HIT LIST: Embroidery Services at Metro Department Store

Whoever invented the gift registry thing, you are a freakin' genius. Unlike some people who prefer getting surprise presents, I like telling people what I want and I think it goes both ways. I mean, I love giving gifts, too, and it makes shopping a lot more easier if there's a wish list I can refer to. So for our wedding, Mitor and I registered at Rustan's and we were so delighted that 90% of our guests bought everything from our list! Yay! *happy dance*

Here's one of the many gifts we received:

Plush white towels from my former boss Frances and her husband Vince. Thanks, guys!

We specifically picked out these white towels because we have black tiles on the master bath so we wanted to work around a black and white palette. I know that sharing is caring but I'm pretty anal with the his-and-hers towel situation so I brought them all to my fave wasteland, Metro Department Store, to have them embroidered.

Christmas in February

This was our midnight snack on the eve of Valentine's Day, after driving to two malls hoping to score tickets to the Toni-Piolo movie. Imagine all cinemas were sold out! Eh malay ko ba na ganon pala sila ka-big deal? LOL 

So after our failed attempt to a spontaneous movie night, I whipped up this red-themed snackity-snack at home--sparkling grape juice, strawberry jam, and quezo de bola--which were all gifts from last Christmas! A lot better than another burger and fries combo from the drive-thru, yes?

Happy Hearts Day! :) 

The Dining Area Project: Finale

And here we are again! Without further ado, simply scroll down for before and after photos. :)

BEFORE

AFTER

Repainted and reupholstered chairs

BEFORE

AFTER

"After" photos by Owee Salva-Yulo

Come to think of it, I just did three simple things: de-clutter, repaint, and a little carpentry/reupholstery! Expenses on this side were very minimal, since I didn't really purchase anything big. I was actually itching to buy new dining chairs but it was too costly, so this is what I came up with. Not bad, right? :)

Click here to read more about The Dining Area Project.

The Dining Area Project: Overview and Progress

Now that we're done with the home office, let's move on to our dining area! Presenting... before photos.

 This photo made me sad for two reasons: 

1. The whole area looks so gloomy! 

2. I miss my 2012 body! Huhuhu

Anywayyyy, as you can see the room also has a big mirror like the living room. It actually came from a salon that Mitor's family used to own back in the '90s. Again, lots of sentimental value.

Rattan and metal dining chairs with stained cushions

China cabinet turned bookshelf and bills rack

Of wires, machines, books, and all that paper. (Say hi to Yaya Del!)

Again, first order of business was to clear all the clutter. Most people find that task daunting, but really, all you need to do is to put everything where they're supposed to be--books in bookshelves, bills in file folders, medicines in a medicine drawer. Pretty basic, actually.

HIT LIST: Acrylic Window Sticker

I love it whenever I discover random (plus points if affordable) things, so I'm going to start this Hit List section for my OMG-I-can't-believe-there's-such-a-thing moments. First on my list is a product from Japan: the acrylic window sticker. I chanced upon this wicked wonder in Ace Hardware while we were in the middle of renovations, which was around November 2012.

Remember I told you about this old wood vertical cabinet that I forgot to take a "before" photo of? I did, however, take a snap of one of the cabinet doors while in the middle of the restoration process.

One would think that the glass surface is just covered with a ton of dust that can be removed with soap and water, but no. It is quite dirty to the point that the glass looked like shit. LOL. Sorry I'm running out of adjectives here.