Mentoring Lunch

Yesterday, I had the time to do some brisk walking at the UP campus. 

I was able to burn some calories before my lunch at Sunnies Cafe. I got to do some crocheting before meeting with my friends.  

I had a lovely lunch with my uni mentor Mitzie and her niece Maiko. It was nice to catch up with friends after my dad’s recent passing. 

No visit to Sunnies Cafe is complete without some selfies in their famous washroom. 

I got to buy Sunnies Face’s new Airblush after lunch. 

I also got to offer eggs at St. Clare Monastery. 

I bought carioca, a local street food consisting of fried sticky rice. It was a delicious afternoon snack. 

Before going to bed, I brushed my teeth using this bamboo toothbrush that I bought from social enterprise Rags 2 Riches. 

I know that by continuing my passions and meeting my friends from time to time, I can carry on with life after the storm. 

Hope in a Necklace

I bought a new necklace for myself. My love for jewelry is quite obvious based on my frequent purchases, but I am now a conscious consumer. I focus on bling that is handmade, bought from a social enterprise, and is local. 

Good thing Tayo Collective has a minimalist necklace collection that suits all of the above criteria. Their gold-filled necklaces are classy, barely-there, and ideal for layering with other jewelry. Each piece is crafted by a woman rescued from the sex trade. 

As a woman and a fan of handmade jewelry, I find this cause amazing and transformative. And since their necklaces are sold through social enterprise collective Things That Matter, it was easy and convenient for me to make that purchase. 

I received my necklace via same-day delivery, and I was thrilled with how pretty and minimalist it is. I feel strongest after a workout, so here I was wearing it after an hour of cardio. It is empowering to wear the creation of another empowered woman. This will definitely be a conversation starter, and a wardrobe staple that will remind me that beautiful things happen if I will yearn for those that matter.