Warm Soup Helps

I had quite a bit of drama in the kitchen this afternoon. My husband was there too preparing for pork ribs to cook. I am sick, taking care of the baby at the same time and I was starving. So I went to the kitchen trying to see what I can prepare for warm soup.

I felt like having real freshly cooked warm soup so I asked some of pork ribs and boil it. While preparing for ingredients, I told my husband, "times like these I wished I had my mother over here". He was kind of surprised by that statement for he knows I don't get along well with my mother. I explained that if she was here, I don't have to do the cooking myself when I'm sick because she can cook what I want to eat.

Anyway, that soup I cooked turned out pretty yummy. I satisfied my craving, even my big girl loved it and ate some veggies that was in the soup. Warm soup truly helps when you feel cold or when you're feeling ill. It made me feel a bit better.

Dooney and Bourke VS Coach

I've been using Dooney and Bourke handbags since I first blog almost five years ago. I love the quality and the materials these handbags are made of. I got 4 of them so far, thankfully. D&B is more affordable for me than Coach handbags so I settled for it for a few years until 4 months ago I discovered a special website where I can purchase authentic Coach handbags. I tried buying two at first and realized that I love C too. Every month within 4 months I bought a Coach for a total of 5 now. Who would have thought that I can own a few of these awesome brand for handbags?

The more I think about the differences between these two loved handbags I have, I learned that I actually love Coach better than D&B. Why? Because of the three separate compartments Coach has. It's like I have 3 spaces to put stuff together. I usually carry diaper and wipes, bib and baby bottle when I go out of the house. Coach just makes it easier for me to segregate my stuff inside the bag. I can put my girly stuff in other compartments so when I need them, I know where they are and can take them out easily without spending a lot of time digging in the bag.

In addition to compartments, I love the variations of styles Coach has. Plus they do have pretty amazing colors and sizes to choose from.

D&B however, has only one compartment and a side pocket for cellphones and small things. Don't get me wrong D&Bs are awesome but I prefer Coach now over D&B.

...I recently bought another one but I am selling it to a friend in Japan for she loves the tote so much!

Baked Chicken Drumsticks And Bibingka

I found a healthy way to cook chicken. I always wanted to eat fried chicken but to fry them on stove top makes a lot of mess that is why I rarely do that. Besides, eating fried chicken often is unhealthy. So last night I searched on the internet an alternative to frying chickens, baking them instead! Photo below is my baked chicken drumsticks that turned out to be yummy. My husband and daughter both loved it weeww! I followed a recipe from cook.com. 

..... here's some of freshly baked bibingka that I had for dinner to go with my chicken drumstick. They may not as yummy looking but I can assure you they sure taste really good and bouncy! 

And I'm Guilty....

I can't help to feel guilty since yesterday because I purchased another Coach handbag again. This is far more than addiction, what I have is insanity and my conscience is eating me! Why I can't stop myself from spending money when it comes to pretty purses? Why oh why? Is there any way to stop this? I always say this is the last one, but nope...I always seem to eat my words...

It's like this since I've become a member to this specific online factory, I keep spending what I earned. It's like I buy a purse once a month and for me it's crazy. Who in their right mind would do that? Nobody, you guess but I'm doing it.

My thinking is that, someday when I am no longer be able to make money from blogging, at least I was able to buy the purses I thought I can never have. I've always thought I can never have a Coach bag because they are insanely costly than Dooney and Bourke. D&Bs are kind of expensive too but they do offer some promotions to certain products that they want to get rid off. Unlike Coach, you can never see or hear them giving away their handbags up to like 50% off or more until I found this very site that got me into, really really hooked of this site now!

A new handbag is coming in the mail soon...it looks so pretty on the website, I shall see if I like it when it gets here or I may have to sell it on Craigslist just like the white one I purchased 2 months ago... the worst thing is that, I COULDN'T SELL IT lol.

I Love Handbags

These are my handbags I bought through my paid blogging money all these years. They are not so grand brand names but they are good enough to feed my addiction. They are like my meth, my marijuana, my ecstasy! If you ever give me a gift, think of nothing else but a handbag, I don't mind the brand as long as it is whole-heartedly given by you, it will be much appreciated and gladly accept it.

I take pride of my handbags because I earned my own money to buy them. It's like a small reward for myself for working my brain off. I buy myself handbags because I DESERVE IT!

Treasures I Found

When you hear the word thrift store or donation center, what comes to your mind? FREE, right? Donated things from people who don't want them in their house anymore. Yes, that's what those shops are for. In order to generate revenue they sell those items for a very low cost.

But don't you know, there you can find great brand names of clothing, children's toys, household items, shoes, handbags etc.? You may think stuff that are usually being donated are junks, but hey let me clear this up to you, it might be junks to other people but to some it will be a treasure. And don't you know often those stores have also new unpacked or in original package items sold for a fraction of a cost in regular stores?

There is a Goodwill store near us just outside the village and I go to there once in a while. Out of boredom I visit the store just to escape the house just for for an hour not knowing or expecting what I can find in there. Examples of my last purchase 2 weeks ago are photos below.

........ lucky is my girl she saw this unopened/unused fancy tea set for just $5.35 normally sells for $11-$19 in almost all stores.

...... this cute eyelet halter top was below $2 and a pair of brown pants for $1.49... and take note, they are new but without its original tag... I scored great on those ones, shopping is amazing!

........and lastly the pretty copper home decor basket for $3.55 .I thought it was pretty when I first saw it so I never let it go...

SHOPPING TIPS: When going to Goodwill or other thrift stores, be open because you will never know what you can find in store... could be a leather jacket from DKNY or a Coach handbag lol...

Couldn't Sell Them

These are my pair of leopard peep toe flat shoes. I love them because they are pretty and they can go best with most outfit but these are too small for my feet. I tried selling them once on Craigslist but I couldn't sell them. Maybe I asked too much for a slightly used pair of shoes? Trust me they are so pretty in person and there is only a slight sign of use on them. I am 6.5 and these are only 6. Those who want them, please let me know and I sell them to you at a very low price.

Something Fishy

I have had these dishes few days ago. As soon as it cooked, I posted these photos in my food album on Facebook and got a lot of people drool over these delicious fish recipes I have. These are perfect in cold weather especially the soup. Foods like these are what many of my friends crave for. 

I consider myself lucky to have found this kind of fish at the Asian market. This is something I missed a lot because of its taste and texture of the flesh when it is cooked. 

........my paksiw or inun-unan in our dialect cooked in vinegar, olive oil with eggplant, onions, garlic, finger peppers, ginger and a dash of salt.

Macy's Clearance Sale

I considered myself a lucky shopper when I went to Macy's last weekend and found such a beautiful 2 piece-set Christmas dress for my little Pearl. It was a good timing to be going there because of such great discount I got for the dress for next Christmas. Wow! When the occasion comes I don't have to worry about shopping for my little baby since she already got one at a very low price.

If you feel like shopping, head on to Macy's website on their clearance section for babies, you will find tons of pretty stuff that you can buy plus 25% off discount. My eyes popped when I saw real cute baby stuff arggggs... Guess I am gonna have to try to stop myself from spending money again...but hey the deals are just so irresistible...

Santa Is Coming To Town

There are only two more toys that I am waiting to arrive in the mail before I can call it done. These are just some of the presents I've done wrapping myself and hidden in my husbands closet just so Jadyn can't see them and insist in opening them.

I always tell her that she should always be good so Santa will give her lots of presents. Time after time she'd ask me if Santa is here yet and I will reply to her that he is still far far away busy giving gifts to other children and that she should wait until Christmas day. Poor girl, she really believes that Santa is real...oh well, why can't he be real if he is giving presents to our kids, my husband, their dada that is! Lol!

Pink Gift Idea

Are you having trouble on what to give to someone who is obsess of pink? Think no more, buy this wonderfully designed Hello Kitty microwave oven available at Target. I have seen this personally in the store yesterday and I loved it the first time I laid my eyes on this thing. If I was pregnant and didn't buy the pink microwave hello kitty myself then I could have a miscarriage by now lol. It's just it was unbelievably cute!!

When you give this to someone this Christmas season a gift, you will definitely make someone else's day brighter!

Western Digital My Passport Essential SE

I bought myself this sleek portable hard drive called Western Digital My Passport Essential SE 1 TB USB 3.0/2.0 Ultra Portable External Hard Drive (Metallic Blue) to put my mind at ease. I got tons of photos stored on my computer and I am afraid my computer could crash one day and lose all my important photos and data. But with this portable hard drive that a friend recommended to me, it will keep all my files safely stored forever...well, unless of course I drop the thing then GOODBYE files!

Read the details below and tell me if you don't consider buying yourself this one. By reading what is written below, it should be enough reason why this thing is a must to have.

Here are the technical details of my new toy;

Capacity: 1 TB | Color: Metallic blue

Dual USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility

Connectivity today; speed for tomorrow

Up to 3x faster transfer rates with USB 3.0

Maximum capacity

Automatic, continuous backup

From the Manufacturer

My Passport Essential SE – Next generation high-capacity storage to go.

Put your digital life on the stylish, maximum capacity My Passport® Essential™ SE portable hard drive. With WD quality and USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 connectivity, this drive is designed for today with tomorrow in mind.

First Coach Handbag And Swingpack

Weew what a fine day for me for Coach factory has floods of markdowns plus additional 30% off to already discounted items. Being a member of such store helps for we are given an "exclusive member only mail" that allows us to shop for their handbags and other stuff.

The items below are soon to be mine once they arrive in the mail. I am excited and so anxious to use my first Coach handbag ever! I've been wanting to buy one of this brand but I just couldn't afford to spend my money on to something that is so expensive and is not so important but this morning I couldn't let the opportunity slip away.

Coach don't usually offer markdowns in their stuff unless of course you will go to their outlet store elsewhere... I am glad I bought mine early this morning for items are going away fast.  I only paid $185.56  including tax and shipping of course for these two items below. See the original prices and you'll see how much I saved for taking advantage of the sale!

SIGNATURE STRIPE FRAMED CARRYALL

$328.00 MFSRP

$169.00 NOW

$118.30 WITH 30% DISCOUNT

SIGNATURE POCKET SWINGPACK

$148.00 MFSRP

$69.00 NOW

$48.30 WITH 30% DISCOUNT

Twice The Price

I grew up liking things and envied foods I didn't get to eat because we were poor, my parents couldn't afford to buy nutritious foods for their kids and most of all there were 9 of us in one household and a single earner family.

So you can only imagine a life that is deprived of all things. Now that I have money or a husband that can very well afford things that I like, I make it sure I get everything I need and buy foods I want to eat like this purple yam ice cream here imported from the Philippines. 

American ice cream that is branded cost only $5 but this one right here is twice the price. I don't care if I let my husband pay so much on this one as long as I can satisfy my cravings for Philippine ice cream. 

At A Cafe

I am not used to using computers in an internet cafe anymore but it is better than not having an internet service at all. I got tons of online tasks waiting on me but I guess I am just gonna do all of them when I'm home in Texas because honestly I don't feel safe opening my accounts in public computers.  Aside from that, I feel so naked and always feeling like there are eyes watching me. The prize of not having an internet service at home.

Duhhh blahhhh I only got 2 more days left then I'll be back home in Texas. I missed my little Pearl and husband already. I am anxious to go back home and at the same time feeling sad for when I'm in Texas I'll be staying home most of the time again. Surely I'll be missing my days in the Philippines where I can just  freely go wherever I want and not needing anyone else to take me to where I wanna go.

I Just Saved $5 On Infant Formula

Weew what a deal. I just saved $5 on infant formula for buying two cans of Enfamil online at Babies "R" Us. They are having a promotion on selected items when you buy two, you'll save 5 dollars. I took advantage of it because I rarely see this kind of promotion in stores. And take note, it is available online only plus the fact that you cannot avail the deal if you go to the website directly, you have to have that promotion mail they sent you in your personal inbox.

Promotions like these is hard to let it go away. Baby girl is using Enfamil and luckily it is one of those that are included in the promo. A can of milk will last only for a week if I feed her formula straight and not giving her some of the breast milk.

Another Disappointment From courtney walshak

It was during this day last week when courtney walshak emailed my husband about a check being mailed before the end of the week. Nothing came in the mail until now. I wish she did not say that nor make us believe that it will be here soon so we don't hope for it nor we feel excited about it. It is another disappointment from the whole Kinney law firm as I say.

Many times they made us a fool for believing that the boob client of theirs will somehow issue that long-awaited check. Apparently, she and us were fooled by "him" who doesn't care whether he hurt his brother or not. I don't know when this ordeal is going to end, all I know is that we are getting tired of dealing such a heartless person in this world. He just kept delaying us, hanging us in the dark and most of all PISSES US OFF especially my husband!

Money Sent

I just made two calls to my family in the Philippines. One last night to my father lasted for one hour and one this morning to my mother. It would have been cheaper if I was able to talk both of them last night but my mother wasn't home when I called so had to make another call when I woke up.

I called them to let them know I just sent them some money for the whole month of October. I was not gonna do it because I spent a freaking $420 to the USCIS for my sister's immigration application and I already told my mother, I am not sending them money for two months. I have to save some more for the upcoming immigration bills, you know?

But I sent anyway and they are happy especially my mother for she now has money to use to pay the bills and other stuff. If it wasn't because of my sister rushing me to give her budget to buy herself a girl scout uniform, I would have not done that. Anyway, I feel good after hearing they are doing okay and helping them in a way I can.

Been In The Freezer For Too Long!

I've had this danggit fish in our freezer for two months. I didn't know I had them until yesterday. I thought they were a different kind but when I cooked them this morning, I found out they were actually danggit. Not bad, because I love danggit very much. What disappoints me is that knowing that they've been in our freezer for too long they are no longer good to eat.

When it was cooking the smell of the fish was just awful (good thing it was beautiful outside, cooler temperature so I got to open windows and front door) to let the smell out. No matter how much spices and garlic I put in the fish still the smell was there and ewwww we ate it anyway. I still got some more in the pot left for me to eat in the next meals. No choice but to finish them, I hate throwing away foods that's why.

Rambutan Fruit

I was very surprised when I saw this rambutan fruit at the Asian market where we usually buy my stuff like fish, squid etc. It is my first time to see such a fruit like that being sold here in America. Of course I couldn't pass by it. I've been wanting to taste this fruit again for so long, I did buy a package of it that cost us $4.99. Yes, that is kind of too much but what can I do? I just want to eat this fruit.

Rambutan is grown in Southern part of the Philippines. There are many rambutan trees at my grandmother's farm in Davao that every time we go visit there when we were kids, we could eat as much as we wanted to eat until we get sick in the stomach. Rambutan, I should say was one of my favorite fruits and one of the many things I look forward of eating when my father would bring us to his hometown.