Nowadays, sending physical greeting cards is no longer a thing because of the internet. It is easier to send eCards, GIFs, or simply type Happy Birthday on social media. But the older generation likes receiving physical cards with handwritten notes. So this month, I made some birthday cards because March is my mom and father-in-law’s birthday month. I made 5 cards even though I only need two.
Happy Birthday Easel Card
My mom loves flowers so when I saw this Happy Birthday SVG file, I knew I would make it. I attached the design on a 10x5-inch cardstock and added “mama” as a stopper. I did not send this card because last year, July na niya nareceived yung birthday card namin. Waah! Five months bago niya nareceived but I am still thankful na natanggap pa kasi akala ko nasayang yung binayad ko sa post office. I just took a picture of it and will give it to my mom when she returns to the Philippines before school break.
This is supposed to be an insert card but I removed the four corners. I colored the balloons and attached a backing card.
Retro TV Birthday Card
The Retro TV Birthday Card is supposed to be a shaker card but I have limited shaker elements supplies so I did not put anything. The card is designed by Michelle Price during the Cricut Craftfest.
Birthday Candles Card
The Birthday Candles Card is a 5x5 inches card with 7 candles, It is perfect for a 7th or 70th birthday greeting card.
A few weeks ago, I shared some Easter Craft Projects that are available on Cricut Design Space and now I am sharing the rest of the Easter Craft Projects that I finished.
Easter Egg Chick Design
This Easter Egg Chick Design of Digital Gems is so cute that I still made it even though I don’t have a toddler. You need a split pin or fastener to make the eggshell move.
Easter Bunny and Chick Gift Tag
The Easter Bunny and Chick Gift Tags designed by Main Road Digital Creations, are part of the Cricut Craft Fest projects. You can add the name to the carrots. This design is versatile because you can use it for straw, just remove the gift tag layer.
The following designs are all from Craft with Sarah.
We went to Landers for grocery and the supermarket was so crowded, I have no idea na “Sale” pala sa Landers kaya pala halos puno na parking kahit wala pa 9AM. After we finished our errands, my son was already hungry pero ayaw ko kumain sa Landers at matao so my husband suggested visiting Alabang West Parade.
It was out first visit at Alabang West Parade and madami pala pwede kainan. My son likes Japanese cuisine so when we saw Ippon Yari, dito na niya gusto kumain. Unfortunately, 11AM pa daw opening nila so I asked my son kung sa iba na lang kami kakain or maghintay kami? Surprsingly, willing to wait daw siya. Hehehe! But I knew he was already hungry so we dropped by Starbucks and we ordered bread and drinks while waiting for the restaurant.
Ippon Yari is not a new restaurant because it started operating in 1996 in Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City. However, the owner decided to expand their business in provincial industrial parks where most of the Japanese resided. The Makati branch is already closed but you can visit their branches in Dasmariňas Cavite, Sta. Rosa and Calamba Laguna, Lipa Batangas and lastly Alabang. Ippon Yari - Alabang branch started its operation in year 2022, so bago-bago pa.
Anyway, we went back to the restaurant at 11AM and ang dami na rin naghihintay na customers. The restaurant has different types of tables, meron for solo diners, family, and big groups. But these tables caught my attention, parang kakaiba. You have to remove your shoes if you want to sit here.
When the staff gave us the menu, we opened it a little bit and nag-order na kami agad. Hehehe! We already checked their menu online while waiting for the opening time. We chose from the 10 Ipponyari favorites so we ordered Chashumen PHP440, Katsudon PHP400, and Nirareba Itame Goza Teishoku PHP440.
After two minutes, the staff arrived and gave us wet towels, water, and complimentary salad. My two boys enjoyed the salad, yung anak ko na hindi mahilig kumain ng gulay sa bahay, nagustuhan ito, pati yung salad ko, siya na rin kumain.
In less than fifteen minutes, they served our meals and we were surprised because the servings were big, hindi tinipid, considering mas mahal pa yung ibang nakainan namin. My Katsudon order has a side dish and miso soup too.
I also read that we can get a free Yuzu or Kyoho Soda if we answer a feedback form which my husband did.
After eating, my husband got the bill and the staff asked us if we wanted hot coffee or iced coffee, complimentary daw.
Wow, ang dami nila complimentary dito, normally may hot tea lang sa mga Japanese restaurant but here we got salad, juice, tea, and coffee.
Taste of the food is good and also, the service is fast and good. There is no doubt na ang dami kumakain dito and I’m pretty sure na babalik din kami.
How quickly time passes and it is more than a year since we visited La Chevrerie Resort. So before I blog about Nawa Wellness Resort, I will share our anniversary staycation first at La Chevrerie Resort & Spa. This is the fourth resort we have tried in Anilao, Batangas; the first three resorts are Vivere Azure, Lilom Resort, and Solana Resort.
La Chevrerie Resort & Spa is a 5-star resort in Anilao, Batangas, offering 13 rooms only to ensure privacy and exclusivity. And as expected the rate is expensive even though we took advantage of their promo. Don't forget that the “Discount is only offered to direct bookings via email or phone with the resort.” The Deluxe Room is PHP12,000 per night for 2 persons and an additional person is PHP4,000.
PHP10,800 - discounted rate
PHP4,000 - additional person
My husband booked our room, a week before our stay, and full payment is required to reserve. We paid PHP14,800 via bank transfer and this rate only includes the following.
* Accommodation in an air-conditioned room.
* Welcome drinks.
* Complimentary Set Breakfast for 3 pax.
* Use of resort facilities (pool, bar and restaurant).
* Privilege of Happy Hour every day from 5-7PM (50% OFF on all Alcoholic Drinks except Wines)
For me, based on the rate, the price is already expensive since it only includes room, welcome drinks, and a set of breakfasts so I was really surprised na may bayad pa ang kanilang life vest. Sa tagal na namin nagtratravel, this is the first time na naencounter namin na may bayad ang life vest. It is PHP150 per day/per vest and we rented 2 life vests.
Staycation at La Chevrerie Resort & Spa
Moving on, let me start reminiscing about our trip. Check-in time was 2PM so we had lunch before going to the resort but arrived before 1PM. You need to ring the doorbell because the gate is closed. After we parked our car, the staff was already there waiting for us and he helped us with our hand-carry luggage.
Compared to the first 3 resorts that we have visited, hindi nakakapagod dito sa La Chevrerie Resort. You will reach the reception and your room in a few minutes, walang feeling na naghiking ka. Hehehe!
At the reception, we filled out a form and the staff informed us where the restaurant and spa were and the happy hour, dinner, and breakfast schedule.
5-7PM - Happy Hour
7AM - start of breakfast
8:30PM - restaurant closing time
It was not yet 2 PM so we stayed at the pool area while waiting for check-in time. The staff served our welcome drinks at the pool area which is calamansi juice.
Deluxe Room
Around 2PM, the staff gave us our key and we just went to our room. We booked a deluxe room which is 43sqm so it is spacious. The room has its own veranda and we have a pool view and a 270-degree sea view.
The room smells fresh and looks clean. There was a complimentary coffee, tea, chocolate, and water but no teaspoon or stirrer so my husband went to the restaurant to ask for teaspoons.
Bathroom
Since the rate is expensive I was expecting na pang 5-star din ang mga toiletries but it was not. Although, they have a nice set of cleansing gel and shampoo but no lotion, toothbrush, and toothpaste na usually meron sa mga 5-star hotel or resort. No bidet too.
Pool
What you see on their website is what you get. This pool is just a few steps from our room. The disadvantage of staying near the pool is the noise. During our stay, ang ingay ng mga kids na nag-night swimming and inorasan ko talaga, 9:20PM na sila tumahimik. If the restaurant has a closing time, I hope maaga din sa pool.
Also, 5-star resort but I don’t see any pool towels and I have no idea where to get one since there is no staff near the pool. I did not bother to ask for one, buti na lang malapit lang kami sa room. Since there are only a few guests during our stay, hindi mo mafifeel na crowded. Ewan ko na lang kapag fully booked.
Beach
Medyo malayo yung katabing resort ng La Chevrerie Resort so even at the beach, may privacy ang guests.
Aside from the swimming pool and beach, La Chevrerie Resort & Spa has a gym room, playroom, and dive center. They also offer other activities like snorkeling & BBQ lunch on the beach, kayaking, fishing, mountain trekking, and spa.
Food Trip at L’Atelier
We only stayed for one night so we only had dinner and breakfast. This is our favorite spot at the restaurant because of the view.
Dinner
For our dinner, we ordered Tonkatsu PHP480, BBQ Chicken Satay PHP280, Clay Pot Seafood Yee Mee PHP480, Rice and Soda PHP80. We also ordered one round of alcoholic drinks, nakalimutan ko na kung ano inorder namin, basta one beer, and one cocktail by the glass. Uminom for our anniversary celebration. Hehehe!
Breakfast
The breakfast is already included in our package and there are 3 choices, L’Atelier Breakfast Set, Asian Breakfast Set, and Filipino Breakfast Set so we ordered all the sets.
L’Atelier Breakfast Set: Homemade bread with butter, Nutella, honey, and strawberry jam + Mixed Cereals with full milk or skim milk
Asian Breakfast Set: Chicken congee and fried egg noodles with pork and green chive
Filipino Breakfast Set: Filipino Pork Tapa, Bangus, or Longganisa with Jasmine plain rice.
Then each breakfast set includes the following:
Assorted seasonal fruits
A choice of crepe, egg waffle, Belgian waffle, or eggs (boiled, scrambled,d or sunny side up) with ham
A choice of orange juice or apple juice
Brewed coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or soya milk
Overall, we still enjoyed our short staycation at the resort because it was not crowded. So if you want privacy, you can add this resort to your option.
I was so busy last week because I was doing some errands and returned to the hospital for my routine laboratory test and check-up. After my check-up, my husband and I went to Modern Shang for our late lunch; we rarely go to Chinese Restaurants because I am not fond of Chinese cuisine, but people change so para maiba naman ang aking kinakain.
Modern Shang is formerly known as Modern Shanghai. I have no idea kung gaano na katagal yung restaurant sa Pilipinas pero bago-bago pa yung branch nila sa SM Sta Rosa. It just opened last July 2023 but I only saw this restaurant when we ate at Texas Roadhouse.
Modern Shang’s mission is to provide quality and innovative cuisine in Beijing, Sichuan, and Shanghai. I have never been to China so I can’t compare but after eating at Modern Shang, I finally appreciate Chinese cuisine so feeling ko hindi lang masasarap yung nakainan ko dati. Hehehe!
Prior to our visit, I checked Modern Shang’s menu online so I already had an idea of what to order. We ordered some of their best-sellers like Deep-Fried Squid with Spicy Salt and Pepper PHP418, Yang Chow Fried Rice PHP228 (per cup) and Signature Xiao Long Bao PHP198 (4 pcs). My husband also added Steamed Tofu in Shallot Oil PHP248.
After ordering our meal, they immediately served water, hot tea, and crackers and they even refilled the tea and crackers nung nakita nila na naubos agad namin, hehehe! Gutom na talaga kasi kami. After 15 minutes, they already served our food.
We were so happy with our order so I knew that we would go back again, siguro sa next check-up ko ulit.
Update: October 2024
I seldom go out of the house but when I do, ginagawa ko na yung dapat gawin para isang pagod na lang. Hehehe! First, I had breakfast with my friends at Ambos Panederia + Cocina, and then we went to Pag-ibig office because we planned to continue our contribution as voluntary members. Next, we went to SM Sta Rosa because my friend needed to buy something and we had a late lunch at Modern Shang.
This has been my go to restaurant na kapag napapadpad sa SM Sta Rosa. My friend ordered from Shanghai Wok Bowls, Orange Chicken Bowl, but she could not finish this dish because it was too spicy for her. My son ordered this before during our last visit but did not mention that it was spicy or maybe because he loves spicy food.
I ordered Porkchop Egg Fried Rice PHP498. It looks like a small meal pero nahirapan na ako ubusin ito. And because of that, take out ko na lang yung supposed to be dessert namin na Deep-Fried Glutinous Dumplings. PHP208.
