February 27, 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok Hotel

Just this month, my husband went back to Bangkok Thailand. I was checking my blog and seven years na pala ang nakalipas since our last visit. My husband's last visit was in 2018 when they had a team building and stayed at Modena by Fraser Bangkok Hotel. This year their company had a kick-off meeting held at Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok Hotel. 

Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok Hotel was the 6th accommodation that my husband has tried in Bangkok. It is a 4-star hotel located in central Bangkok. It is near Skytrain Station, restaurants, and shopping malls like Amarin Plaza, Big C, and Platinum Mall. 

This hotel is about 25 kilometers away from Suvarnabhumi Airport. They do not provide shuttle service but they have alternate transportation for THB1,800 per way. Their company arranged their round-trip transportation. 

Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok Hotel Room 

This hotel offers 314 contemporary guest rooms and 2 suites. The room is equipped with a working desk, couch, mini fridge, and coffee/tea maker. 



The bathroom has no bathtub. 



Since this was a company event, my husband just stayed inside the hotel for four days, so they ate breakfast lunch, and dinner at the hotel. 

MoMo Cafe 

The complimentary buffet breakfast is served at MoMo Cafe. It is an all-day dining restaurant that offers Thai dishes and international cuisines. The restaurant is open from 6:00 AM-11:00 PM. My husband enjoyed his breakfast and according to him, their buffet spread is much better than the other hotels he had tried in Bangkok, with more food choices.








This hotel has a fitness center, outdoor pool, and spa but my husband was not able to visit these amenities.


Courtyard Bangkok Marriott Hotel 
155/1 Soi Mahadlekluang 1, 
Ratchadamri Road, 
Bangkok, Thailand, 10330 
Tel: +66 2-690-1888

February 24, 2025

Birthday Cake Toppers

I started this year with the goal of finishing my backlogs, but something happened last week and I lost my blogging mojo. Blogversary ko pa naman and I can’t imagine that I’ve been blogging for 14 years already. Well, I hope to overcome my fears and worries para hindi na ko mastress. 


“Worrying is like paying a debt you don’t owe” - Mark Twain 

So for now, I will just share my birthday cake topper projects. 

Happy Birthday Cake Topper - Bear 


This design is available on Cricut Design Space, easy to cut and assemble. 

I made these two cake toppers using my favorite font Birthday Verygood font. 



These two cake toppers are for Senior Citizens so I used black and gold cardstock. The font is Billion Dreams


February 17, 2025

A Toast to Love at Tiger Leaf Asian Cuisine

John Maynard Keynes said, “The expected never happens; it is the unexpected always”. This is true because last Valentine’s Day, I already accepted that we wouldn’t have a Valentine’s Day celebration because all the restaurants we wanted to try were fully booked from February 13-16. 

So I told my husband na maggrocery na lang kami pero kumain muna kami bago maggrocery so we dropped by at Evia Lifestyle Center. We walked from the parking lot while contemplating where to eat. There are so many restaurants and we already tried some of them. We already ate at Teppanya, Italliani’s, and Mama Lou’s. 


Umabot na kami sa dulo and we decided na itry namin yung Tiger Leaf. In my mind, I would just order from the All Day Breakfast but the staff informed us about their “A Toast To Love” promo and I told him, sige, pag-isipan muna namin. I quickly scanned their menu to check the price range and after a few minutes, we told the staff that we would avail of the promo. 



While waiting, I observed the restaurant and this reminded me of Cafe Voi La and I discovered na group of restaurants pala sila; Cafe Voi La, Tiger Leaf, San Sebastian, Another Story, Dumbo Smoke, Rustika Asian Urban Kitchen, and The Cheesecake Fairy. So medyo, nawala yung worry ko na baka hindi okay yung steak kasi may Dumbo Smoke pala sila. Also if you compare their menu, may mga similarities. 

A Toast to Love Menu for PHP3595 + Service Charge 

Starters 

Fresh Spring Rolls 
Cream Corn Cob Soup 
Asian Salad 

Main Dish 

NY Striploin served with lyonnaise potatoes, buttered baby carrots, French Beans and finished with a rich port wine sauce. 

Dessert 

Creme Caramel 

Drink 

Red Sangria 


The restaurant was not crowded so we had a good table and the service was fast. They immediately served the Kropek and Red Sangria. 


When they served the food, we were really surprised because of the huge servings, kasi yung ibang restaurants na may set menu ang konti lang ng serving parang sampler size. But this one, hindi kami tinipid. Also, tig-isa talaga kami ng food so hindi ko na kinunan yung plate ni hubby since same food lang naman. 


Actually, Fresh Spring Roll pa lang, nasarapan na si hubby so sinabi talaga niya nung bumalik yung waiter na masarap yung food. The waiter informed us that their chef is from Chiang Mai Thailand.



Since I’m not fond of vegetables, my husband ate 2 Fresh Spring Rolls and 2 Asian Salad, while I ate the 2 Cream Corn Cob Soup. 


When they served the main dish, the steak was not thick but I already knew that I could not finish my plate so take-out ko yung half nito so I have space for dessert. But my husband was able to finish his steak. 


We already asked for the bill when they served the dessert. Feeling namin nafood coma na kami sa dami ng kinain namin or nahihilo na sa Red Sangria. I’m not into alcohol drinks, tumitikim lang kaso sayang bayad sa Red Sangria kaya inubos ko. Hehehe! 

Overall, we were delighted with our unexpected Valentine’s Date at Tiger Leaf kahit hindi nakami nakapangdate outfit. Nakat-shirt and shorts nga lang si hubby. We enjoyed the ambiance, food and service. Ang bilis ng service nila, as in, walang matagal na waiting time, pagkaubos namin ng meal, naseserve na agad yung next. 

And because of our hearty meal, nakalimutan na namin maggrocery, umuwi na kami after kumain. Hehehe! 

Tiger Leaf 
Daang Hari Road, Almanza Dos, 
Las PiƱas, Philippines

February 13, 2025

Anniversary Staycation at Nawa Wellness Calatagan

Since last month, my mom always asked me where we are going to celebrate our wedding anniversary and I always say, hindi ko alam baka kakain lang kami sa labas. And now February is here and we still don’t have definite plans. 

I was contemplating if we would have a weekend getaway or food trip. Pero kung weekend getaway naman, wala na ko maisip na puntahan na resort. I even checked the list of exhibitors of the recent PTAA Travel Expo baka may magandang puntahan pero ayaw ko naman pumunta sa travel expo because I still can’t forget our last visit kasi kaya tinamad na ko. 

For the past few years, we celebrated our anniversary at Chateau Hestia, La Chevrerie Resort and Spa, and Nawa Wellness Calatagan. And now, I realized that I haven’t shared our Anniversary Staycation at Nawa Wellness so let me do a throwback post. 


Nawa Wellness is a new eco-luxury holistic wellness destination in the Philippines. Before kasi, when we say wellness resort, The Farm at San Benito ang naiiisip natin but now, meron ng ibang option. My husband just inquired and reserved our room via their Facebook Page and to guarantee the reservation, 100% deposit for the first night is required. 


Calatagan, Batangas is not that far but we still traveled early because I wanted to eat Breakfast at La Creperie - Twin Lakes. Then after our breakfast, we went straight to Nawa Wellness. This was the third resort that we visited in Calatagan, Batangas. We have tried Golden Sunset Resort and Stilts Calatagan before but only for a day trip. 

On our way to the resort, we were surprised na may harang, so need pala namin magbayad ng Ecological Fee. I thought sa San Juan, Batangas lang ito, meron din pala sa Calatagan. The small booth is about 15 minutes away from Nawa Wellness so kaya pala hindi namin naexperience sa ibang resorts na bandang unahan. 

Ecological Fee

PHP30 - Adult 
PHP24 - Senior, PWD, and Children 

Anniversary Staycation at Nawa Wellness Calatagan 

A few days before our trip, the staff asked for our arrival time and my husband said, 11AM but we arrived at 9:30AM, sobrang napaaga. When we got there, we realized na one-way pala yung daan so mahirap kapag may kasabayan kaya pala they asked for our arrival time so they can prepare. 


The guard asked us to wait while the staff are preparing, so dahil napaaga kami hindi pa sila ready. They have a “Welcome Ritual” for all the incoming guests pala. So may pausok and sinabitan din kami ng lei. 


At the reception, they served our welcome drinks and gave us a brief introduction about the resort, activities, restaurant, and others. We already paid for our accommodation but there is a PHP6000 cash deposit. 



Check-in time is 2PM so we were surprised when the staff informed us that our room was already ready. Yes, early check-in. Before we went to our room, we ordered our lunch. The place is not that really big, pero sumakay pa kami ng service on our way to our room together with our butler “Jaspher’.

If we need anything, we can just message our butler so yung mga order namin na food, paschedule ng spa and activities, sa kanya kami nag-iinform. 


Escolta Room (Superior Room) 

As of this writing, I checked their website, iba na pala name ng rooms nila. So I was assuming yung Escolta Room namin is under Superior Room. Last year they had packages but since I’m not fond of body treatment or massage, I told my husband na Room with Breakfast lang kami. Escolta Room is PHP5,600 for 2 persons and PHP2,000 for extra person. 

This is the room. 


The bathroom is small. 


There is a water dispenser, gazebo area and small swimming pool in this building so pwede na kung ayaw mo maglakad ng malayo para sa malaking pool. 




For our food, you can read the “What to Eat at Nawa Wellness” post. I shared on this post what we ate during lunch, dinner, and breakfast. 



My husband and son also availed of the Banana Body Wrap, PHP2,600 per person and it is only 45 minutes. My husband said, “Okay lang” so nanghinayang yata sa PHP2,600 niya. Hehehe!



Nawa Wellness Activities 

Prior to our visit, I thought we would just eat and rest at Nawa Wellness so I was really surprised that they offer activities too just like our experience at The Farm at San Benito. 

7AM Guide Walk 
7:30AM Breathwork 
9:30AM Mandala 
3:15PM Meal Prep 
4PM Hiking 
6PM Reiki 

Make sure to book in advance because slots are limited. We were not able to experience the Reiki kasi fully booked na. 

There are also paid activities. During our trip, there was “Hilom and Likha” and I was lucky to try this activity. The activity is from 3 to 6PM, so I did not join the Meal Prep and Hiking activities.



For Meal Prep, the chef taught them "how to make 3 kinds of juices using cucumber apple, watermelon, banana, turmeric juice, honey and lemon". 


For Hiking, nakakapagod ito, 250 steps daw yung inakyat nila. Buti na lang may free bottled water. 


The following day, we joined the Breathwork and Mandala Activities. 



After the Mandala activity, we went home already. Overall, we enjoyed our short weekend getaway. The service is good from the reception, restaurant, and all the staff na makakasalubong mo. 


Nawa Wellness 
Brgy. Bagong Silang,
Calatagan Batangas

February 11, 2025

Valentine Craft Projects

I still have a long list of Valentine Craft Projects that I want to do pero ilang araw na lang pala Valentine’s Day na so I guess, next year na lang ulit yung iba.

I’m sharing the different craft projects that I made for the past few weeks.

Valentine Bookmark Crayon Holders 

When my son was still in his toddler years, I always saw this type of craft project and this is a nice birthday giveaway or gifts for friends or classmates that won’t hurt your budget. I wanted to do this for a long time but I don’t have the machine or tools. 


Even though my son is no longer a kid, I still purchased the Valentine Bookmark Crayon Holders SVG file. Actually, I had this file for three years already, and now ko lang nagawa.


This is another Valentine Crayon Holder but I can’t remember where I got the file. 

Cute Penguin Valentine Card 


This Cute Penguin Valentine Card is from Jen Goode, I got the file from one of the summits I joined but if you have a Cricut Access Subscription, you can recreate the project. 

Valentine’s Gift Layered Card - Love 


This file is from The Bearded Housewife’s Made with Love Summit 2024. I plan to use this as a cake topper. 

Valentine Teddy Bear Heart Box 



I mentioned before that I will recreate the Valentine Teddy Bears using a different cardstock. This is better compared to my first project. I used this to decorate my Heart Box.

Valentine Truck 


The Valentine Truck is from Craft with Sarah, you can use this as a cake topper, tag or decorate your card. 

Flower Pot Valentine Card 


The truck layered craft collection is already over and Craft with Sarah has started her new collection. And so far, she has two flower pot designs but I only cut the Flower Pot Valentine Card and used it to decorate my Valentine's Card. 

Butterflies and Flowers Card


I made this Butterflies and Flowers Card last year but I think I can also use this as a Valentine's Card or Anniversary Card.

Will You Be My Player 2? 

This Gamer Card was my entry for Bee Happy Weeklies Week 46: Pixel. I made this last year but I can also use this for Valentine’s Card. 



I printed the design, attached it to the cardstock, and glued my Layered Male and Female Gamer Gnomes. The Gamer Gnomes are from Craft with Sarah.

Cupid 


This cupid is designed by Craft with Sarah.

3D Valentine Gnomes


I had a hard time cutting the dress of the 3D Valentine Gnomes but I didn’t want to waste more paper so I still assembled them even though the cut was not perfect. 
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