Living Coral

Yesterday, I welcomed the new year with a living color top, my new specs, and a fresh outlook on life.  

This year, I vow to be straightforward in everything I do. If there’s anything that I want, I will go for it! Life is too short. Let’s keep it simple. 

My first lunch of the year was the Darling Breakfast Salad from Go! Salads. It was delicious thanks to the ground longganisa bits and tomato honey vinaigrette. 

After lunch and some malling, I heard mass at the Pink Sisters Quezon City convent.  

I prayed for good health, healing for my family, a job, a good boss, and most of all, a boyfriend! 

I ended my day with some baked salmon for dinner, which was a gift from a family friend.  

I am optimistic that 2019 will be a remarkable year, and I am determined to work smarter, not harder, to achieve the dreams that I have for myself and my family.

God bless us all!

Flat White Purls

Yesterday, I got to knit while on a lunch meeting. As always, it has helped me focus on the matter at hand. It also helped that my Figaro flat white was brewed strongly, just as I prefer it to be. 

My go-to lunch at Figaro is their adobo flakes kare-kare, which never disappoints. It is filling, comforting, and flavorful- truly, it is the quintessential Filipino meal. 

Never underestimate the power of a handmade hobby and a power lunch. You will nourish your body and your soul, as you go along with your day. May you always find a way to make work better, one meal and stitch at a time.

Crochet and Coffee

I’ve been crocheting, eating, and sipping coffee for the past few days. It has been a relaxing routine to balance my workouts.  

This was Breakfast Bin’s adobo with egg and talangka rice. 

For dessert, I had Papa Diddis’ cheese and coffee ice cream. 

And yesterday’s lunch was at UCC. I had their famous rice casserole with curry hamburg. 

I capped off my meal with my usual kori kohi. 

Living simply does not mean that I have to have a boring life. I still enjoy the food that I crave for and I manage to carry on with my handmade lifestyle. I believe that the secret to my resilience is that I know what my priorities are. For as long as I have good food and yarn to work with, I know that I will have joy in my life. I hope that you will also find yours! 

Doggo Hugs at 32

I capped off my birthday week with waffles and bacon! (P.S. Those white streaks on my hair are from my wax! They’re not gray hair!) 

And of course, doggo hugs!

Barkin Blends will always be my happy place, and it was only fitting that I celebrated my birthday there. I am thirty-two, but these dogs keep me forever young! Here’s to more cuddles with the creatures who give me licks, smiles, and kisses! 

Lunch with Choi

My birthday celebration continued the other day  as I had lunch with my cousin Choi at CoCo Ichibanya and Scout’s Honor. It was a lovely afternoon of good eats and hearty laughter! I am thankful for priceless moments with family, and I hope that next time, we will have more happy stories to share with each other. 

I Melted My Heart

Yesterday, I had my usual toasted naked longganisa with brown rice and aligue. It was perfect with a book and coffee. 

I was still hungry after finishing my meal, so I had this hot chocolate stirrer for dessert. 

It was a delicious drink, I must say! The chocolate melted after ten minutes of stirring. It resulted to a full-bodied chocolate experience.  

My early morning, post-workout feels melted along with this hot chocolate. I will definitely have it again at Breakfast Bin, which has already become my happy place along Maginhawa. I look forward to more simple breakfasts and moments along my favorite foodie street in my city!

Chewy Beginnings

The past week has been challenging for me, but I am still here! I didn’t die, and I am still able to crochet, blog, and have fun!

I had a relaxing lunch at Scout’s Honor yesterday with my family. I had their pesto mealballs rice bowl. It was delicious! 

I also had their Americano and make-your-own cookie. Mine had a chewy base with dark chocolate, cream cheese, and Chocnut.  

My visit to any restaurant won’t be complete without a powder room break. Their washroom did not disappoint! 

I am digging their millennial pink walls and various frames. 

I had a lovely lunch, and I am so inspired to begin again. Here’s to more lunches and possibilities!

Zumba and Social Good

Yesterday, I woke up early for another Zumba workout.  

Taking selfies before driving to the park keeps me motivated to burn more calories. Don’t ask me why. It just works for me.  

I followed it up with a hearty brekkie.  

It started raining by the time I arrived at Human Nature to buy my social enterprise-made toiletries and products for the month of July.  

Later during the day, I enjoyed a full meal at Cafe Shibuya. I had their weekday combo of truffle mushroom soup, truffle pasta, and salad. For dessert, I had the honey toast in baby size and a steaming hot cuppa.  

And I sketched my lunch on my Traveler’s Notebook, because a meal that delicious deserves to be documented.  

Working out and supporting social enterprises are just two of my passions. I continue to share with you my interests and inspirations because it is my hope that more people will find meaning in their lives in the same way that I find joy in my habits. I will keep you posted here on my blog, so that you can also be inspired to have better days ahead! 

From Alabang to Manila

I went to Alabang after my breakfast forum at the AIM the other day. I took the P2P to Alabang Town Center, and I took sips of coffee in my tumbler during my trip. 

I visited Common Room ATC because my visit to their Katipunan branch earlier this week was not enough! 

I bought the necklace and wood chips for my mom, who bought me so many goodies from her recent trip to Osaka, Japan. I got myself cord ties from Punch Crafts and a skinny brass ring from Blue Flame. 

I recently misplaced one of my Nawa rings, and I was eager to replace it with another locally-made ring. Luckily, Common Room has a handmade brass ring in my size. Blue Flame is also a brand close to my heart as I have previously bought a sterling silver necklace from this maker. 

I also spent some time at the seesaw outside the store. 

I took the P2P back to Makati. I checked out this Pia minaudiare from my friend Rafe’s brand. 

I was hungry, so I had a couple of silvanas from Dumaguete-born bakeshop Sans Rival. I had the butter and choco silvanas. Both were so good! However, I was partial to the butter variant. It was perfection. 

I then took a sidetrip to St. Jude to pray for my personal intentions. 

On my way home, I saw these K9 poodles! 

Here’s to more adventures in search of handmade, good food, and blessings from up above!

Trim and Pray

I enjoyed knitting while waiting for my lunch yesterday at Pho Hoa. I had chili shrimps with rice and as always, I enjoyed it with sriracha. 

I had my pixie trimmed at the salon after lunch. 

Then, I went to St. Clare Monastery to pray and give thanks. 

I always treasure days that are productive yet still chill. I hope that I will have more days which are a balance of leisure, work, and prayer.