Here’s a photo from the pool at Grand Regal. I asked someone in the gym and I found out that their gym usage is only 1,200 pesos per month! Hmm..this gives me idea while we’re still here;)
Here’s a pic of the pool with my brother and son playing in the pool!
More photos to come for sure. I’m just so busy and I don’t get a lot of time online. For now, that will do! I’m off to go back to the beach later this afternoon!
We just got back from an early morning trip to the beach a few minutes off to an island! And I like going there as early as much as possible! Why? Because it`s not that hot. There weren`t many people around and I love how fresh the air was! We are off to another beach trip next week and I`m so looking forward to that;) For now, I really think I should try to look for a best weight loss pills because I gained weight again! And take note, we just got here for a week! Ughh..LOL
I am in dire need to find the best web hosting site that will suit my budget these days! One of my authored blog has expired it’s webhosting a few weeks ago which I didn’t know until the other day. So, I was thinking that it would be best that I will set aside one webhosting provider that I can just renew the said account without having to trouble myself like for this instance that we are traveling! I have to ask someone to help me because I have been trying to pay and renew in that site but their system won’t let me! I am just glad I found this webhosting geeks that offers tips and ideas on where to find the best deals and has great offers in terms of webhosting! I need to find a dedicated server that offers unlimited space with a reliable customer service! It’s hard to just look around website to website without having to read real reviews. But with this web hosting geeks that I found has really a lot to offer! With me traveling now, I can just look through the top 10 web hosting provider without heaving to trouble myself dealing with companies who don’t answer customer within 24 hrs! Sigh. Other than they give ideas to where’s the best web hosting site you can. And also they offer green hosting which I think this site has almost everything you need!
As part of our yearly visits, we went to Grand Regal Hotel for a night stay again! We stayed at the Executive room that has the biggest bed ever:) I know Grand Regal Davao isn’t that new but we like the service and the husband has some perks that we can get the room half the price! hehe We are off to check Marco Polo too and Chema’s in the weekend so expect more photos in the coming days:) Now, off to check this baby shower decorating ideas for a friend who is preggo!
I NEED this! So, I’ll post this here again:) I still have a lot of things needed to do. I’m just glad Mom is here to help me all along!
So, here are some tips on how to pack for a trip. I saw this at Wikihow and thought it's a good idea.
1. Make a checklist of every item you plan to take on your trip: clothing, shoes, toiletries, maps, guidebooks, reading material, and hotel and rental car information. Include even items you do not intend to pack. Murphy's Law dictates that if you forget something, it will likely be an important item such as your plane ticket or housekeys. A good site to check out is http://www.onebag.com/ as it provides a packing checklist and tips.
2. Review your checklist to determine whether there are any items you can remove to lighten your load. Will you really need three pairs of shoes? And two coats? Consider the weather and what kinds of activities you will be doing.
3. Buy travel-size containers for your toiletries, regardless of the length of your trip. Unless you will be in a remote location for weeks, you can always drop into a local shop to restock your supply of soap and toothpaste.
4. Begin packing your luggage, checking off each item on your list as you go.
5. Pack clothing using the time-honored "roll" technique. Lay two or three items on top of one another, smooth to flatten, and roll them up like you would a sleeping bag to save space and prevent wrinkles. For added wrinkle insurance, place a sheet of heavy tissue or packing paper between items of clothing before rolling.
6. Pack sweaters and underwear in reusable compression bags, which can create up to 75% more space in your luggage. (They lock in odors, so they also work for storing dirty laundry, but make sure they are dry.)
7. Enclose toiletry containers in airtight plastic bags to prevent contents from spilling into your suitcase in the event of a leak. Wrap socks or pajamas around breakable items to cushion them.
Wish us luck! And hopefully more photos when I get back;)
We are off soon. And it means I won’t be able to update as I always want to. I will definitely drop by once in a while specially if I have task that needed to do. But if there’s not any, you bet I will concentrate on the fun part! hehe The kids are so excited that they tried their beach wears already! I’ll post photos once they’re actually in the beach or pool. I’m so busy..I still have to check this receipt printer and other things to do..I won’t be able to finish talking here if you really want to know:) But I’ll spare you that part!
For now, enjoy the spring and I’ll be enjoying the summer heat to where we are going to! 
I have a brother who lives and works in Dubai for now! And a lot of my relatives in my Dad’s side who lives there for over 2 decades. I’m always fascinated with the place. Because the fact that they live there longer, I have cousins who goes at International schools as well. My grandma before she had a stroke used to live there as well together with my Aunts. I’m just curious about the place. And even friends way back from my high school works there. What is it in Dubai anyway? 
So, my parents and I were thinking that we could find a very affordable and cheap holidays to Dubai and visit the relatives specially my brother who works there. I bet it will be a lot of fun because if ever we are going, we wouldn’t be spending money for the hotels since we have a place to stay. So, I was doing some searching because if we are pushing through a trip earlier next year this is the time to do bookings and reservations. And Letsgo2 travel site has the best travel packages to holidays Dubai! I’ve read around and listed some tips and tricks on where to go around Dubai and I am liking it already. I have always wanted to go to Egypt because of the desert alone but since it won’t be possible anytime soon, Dubai is another place that I can actually ride a camel and visit the vast desert! I also heard they have the most fabulous shopping areas specially for Mom who likes yellow gold! Hmmm…I’ll definitely book our trip at this Dubai holidays because they have the most affordable plane tickets since they work directly at airlines minus the middle man like other agencies do. It will be fun, for sure;) I’m excited already!
I posted this shot a couple of times already. But every time I look at it it makes me missed our time in this place! We stayed there for 5 days and it as one of the best holidays we had! I will walk you through and share more photos next time. As a teaser here’s the sunset!
Sriracha is a little town a few kilometers from Pattaya. We never tried swimming because the beach isn’t that really good for swimming but I saw some locals go for a swim specially during the afternoon. There are a lot of fun things to do around the area. The famous Sriracha Tiger Zoo has a lot of visitors flocking in. I’ll post pics next time! 
I was looking for an entry of my post here about Sriracha,Thailand travel tips and photos but I couldn’t find one. I am not sure if I posted anything about it anywhere in my site. I know I posted photos but it’s only a description of where it was not really about the place. So, I think I will make one and post it here! I got reminded of that when I was looking for San Diego CA hotel for the husband that he can use during his trip next month:)I will upload photos now and see:)
I saw this over at eHow and thought this is helpful specially that everyone now seems to be going away for travel and vacation! 
Why not?
1. Keep yourself updated on airfare wars by watching the news and reading the newspaper. Look for limited-time promotional fares from major airlines and airline companies just starting up.
2. Be flexible in scheduling your flight. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are typically the cheapest days to fly; late-night flights (’red-eyes’), very early morning flights and flights with at least one stop tend to be discounted as well.
3. Ask the airline if it offers travel packages to save money in other areas. For instance, is a rental car or hotel room available at a discount along with the airline ticket?
4. Find out whether the stated fare is the cheapest, and inquire about other options when speaking to the airline reservations clerk. If you’re using the Internet, check more than one Web site and compare rates.
5. Inquire about standby fares if you’re flying off-season. High season is a bad time to fly standby because most airlines overbook flights, making it difficult to find a spare seat.
6. Purchase tickets through consolidators, who buy blocks of tickets and sell them at a discount to help an airline fill up all available seats. Check the travel section of the newspaper under ‘Ticket Consolidators.’
7. Book early. You can purchase advance-ticket discounts by reserving 21 days ahead; book even earlier for holiday flights, especially in November and December. Keep in mind that holiday ‘blackout periods’ may prevent you from using frequent-flier miles.
8.Stay with the same airline during your entire trip to receive round-trip or connecting fare discounts.
Have a great time with your holiday!!!
If you can't make it to New York to shop at Housing Works, now Housing Works can come to you in the form of their new book, The Find: The Housing Works Book of Decorating with Thrift Shop Treasures, Flea Market Objects, and Vintage Details. The book is chock full of great photos, wonderful stories and advice from an array of designers. My friend David Jimenez is featured in his very own chapter devoted to how he filled his Kansas City home with a mix of new pieces, antiques and thrift store find. David was in town for the party this week as was interior designer and Turquoise blog writer Vanessa De Vargas who is not only talented but ridiculously beautiful in person. I'm really picky about my design books and I can honestly say that this one is really well done and I highly recommend it. Just be warned that after looking through it, you are going to want to hit the nearest thrift shop or flea market. I know I did and am currently unpacking my fabulous finds! Happy reading and shopping!
You know an event is a success when you have to walk through the make shift dance floor to leave. I can definitely say that a good time was had by all at the Housing Works Design on a Dime Opening Night Party! There is no better way to spend an evening than shopping with friends to benefit a great cause too! Housing Works invited me to attend as Press which was a good thing since I got to walk around and photograph the room vignettes before the place was overtaken. It wasn't exactly like a mad dash like the Filene's Basement wedding dress sale but it was kind of close! I owe a big thank you to my friend Jessica Gold who came with me and took notes and helped with the photography. I learned my lesson after Kips Bay that's it's why too hard to do it all so I really appreciated her assistance!
If you read my blog, you know that I almost never post party photos of myself. It's just not my thing. I joke that party photos should only be seen on Patrick McMullen where they belong but when Jaclyn Smith, your favorite Charlie's Angel, tells you that she likes your dress (thanks Phillip Lim!) and insists that you get in the photo with her, you really can't say no! When I mentioned meeting her to people, they all said that they heard she is the nicest person and she really is! She was so gracious and generous with her time and gave her undivided attention to everyone who came up to her. She left around the same I did and I could tell that she was tired but she never let on the entire night. She was a trooper and I know everyone at Housing Works was so happy to have her be apart of their big night!
I mentioned to Ms. Smith that I thought it was a shame that the media sometimes gives actors and models a hard time for wanting to do clothing and homes lines because I know that a lot of creative people aren't just creative in one area. She mentioned that she started her clothing line for Kmart over 20 years ago which I cannot even believe but I can already tell her furniture line will probably be around for just as long. Jaclyn Smith not just some celebrity who put her name on something. She is very much involved with her lines and it shows. They are very designed and in this economy are just what people need.
Ty Pennington was also gracious and posed for a quick photo in front of his line for Sears.
That other big retailer, who shall remain nameless since they weren't a sponsor, may get all the press but I have to say that Sears and Kmart design really great products and I am definitely going to stop in the next time I am home. 
I've been a huge fan of Suze Yalof Swartz from not only Glamour but also Full Frontal Fashion so it was fun to finally meet her in person! She has to be the sunniest and happiest person in New York which is amazing since everyone know that most New Yorkers a cynical bunch! I've known that she reads my blog because she is obsessed with home design which I think is funny. My friend Jessica who was with me also works in fashion and is obsessed with home design and I work in design and am obsessed with fashion! We decided it must be that people get bored by what they see everyday and the other seems more fresh and exciting. Oh, and another fashionista who is obsessed with interior design is blogger Nicole Gibbons who writes So Haute. She actually recognized me at the event which I still can't get over. We've made plans to get together and dish about design soon and I can't wait!
You'll remember that Suze's apartment was featured in Domino and she told me that she is trying to recreate it now in a new apartment in the same building. Her old one was full of green so I told her that she had to check out the room of interior designer and shop owner Elizabeth Bauer. Her room was very popular and you can see why! I got to chat with Elizabeth via email before the event and she said, "my room is a mini-version of my store - all bright colors and mid-century American furniture covered in designer fabrics. I strive to make my designs one of a kind, incorporating vintage high and low end pieces and adding my own modern flair."
She also had raves for Housing Works, "as for Design on A Dime, it is my favorite design event of the year for selfish and selfless reasons at the same time; I can find amazing things at amazing prices and 100% of the proceeds go to an incredible organization. I have bought so many unique pieces at Housing Works over the years." I can't wait to stop into Elizabeth's shop and see her design work. Look for a profile on her soon! 
I want to remind everyone that the event is free and open to the public through Saturday, May 9th and I hope you will all stop by and buy something to help out Housing Works. I have run out of time tonight to label all the rooms below but you should be able to see a sign with their name on them in most of the photos. When I have more time tomorrow, I will properly label and link to all the great designers and stores that participated in Housing Works Design on a Dime! There is really nothing better than shopping for a great cause! 
