Yesterday, I returned to Covo 24K Jewelry at Chinatown Gold Center for some retail therapy. I purchased an enamel piyao charm which I matched with pearl beads on-site.
I was going for a feminine vibe here, and I think it has been achieved. Gold, pearls, and rose quartz make a lovely combination for all occasions.
What is your go-to jewelry combo? I hope that you can also find yours!
Yesterday, I visited the GK Enchanted Farm with fellow Human Nature Core Advocates for a tour and immersion. This was my sixth visit to the farm. My previous tours were as a social business camper and with friends. Now, I am back as a core advocate with my own Human Nature Online Shop.
But first I needed to fuel up at McDonald’s.
We met up at the Human Nature Flagship Store.
We were also given some nibbles by a fellow core advocate.
Then, it was time for our journey!
We reached the farm at around 9:30am, and we started the tour.
Our bubbly tour guide, Gelai, is a graduate of the SEED School. She speaks French, English, and Filipino!
I had a wonderful day of touring the farm, it’s various social enterprises, and of course, enjoying the delicious bounty of the earth!
It was time for our ride back to the city.
And before going home, I enjoyed an early dinner of toasted naked longganisa at Breakfast Bin.
I needed the farm tour to realign myself with my values and to appreciate life more. I am proud to see the farm grow, and to be in the company of kindhearted friends.
Here’s to more goodness and opportunities!
Yesterday was all about being happy on a budget! Here are some of my money-saving ways to indulge on a weekend while helping others along the way.
Please take note that this is not a sponsored post, and I spent my own money for everything.
I took advantage of the last day of Elait’s opening promo at SM North Towers. I got myself a solo cup of their matcha oreo frozen yogurt for P100 (regular price is P140- still affordable!). It was delicious! And it matched my knitting project too.
I will always be a fan of Elait’s frozen yogurt and advocacy, which is to employ deaf employees.
Since I’ve been eyeing Muji’s P500 stationery gift sets but don’t have the budget for one of those, I selected a blue green ballpen and a light gray highlighter from National Bookstore. I threw in a slim plastic pencil case, and voila! Instant Japanese-chic stationery set.
I was so happy with my savings, that I donated a book for National Bookstore’s Project Aral campaign. All books and school supplies will be donated to their partner public schools and libraries.
Next, I got this Careline peach stick, which is a product that retails for Php205. It can be used on the cheeks, eyelids, and lips.
It would be nice to have a healthy complexion this holiday season, so I picked up this affordable product to try.
And it didn’t disappoint! It truly gives off a natural peachy glow for such an attainable price point.
I was happy with my makeup purchase, so I moved on to salvaging an old lippie.
I was terribly sad when my Sunnies Face Fluffmatte lipstick in Mood broke because it was such a flattering shade on me. Instead of purchasing a new tube, I bought a 3ml container from Beabi, scooped out the remaining content from the tube using a small spatula from my Human Nature makeup remover, reheated it in the microwave for 30 seconds, and let it cool until it hardened again.
I also got this retractable mini lip brush from Fashion 21 for Php85 to help me apply my lippie.
I also got this 5ml atomizer bottle from Beabi and transferred some baby cologne there.
And there you have it! These are just some of my budget tips and thrills. I will definitely share more saving hacks in the future, and I hope that this will also inspire me to conserve and properly use my resources.
Now that I am working full-time, I ensure that my weekends are spent well. I always begin my days with a workout, whether it’s a weekday or the weekend.
Last Saturday, I was reminded to count my blessings and be myself as I dropped by my usual waxing salon.
Then, I went to Human Nature to shop for my needs this August. I stocked up on moringa chocolate chip cookies...
...had some brewed coffee in the store...
...tried the new bath jelly (which was fun to use!)...
...and treated myself to a bar of Theo and Filo 70% dark chocolate!
I am also a fan of Human Nature’s new initiative to encourage shoppers to bring their own eco bags.
After shopping, I went to Breakfast Bin for even more coffee and pancakes.
And then, it was back to Human Nature for me as we celebrated our get-together with my fellow core advocates.
It was a fun night of potluck eats, karaoke, and friendship!
My Saturday was a relaxing one, because I got to eat, shop, and party for a good cause. I am glad that by supporting Human Nature, I also help Gawad Kalinga communities and provide jobs. I look forward to the rest of my workweek knowing that my weekends are spent with my advocacy. It makes all the hard work worth it.
I had a fantastic weekend!
I started my Saturday and Sunday mornings with Zumba. I must say that I am glad to see progress on my abs.
I also took brisk walks around my local park and took breaks on interesting nooks such as this grotto.
I enjoyed freshly-baked bread from my neighborhood bakery.
And yesterday, I rode a P2P to visit Common Room Alabang.
I donated some old paper bags on-site to support their ‘no new paper bags’ campaign, which I think is really cool.
But the main reason why I went there was to buy a handmade Tubbs the Cat doll from Pop Junk Love. They had selected dolls at 50% off for the benefit of Cribs Foundation. It was a win-win because I have always wanted to purchase a doll from them, and I love supporting charities!
I also browsed through the store and found old handmade favorites such as Knitting Expedition.
In the end, I refused to have Tubbs packed in a paper bag. He went home with me inside my spacious Knitting Expedition Tiyargo bag.
Every visit to Common Room motivates me to continue supporting local and handmade! My heart is full now that I have a new stuffed toy, and it’s all for a good cause. Fitness and my handmade lifestyle are not just weekend norms, as I do practice them everyday. They only seem to get magnified on weekends because I have more time to explore places that define them.
I look forward to more weekend adventures and handmade stories!
I am thankful to have crochet in my life. Right now, I am on my last ball of yarn for this scarf I am working on in shell stitch. I have learned to do it through Youtube, and I couldn't be happier with the ability to learn new skills for free online.
I am adjusting to work like a pro! I have always made myself busy by working on this blog and assisting my dad with his tasks during my break from the corporate world. However, the office setting is still different, and any new job entails an adjustment period.
Unwinding after a busy Friday with beer and crochet 🍺
Here are some hacks I am implementing into my system to ensure a seamless adjustment into the daily grind:
I am stitching my story, one scarf and workday at a time. Looking forward to hustling in the office and making a difference in my own little way!
