DIY Bills Organizer

With the push for recycling and loving Mother Nature, I loathed having to throw out envelopes that come in the mail bringing in my bills. They get used only once if I don't find a way to reuse them. So, I found an easy DIY that's quite useful when it is that time of the month: PAYING THE BILLS. :)

These are the things we will need:
some used envelopes, of the same size
scissors
paste or paper glue
a colorful page from an old magazine

First, cut open the top part of the envelopes instead of opening the mail through its flap. Second, stack 4 to 5  envelopes and glue them together.

To make your organizer sturdier, spread glue over all the envelopes' surface.

Leave a bit, about 1/2 inch from the sides, free from glue.

It will look like an accordion.

Next, attach the colorful page and glue to cover your "accordion" with the excess part of the page acting as flap.

Mine had no excess paper, so I had to cut  out another piece  to make a flap.

Attach labels to organize your bills. 

Label according to your electric, phone, credit card or other bills.

So, ta-dahhhh! here's the final picture of my new Bill Organizer. It is pretty enough to show off :) I plan to make another one to organize all my bank accounts, too! :)

I just love the color blocking!

What else can you do to recycle old mailing envelopes? I'm sure you'll be able to think up of more creative "re-uses".

DIY

 I have always loved crafts. And DIYs always made me happy. So one day, I got inspired to make a couple projects after watching some YouTube clips.

For so many times, I get frustrated when I get home and I had to use my house keys to open the front door. They all look alike and I had the not-so-brilliant idea of identifying them with the use of teeny-tiny masking tapes.

they could be triplets for all i know! hehe

The labels aren't much help when I get home after dark. So, I decided that this ends here! hehe...I found some old almost-dried out nail polishes, and chose the most virulent colors among them all! These are my choices.

bright blood red, glittering copper, and insulting violet
would have been really fugly on MY nails!
(NOTE: I just made up those names, hehe!)

I didn't even bother removing the keys from their ring. I just slapped on some polishes on them, one by one, in just one coat. I let them dry for a few minutes and then, voilà ! Problem is solved!! 

They now look so pretty!

You can paint just one side like I did here, or both sides if you're more patient than I was. :)

The next project I did was painting my nails, for the first time with nail art. I had some nail art done way back in 2010, but that was done by a professional. Here's a trip back to my past life.

flower power

me, circa 2010....wearing my nail-art and some hideous pimples, ugh! :)

For P20 a pop, it doesn't cost much here to pay a manicurist to do some simple nail-art for you, but I wanted to see if I could do it on myself. So, I got my polishes ready, some nail polish remover, a disposable paper surface to work on, and most important thing of all, my improvised dotting tool. 

till up to this moment, I haven't decided on which colors nor design I was going to do!

How to make a dotting tool? Simple! Just grab a pencil (with an eraser) and stick in a pin on it as far as it would go! 

Like so! Simple, right?

Now, I've decided on not being too ambitious with my design coz I didn't have such a steady hand. I used to attempt French manicures on myself, but they never turned out any good. See my basic design :)

purple flowers on pink nail polish

I had to practice first on paper, but it was quite easy...easier than I thought, and easier to do than French tips. 

did the left hand first...

...and the right next!

for an up-close look. TA-dAHHH! :)

I have to say, DIYs are DIYs because they are so doable. With a little time and effort, it doesn't really cost you much to create something beautiful you can be proud of.

What have you done lately that's beautiful and you are still proud of? :)

Got Bored? Blog.

July has been rainy. Typhoons have struck the country and many families have been displaced and affected by the resulting flashfloods and landslides. This has been the norm since the past last years, but each story in the news doesn't make it less tragic.

At my end, I was often stuck indoors and Facebook just could not sustain me. So I kept busy by taking care of my Snowflake. 

I'm so glad Snowflake is turning out to be such a low-maintenance pet. She eats up all the food I give her without any drama and complaint. I've given her a good scrubbing during her baths and this really pleases her. She stays put now, unlike in the past. 

 After her latest one last week, she was clean and tick-free enough to merit playtime with me inside the house. 

Looking like an angel right after her bath :)

She has met some new friends and I think they quite like her, for they whispered stories into her ear as soon as they met!

Ang mga chismosa sa amon kusina. LOL.

During one of the nice days of good weather, Mama and I took a road trip to San Carlos. My, but the snake-like road through Don Salvador Benedicto almost made me swear off travelling. It was a good thing we were welcomed by a glass of the sweetest buko juice I have ever had in my whole life. That was compensation enough! :) 

Also, we were able to stop at a landmark area and take in the beautiful mountain view that could take your breath away.

The Lion, without a wardrobe :)

the bewitching beauty amidst the gardens

the mini-rice terraces that is pleasing to the eyes

the house-owner must love adventures and cliffhangers!

This month, I finally had the opportunity to bond with two of my close friends. Che accompanied me to a salon and we exchanged news and caught up with the latest while I had my hair done. See the difference some juicy news magically had on my hair! LOL.

BEFORE: untamed and dull hair :(

AFTER: frizz-free and shiny hair :)
(never mind my new shell-shocked look, hehe )

My friend Jazz visited for a few days and we made a beeline to a spa for a massage. We also enjoyed dining out and experiencing Bacolod's varied menu and Lacson's best.

Chocolate Bomb or something, at Calea. With a Kiwi Granita.

Shopping for some groceries for mama (such good daughters! haha)

At the bar in Trattoria Uma.

the salad I would like to devour again and again. With a pitcher of lemonade.
Ahhh..!
 Salsiccie All'Uva con Insalata Mista is a "warm salad of homemade Italian sausage
 sauteed with white wine and grapes, organic greens, tomatoes and balsamic glaze".

Pizza with mushrooms....my 3rd slice, by the by :)

Celebrating in advance, my latest birthday, at L'Chalet roofdeck.

Had to have our last hurrah before Jazz flies out in the morning.

That's right! This month, I turned another year older!...and here are the photos to prove it :)

Breakfast was a simple affair after Holy Mass...

...until Manong Roger, the roving vendor, tempted us with his wares. THIS!

Dinner was also basic.
 With just pancit lomi, for long life;
Black Sambo for a sweet life;
And a bottle of wine, for some  intriguing pizzazz in life!

Officially, 37. Behaviorally, 12. LOL.

Although July was wet and gloomy, this post made me see that it was still such a blessing to be alive even in bad weather. There is a lot to be thankful for.

To GOD be the glory, thanks, and praises!

My Moon. Awoooo...!

On my birthday, I got gifts that made me feel special. But that night at 1AM, I suddenly woke up, looked out my window. And there it was, another precious gift, it seemed only for me.

 It was dark, dark all around, but I saw the huge, bright, yellow moon that lit up the starless sky. It looked so eerie, with whitish grey clouds around it.  It was very quiet. Strangely, our dogs weren't howling. I felt I was alone in the entire world at that instant. I felt it was a moment, supernatural and special.

My Moon.
As if it is God speaking to me, blessing me on my birthday.

 Sadly, my camera phone (or any other camera, for that matter) cannot ever do this moon justice. Only my memory can.

 :)

Adventures of a First-time Dog-Owner

For a while now, I have been thinking of adopting...a pet fish. I thought this was the extent of responsibility over life that I could handle at this time of my existence. But fortune and providence would have it another way.


Just three days ago, my mother brought home a puppy. It was given to her by a neighbor who didn't want it, because it was a female. Well, after one look at it, I wanted her...And when my mother jokingly named it after me, well, that was it! That sealed the deal. She was mine. Whether they knew it or not. :)

She arrived in a plastic bag, quiet but dirty.

We prepared a shelter for her and a box served as her new home. As she gathered her bearings, I noted that she was shivering, maybe from the cold weather or it could be from nerves. I also thought she might have fleas and ticks. This determined that she was going to have a bath the next morning.

Yus-Yus in her litterbox

Woke up early the next morning to heat up some bath water and find some flea powder for my new pet. Washed her and blowdried her quickly so she would not catch cold. She whimpered and kept trying to move out from her bath, but finally it was over.


That same day, I made my first-ever purchase for a pet: some dog food, and a de-worming tablet. I asked the sales clerk the particulars on how to feed and de-worm a month-old puppy. Good thing the guys at the store were friendly and helpful. 

They told me to call if I had questions :) Of course, I kept the receipt!

Scavenged and scraped together some unused stuff and recycled materials for Yus-Yus' use

When I got home from the store, I hurriedly fed her to see if she would like the dog food I got her. Guess what, she ate everything up!

I, of course, squealed at everything she does...hahaha, I'm such a stage-pet-owner, I never knew! :D

Investigating whether the water is worthy to drink :)

After eating, she settled down and got comfortable...like me, she likes to lie down after a meal. Siesta Time!!! :)

Sleepy yet?

Oh, and by the way, I declare her birthday to be July 2... 

So we will both celebrate our birthdays on the same month!  :)

How cute are we??? 

Around Ermita, Malate, and Old Manila...in Sweet, Short, and Stolen Moments

I had the opportunity to traverse between three districts in our nation's capital lately. I was excited and happy to see a few new places (for me) in the areas of Ermita, Malate, and Old Manila. 


Before heading out to a new city alone, I spend days and nights poring over blogs and devouring helpful information so I wouldn't get lost. I also try to read maps (Google maps are really excellent!) to orient myself with landmarks and streets. However, due to the rapid growth in our infrastructure, I found that in our country, maps are a mere suggestion to where the actual places really are located. :)


Imagine my surprise and delight when I stumbled onto these fantastic discoveries of mine during my walks, transits, and, yeah ok, lost moments :D


Ermita


I heard eons and eons ago that this district was kind of sleazy and was prepped to be careful whenever I went to this area. But no, I find now that I only have good memories of this place. Jeepney drivers and passersby were helpful when I asked for directions. 

I went to hear mass in Ermita Church because it was the nearest one with a noon mass.  

Pondo ng Pinoy is a program of Catholic churches.
Churchgoers donate P1 to help finance projects
like feeding and clothing for the poor that are around the parish. 

I took this home for free, when the church aide told me to take one and bring it back when filled, anytime...even 3 years from now.

It says:
"Anumang magaling kahit na maliit basta't malimit ay patungong langit."

Crossing the street from the church,
 I was awestruck by this image painted on the body of an old and hollow tree.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of everybody on this plaza,
this beautiful Lady stood as serene as can be.

Lest you think I was headed for sainthood in a few moments or something, let me share to you some of my other mundane discoveries. 

Wendy's Salad was a snack I had to try out for only P40.

The pork barbecue from the corner of Robinson's Ermita, at P25 a stick, was worth it.
Sidenote: Though my favorite are still the ones sold in Bukidnon's Kalye Dos, for only P2/stick :)

Malate


Malate has been touted to be a red light district...I found that to be true to this day. I was careful whenever I walked its streets alone and kept myself aware of my surroundings whether it was day or night, just to be on the safe side.


I had a sleepless night so I decided to just get up at 5AM and go to Malate Church instead of tossing and turning in bed for the rest of the dawn. The church was just a block away so  I walked the short distance and was there early.

Malate Church along M.H. del Pilar St.
See the people on queue?
 I think they're queuing for food after mass provided by the Pondo ng Pinoy fund.

Although I was reeling from lack of sleep, I was enticed to go and explore parks nearby when I saw the plaza across the church. 

Rajah Sulayman Park was quite deserted and wet that early morning.

The rajah, himself.
The last king of Manila

The plaza was a pleasant park to spend some time in, but something across the street caught my attention.

Pedestrian lane that led to The Baywalk.
Joggers loved to run in this strip next to Manila Bay.

Survival and Leisure: both can be found in Baywalk
A man fishes for his breakfast while a photographer captures early morning scenes.

a shot of ships and a dragonboat

My hotel can be seen from where I stood on Baywalk :)

Sunrise was almost done, I thought, and it was time to go back to reality and get ready for the rest of the day.


Old Manila


Maneuvering the busy streets of Old Manila was confusing for me, a first-timer there. But there were so many interesting stops that made it worth my while. One of them was a quick in and out of Sta. Cruz Church. 


It was the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and I was rewarded for dropping in by witnessing an exposed Blessed Sacrament the moment I stepped into the church for the first time.

By the side entrance of Sta. Cruz Church
Above me, is St. Peter Julian Eymard.

Going around and behind the church, I passed by a monument in the middle of Plaza Lacson. Kalesa rides may be availed of from this spot. I didn't bother, for I didn't have the time nor inclination.

At the monument of the first elected mayor of Manila,
Arsenio H. Lacson, 1912-1962

From Old Manila, this bridge may be crossed to get to Intramuros and the center of Manila.

Jones Bridge over Pasig River and
 Plaza Mexico-Intramuros where passengers ride ferries that ply to Guadalupe Station.

The Bureau of Immigration office is right around the corner from Plaza Mexico.

Casa Manila is just walking distance from the above Bureau.

Souvenir shops and the Casa Manila Museum

Entrance to Plaza San Luis and Casa Manila Museum

 Plaza San Luis can be rented out for functions or a wedding reception, which is very convenient for guests from across San Agustin Church or from the nearby Manila Cathedral. 

Plaza San Luis has an underground space where functions are sometimes held.

There is a hidden garden inside the San Agustin compound between the church and its museum. It is also often the venue of garden receptions and, sometimes, concerts.

San Agustin gardens set-up for an evening concert

To cap off, relax and dine in nearby restaurants. Barbara's have buffets, but that require reservations, I think. The Coffee Shop and White Knight Hotel restaurant can be your other options. For those who really miss fastfood and prefer a familiar menu, Jollibee and Max's are a couple of hundred meters away.

Comfort food from Max's: good ole Tapsilog :)

Hungry for some adventure? 

Take a walk around your place. It just might yield you some surprises! Enjoy :)