February 05, 2024

Dragon Chocolate Box

We don’t celebrate Chinese New Year but when I saw this Dragon at Craft with Sarah’s website, I knew that I would make it. And what a coincidence, Cricut Philippines is also having a #flexitfriday challenge so last Saturday, I made this Dragon Chocolate Box. 

I found the box template at Cricut Design Space, the file is for brownies but when I checked the size, it could fit 6 pieces of Ferrero Rocher chocolates. I only cut the box template and I added an extra layer of acetate. 


Then using my Christmas Colors scrap paper, I cut and assembled the dragon. I am so happy with the result, I like the combination of glitter and mirror foil cardstock. 



2024 is year of the dragon daw, taon ng mga dragon na misis so bigyan ng chocolates pampakalma. Hehehe!

February 03, 2024

How to Get Professional-Looking Nails At Home

Having beautiful nails doesn't have to come with a ridiculous price tag. Although going to the salon and having an expert give you the full treatment can be a great excuse to indulge yourself, you can also achieve professional-looking nails with a bit of ingenuity and investment. If you are prepared to learn new skills and purchase a few essentials, you can imitate a professional manicure from the comfort of your home. 


Nurture a Healthy Canvas 

Before you attempt professional-looking nails, you will need to make sure your nails are in their best condition. Part of this involves maintaining your overall well-being so that your nails are strong and healthy. Here's how to care for the health of your nails: 

* Make sure you aren't lacking any essential vitamins in your diet, as vitamin deficiency can cause your nails to change thickness, texture, and color;
* Don't cut your nails too short, as this can damage the underlying skin; 
* Break bad habits such as nail biting or chewing the skin of your fingers. Applying polish and coating to nails when the fingers are bitten is painful and unsanitary. 

Practice the Basic Skills 

Understanding the basics will set you up for learning more complicated nail techniques in the future. Knowing how to prepare your nails for treatment is a useful place to start. These are the basic preparation steps: 

* With completely dry nails, gently file the rough edges down
* Next, soak your nails so the cuticles are moisturized. 
* Gently push back your cuticles, but don't clip them as they are important barriers against infection;
* Apply a base coat before starting with your more elaborate designs. 

Use the Right Products 

It's hard to go wrong with a single polish color applied plainly to each nail, but this doesn't scream professional even if it doesn't look bad. For impressive nails, you will need to invest in the right tools and supplies for the job. Retailers like igelbeauty.com offer professional-grade products such as nail lamps, pigments, and other nail supplies. You will be more likely to achieve professional-looking results with high-quality products. 

Take Your Time 

With each step of the process, be sure to use a steady hand and your full attention. Focus on performing each task slowly and carefully for results that perfectly match your vision. No one gets it perfect straight away. The first few times you try to give yourself the perfect professional manicure might turn out looking amateur. It takes time to learn new skills, especially ones involving minute precision and understanding various chemical interactions. 

A fresh set of perfectly manicured nails is a uniquely pleasant sensation. Going to the nail salon with a few friends and making a day out of it will always be fun, but if you ever want to keep your nails looking their best without spending too much money, becoming your own nail tech is the way to go. With the skills and tips listed above, you can now give yourself professional treatment without the painful price.

February 01, 2024

Lunch at Texas Roadhouse

We had no internet connection last weekend so after our scheduled dental prophylaxis, we went to the mall. It was time for lunch so we checked the different restaurants in SM Sta Rosa. We seldom visit this mall kaya marami pa kami restaurants na hindi nakakainan. 

Since lunchtime nga, marami na tao so we ended up with Texas Roadhouse. It’s been years since the last time we ate here and namimiss ko na rin yung bread nila. I was happy that Texas Roadhouse has already a branch in the province, first time namin sa branch na ito. 

Upon being seated, the staff gave us the menu and informed us about their 50% off promo. They asked us to show our credit cards to confirm that it is part of the list. After verification, we started browsing the menu, yung promo nila is pang regular price lang so we cannot order the bundles or set meals if we want to avail of the promo. 



Since Texas Roadhouse is known for steak, we ordered their Legendary Combos, 6oz Sirloin & Baby Back Ribs PHP1,595 + SC, and 6oz Sirloin & Shrimp PHP1,495 + SC. The combo meal includes two side dishes, we chose, garlic rice, mashed potato, and buttered corn, We ate bread and peanuts while waiting for our order.



I was excited about our order because we already tried Texas Roadhouse steak before and ito rin yung binalikan ni hubby na restaurant when he went to Texas, USA. But unfortunately, my excitement turned into disappointment, we ordered two combos, pero yung steak na kasama ng Baby Back Ribs, ang kunat at ang hirap ichew. Good thing, okay yung steak na kasama nung shrimp. Pero sayang pa rin kung hindi mo maenjoy yung steak na inorder mo. 



The baby back ribs and shrimp tasted good but we were disappointed with the steak, we ordered medium steak but it was not tender. This was the first time that I was not satisfied with our Texas Roadhouse experience. We did not complain about it kasi naslice at nakain na yung iba, hindi nga lang naubos. Good thing that there is a 50% discount. I mentioned pa naman in one of my posts na if I want steak, I would consider Texas Roadhouse but because of our recent experience, napapaisip na ko. I just hope it is an isolated case. 



January 31, 2024

Lunch at Watami Grill & Sushi Bar

I’ve been seeing a lot of posts na “Ang tagal ng January” so I guess, ako lang yata ang nabibilisan sa January. I can’t believe that tomorrow is already February and I’m not yet ready. So bago pa matapos ang January, let me share our food trip at Watami Grill and Sushi Bar last year. 


I’ve mentioned before that we got sick during Christmas break and buti na lang umaayos na pakiramdam namin so we were able to go to the mall before the year 2023 ended. We had last-minute shopping for gifts and grocery na rin. 


I can’t remember the last time that we went to Alabang Town Center so when I saw Watami Grill & Sushi Bar, mukhang bago sa paningin ko. According to my research, Watami is a Japanese casual restaurant that has 700 + branches in Japan and Asia Pacific. 


We were the first diners so we just took our time browsing the menu pero sa first page din pala kami pipili. Hehehe! We decided to try the Yakiniku Set Meal, there are four choices but Sirloin is not available so we ordered Top Blade PHP375, Chuck Roll P395, Cube Roll PHP395, and Tuna Sashimi PHP400. 


The set meal comes with rice, miso soup, and 3 kinds of side dishes. I thought we were going to cook the meat pa pero hindi pala, luto na pala siya. Among the meat, yung top blade ang hindi namin type, mas tender yung chuck roll, and cube roll. Also, they served complimentary tea din pala while waiting for our order.




January 26, 2024

Cricut Love Bingo

Cricut Philippines has another challenge and the prize is Cricut Joy + Cricut Joy Bundle Essentials. This has been on my craft wishlist for a very long time so I am trying my luck. The challenge is to finish this Cricut Love Bingo Card for one entry. 


So I am trying my best to finish these 9 projects so I can have at least one chance. The deadline is still on February 13 but I wanted to finish this as soon as possible while I am still in my crafting mode. I am not yet done but sharing some projects that I already finished. 



I already made these cards two years ago but this year, I recreated them but no more corners because I wanted to attach the backing card instead of inserting it. 

Valentine or Anniversary Gift Tag or Gift Card 


I made these cards using different elements from Cricut Design Space, I chose font and elements that are available without a subscription. This is a score, draw, and cut project. I can use these cards for Valentine’s Day or Wedding Anniversary. 

With you, I am home 
We're better together 
I choose you today and all of our tomorrow 
God knew my heart needed you 

3D Love Grows Here 


I also made this 3D Love Grows Here, this is a ready-to-make project, I just edited the size and colors. I reduced the file so I did not get a clean cut on some layers but I still assembled the project. 

Cricut Cutie Stickers 


 A few years ago, I made Cricut Cutie Stickers and I used those stickers for my Cricut Mats. Now, I decided to edit my design so I can also share my project in the Cricut community. 


This is a print-then-cut project and I used Printable Holographic Vinyl. I had my Cricut Maker for more than 3 years already but this is the first time that I put something on it. “Talk Crafty to Me” 

Heart Vinyl Stickers 


I found this “You Can Do It” reward chart on imom’s website so I downloaded, printed and laminated it. Then instead of printing heart stickers, I used my scrap Holographic Leopard Chrome Vinyl. I forgot to change my blade from deep point to fine point blade so the heart stickers became die-cut stickers instead of kiss-cut stickers. 

Heart Love Shirt and Pouch 


I recently watched Craft with Sarah’s tutorial about “How to Put Text Inside a Shape in Cricut Design Space” so I was excited to try it. Since it is Valentine’s season, I used a heart shape for this project. My design is not that perfect but I am still happy with the outcome. 

Update: 

Adding the last 3 projects to complete my card and I am so happy because I already have one entry. 

Love Magnetic Bookmark 

I’ve been seeing a lot of magnetic bookmark craft projects in the craft community but it never crossed my mind to try this because I already have a magnetic bookmark. The magnetic bookmark that I am currently using is already more than a decade old, sulit yung bili ko. 


Anyway, because of the challenge, I finally made my first magnetic bookmark. Good thing that I have a magnetic sheet at home since I am using that for my dies. I found this LOVE SVG file on Cricut Design Space and I decided to use it for my bookmark. You can use photosticker or photopaper + phototop and of course magnetic sheet to recreate this project.

Self Affirmation Mirror 


I just realized na wala pa kami gaanong mirror sa bahay so it took me a long time na gawin itong project na ito, hindi ko kasi alam kung saan ididikit. Good thing that I found this mirror, so I cut “Do What You Love” SVG file using Frosted Glitter vinyl. 

Hug in a Mug 


I don’t have a sublimation printer and mug press but I like this Cute Couple Bear so I printed it using Vinyl Sticker and added Glitter Phototop. 

January 25, 2024

3D Love Gift Tag

Since craft supplies are not cheap, I really save my scrap paper for future use. And it came to a point that I filled up two storage boxes so I spent the first week of January, decluttering my scrap. I had to let go of some of my scrap paper and I only kept the paper that I can and I will really use for my project. 

Now, I only keep one clear plastic container where I dump all my scrap and if I have extra time, I will sort those scraps into my file folders so I can arrange per color or shades. One of my goals this year is to limit my scrap so for the past few weeks, I have been trying my best to use my leftovers.

This week, I joined “Bee Happy Weeklies Week 4: Save that Scrap” so since Valentine’s Day is near, I decided to make a gift tag using my scraps. I used pink, red, and white cardstock for this project. Remember my Heart Shape Treat Box, I also used that paper so no more leftovers. 


I love making layered paper craft so it is not surprising that I made 3D Love Gift Tag. I found this 3D Love Shadow Box on Cricut Design Space but I reduced the size to 2.5 inches so it can fit to my scrap paper. 



I cut the design, assembled and attached it to my gift tag base. At first, I wanted to use an eyelet but in the end, I used a Hole Reinforcer Puncher so I could still use my scrap paper.


January 24, 2024

Valentine’s Craft Projects

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching so I started making Valentine's craft projects as early as the second week of January. I joined Cricut Philippines Design Space Thursday Giveaway and the theme is Valentine. There are so many craft projects that I can do but I challenged myself to create craft projects that are not part of Cricut Access Subscription. There are free images, fonts, and craft projects that are available on Cricut Design Space and we just need the patience to search for them.


My first project is the I Heart U card, This is an insert card but I tweaked the design a little bit so I can make 3 different cards. 


For the first card, I just cut the original design and added an insert card. 

The second card is the I Heart U Shaker Card; using contour, I removed the corners and attached it to a 4.25 x 5.25 inches rectangle. I cut the design and embossed it using die cutting machine. Add acetate 4.25 x 5.25 inches, foam tape, and heart elements. Attached to the card base which is 8.5 inches by 5.5 inches and scored at 4.25 inches. 

And for the third card; I cut "I Heart U" in red color and attached to the white "I Heart U" of the first two cards for dimension. I die-cut 4.25x5.25 inches of white cardstock for the heart design. Attached to the card base and glued the "I Heart U". 



My second craft project is the Heart Shape Treat Box, this project is part of the community project that I just recreated. I already shared this project on this post



My last craft project is the "I'm Crazy aBAO You" couple shirt. This is an easy project because I just cut, weed, and iron the design on our t-shirts. This is the first project that I did using the Cricut Easy Press 3 prize that I got last year. I am just not sure if my husband will wear this. hehehe!

January 23, 2024

Philippine Passport Renewal for Minors

My son and I renewed our passports before the pandemic happened and this year, his passport is nearing its expiration date na. Ang bilis lang talaga ng panahon, we were supposed to renew his passport last Christmas break pero nagkasakit nga kami so hindi natuloy. 

So this month, I searched about Passport Renewal for Minors kasi every time naman na nagrerenew kami, lagi may bago. Like this year, nasa Festival Mall na pala yung DFA NCR South, wala ng Saturday appointment and I can pay online na rin, before kasi nagBayad Center pa kami. 

I want to renew his passport as soon as possible because I know na mahirap makakuha ng appointment and ayaw ko naman maabutan pa ng expiration, what if need namin umalis. So I’ve been checking my son’s class schedule and DFA schedule so I can book an appointment. 

I checked the different DFA sites and I narrowed down my choices to these sites. 

DFA NCR South - Festival Mall, Muntinlupa City 
Dasmariňas - SM City Dasmariňas 
San Pedro Laguna - Temporary Off-Site Passport Service 

But after checking their calendars, San Pedro Laguna site ang marami available na dates. Yung DFA NCR South, February na ang earliest pero sa San Pedro Laguna, I can book for the second week of January. My son has two days offline classes kaso si hubby naman ang hindi pwede mag Vacation Leave. Good thing half day lang sila kapag exam so tinapat ko doon yung appointment niya. 


How to Schedule and Pay for Your DFA Passport Appointment Online 

2. Check the box “I have read and understood the instructions and information on this page…”
3. Choose an Individual Appointment or Group Appointment 
4. Choose your Preferred Site 
5. Check the box “I have read, understood, and agree to the above conditions”
6. Choose the date and time 
7. Fill out Personal Information, Family Information, Application Information, and Contact Information
8. Choose the Processing Type. Wala naman ibang option kundi Special Processing 

Special Processing PHP1,200 

9. Choose payment method 

EPayment - pay via Maya 
Debit/Credit Card 
Over the Counter Payment - via Bayad Center Accredited Merchant 

10. Choose Pick-up or Courier 

PHP150 - for courier service 

I chose pick-up and the designated passport pick-up location is at DFA NCR South at Festival Mall. 

I chose a debit/credit card and the amount I paid is PHP1,250. The passport processing fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. 

Passport Fee is PHP950 
PRF Fee is PHP250 
Convenience Fee PHP50 

11. Check email and print the attached application forms and email confirmations. (A4-size paper)

Requirements Needed for Passport Renewal of Minor 

1. Confirmed Online Appointment 
2. Accomplished Application Form 
3. Personal Appearance of minor applicant and either parent or authorized adult companion 
4. Current ePassport with a photocopy of the data page 
5. A Marriage Certificate is required if only one parent is accompanying the child. 

If parents are unmarried, a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) executed by the Mother will be required if she is not accompanying the child 
If a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) is executed abroad, it must be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate Original and photocopy of proof of filiation and/or guardianship 

6. Passport or Valid Government-issued ID of either parent with one (1) photocopy  
7. School ID (if applicable) 

The PSA Birth Certificate was not on the list pero sinama ko kasi yung last na renewal namin, hinanap pa e. I photocopied the PSA certificates and sinama ko pa rin yung original PSA certificates. Kinuha nila both photocopy of birth and marriage certificates, pero yung photocopy ng school ID ng anak ko hindi. 



Also, niremind ko si hubby na huwag pabutasan yung passport, kapag claim na lang namin ng passport saka butasan. Valid pa yung passport so we can still use it habang wala pa yung new passport. We can claim his passport after 2 weeks. 

January 22, 2024

Glimpse of Mabuhay Lounge at NAIA 1

Philippine Airlines moved their international flight to NAIA 1 last June 2023 and because of that, passengers with Mabuhay Lounge access go to different airport lounges in NAIA 1. My husband experienced going to the Marhaba Lounge and PAGSS Lounge but last December, he was fortunate to experience the new Mabuhay Lounge in NAIA. 




When he sent me the photos, nagandahan din ako, malayo siya sa experience ko in NAIA 2 and Cebu Airport. This lounge can accommodate 294 people, it offers a dining area, buffet bar, shower room, restroom, massage corner, nursing area, quiet area and they even have exclusive room for million milers.





The most important thing is, they have more food and drinks.





Mabuhay Lounge Terminal 1
Level 4, adjacent to Gate 9
Klook.com