[Zei on Career & Passion] Bangkok Files Part 1

I'm lucky to have a job that allows me to go to different places. My most recent out of the country trip for work took me to Thailand for the first time. =) And as a first timer, here are some of the things I think one should do when in Bangkok:

Photo collage made using www.photovisi.com / All photos were taken by me

1) Shop, shop, shop - I didn't do much of this since I was out on official business, but if I had the time and extra money, I'd shop to my heart's content. Platinum Mall is filled with lots of trendy and cheap clothes while Siam Paragon has the upscale shops for your designer fix.

2) Eat Mango with Sticky Rice - It's super yummy. It's like our native suman, but sweeter and more sticky with sweet yummy mango and rice crispies on top. =)

3) Have Tom Yum - Yup, there's nothing better than eating Tom Yum in its country of origin. Yum! Indeed.

4) Ride the tuktuk - This one is just for the experience I guess, since they charge differently especially if they notice you're not a local.

5) Visit a temple - I didn't get to visit the old and big temples since I was in the city, but I was lucky to chance upon this holy place in the middle of the city while walking. The temples were small, but grand none the less.

6) Ride the Skytrain - It's the easiest way to get around Bangkok, I think, since traffic is bad when you take a cab.

7) Go to Terminal 21 - For a unique shopping experience, this new mall, Terminal 21 is a great destination. Though the stuff sold are a bit pricier, the ambiance is worth taking the trip. It's designed like an airport and each floor is designed like a different country or city. Every floor transports you to a different place - from London, US, Japan to Rome and Paris.

So there, that's just my bit from my trip to Bangkok. Would love to go back for leisure soon. =)

[Zei the MOM] Sweet & Nautical for our sweetheart!

This is a late post, but blog-worthy none the less. =) Just sharing with you our Zia's 1st birthday blowout in pictures. Yep, will let these captured wonders speak for themselves. =)

{The Setup} - styling by Pink Tie

{Food & Table setup} - by VS&F

{The wonderful guests - big, small, young and young at heart}

{Our happy family}

{The celebrant}

And just like that, our baby girl is now a year old. And I shall end this photo blog with a line from our video message for our daughter which we showed during her celebration - 'we may not be the perfect parents, but we promise to love you, our Zia, every second of everyday, the best way we can and the best way we know how to. =)

Have a wonderful wonderful weekend everyone!

All photos by Owi of The Stork Studio.

[Zei on Home Deco & Design] Project... yet again!

Photo from Robin's Roundup

Now that Zia's 1st birthday is done, I can now save up for new home projects, which makes me feel giddy just by thinking about it. And so, to get me started, as in my previous projects, I shall list them down and look forward to each and every ones completion.

1) Yellow accent wall mini-project

2) Backyard fence project

3) Master bedroom improvement

4) Outdoor Lanai project

5) Kitchen overhaul

The above are big projects compared to my previous ones, but I figured that I've been wanting to do them since we moved in 2010 and that I should start the groundwork ASAP. I have no target date in mind except that everything should be done by the time Zia turns 2, so that gives me a year. I put in the kitchen overhaul last because it costs the most. =p

But aside from the big projects, there are some things I'd like to purchase within the month to satisfy my pursuit for prettifying our home. And these things include:

1) Modern Vintage throws from Our Home

2) Matching floor rugs from Divi

3) Different sized topiaries from Divi

4) More wall decals from Nu Dekor Wall Stickers

That's it. It's quite a lot, but I'm excited to take on these 'for-me-but-technically-for-the-family' projects. It makes me happy.

What are your latest home projects?     

[Zei the charmed one] It's Friday and I'm inlove!

With these two. :)

And just by looking at my husband and baby girl, I realized, yet again, that I should stop whining and just keep on saying thank you because which ever way I look at my life, I am blessed.

Long weekend, see you in a jiff!

[Zei the Charmed one] Cloud Nine!

On the eve of our 9th anniversary as Rich & Zei I just want you to know this, Love...

After so many changes we've gone through - from first jobs to third jobs; from going out on dates to walking down the aisle; from dreaming of our own place to building our own home; from being just the two of us to being Zia's mommy & daddy; my love for you has stayed the same, maybe it's grown even more. I want you to know that each and everyday I call you 'LOVE' isn't just out of habit - I call you 'LOVE' because I mean it. And I mean it each and everyday. 

Happy 9th Love! I love you! :)  

[Zei the charmed one] Weekend highlights!

Just some of my weekend highlights in photos. I simply love how weekends make me feel twice as blessed. 

Zia enjoying going out with mommy and daddy more and more! She's wearing the cute shirt I bought for her from Bangkok! So cute!!

Zia has found a new way of getting around the house - via her brand spanking new activity walker. She's actually more interested in all the activities, but she indulges us by taking enthusiastic steps while pushing her walker. 

Was saving these shoes for when Zia's already 1, but apparently, they already fit her. Gone are the days of Mary Jane socks and soft sole shoes. Zia's onto big girl shoes now. Sniff.

Here's hoping everyone had a fun and restful weekend! 

[Shopaholic Zei] Divi, we meet again!

After 2 years or so, I finally found myself back in Divisoria. I love going to 'Divi', I always have even if it means I have to take the always jam packed LRT 2. :) I love how you can shop where all sellers know you're shopping on a budget otherwise you could've just gone to any mall. 

I went to Divi because I was on a mission - to buy cheap but nice giveaways for Zia's 1st birthday. Boy did I accomplish my mission (and in just a little over an hour)! I canvassed in 168 first but the toys were a bit more expensive than I hoped, so I decided to walk a few more kilometers to get to Divisoria mall. And the prices started going lower. Luckily, I found this toy store that had so much variety of toys, and most importantly, they sold them at the prices I budgeted for. They had everything a mom throwing her kids' birthday needed; from bubbles, balloons, masks, toy vegetables, puzzles, stress balls, blocks, magic slates to wooden toys. I was content. I stayed there and decided to get everything I needed from that store, I didn't canvass anywhere anymore since it would've taken me longer to decide. I got around 150 assorted toys which cost me just Php 2,744 to be exact. Really not bad, I could've scrimped on some of my choices but they were too good a bargain not to get. I got wooden puzzles that normally retail for more a hundred pesos for only Php 15 a piece; mini puzzle mats for just Php 10 and colorful pails for Php 15 as well. 

If I had more time and more hands, I could've ended up buying some more stuff - not for Zia's birthday. Hehe. I wanted to buy topiaries for the house - the ones we have were bought by my mom from a designer shop worth around 3,000 ++ for three, while the ones I saw in Divi which looked exactly like the ones we already have cost just 100 to 180 a piece, miles away from the profit rich cost of its mall shop counterpart. I would've also bought rugs for our bathroom, there were so many cute designs. Maybe when I go again next time, I'll make that trip for house stuff.   

I'm glad I got to go to Divi again. Will definitely be back soon because in Divi I never go home empty handed. And yes, the extra weight and baggage from Divi sure is worth it. :)

When was the last time you went to Divisoria for your shopping fix?