Thursday Three Things

Hello! It's almost weekend. Are you excited? I am! :)

Anyway, I'm starting another series which I will call Thursday Three Things. Every Thursday, I am going to share 3 things that I like or fancy. And to start off, here are this week's 3 things (clockwise).

1. Hello Kitty toys from McDonald's Happy Meal. We have already completed the whole set (4 toys). Summer loves Hello Kitty so when I saw this, I just had to order a Happy Meal.

2. Monde Cream Puffs. I have heard cream puffs before from a friend and she was gushing about how good it was. I found this Monde Cream Puffs in the grocery and I had to try. I haven't tasted the real thing but this one from Monde is pretty good. Summer loved the one with chocolate filling.

3. Navy Tote. I have mentioned countless times in this blog about what a tote lover I am. I got this navy tote from SM Department Store for Php 150. The fabric looks sturdy so I think it's already steal for such a cheap price.

What about you? Do you have your week's 3 things? Do share! :)

Summer's 4th

Last May 12, Summer celebrated her 4th birthday which also happened to be Mother's Day. To tell you honestly, that day for me wasn't really about Mother's Day but more about my baby's birthday celebration.

Two weeks before her birthday, I still didn't know what to do for her birthday celebration. We weren't really planning to set up a party. Last year, we just invited family and friends over at our house, set up the inflatable pool, and that's it. But it was soooooo tiring. I cooked in the morning, prepared at noon, entertained guests in the evening. This year, I thought we'd just go to a resort and go swimming. That was still the plan until 2 days before her birthday. The husband thought we'd just celebrate it at home like we did the year before. Cook, set up the pool, invite friends and family. The idea of a crowded resort made me agree to this.

I woke up early on Sunday and cleaned the house. Then I started preparing the veggies for the Mixed Veggies dish that I was cooking. After that, I cooked the spaghetti sauce. (Sorry, I don't have photos of the veggies and spaghetti.) And while I was busy cooking, the husband was also busy setting up the inflatable pool.

The day before, I bought balloons and party hat so Summer would have that party feel. She wanted pink balloons so pink it is.

We only invited a few people - my side and my husband's side of the family, Summer's ninangs who weren't able to go. Two of Summer's cousins were there so that's enough to keep the little girl enjoy the pool.

The preparation was tiring but after that, I was able to rest because there weren't guests to entertain. Then at night, the husband invited his friends over for a drinking session.

When I asked her what cake she wanted, she said she wanted a Dora cake. Thanks to her Tita Jaja who sponsored the cake. Summer loved her Dora cake.

Gymnast Dora cake from Goldilocks

See how happy she looked at the last photo. She actually only wanted 2 things on her birthday - a Dora cake and to go swimming. And both were given to her. Simple wishes from a four-year old. I'm happy that we were able make her wishes come true. If I can, really, I will give her whatever she wishes.

How did she grow up so fast? I can still clearly remember when she was in my tummy waiting for her to come out. And now she's 4! Anyare???

Before I start getting emotional and all, happy, happy 4th birthday, my baby! You will always, always, always be my baby. We love you. So much.

What's In My Bag: Mia of a Matter of Taste by miaymarch

As I mentioned yesterday on Twitter, I am resurrecting an old blog series called What's In My Bag? I did it last year but failed to keep it going so now, Im bringing it back.

This time around I'm featuring some of my blogger friends that I've met since I started this blog. First up is Mia. She's one of my very first friends in the blogosphere. If my memory serves me right, it started when I commented on one of her blog posts and then we started following each other on Twitter and so on and so forth. I haven't met her in person because she's based on Bangkok and we didn't really have the chance to meet when she was here in Manila.

Okay, I won't make this long. Here it is...

What's Inside Mia's Bag

The Bag Owner

I am Mia   I am full time housewife and mother,  a freelance photographer (www.miaymarch.com)  and art dealer (MIArph.com), based in Bangkok, Thailand.  I am also a Lifestyle blogger and blog via aMatterofTastebymiaymarch  (www.matteroftasteonline.com).  My blog revolves purely around lifestyle and  things  I find inspiring  , which is usually about Photography, Art, Design and Style.  In my blog you will also catch topics about things my family and I love to do — travel, food, DIY stuff etc.

@miaymarch  (twitter)   miaymarch_amatterofaste  (IG)   and    https://www.facebook.com/amatteroftastebymiaymarch  (FB)

The Bag

I am a Tote Lover.  Most of my bags are totes and my current favourite is this:  my Marni Reddish Orange Tote, I recently purchased at the Marni Outlet in Italy (for 40% off the price, who would not be tempted!) .   It's very light and roomy.  Plus, the leather is buttery soft.  I usually prefer totes because I  don't like anything structured.  I like bags that collapses and that are easy to store.  So like a very structured satchel, is a no for me.

I also prefer buying non-trendy bags so its timeless.  Though once I made a mistake of buying a branded tote with logos on it, but never again.   As I get older, I noticed that brands don't really matter to me now, as long as I like it,  and is very reasonable , I will consider it. 

What's Inside

These are stuff in my everyday tote.  It's a lot but for a Mom-On-The-Go, I really need most of it.   That's why I prefer to carry totes for everyday. 

1.  Kate Spade Orange Wallet 
2.  iPad
3.  iPhone with ear phones  + my yellow measuring tape
4.  Striped Pouch with lipsticks (Bobbie Brown,  LipBalm, hairbrush , baby wipes,  sanitizer, etc)
5.  Coach Pouch with hand cream, hand lotions and Mosquito repellant)
6.  Canon Camera g12 
7.  Coin purse  and Card case for discounts and points

3 Must-Haves

Iphone, Wallet, Camera  (as a photographer I always have to carry my small camera everywhere I go)

There you go! I hope you enjoyed peeking into Mia's pretty tote bag! Mia and I have something in common - we both love tote bags! :)

What's your favorite among Mia's stuff? Me, I love her Marni tote and her Kate Spade wallet.

Follow Mia on:

@miaymarch (twitter)

miaymarch_amatterofaste  (IG)

https://www.facebook.com/amatteroftastebymiaymarch  (FB)

Watch out next week for another What's In My Bag. Who's the next blogger? Stay tuned! :) 

Mia, thank you again for sharing and for agreeing to be featured here. I'm still looking forward to meeting you in person! :)

SM Kids Fashion Back-to-School Bazaar

Summer vacation is almost over and in just a few weeks, it's back to school for the kiddos again. And guess what? SM Kids Fashion is hosting a Back-to-School bazaar for a one-stop shopping trip that brings in big savings on fun and functional everyday apparel, underwear, supplies, bags, socks, and other essentials.

You can get up to 50% off on selected items from the SM Kids Fashion line. Save more with 0% interest on installment payments with selected credit cards on every Php 3,000 minimum purchase from May 16 to 19, 2013 and buy now, pay later with BDO credit cards from April 16 to July 15, 2013. Visitors can also cut Php 100 off every purchase with MasterCard’s instant rebate program from April 15 to June 30, 2013.

Go now to SM Megamall Megatrade Hall 1 from May 17 to May 19, 2013.

Check out SM Kids Fashion on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Say It Your Way on Mother's Day!

What's your favorite way to say "I Love You"  to your mom?

Do you say it out loud? Or you show thru your actions and sweet gestures? Why not show the world how much you love your mom by taking a picture of yourself expressing your love. By doing this, you also get a chance to win gift certificates worth Php 1500 from SM Kids' Fashion.

Here's how:

You still have until Sunday to join. Go! :)

Summer Sunshine Post-Birthday Giveaway

I know it's been 3 weeks since my birthday. I also know I said I'd host a giveaway. As they say, it's better late than never. So here it is.

Here's what you can win:

P1K Gift Certificate from Crescens Skin Care

Snail Nutrition BB Cream

Sophia by Virginia Olsen Eyelash Enhancer

Cute Cupcake Lipgloss

How to join? Use the Rafflecopter widget below for the mechanics.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway will run from May 4, 2013 until 12AM of May 19, 2013. This is open to all Philippine residents only. Good luck! :)

Summer Sunshine Fave: St. Ives Apricot Scrub

I first heard of St. Ives when I was in high school from one my friends. But I started using it when I was in college.

I've always loved St. Ives Apricot Scrub for exfoliating my face. I love how the tiny beads feel whenever I rub my face with this and how smooth my face feels after washing. I've tried other brands of exfoliants but I always go back to this.

I think it's perfect for people like me who don't always have the time to get a facial. I use this thrice a week alternating with my facial wash.

If you will look closely, you'll see that this product is sulfate and paraben-free and contains 100% natural exfoliants. So you don't have to worry about any harmful effects. This is perfectly safe! :)

You, what's your favorite exfoliant? Do share! :)

Summer Sunshine Makes: No Bake Mango Cheesecake

Lately, I have been having a fondness over cheesecakes. It actually started when I first tasted the blueberry cheesecake from Calea which was soooooooo good. Then I tried the one from our office cafeteria and one from Banapple.

So I decided to try making my own no bake cheesecake. I don't eat blueberries so I used mango instead. There were a lot of recipes online for the no bake blueberry cheesecake but I found My Mom Friday's recipe the easiest.

Click here for the complete recipe of My Mom Friday.

I did tweak it a little like not using cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon for the crust because first, I don't like cinnamon and I'm not a fan of lemon juice. I also added one more tablespoon of sugar to the crust which made it a lot sweeter according to my mom. Lesson learned: stick to the recipe. As for the cream cheese filling, I added again half a cup of sugar which I think is okay.

So here's the final product.

I didn't use a big pan because it wouldn't fit into our refrigerator. So I used microvable containers instead. I put it in the freezer because I want it ice cold. :)

I'm going to make another batch next weekend. So far, my husband, my mom, and my sisters are satisfied. :)

Do you have other cheesecake recipes? Please do share!

SM Kids Summer Collection 2013

Who would say no to a pool party with this unforgiving heat? So when ARC PR invited us to a pool party at Dusit Thani Hotel for the launch of SM Kids' Summer Collection, we said yes right away!

The venue was perfect for the event. Even the guests dressed to their best summer outfits. And the kids were just too excited to jump into the pool.

Our Summer 2013 Collection is bigger and brighter than ever before—brilliant hues, bold prints, breezy fabrics. Throw a big pool into the mix and you have the perfect summer party,” shares Jo Dy Juanco Vice President of SM Kids’ Fashion. “We’ll also have an image consultant who will give some tips on how to be comfortable yet stylish during the hottest months of the year.

Hosted by Issa Litton

To make the event even more interesting, SM Kids’ Fashion tapped mom and image consultant Patty Betita to talk about summer fashion. Together with her team of junior stylists, the fashion model and former beauty queen will guide budding fashionistas on how to mix and match their summer staples.

The Junion Style Council

The collection features five of the top summer trends for 2013: vivid neons, colorful leggings, playful swimwear, statement tees, and lively new patterns. Between lemon yellow tones and breezy floral dresses, each piece in the collection is a striking burst of style and color.

These are just some of the styles available. You can check out the latest Summer 2013 collection at all SM Stores nationwide.

Summer (my daughter) had a lot of fun at the event because she got to swim after the program.

Her swimsuit is from SM Kids. :)

I and Summer with Patty and her little girl Sabine

Mango Summer

Do you agree that Mango is just perfect for summer? I'm not just talking about the fruit, but the clothing brand as well.

I've been following Mango in Facebook and I can't help but admire the clothes and looks they post each time. Here are some of my favorites.

These serve as style inspiration for me. There are more pretty looks actually. You can check out their Facebook page or follow them on Instagram (@mangofashion).