Halloween 2019: Frontyard Decor

September 17, 2020. I was feeling bored as usual so I walked to Dollarama after bringing Nathan to the school bus stop. My agenda really was to buy a couple of cheap decors kasi nae-excite na talaga ako sa Halloween. Imagine, one and a half-months to go na lang pala. Nakita ko rin kasi na may decor na yung isang neighbor namin kaya medyo nainggit ako haha.

I ended up buying "pumpkins" (or Jack-o'-lanterns) so I can stick to my Halloween "pumpkin patch" theme last year. Ayaw kasi namin ni Nathan ng scary decors, yung mga cute lang dapat.

By the way, Dollarama has tons of Halloween stuff kaso dapat medyo ingat lang kasi mapapagastos ka rin talaga. Items range from $1.25 to $4.00 and before you knew it, napasubo ka na lol.

I plan to buy ng paunti-unti kasi nakaka-guilty rin mag-splurge sa mga "nonsense" stuff ngayong panahon ng pandemic. Kaso naman, kailangan ko rin ng spice sa life ko. And Halloween really makes me happy. Saka sa dollar store nga lang ako namimili eh. Kung may budget lang ba ako talaga, magfu-fullblast ako at sa Homesense mamimili.

Oh well, sige na, let me show you our simple Halloween set-up last year. Minimalist lang ang peg ha. Last minute ko na rin kasi nilagay, October 28 na. Ulan kasi ng ulan that time at noon lang tumila (we were lucky to have a 'dry' trick-or-treating, sana this year din). Ayaw ko rin kasing masira ang decors ko kasi I plan to reuse them sa mga susunod na taon. Sayang naman kasi.

The pumpkin patch theme was inspired by our first ever pumpkin patch experience on October 12, 2019. Parang ang cute kasi ng idea ng "farm"for our frontyard.

It was our first Halloween here in Roundhouse and my first time to decorate a house for Halloween. Naaliw ako nang sobra! I had very few decors (kasi nga noon lang uli kami nagkabahay) kasi nga ang mahal din kapag namili ng isang bagsakan pero naisip ko that I'll add up na lang every year.

Here are some shots on the actual Halloween.

By the way, the three pumpkins on the left were from the Richmond Country Farms (where we went to). The small one in front was from Nathan's field trip at Taves Apple Farm. The decorated one was bought at a grocery store. Since we don't know how to carve, nilagyan na lang namin ng mga stick-ons from Dollarama.

View from the inside.

I am actually faced with a dilemma this year. You see, our house is facing the highway. Hence, it is not strategic for trick-or-treaters. Hindi rin kasi gaanong dinadaanan ang harapan namin. Our neighbors gave candies in their respective garages (para facing the inside of the complex) kaya wala ring naging silbi ang decors ko (except for a few minutes of enjoyment for us) kasi nga wala namang nakakita. 

So ang tanong, shall I decorate the frontyard this year o not? Sa garage side/driveway na lang ba ako mag-aayos on October 31? We have a narrow driveway kasi at dinadaanan siya ng car kaya hindi pwedeng ayusin in advance. 

Oh well, let's see. Kahit ano pa man yan, may pandemic man, basta I'll surely enjoy this year's Halloween. Kailangan ko yan para maaliw naman.

Hello Kitty at 88-Peso Stores

I went to Trinoma last May 5, 2019 to meet with my girl friends. I intentionally came early for two reasons: (1) I commuted lang so kailangan umalis ako ng maaga pa para hindi pa masyadong mainit, and (2) I wanted window shop and visit my favorite stores na wala sa SM Marilao (lol). First time ko kasing lumuwas noon sa Manila simula nang dumating ako noong April 9, would you believe?

On top of my list ng stores na gusto kong puntahan ay ang dalawang 88-peso stores syempre:

Japan Home. Oh how I wish mayroong Japan Home sa Canada!

Their branch in Trinoma is not that big. I wonder kung saan kaya yung talagang malaki at nang madayo ko.

I was surprised na ang dami-dami na nilang hello kitty items! Sobra-sobrang pagpipigil ang ginawa ko kasi nga maliit lang naman ang bahay namin at wala akong paglalagyan sa kanila. Sinabi ko talaga sa sarili ko na ang mga bibilhin ko lang sa Pinas ay yung talagang magagamit ko.

Saka syempre, budget na rin. Pahamak kasi ang mga stores na ganito. Akala mo mura lang pero kapag medyo napadami ka ng dampot eh wasak din ang wallet mo. Php88 x 5 items = Php440 na rin!

Pero pag-iisipan ko pa rin kung bibili ako ng ilang kitchen items para maaliw naman ako sa pagluluto lol.

Daiso. Ahhhh, Daiso! You never fail to thrill me! Medyo pangit lang ang location mo sa Trinoma (nasa loob ng True Value) kaya hindi ka masyadong napapasok ng tao.

I was shocked na may isa na rin silang wall dedicated to Hello Kitty. I mean, may mga kitty na dati sa Daiso pero hindi ganito kadami. Sana may ganito rin sa Daiso Canada waaaah!

Ito yung cosmetics line nila na nakikita ko dati pa sa mga vlogs.

Hmm, pagi-isipan ko kung bibili ako later on ng kahit isang piraso lang. Try ko rin pumunta sa mas malaking branch ng Daiso.

I was such a good girl. Isa lang ang nabili ko. I am very happy kasi magagamit ko talaga ito! I got this for Php188.

I love love love Hello Kitty! I am almost 40 pero talagang gusto ko pa rin siya hehe. I'll do a haul later of all the Hello Kitty stuff na mabibili ko this Pinas vacation ko. =)

#CessieShops: Disney Summer Tote Bag

I chanced upon this nice super nice summer tote bag at the Disney Store last night. I was instantly drawn to its colors. I love the color pink. Bagay din pala si Mickey Mouse sa kulay pink.

Hindi mura ang mga tinda sa Disney Store so I had no intention of buying it. Pero teka, I saw a "special label" (at the shelf where it was displayed) that states $5.99. I wasn't really sure if it pertains to the tote bag, pero katapat talaga eh. Sumimple ako sa harap para sipatin. Ang ganda talaga ng bag, pero ang tag price ay CAD31.95. Hmm, so baka hindi nga siya $5.99 na lang.

But to satisfy my curiosity, I inquired from the sales clerk na rin. And voila, $5.99 nga raw talaga! I then asked if I had to buy something from the store to be able to avail it at that very much discounted price. Hindi raw. I excitedly said: "Ok, I'll take one!"

The bag is much prettier (and sosyal) in actual

What I really like here in North America is that pag nagdiscount sila, discount talaga. Sa Pinas kasi 10 o 20 percent off lang karaniwan. Bihira yung ganito na halos ipamigay na lang. Imagine, I was able to score this tote for merely 18% of the original price. Sobrang good deal talaga!

Oops by the way, I paid a total of CAD6.70 pala. Syempre may additional 12% tax pa (na kinasasamaan pa rin ng loob ko kasi 5% lang sa Alberta).

I am just hoping na may mapaggamitan ako nito. Haha, hoarder lang kasi ako. Cheap thrills ang hanap ko. Pero sabi nga ng asawa ko, sa dami ng pinagbibili ko na mura, madaming pera rin ang katumbas pag sinuma. Eeek, guilty.

The cashier gave me pa a coupon that I could use until this weekend. Hala, my coupon-addicted self is itching to use it. Patay na naman si Coblancs.

Miniso Gift for Tita Dap

I was supposed to give Tita Dap (hubby's cousin) a bar of expensive Royce Chocolates for her birthday. I couldn't think of anything to give her eh. It's hard when you are in the Philippines, branded stuff are so expensive. Hindi ka talaga makakabili kasi maiisip mo na "mura" lang yun sa Canada kapag naka-sale (haha!). Plus she pretty has everything na. She always goes to the US and that's where she shops.

But then the night before me met, I suddenly had this idea of just buying kung anik-anik for her from Miniso. I was so sure that she hasn't been to any branch of Miniso yet. Kasi wala pa usually na branches ang Miniso sa mga high end malls. Yung branch nila sa Makati eh kakabukas lang yata.

So anyway, eto ang nabili ng Php500 ko. Ooops, I know small amount lang, pero ang habol ko lang naman talaga na ibigay ay "token." Again, she already has 'everything' na lol.

Head Pillow with strap at the back -- Php149

Hand Towel -- Php149

Back Massager -- Php99

Butterfly Headband -- Php99

Ayan, me sukli pang 4 pesos ang limang daan ko. I honestly believe that what I bought is better (and cheaper) than Royce!

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Sakto, while we were having lunch last yesterday, the birthday girl asked me about the "store" (Miniso) that I posted in IG a couple of weeks ago. Cluless talaga siya kung ano at saan yun. That's when I asked her to open our gift. Ayun, aliw na aliw siya sa contents haha.

Miniso is a great place to score nice and cute items at affordable prices. Kaso dahil they are gaining popularity so fast, hindi na rin ito ok na pang-regalo eventually kasi nga malalaman na ng pagbibigyan mo kung saan ka bumili at kung magkano lol.

Lucky Me Baked Mac in Edmonton!

I am a self-confessed 'instant noodles' addict. I know it's not healthy but now that I am living here in Edmonton, mas grumabe. Cheapest and easiest to prepare na hot merienda kasi.

Anyway, I've long been craving for Lucky Me Baked Mac. It's one of my favorites in Pinas (super sarap naman kasi talaga) kaya talagang malungkot na wala nito sa Edmonton. Nalibot ko na ang mga Filipino/Asian stores dito sa Edmonton, wala talaga.

Until recently.

We were in the South area two weeks ago and I asked Ford to drop me off at 3J Variety Store because I wanted to buy a bottle of efficascent oil. I knew na meron sila because whenever I am on a store, I mentally check on all their products para alam ko kung saan bibili just in case mangailangan ako.

I told Ford (who was left in the car with Nathan) I'll only buy the efficascent oil but of course I couldn't leave the store without checking on all the shelves first. Baka may bagong product eh. And lucky me, I my eyes spotted the shiny yellow pack of Mac & Cheez! Naisip ko agad, kung may Mac & Cheez, may Baked Mac tiyak! And yebaaah, meron nga!

Grabe, I was so happy! Sabi ko sa cashier na palagi sana silang magtinda nito haha!

I only bought 8 packs (at $0.80) because I am already going back to Pinas for a long vacation. Pero kung hindi, iho-hoard ko talaga. That's what I learned here eh, kapag may gusto kang Filipino grocery item, bumili ka na ng medyo marami kasi baka kapag kailangan mo ay walang available (malamang wala pang shipment) or kailanganin mo pang mag-ikot sa mga Filipino stores para makahanap.

Hay, it felt like heaven when I tasted that familiar instant baked mac again (although napansin ko na nag-iba na ang shape ng noodles). Ang huling kain ko pa nito ay last year, when Ford went home to the Philippines for the burial of his grandmother. I was pregnant then and I asked my mother to send me ten packs. Ten packs lang dahil masama nga ang mga ganitong pagkain sa buntis. I regretted it so badly, really. I should have requested for 100 packs!

As I have said in this post, I am happy whenever a new Filipino product becomes available here in Edmonton because it gives me hope. Who knows, baka Purefoods sizzling sisig naman next time o Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs (sana i-allow na ng Canada na makapasok ang mga canned meat products natin dito)! #asapa

Guess List Card

I bought a purse from Guess last Sunday and the cashier asked me if I have a Guess card. I said no and I queried on how I can get one. She said she could sign me up. After a few mins, voila! I have my new Guess List Card.

Haha, excuse my kababawan. But I really love getting store cards. Aside from the points, syempre panlagay sa wallet haha!

I miss all my cards in the Philippines. Lahat yata ng cards noon meron ako, sobrang bulging tuloy ang wallet ko.

Seriously, each new card that I get here in Canada means that little by little, nai-incorporate na talaga sa akin ang buhay dito. Iba na talaga ang buhay ko -- hindi na SM Advantage Card, Air Miles na.

It's been one year and four months since I moved here. Ambilis talaga ng araw. My son and I are going 'home' in Pinas in June or July. Excited na ako. We'll be staying there for four to five months. Sana magamit ko pa uli yung mga cards na naiwan ko. Not for the points or freebies, gusto ko lang din kasi ang idea na may babalikan pa ako. =)

Nathan @ 2 Months

Thirteen is my new favorite number. And I am so excited to welcome the 13th day of every month because that means another 'birthday' celebration for Nathan!

January 13, 2015. As usual, it was just another party for three. But I told Mylene and Cecil that we'll invite them some time in summer for Nathan's monthly birthday. We just couldn't do that now because it's winter and our house is a big mess. I am also still recovering (yeah, I am taking it soooo slow) and I can't host a party yet.

My two-month old looks so big na on this picture noh? I myself was shocked! It's only been two months but he doesn't look that baby anymore! In fact, he already wore the Baby Mickey shirt which we thought he would wear this summer pa or when we go home in Pinas. It was his first time to wear a t-shirt and he looked so cute!

Anyway, what excites me the most about this day was the cake of course! I think I did pretty well on his first month cake so I have to live with the expectations haha!

But since Ford and I aren't really into eating cakes (in fact, ni hindi nga namin natikman yung first cake), I thought of buying just a slice. Sa Safeway kami nakabili for only $3.

I wasn't able to find a nice cake topper so I just asked Ford to have Nathan's picture printed in their office. I posted it on a card board para matigas saka ko itinusok sa cake. The result is this:

Simple yet 'personalized.' I want my son to know later on that in my own little ways, I tried to make things special for him.

This is the close-up look pala of the picture on the cake. My son's so adorable! #biasedmom

Since Nathan's second month fell on a Tuesday (and we just had buffet dinner the day before for our 3rd wedding anniversary), I just asked Ford to buy pancit palabok and crispy pata at Manila Grill Express. Nagustuhan kasi namin yun the last time we went there. The pork giniling was cooked by yours truly.

Almost all of our plates are Corelle and I've grown tired of them. I wanted something colorful plating for my baby's handa but expensive dinner wares are not on the budget yet. Thankfully, I found some cheap stoneware plates and bowls and glasses at Dollar Tree! Ayan, pati sa table setting ay excited na rin ako!

More than the superficiality of celebrating a monthly birthday, Ford and I are really grateful that our son is growing well. Health wise, we never had any major 'concern' for him. He seems happy and healthy.

I noticed that he started smiling a lot and 'interacting' with us when he was just five weeks old (December 23 to be exact, thanks to my hobby of taking pictures and documenting Nathan's every move!). We were impressed. Physically, he's quite a big boy with nice flawless skin, chubby body, and adorable little face. A lot of people were telling us that he doesn't look like two months only. He can even hold his head steady na. We are very very proud of him!

Thank you for being such a good boy, anak! Keep it up! We are so looking forward to your 3rd month birthday! We love you!

Hello Kitty Happy Meal

I was at West Edmonton Mall for almost the whole day last Friday (November 7). I went on my 10th weekly ultrasound at 10am and I asked the husband not to pick me up anymore during his lunch time. I wanted to walk and walk (my cervix is still closed) and do a bit of shopping hihi.

I had my lunch at T&T (as usual), shopped a little, and read a book while resting. At around 3:45pm, while lounging on the mall's couch, I saw a little girl carrying a McDonald's Happy Meal box. The box has a hello kitty print on it.

Sabi ko na nga ba, hello kitty ang toy ng happy meal ngayon eh! Parang may nakita kasi ako sa Facebook na ganito, I just wasn't sure kung available ba dito sa Canada.

My heart palpitated, I am always like this whenever there's a hello kitty happy meal on the market. You see, I was (still am) a hello kitty addict. I have one room in our Philippine home that's filled with kitty (no kidding!).  There's really something about this sweet feline that makes me giddy.

And so I went to the foodcourt where there's a McDonald's to verify if they indeed have a hello kitty happy meal.

Upon confirming that they do, I had a three-minute self-deliberation:

     Bibili ba ako? Haler, bawal sa akin ang fast food kasi may gestational diabetes ako.
     Eh sayang naman, yan lang ang hello kitty souvenir mo para sa 40th birthday ni hello kitty.

I haven't eaten fast food since I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes so I was really hesitant. In the end, my love for hello kitty prevailed.

     Sige na nga, minsan lang naman. Hindi ko na lang uubusin ang fries, saka maliit lang naman ang cup ng orange juice. 

After paying $4.50 (tax included), or approximately Php180.00, I was one big happy girl carrying this!

The big cup was just water.

It was my first time to buy a happy meal here and I didn't know "how." Basically, you have to choose an entree pala (and that would determine the price), then the side, then the drink. Unlike in the Philippines, ginawa nilang "healthier" ang options dito, ni hindi nga rin pwede ang softdrinks (or pop as what they call it here).

I was also happy that they put everything on this box. Namimiss ko ito eh. Sa Pilipinas kasi madalas wala ng box, naka-paper bag na lang.

The complete meal -- 4 pieces chicken nuggets, small fries (I only ate a few), small orange juice, strawberry yogurt (na hindi ko din kinain kasi ayaw ko nun)...

And the toy!

Too bad I wasn't able to choose the toy. Maliit lang kasi ang McDonald's sa foodcourt at maraming tao, nagmamadali ang mga crew. They just asked me kung for boy or girl ang toy and that's it. Wala rin silang display o poster man lang ng happy meal toys.

Buti na lang I got the one with a cake. Here's the complete set pala:

Picture taken from the internet (credits to the owner)

There are eight designs. Tsk, if only I can buy them all, just like what I always do in Pinas. Kaso ang mahal din kasi, saka hindi ko na siya priority.

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I remember, whenever I learn that hello kitty is featured on the happy meal, my Mamoosh and I would rush to McDonald's Bocaue or SM Marilao and we would buy all the designs at once! Haha, those were the days!

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Happy meals do doubt will become part of my life here in Edmonton as I will soon have a child. Kaya lang boy kasi sya, magkaiba kami ng preference sa toys haha!

Target's Spot the One -- Always Empty!

When Ford was still working in the US, he would always get me cheap hello kitty items from Target's Spot the One (or dollar spot) bins. I was very thrilled -- imagine getting quality kawaii stuff for just a dollar (or sometimes $2 or $3).

It was only last year when Target opened its first stores in Canada but I've read that it already lost nearly US$1Billion since then. I am not surprised. Why, their shelves are always empty!

And look at their dollar bins...

So disappointing!

I am a stationery addict and I always browse pictures of stationery items (in Instagram; #targetdollarspot) that were bought at Target Spot the One in USA. I am jealous! So much variety really, and always well-stocked!

Going to dollar stores is my guilty pleasure. I am not working and I don't have that much disposable money for expensive unnecessary stuff so it's only on dollar-dollar items that I indulge whenever I feel the itch to buy (which is almost always!). Target could have been an additional comfort place for me had its dollar bins carry more stuff. I hope they shape up soon!

All for Chicklet now!

Ford is such a good dad. When he sold his old tires last Friday, his first reaction upon receiving the "extra" cash was: "Kailangan may mabili ako para kay Chicklet!"

Haha, dati-rati lahat para sa akin! Ngayon kay Chicklet na. $10 na lang daw ang balato niya sa akin kaloka!

Last Saturday (Sept 13), we went to South Edmonton Common to finally buy that "something-for-Chicklet." We agreed on buying some Gap clothes for the baby. We were even aiming to buy Chicklet's first ever Christmas outfit na. Pero nabigo kami, wala kaming nakitang maganda. We were just able to buy one Gap Baby Blanket.

The distressed Dad was not happy. He has to spend his money daw for Chicklet talaga. Then we saw the OshKosh Shop.

For the first time, he excitedly entered a clothes store. You see, Ford is never into clothes. Whenever I would enter a baby shop that sells clothes, he would just wait for me outside. He said it's my territory.

Daddy was willing to really splurge for Baby Chicklet this time but nabigo uli siya. Wala siyang makitang type niya.

Thankfully, we saw this clearance rack haha!

We were so happy kasi ang cheap. We bought four pairs of clothing for the baby. Yung pang-six months ang kinuha namin. Very timely kasi by the time six months na si Chicklet, nasa Pilipinas kami. He'll be needing 'summer clothes' there.

Drowning in the sea of baby clothes!

Don't worry, Dad. We'll find that perfect Christmas outfit for Chicklet soon!

Ford still wants to go back. He has lots of money pa raw. And hindi lang pala balato ang gusto niyang ibigay for Chicklet, he wants to spend all the money for him (minus my $10)! So all is for Chicklet now! Poor Mom, naagawan na sa affection and money ni Dad lol!

Ooops by the way, now that winter is approaching, it's best to buy out-of-season items na - like summer clothes. Hope we could find more good deals. =)

First freebie for Chicklet

Haha, forgive me for my kababawan but I was really thrilled when the husband came home last night carrying this...

POD -- Oh eto, nakuha ko sa mailbox. Saan ka na naman nagsign-up???
BIM -- Ha, ano yan? (I still couldn't figure out what it was.)
POD -- Para kay Chicklet! Hay naku kung saan-saan ka na naman nagsa-sign-up!

Until now, I couldn't decipher what it really is. Kung wet wipes ba o diaper. Kaloka!

But one thing is definite, the small package was really for me. May name ko oh! And it came from Kimberly-Clark. Hmm, saan nga kaya ako nagsign-up? I really can't remember.

When I first came here in Edmonton as an immigrant, one of the first things I did was to sign up in different websites (especially couponing sites) with the hopes that I can get as much good deals and freebies that I was getting in the Philippines. My life in the Philippines the last few years revolved around promos and freebies eh haha! I've mastered it, lalo na yung credit card freebies. I had 12 credit cards in Pinas which I used in the business so I had a lot of perks. Most of my clothes, shoes, books, home stuff, stationery, and food came free -- imagine that! At iyon talaga ang pinanghinayangan ko noong umalis ako.

My interest in couponing here weakened (siguro temporarily) because I realized that we don't use most of the products that have coupons. Until now, our pantry is still filled with Filipino items. Even the soap I am using is Safeguard. Dalawa lang din kami sa bahay (as of now) so we have very limited needs - no need to hoard.

Just last week, I unsubscribed from all the websites that I subscribed to. I cleaned my mail box and was relieved that I can now see all my 'legitimate' emails (unlike before na natatabunan). It was emancipating. My only problem is that when I buy something from a store and the cashier asks for my email address so they can put me on their mailing it, I cannot decline. I just do not have the heart to do so! Haha, sabi ko sa sarili ko ia-unsubscribe ko na lang later.

But still, getting free stuff (kahit ano pa yan) is exciting! Sana more pa. Thank you, Kimberly-Clark!

Loots from Michaels

If there's one store that I miss the most in the Philippines, that would be NATIONAL BOOKSTORE. I am a self-confessed stationery addict and I would go to National almost every day (no kidding) just to buy pens and other supplies.

Here in Edmonton, I feel so deprived. They do not have National Bookstore-like store here. Nope, Staples won't suffice. National is different. There you can buy ballpens piece by piece, here in packs. Plus there's so much variety of anik-anik, so many items to choose from -- at affordable prices!

Stationery here costs a lot, I noticed. That I why I told myself that when I go home in Pinas I would hoard as much stationery as I can. I will really splurge!

So for the mean time, I would have to make do with my "cheap" finds here. You can get the cheapest office/school supplies at the following: Dollarama, Dollar Tree, Target (look for the Dollar bins), Walmart...

and occasionally, Michaels...

Michaels is an arts and crafts store that sells anything and everything for one's creative needs. I actually love their merchandise, except that I find them so pricey! I still convert dollars to pesos that's why.

I can only actually afford Michaels if they are on sale. My tip is never to buy their items for a full price. You may subscribe to their newsletter and they send out coupons all the time. You may also check out their clearance bins for items that are up to 90% off.

These were my purchases last Saturday. I was happy kasi parang sa dollar store lang ako namili. At $9.45 or approximately Php380.00, still not cheap though. Pero pwede na.

Someday, if I win the lottery, I will put up a stationery shop here in Edmonton that will sell items na tingi-tingi, katulad ng concept ng National Bookstore. I will import so many Asian stationery which I am sure Canadians will like. Feeling ko deprived din sila eh, hehe.