Family Sunday (Old Post-Edited)

Out of the blue, my mom and dad decided to take us to Luneta. Both of which didn't go "technically." We were about to get to Luneta Park, but to our dismay, it was very crowded and polluted - unlike how beautiful they remembered it in their prime. When we got to Fort Bonifacio, we found out there was a fee just to enter the park, and the eight of us (seven in the family and my nephew) was just too costly. So we decided to head for MOA. But before we were to leave the beautiful sights around Fort Bonifacio, we loaded up on batteries for the camera and took advantage of the photo opportunities.


Here's our one and only complete family portrait. The rest of the photos were either missing my dad or missing me, the main photographer.


And I'm afraid this is the closest I got to Philippine Fashion Week. Though the L'oreal Paris show was literally right around the corner when we were in MOA around 9:30, I couldn't drag the whole family there. So I settled for these photos.
This is my summer Sunday out ensemble. And oh yeah, those are the thrifted navy Marella pants I mentioned awhile back. That top is one of my favorites. I found it in the middle of the teens section of SM Dept. Pays to hunt for what to shop!

Ahoy, Mates!

One trend that’s really been hot and happening this summer is one very apt for the main star of the summer that is the ocean – the sailor look. This look is mainly characterized by navy blue hues, mainly in cropped pants partnered with bright-colored plains or prints. I’ve incorporated pieces for this look in my wardrobe with classic stylish pieces you can wear comfortably in casual occasions. Here’s one I wore in our college’s summer-themed year-ender party last March, and again last holy week vacation with the family last April.

Do not mind the stupid expression on my face in my mom’s candid shot of me. Focus on the clothes. Hehe. Here I paired my high-waist Petite navy shorts with a top of bright white and pink stripes. For the shoes, I wore white studded flats to complete a whole clean, casual, stylish look.

Fun, fun photo-op with my sisters and my mom

You can also pair the navy hues with white, bright yellow or cherry red tops and shoes. Play with accessories like belts and ribbons. This look can be pulled off by basically anybody with the right, suiting pieces. Of course, just keep it casual and DO NOT overdo it. It’s a fun, cool, trendy look yet classic and worthy of investment. Anchors away, girls!

My Balls of Fame

Tipidums Recipe No.2: Microwave-Baked Buttered Meatballs

One exhausting, fateful day, I get home and was tasked to cook up some dinner. We had some meatballs in the freezer and I was supposed to steam them. I thought, what would that taste like? I mean, it had no added flavor or anything. And so, I decided to bake them, with what little ingredients we had lying around at home. And the finished product was quite exquisite.

*I'm very sorry for the lack of a high-res photo. This was taken using my age-old phone cam.

I put the meatballs in an oven-safe bowl, topped it with some crushed garlic, diced red onions, some salt and pepper and covered the whole dish with lots of butter. To add a more gourmet feel, I also topped it with the grated Parmesan cheese lying around the house. I popped it in the microwave on medium high for 5 minutes, then on high for 3 minutes, or until the meatballs are golden brown. Voila! These microwave-baked buttered meatballs were a big hit with my siblings, mom and dad. It was very gourmet yet very inexpensive and easy to make. Try it for yourself!

The meatballs may be bought in your deli market if any are available. Or you can choose to make your own by balling a mixture of ground beef and/or pork (yes, you can combine them), salt and pepper and an egg. You can also incorporate some veggies like tiny diced carrots and your chosen greens or other spices.

Tipidums Score: a perfect 5

2 Firsts Last 2nd of May

One is my very first bloggers event! It was a scorching hot World Bloggers Day in the metro last Monday. My dear friend, Boyacads, tagged me along a bloggers’ general assembly in SM Cubao Cyberzone. The gathering proved to be an occasion of learning from each other and making new, and awesome, very accommodating friends. Some of them were lifestyle blogger Azrael of Azrael's Merryland (who actually presided the event) Kuya John or Kumagcow, Justin of justinbreathes.com, Kuya Alexei of technoclast.com and some of the PMC moms. To top it all off, we got to feast in meals generously provided for by that Mang Inasal branch. Interestingly enough (well, at least for me), I was invited to visit one of the bloggers’ friend who recently opened a salon and check out the whole hairstyle scene in the middle of Q.C. I’m not sure it will push through but I am hoping it would. More on that soon. It was a day surely well spent celebrating a date dedicated to the “online press.”

"Bloggers Area" @ SM Cubao Cyberzone (photo by Azrael)

BoyAcads and I @ Mang Inasal (photo by Kumagcow)

Next, on my way home, I stumbled upon a thrift store along the corner of Monumento and EDSA. Though I was very tired, parched and blazed, I decided to reward myself to some shopping. I remembered a conversation with Boyacads on our way home about pants, about how few we have to be enough for the many casual-wear days of summer. And so, I was determined to acquire new pants for myself, and I did – I even got two!

They’re both high-waisted sailor skinny pants (resembling those sported gorgeously by Ping of allaboutfashionstuff.blogspot.com above; actual photos soon, after I triple washed them already), one is of a dark navy blue dye and one is almost black. The former is a Marella denim number while the latter’s a piece from Bossini jeans. With almost similar hues, why buy both? Well it all lies in the fabric. The Marella denims can be a go-to piece for any casual occasion. However, when the legs are craving for extra comfort and ease of movement, the Bossini pants do the trick since it’s made 100% stretchy cotton. These two new pairs of pants are truly great additions to my closet. At 35 bucks a piece, haggled at 60 for both, they’ll never EVER be regrettable!