and delicious packaged and ready-to-eat food. It's one-stop shopping at its very best. On December 3, 8:30AM to 2:30PM at the World Trade Center.

Christkindlmarket. For the first time in Asia, experience a European Christmas Celebration on ice. From December 3-9, 10AM to 10PM, the SM Mall of Asia Ice Skating Rink will be transformed into a Christmas village to replicate the original event. For general inquiries, email info@christkindlmarket.com.ph or call 845-1324 loc. 248.

Shop @ The Fort Bazaar. On December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, from 10AM to 7PM at the NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Toy Kingdom's Great Holiday Toy Sale. Block your calendars for the SMX Leg of the Great Holiday Toy Sale, Dec 7-9, SMX Hall 4! Enjoy up to 70% off your favorite branded toys.

12th World Bazaar Festival. The year’s longest and grandest Christmas charity bazaar is back from December 7-23, at the World Trade Center. Drop in from Mon to Thurs at 12nn - 10pm and Fri to Sun at 10am - 12mn. For more details, visit www.facebook.com/wsifanpage.

Emporia Christmas Bazaar. Take advantage of wild shopping sprees this Christmas season by joining the most anticipated Christmas bazaar this year happening on December 8-9 at Glorietta 3 Park. Call Daryl Ibasco at 0917-8095391 or Austin Blanch at 0917-7930007 for more details.

The Vintage Market 2 Goes to Greenmeadows: A Christmas Bazaar. Over 100 stalls to choose from! Now on its 2nd year, The Vintage Market has designated sections for Brand New & Pre-loved clothing, accessories, bags, toys, home decor, collector's items, antiques, gift items and many more on December 8-9, from 10AM to 7PM at Greenmeadows Subdivision. For more details, call 0917-8261810, 0917-8278928, 0947-6288700, 0922-8924918 or email: cadconcepts2@gmail. com.

Woodrose Family Bazaar. You are sure to find great bargains on December 8-9, from 9AM to 7PM at the Cuenca Community Center, Ayala Alabang Village. For more details, contact the Alumnae Affairs Office at 850-6380 loc.128 or email: woodrose.bazaar@gmail.com.

The Kiddo-Preneur Christmas Bazaar. Calling all kinds of ages 4-17! The Kiddo-Preneur Bazaar is a place where kids are the sellers. Through the process of creating a business and selling their own goods/services, the kids get to feel first hand, what it's like to be an entrepreneur, even if only for a day. On December 9, 11AM to 6PM, at Alphaland Southgate Mall. For more details, call 0917-5800216 or email: kiddopreneur@gmail.com.

9 Days of Christmas. Enjoy shopping through the variety of products from clothes, make-up and perfumes, toys, kids apparels, and gift ideas! A larger variety of food and beverage will also be available. On December 12-14 & December 19-21 at Filipinas Heritage Library.

Holiday Urban Bazaar. The First ever “Holiday Urban Bazaar” or “The H.U.B.” at B-Side (The Collective Courtyard) Makati City this coming December 15 (Saturday) from 1PM to 8PM. Entrance Fee: P40. For more details, call 0927-8469854 or 0915-2916374.

8th Santa's Gift Bazaar. This event is the 8th follow-up to the past year’s successful event attended by more than 1500 people with more than 100 vendors participating. On December 15-16 at the Quezon City Sports Club.

MrsMommyHolic is now 1 year old!

Happy 1st Anniversary to me and my blog! Wow, time really does fly. It only seems like yesterday when I decided to start this blog and publish my very first post.

A year ago, I knew that I wanted to write about my kids and my experiences as a mom/housewife so that I could have something to look back on. I didn't know if anyone would read my posts, but I was okay with that since I figured this blog was basically going to serve as my virtual diary. But then I started getting comments and emails from actual readers who had nothing but super nice things to say. Please know that you have done nothing but motivate and inspire me to love being a blogger mom more and more each day.

I want to take this time to thank everyone who has read my blog (and continues to do so I hope), especially those who have left encouraging and positive comments from time to time. Since it is almost the end of 2012, I hope and pray that my blog will continue to grow and improve this coming year. And I hope that you, my fabulous readers, will continue to support me as I write about more of my experiences, travel, home decorating, DIY projects and many many more! Cheers!