Having A Turntable Is Love

I grew up listening to vinyls because my parents had a 1980s VTG SONY TURNTABLE CASSETTE PLAYER RECORDER COMBO EX-2K (photo to follow). It's still with them but it's not working anymore because it was mistakenly plugged in the wrong outlet.

Here's what I get for having a husband who's a musician. Early last year we purchased a second hand turntable. As planned, we've been itching to buy one for our new condo. Anyway, having a turntable brings music to our home on a different level.

The vintage sound makes everything peaceful and calm.

We got our turntable from a collector who just happen to be my husband's office mate. He chose to sell his turntable to my husband because he knows that he is a musician. Well, somebody who's expected to appreciate these things and will really spend time on anything related to music. This office mate of his is a collector of turntables and vinyls. Aside from entrusting one of his priced possessions, he also shared some thoughts on how turntables and vinyls work. 

Turntables are back. Vinyl shops, thrift stores are making some noise for old and new record albums. We buy our vinyls from The Grey Market Records. From Jaco Pastorious, Pat Metheny, Nat King Cole, Stan Getz. They have a wide selection for a very reasonable price. We still go to some shops that sell second hand vinyl records, but one should be patient while going through piles and piles of vinyls.

Well, the old ones are considered vintage and should be handled with great care.

Moving forward, having an 1980s Sony turntable is a great start in knowing what this machine can artistically do. When I was a kid, all I hear was plain sound. It comes in one ear and comes out to the other. Now, I can really appreciate the music that vinyl records can produce. It is indeed a timeless materpiece.


We plan on expanding so that we can preserve the 1980s turntable we have and that's when Satchmi Motorino will come in. It's sleeker, stylish, it's modern but once it starts playing, it will automatically take you back in time whether you're listening to new music or not. My husband took me to Satchmi, 4F Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall so that I can choose the Motorino I like. It's perfect, because I intend to buy a much newer set of vinyls like Taylor Swift's 1989 album and Adele's.


I'll post a photo of the 2 turntables together once we have the Motorino.

Quality Time with Family and Friends

Just a few days back we were able to find some extra time to unwind and relax. Moving from one home to another is also stressful. Once we got settled, we received an invitation from one of our close friends. It was their daughter's 1st birthday and it was held in a private location in Tagaytay, City. Perfect timing right? considering the weather was still cool, we just have to go.

The hosts chose the perfect venue. They rented the whole place and they also treated us for an overnight stay. Well, it was also a get together for us. We arrived early to help prepare for the birthday party. I piped the icing on the cupcakes and frosted the birthday cake.

Like us and everyone else in the group, the whole theme of the party had a personal touch to it. It was quite a big event but they didn't hire a caterer, the hosts prepared and cooked the food themselves. Shopped for materials, made the giveaways and games personally. I just love it!

It was a wonderful gathering. After the party, when the other guests had left, we stayed in a small patio. It was nice to be surrounded by friends, in a private place with mother nature watching over us.

The following day was a cool morning, so after we ate, we went for stroll to discover more of the enchanting place.

It was truly an experience for the whole family especially that we haven't been anywhere since the last quarter of 2014. Then with the build- out of our home, with school and work and transferring on the side, quite an adjustment I must say. But we went through it, a new life is about to begin.

We Now Have A Sunset

Hello there! It took some time to be able to post something again. Well, we have officially moved- in our new home that's why. Here's one of the blessings I would like to share with you... We all love to capture and watch the sun as it sets. Personally, it is one of the things I look forward to every time I go the beach or just plainly when I get a chance to see one at any location. We see it everyday, the sun doesn't go anywhere, but it continues to amaze me.

When we were in the process of choosing a condo unit,  the first thing I told my husband was to have our balcony facing where the sun sets. Our location is deep in the city, so it's expected to have buildings and roofs in the background. But once the sun shines with all its glory before it sets, the hue , the tint, the shade, name it! is incredible... playing with the shadows of the buildings.

I gotta say, when the sun goes down, it is also the only time we can really see the beauty of it. But of course it's not advisable to really stare at it. But you see, during sunset, we can see the different side of this fiery ball. It's much cooler, the shape is more distinct and the color is more enhanced, true reasons why it's often captured on photographs. It brings a certain calmness which keeps a person in awe of this gift forever.

A Personal Touch To It

How does it feel to have your own home? It is the most rewarding I have ever experienced. I mean, my husband's the only one working... and yet we're able to purchase of great value and something important for the whole family. Among anything else, to provide proper shelter has always been our main goal from the beginning of this journey. Speaking of beginnings, like our wedding, any event that come into our lives, we always put a personal touch to it. 

With our condo, we didn't hire a painter. We just went with the idea that we had to do it ourselves. We're not experts, but we're blessed with friends who knows these things and they helped us. They taught us how to paint like we're good at it. I gotta say, it will take a lot of skill to paint. It may look simple and easy, but doesn't run that way.

In the end, all the hard work paid off just looking at our walls and knowing that we did all the painting. (please excuse our photo we decided for an impromptu  photo op hehehe!)

It's been a month since the plan for the home improvement of our new condo was rolled out. We started as we worked with our contractor for the design we want, particularly for my kitchen. Then, we had to accomplish proper permits for the build out and security requirements for our workers. The purchase of construction materials followed. In- between the process, we go on location to personally inspect the furniture we had custom made. On top of everything, life continues. 

Please bear for my absence. We're at the last leg of the build out and we will be moving- in soon. I really can't wait to share this new chapter in our lives... Until then...

Home Project on Its 1st Phase

It's been a month since I announced the turn over of our new home. As of the moment, we've already accomplished the requirements needed to be submitted to the building manager for home improvement. Materials are ready, we have people working on our cabinets and even our dining table is custom- made. 

But at some point there had been a turn of events. My husband asked for my consent if he can be the one to take care of the design, color and fixtures. In other words, I'll have to trust him on everything. Also, I will not be able to see our unit until the whole build out is done. It's a surprise. I think he's making up for the spoiled surprise from last month's plans. I gave our engineer (who's also our friend) my word that I'm okay with whatever my husband wants. Knowing him, he is more particular with these kinds of things. We both have the same taste that's why I'm not bothered with the whole idea.

I did gave my concerns though, like an alarm system and that he needs to look for a trusted alarm Monitoring company. For our first home after we got married, we installed an alarm in the house we rented. Not that we we're waiting for somebody to trespass, it's to double security. My next concern is my kitchen. Any neutral background will do, as long as I get proper storage for my kitchenware and then I can play with the shades I want to use to highlight my favorite spot in our home. 

The room for our little boys is going to be Lego inspired. Since they have tons of Lego toys,  we plan to keep the present color of the walls and then accentuate thru color blocking from the bedding, the study table and other things to be brought in. As a matter of fact, they already have a 2015 Lego calendar for starters.

We basically got stuck with our old things for the past 10 years. We have been renting for the past 10 years as well.  Preparing for a new home can be pretty stressful but it's all worth it especially, because it's ours now. We can put anything we want. As the queen of our castle, the thing I love about this whole event is to shop for new furniture and appliances. Now, I can surely put every detail I have in plan to use.

Summer Getaway List

I know, I know, the new year just started, but you see, here in the Philippines, the beach is considered as an all year round destination. As early as now, my husband and I are already planning for our summer outings. That includes the beach and schedules when we will invite guests for a pool party in our new place. But I'll let my husband handle the bookings/ reservations and I'll do the checklist of the essentials we need.

This year, I've added a few things in our Summer Getaway list. It's like re-filling our usual beach bag with the old and some new items.

A new pair of Havaianas Slims and Sanuks. They're the most comfortable ever especially for outdoor fun. Nothing major, but these footwears are just perfect for almost every summer activity.

New swimsuits for everybody!!! We're kinda stuck to our old swimwears for the past 2 years. It gets tighter or it loosens. Any of the 2 means that we need to buy something more comfortable to wear. It's a different story for me. Even for a stay at home mom, I still want to look good, beach ready.

We all have our own style and preferences. For me, I still plan to wear a tankini or a one piece swimsuit to hide my "mommy bulges". I'm just taking advantage of the fact that I'm still fit to wear at least a one piece swimsuit. Remember my shopping experience from Zalora? Since then, Zalora has been my go- to guide when it comes to the latest trends.

There are so many stylish swimsuits at ZALORA that I was completely spoiled for choice. I think I might get one from here.

I fell in love with this Cheska Corset Maillot. I'm so into anything nautical. This will fit my body well, it's not too eye- catching, looks comfortable and it's stylish, perfect for my personality.

Last on our list is a Go Pro which I think is a good choice than buying a waterproof digital camera. I mean, we already have an SLR. Plus, we have kids, we love going on family adventures, sudden outings and road trips,  and we're into taking pictures everywhere we go, so yeah, a Go Pro definitely. I will post about it later on, once we've used it and watch out for my chosen Partner for Summer 2015 (wink!).

How about you, have you planned anything for this coming summer? it's 2 months away... can't wait!

3's A Celebration 2014

My Birthday Celebration

Like the past years I've celebrated, I planned my birthday for 2014 to be simple. I'm happy to be able to spend my special day with the people I love. My supposedly "special day" turned into almost a week of fun. From a weekend lunch at YABU and dinner treat from my mom. My birthday lunch at Tender Bobs with my boys, birthday dinner with our good friend Ricky at City Buffet and my birthday celebration at Yakimix, all my favorite places to eat.

Prior to all of these, I gifted myself with a brand new induction cooker and range hood. A coffee machine to add will make everything fantastic. As you noticed, whatever I got as gifts are all going to our brand new condo.

I wait each year for my birthday because I truly feel that it's the best time to get anything or at least treat myself to whatever will make me and my family happy. Well, the "waiting part" has always been the most rewarding. I thank the Lord for such wonderful blessings.

 Christmas 2014

 As we all know, my family is set to move - in our new home. In between celebrations, from my birthday, my youngest son's 3rd birthday and the Holidays, we have been poured with so much new things to cherish. Like spending Christmas in our new condo. Even without furniture, we chose to spend both Christmas and New Years at our humble abode.

In 2013, after typhoon Yolanda, we felt like there's not much reason to celebrate. It was a bit depressing, the whole vibe, the feel of the season at that time was very sad. But the Holidays for 2014 turned amazing. In a way, we made up for what was lost during our 2013 celebration. We were also graced with the presence of some relatives from America. It was our first time to spend the Holiday Season with some loved ones from GA. It feels good, it feels extraordinary and exciting to be able to celebrate Christmas with people we don't often see.

Welcoming 2015!

2014 was a wonderful year. There were more easy times than tough ones. The year just started and blessings are already pouring in. I can't wait for what's in store in the next coming months. Here's to another great year, let's make more miracles happen 2015!