DIY Paper Gift Bow Tutorial

"Brown paper packages tied up in string, these are a few of my favorite things!" That or presents with large festive ribbons. How do you like wrapping gifts? The holiday season is upon us and I bet you've been bitten by the Christmas bug too and went out and bought a gazillion presents for your loved ones. Unfortunately, your budget's gone low in the wrapping department. Well that or you just spaced and forgot to buy supplies. Worry no more because I've got something for you: DIY gift bows using pretty paper or recycled magazine pages!

The Pink Panther

The true test of a DIY comes when you use it and it doesn't fall apart. Luckily, the dungarees I upcycled from my sister's old pants held itself up! Just imagine the catastrophe had it not. I'd probably go bonkers and wish I could apparate pronto. You know ala Harry Potter?

Cartoon Transformation

It's official folks. We just got Disney-fied and I bet you it felt so cool! I've always wanted to have myself turned into a cartoon of sorts and just a few weeks ago I got this wish ticked off my bucket list. My sister did too and I'm so excited to show you how this magical transformation was accomplished!

Blogapalooza 2015

Live from One Esplanade, Anne and Rhob spread geekiness at this year's Blogapalooza. Be forewarned. This fugitive duo is one hundred percent wacko. Report all sightings immediately.  

Hey There Tiny Pea!

Hey there Tiny Pea!

We shall call you Riley.

Soon on the blog,

Will be a purple googly blob!

DIY Mini Party Poppers and Piñata

Piñatas and party poppers are two of my favorite things in any party. All that confetti and candy is too divine to just not adore, right? Who doesn't want color and sweets? Because of this, I decided to make a hybrid of the two using items that you can easily find at home alongside some recycled materials. Now without further ado, behold these DIY mini party poppers and piñata!

Neverland with Landybridal

I have always been fascinated with stories may they be written in pages or captured in frames. Imagination is something I revel in. Many of the films I've seen and novels I've read revolved around or at least touched the topic of love and romance. I have a list of OTPs and characters that I ship like cray regardless if the author actually made them end up together. Fantasy it may seem but I have always wondered how certain characters would look like on their wedding day. What would they wear? Where would the ceremony take place? Who would be on the guest list?

Bittersweet Cookies

I baked cookies for her one day,

But then it all got burnt away.

So I brought the cookies out to throw,

But then she snatched them all up to stow.

Mermaid Tales with Cocomelody

Silky hair. Tails for feet. Salty air. Coral filled streets. Mermaids are no doubt ethereal and enchanting creatures of the sea. They fill pages upon pages of books and live within the realms of folklore and myths. There's something about their otherworldly nature that captures our attention and curiosity. They're magical and mysterious, do you agree? 

5 Occasions When the Food Delivery Guy Equals Bae

Bae (noun): what you call that dude flexing his biceps to get your food delivered. Also known as the food delivery guy, your savior, a knight in shining armor helmet. Eeep! Too corny eh? But you have to admit, this bae's got your back! He's saved your ass a couple of times and along with that your tummy and the food babies you keep. You ought to give this motorcycle riding prince some credit.

Nook Cafe: Manila's Harry Potter Themed Cafe

Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if only one knows where to find the best cup of butterbeer. Unfortunately, a plane ticket to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and not to mention to either Japan or London is outright impossible at the moment, much to my chagrin of course. If only I could utter "accio moolah" and money will fall unto my lap. *Sigh* But because Harry loves me and Hermione tinkered with some spells, a Harry Potter themed cafe magically appeared along Quezon City's Maginhawa Street! Obviously, my sister Rhob, cousin David and I hopped onto our Firebolts (aka our grandma's walis ting-ting) and dashed to the Nook Cafe in a heartbeat.

DIY Alice in Wonderland Photo Booth

As I've mentioned before, I love an Alice in Wonderland party. I like the quirkiness of it all, the mismatched details and the peculiar characters. Simply put, I have a penchant for crazy and weird. *laughs* When my sister had her birthday party prepped to this theme, I saw to it that we had our very own photo booth that's equal parts wonky and cute. I made sure to document the process as well so I can share it with you! 

Butterbean Desserts and Cafe

#Dessert. How apt can this slice of cake be? For sweet tooth's like myself, no meal is complete without such saccharine indulgence. That would be like marriage without the love or jokes without the humor. If you've been reading this blog for a while now, you may have already realized how much of a sweet tooth I am. Thanks to an unlikely detour that my sister and I suffered, we discovered this place in Cebu called Butterbean Desserts and Cafe. We enjoyed it so much that before flying off to Manila, I scheduled a special date with my high school buddies here.

Dum Dee Dum, Oh Snap!

I have a thing for snapbacks and I like wearing them backwards. No, I'm not too old for it. So what if I'm twenty-ish? Besides, it felt pretty glorifying when a cousin of mine thought that I was only seventeen! *hysteric laughing* Maybe I should wear them more often then?

Alice in Wonderland Inspired Outfits

Themed parties are the rage these days especially for special occasions like birthdays. They’re fun and most of all it brings out the creativity in each one of us. But apart from all the festive decors, fancy dishes and delectable treats, one of the things I look forward to would have to be dressing up. I love to go in theme but at the same time I don’t want to end up looking too costumey. So for today, I decided to create outfit ideas for an Alice in Wonderland themed party as inspired by some of the novel’s most notable characters.

To that Guy in My Dream

Peacefully and happily asleep, I get lost in the world of dreams. Down and deeper I go as the clock ticked away, fully aware that what was once today has now become a bygone and a yesterday.

10 Dining Spots in Cebu that Make You #Foodgasm

In today's digital world, snapping and sharing is the name of the game. Caption here, share there, hashtag everywhere so and so that when it comes to food fare, it's not just a game of exciting taste buds but a full on match of awakening the senses. Flavors. Presentation. Ambiance. Service. Experience.

Carnation Paper Flower DIY

I've been making DIY paper flowers for as long as I can remember. Don't get me wrong. I prefer fresh blossoms but some occasions just call for petals that never wilt. One of my go-to blooms would have to be these carnation paper flowers. They're easy and there's not much complexities involved. All you'd have to do is twist, twist and twist! 

DIY Alice in Wonderland Party Place Card Holders

Party place card holders should always be about style and function. They're not meant to be boring and an Alice in Wonderland party surely needs something a little colorful and out of the box. For my sister's birthday, we wanted something that's as easy as it is pretty. We didn't have a lot of time in our hands and as the White Rabbit chimes, "We're running late!" so we opted for this DIY. It only took us ten minutes tops! We all love an easy craft project, don't we? Read on for instructions!

Pizza Republic "Pick + Mix" by Giuseppe Genco

I'm all for a fun DIY project and I have a penchant for incorporating my craftaholic tendencies to pretty much anything and everything under the sun including my food. So to take a short break from all the Alice in Wonderland DIY projects I've been sharing lately, let's take a little trip to one of Cebu's fun restaurants called Pizza Republic "Pick + Mix" by Giuseppe Genco. Now of we go to the world of endless pizza toppings!

Alice in Wonderland Party Invitations

This invite is a treat so go on and read.

You're off to an adventure down the Rhob-it hole none other.

Bring out your mad hats and let's go nuts.

Be sure to mark the date and don't be late.

It's a day of fun with bonkers on the run.

DIY Watercolor Pattern Paper

When I threw my sister an Alice Rhob in Wonderland themed birthday party, I found myself on a quest for pretty and colorful patterned paper. I needed something vivid and at the same time a bit wacky for the invitations, the sign boards, the photo booth and the rest of the decorations. I specifically wanted a watercolor splattered design but I just could not find any so I decided to make them instead. Anyone up for a fun, quick and easy DIY?

DIY Alice in Wonderland Themed Party

Whimsical and roundabout bonkers. This is the very reason why Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is dear to me. I love the idea of this somewhat logical madness and I like how I can translate the story, the movies and their elements into quirky and playful projects. So when my sister turned eighteen last year, we decided to celebrate it through a whimsical pastel explosion of sorts.

To the Girl Who Ran Away

Running away comes with a stigma. People shun it. Many look down upon it. Most often than not, it is unwelcomed, suppressed and muffled. But here’s to that girl who decided to pack her bags and leave or to that someone who left everything in sheer abandon. It’s okay.

Out and About Manila Part 3: Fort Santiago and Jose Rizal Museum

I've always had a knack for old cities and structures. I guess much of it has to do with being an old soul lost in a digital jungle. There's a certain enigma that draws me to places that hold so much history in its walls. I like it when the air breathes stories left untold and secrets that will forever be locked up in memory. I initially asked my uncle for a tour in the entirety of Intramuros but hopping from Pasig City to Divisoria to Manila Chinatown to Manila Cathedral ate up way too much time, he decided to bring us instead to the infamous 16th century citadel within the walls of Intramuros: Fort Santiago and the Jose Rizal Museum that it housed within its brick barriers.

Out and About Manila Part 2: Manila Chinatown

Chinky-eyed and thrifty. These two perfectly define me so I guess it wouldn't be a complete surprise if I had an ounce of Chinese blood in my veins. My maternal grandmother's side of the family has a one syllable three letter family name. Majority of the family is chinky-eyed too with eyes tending to thin out as we smile or laugh. Alas, no one knows how to speak Mandarin. Lost in translation perhaps? I don't know really but I'll stop these random bits of whatnot and get this introduction over and done with. In my previous post, I mentioned that we had this little jaunt around some of the sights and places to see in Manila. This is part two. Behold Binondo aka Manila Chinatown!

Out and About Manila Part 1: Binondo Church

I was born in Manila but growing up and living in Cebu left me curious about my birthplace. There was so much of it that I haven't seen. I wanted to experience it and breathe history and culture sans the pollution. There was this craving that I had to feed otherwise my mind would explode with questions and what ifs left unanswered. Unlike others, I prefer old city charm and culture whenever I travel. Call me weird or old-fashioned but I'm an old soul lost in a digital jungle. So when my dear uncle (Hi Tito Bob!) asked me where I wanted to go, I screamed Chinatown and Intramuros without batting an eyelash! This was the first stop to our trip. Behold the Binondo Church.

Bloggers United #BU9xSMART

How does one tick an item off of their bucket list? Do you simply cross it out or will you make a diary entry out of it? I'm full on sentimental so diary entries and photos will have to come with little mementos too. I'm happy to announce that I've finally ticked an item off and brought home some souvenirs. Last Saturday marked my very first Bloggers United experience and boy was it epic! Living in Cebu meant having to hop onto a plane which wasn't really feasible at the time. This year however, the stars aligned. Not only did I get to attend but I scored tickets for myself and my sister thanks to a contest hosted by the generous BU team. So pardon the fangirling, the extreme gushing and the humongous photo dump. An epic diary of last week's Bloggers United experience is coming your way! 

Flower Power

Hi lovelies. A quick post coming through! Life's been awfully busy lately thus my blogging hiatus. I'm sorry about that. Anyway, two months ago my sister and I went out for some errands and after which celebrated this blog's second anniversary. I decided to wear something nice. After all, it was a special day. I went with floral prints and pastel pinks. As much as I love snapbacks and sneakers, I'm a girly-girl too. *wink*

The Ice Cream Laboratory

It’s midway through summer here in the Philippines and that translates to sand, sea and sun! I’m currently in the capital city, Manila, and let me tell you this. If Cebu is simmering hot, Manila is on boiling point. We even reached 39 degrees Celsius last week. Whew! I guess I was so used to our semi-provincial home back in Cebu that the metropolitan humidity was a total shocker. I expected it but the level of intensity caught me off guard. There are days when I sweat immediately after I get off the shower. Exaggeration? Oh I’m not even kidding. The bright side however is that I get to eat ice cream. Lots and lots of it! DIY Magnum, dirty ice cream, halo-halo, mais con hielo? Yes I’ve had them. Smoking ice cream from the Ice Cream Laboratory? That too!

Daydreamer {Scribbled Poetry}

The smell of freshly mown grass,

A firmament of well lit stars.

Barefoot on a night so cool,

With frogs croaking by a nearby pool.

Two Years Down Memory Lane

Sometimes I wonder if time is in a hurry. It flies by so fast like an arrow piercing through the air. Forward it goes as if running is the only thing it knows. It's been two years since I started this blog and even I could not fathom how the days flew by. Ticktock was how the clock went and all I know is that every second spent on this online journal was nothing but blissful and heaven sent.

Wanderlust: Glamping in Europe

I should be sleeping as I type this in but I got caught up in a heavy daze of wanderlust. I have always wanted to travel and see the world unfold before my very eyes. There's a certain charm and magic to it that's simply hard to define. I believe there's no adjective good enough to describe the enchantment that it brings. It's like waking up to a beautiful sunrise with the smell of brewed coffee and pancakes in the air combined with this feeling of home fused with a sense of adventure for something exciting and unknown. You see, I want to make memories all over the world. It's a vow that I have taken upon myself.

The Cebu Blogging Community Rendezvous

I used to live inside a shell. Call me an oyster or a snail, whichever suits your imagination. I would however prefer the former given its ability to make pearls. Plus, my bestie is deathly afraid of snails and so the word escargot was considered a taboo while brine solutions are life savers. I'm a self professed introvert and I used to feel anxiety build up whenever I had to go some place where I knew no one. Although I was never acutely shy given that I frequented joining several clubs and participating in plays when I was still studying, there was a certain unease when it came to falling short at meaningful engagements and fun conversations with people. I guess just like any other person, being a wallflower scared me. But that was a thing of the past and then came the fateful day when I accidentally stumbled upon the Cebu Blogging Community's Facebook Group on my sidebar. I clicked the "join button", applied and the rest was history. You might call it chance but I consider it fate.

A Flawless Summer

Are you ready to hit the beach and get sand on your feet? Or perhaps go on a hike, breathe fresh air and be one with nature? In a tropical country like the Philippines, it's pretty much summer all year round. The sun is beaming on most days which makes for a perfect tropical island getaway.  There are 7,107 islands in the country so I'm pretty sure you'll be doing a lot of "Eat-Splash-Explore-Sleep-Repeat" while sipping piña coladas or fresh coconut juice. Yum!

Food for Thought: Confusion

Confusion. It's a state of the mind. It's a befuddling element. It's a word that is as hard to define as it is to understand. It is by all means something that both the heart and the mind find hard to grasp. Are you confused? I believe we all are. At some point and in some way, we are struck with bewilderment.

Papemelroti Haul

Ever since I've been bitten by the DIY bug, my knack for cutesy assortments never faded away. It stuck like bubble gum and no matter how much I convince myself that I'm a craftaholic on the road to recovery, I always end up on the road to the craft store. Such was the case when I made Papemelroti a major item in my Manila travel itinerary. 

Papemelroti Gift Shop and Going Artsy-Crazy

The smell of paper excites me. I like its texture, the smoothness or the roughness that go with each page. I love its color, the shades that go on and on in a rainbow that never ends. Paper compels me in a way. You know, the kind of compulsion that "fictional vampires" have the capability of. I know it sounds weird and cray but it's a hundred percent true. Blame my love for books and crafts for this addiction. Now, imagine my elation when I first stepped into Papemelroti last year all thanks to my cousin Ryche. I vowed to come back should I visit Manila again and I promised myself I'd snap photos too! And so I did. 

SM Aura Premier

I for one believe that architecture is art and I happen to be someone who loves and revels in all things art related. I have a knack for staring at buildings, landscapes and interiors with my mind going off in artsy-craftsy wonderland. I know a work of art when I see it and I'm pretty sure that SM Aura Premier is one of them.

Magnum Manila Part 2: The Special Dessert Menu

Every time I sit down for a meal I always wish that I could skip everything and go straight for dessert! That's how fond I am of sweets, ice cream and baked treats in particular. So here's my question for all of you. How do you like your ice cream? On its own, on a brownie skillet, amongst cookies or drowned in strawberries? I'd obviously pick them all and I have to say that Magnum Manila's take on these dessert mashups are nothing but extraordinary and gastronomic!

Magnum Manila Part 1: Make Your Own Magnum

If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Without batting an eyelash I'd scream for ice cream! My closest friends and family know how much I adore this sweet treat that I'd gobble it up even if the rain beckons. I don't mind the cold. It's the fireworks of flavors I'm after. As crazy as that sounds, it's a true story so it wouldn't sound silly anymore if I told you that I enjoyed Magnum Manila twice in one day. Or is it?

Meralco Liwanag Park

Think about thousands of fairy lights softly twinkling before your eyes, a choo-choo train to carry you around a Christmas village and a bucketful of smiles on everyone's faces. It was as if a magic wand waved us to a place of lights and cheer. I hate to disappoint but we didn't get to go to the Great Hall at Hogwarts; however, it was somewhere equally as magical and charming as that called the Meralco Liwanag Park!

Food for Thought: Confessions of a Photo Lover

One of the best things that happened to me on my way to Manila for the holidays was when our plane flew over the Taal Volcano. It was around 6:00 am in the morning and majority of the passengers were asleep (my mom, sister and cousin included). I felt like I was in a state of bliss as I gaped and stared at the natural wonder. I was in a deep state of awe that I forgot all about my camera, hence the lack of a photo. But hey, it made it even more special. It also made me realize that our eyes are the best lenses there are in the world. No device can ever compete with the beauty that our eyes can see. Don't get me wrong. I find photography an art and a way of living. I happen to revel in it too. But have you ever wondered how sometimes no matter how we angle our shots, they still don't appear as vivid and beautiful as the way we see them?

DIY Floral Garden Photo Frame

The new year continues to roll out and I thought it would be great to share with you a DIY on jazzing stuff up starting with a picture frame. I'm sure you've got loads of them lounging around at your place or you may have received them (repeatedly or not) during the holiday "manito-manita". This one was specifically made as a present. You see my sister was pondering about the gift she'll be giving her best friend last December and we came up with this DIY Floral Garden Photo Frame. Read more for the instructions!