Shopping

PLUS SIZE SHOPPING

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It was Friday, around normal people’s lunch time, the boyfriend was off work and I was trying to wrap up the remaining tasks for my own workday. ‘Why hasn’t he asked me yet if I was ready to go?’ I wondered. I called him after several unanswered BBMs and SMS. He was fast asleep.

I couldn’t just go home – had no more cash on me and I had given him my ATM. He was supposed to take Zune to the vet for his annual checkup and booster shots. I only had enough for my fare to work and a midday meal. The itinerary was supposed to be:

> Take dog to the vet
> Pick me up
> Lunch
> Get Zune
> Go home

He found an excuse – the groomer wasn’t there yet, not until 1pm. OK. Work was only until 11am and though I always stayed an hour or two extra, that day I felt I had to leave early – this was day 2 of my headache downtime. When he finally said that he had taken Zune to the clinic (All About Pets) and was on a cab to Cubao, I stepped out, grabbed two Hopias from the cafeteria and went outside to wait for him. After 10 mins of waiting (it was better to wait there because the cold temp in the office was making my headache worse), I decided to go inside the mall.

It could have meant additional spending for me (disaster!). In the past few months, I had noticed how the Plus size section at SM Cubao had grown. There are more brands now, better selection, and they didn’t all look like clothes for matrons. 🙂 This section was right on the first floor, from my entrance I’d go past the watches, turn right, walk about ten paces and voila!

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This was where I got my first ever BBD last year (for obvious reasons, I can’t call it a little black dress could I?). There were a lot of nice tops on display, and there were printed shirts on sale too. If I wasn’t hungry, or didn’t have a headache, I’d have tried a lot of stuff on.

Thankfully, the boyfriend arrived before I could do any swiping with my credit card. I had shown him a shirt I had taken a fancy to – he liked it though I don’t own anything in that color (pale yellow), but the saleslady would have to check for the size I needed. I didn’t have time for that. So bye bye butterflies on a pale yellow shirt!

I love how there are so many choices available now for my size, and they’re age appropriate too. But even so, I must not remain comfortable at this size. I am obese, not just curvy. Although I do not think I will ever shop at a non plus size section, I can be a 12 or a 14 instead of an 18 or 20. I can be just as proud of my curves without the health risks of diabetes and hypertension hanging over my head everyday.

Though plus size clothing has just become more fashionable, not being healthy has not. I must not lose sight of that.

Watch Me!

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As a young girl, I’d always worn watches. My parents traveled a lot and we would be at the Duty Free Shoppe a few times each year and one of our favorite sections are the Swatch and Benetton stalls. I remember my first Pop Swatch that was predominantly green. Then there’s my blue and maroon striped Benetton watch that went well with my maroon school uniform (and blue ID).

But I haven’t worn  one in a long time. Like many Pinoys, I’ve learned to use my mobile phone as a timekeeper. Once, I splurged on another Swatch watch (it’s a big black one, with beads for a bracelet) but it didn’t take long before it gathered dust in one of our cabinets here.

Since moving to work in Cubao last year, I’d been eyeing watches. Perhaps its because I always enter SM thru the watch section. 🙂 So while waiting to meet up with the boyfriend (or vice versa), I’d checkout the merchandise. But that crazy habit of checking out prices and fit wasn’t confined to SM. Even while in Greenhills, I gravitated towards the stalls that sold them too. There was one stall that displayed shiny big ones that reminded me of the Breitling replica watch that my Dad was conned into buying years ago. I say conned because the seller didn’t disclose that it was a replica. So anyway, in Greenhills I found out that even fake Panerai watches tend to be expensive! Specially the ones that have stones on the face or all around it, they can be pricey. At first I was drawn to the girly watches – ones that had charms or chains instead of straps. But I soon realized that I had to be practical. Whether original or replicas, I couldn’t make myself buy an expensive watch knowing that I have the tendency not to wear one all the time.

For awhile I confined myself to just browsing through photos of watches online, more often at replicawatchesus.com. That site has such variety, one is sure to find the design that suits them. If you find one you like you can go ahead and order right from there. I lusted over a Zenith for awhile but it was well over the price point I was willing to pay for.

Anyway, how did I satisfy the compulsion to buy a girly expensive watch? I bought one. But it wasn’t girly and it certainly wasn’t expensive. Good thing the boyfriend was with me when I decided to buy. I was going for a plastic schmancy watch from Skechers but he steered me towards a classic design that was very affordable. So this is what I wear now, on an almost daily basis 🙂

 

Shopping Splurge

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Alfred went home to Pasay yesterday morning, and he invited me there for a late lunch after my shift on Friday afternoon. I took the MRT and met up with him at the Taft station where he bemusedly told me about the insane number of stores along their street. That wasn’t news, I already knew that. But he said that their numbers multiplied and even he couldn’t understand it anymore. It was like Pilapil and H. Domingo became the capital of sari sari stores.

So we walked along and started counting.

We soon lost count. Haha! Seriously. Left and right there were vendors selling food in their mini-carinderias. There were a number of newspaper stands. Need vegetables for your home cooked meals? You can be sure to find whatever veggie you needed from either of the two vendors selling them. Ang daming tindahan! Alfred’s mom and dad have their own sari-sari store too. One can’t help but wonder if they still make anything from it because there’s just too much competition! But I guess they still do.

There must really be a lot of people living in the area that there’s business enough for everyone.

We had a quick lunch of humba (I honestly can’t tell it apart from pork adobo), and paksiw na bangus, with atsara on the side. All prepared by Alfred’s mom. As expected, they were all yummy and was well worth the trip from QC. 🙂 As expected, Nanay commented about me being bloated again – she said I had gained weight since she last saw me. That must have been on her birthday in September. Yes, I’m afraid I did gain weight since then. Oh well.

Since we were already in Pasay and had the rest of the day off, we decided to go spend the afternoon in MOA and maybe see a movie. We saw Who’s That Girl? but not before a shopping splurge! I hadn’t intended to do any shopping, but well, being in the biggest mall just automatically gets you in that vibe. Right?

It all started with a visit to Beauty Bar where we picked up a big bottle of Purity. The one we got before 2010 ended is almost gone so a restock is in order. This time, we got the biggest bottle they had. The reviews are all true – it is very gentle and possibly the best cleanser out there. I also got The Supernatural for the first time. I haven’t tried it yet but look forward to it. I told the sales lady that I had wanted something for my face because I don’t wear any make up at all, and hardly ever put on powder. I have a Maybelline compact powder in my bag all the time but I always forget to use it. Anyway, she recommended that product for me.

The best part is getting freebies! But I forgot what they were and am too lazy to go up and find out. Last year I got a small bottle of Grace scented lotion and I loved that! When I run out of lotion (I have soooo many bottles in my room) I will restock with Grace.

I was so tempted to try other products in the Philosophy line, and also get a lip shimmer from Burt’s Bees, but I had to control my spending. Ugh. Why wasn’t I born a millionaire? 🙂

And then we had to pass by the Gap store. I’d been wanting one for quite awhile, and so yesterday, I did get one.

These are very comfortable flats. They fold in half and come in a nice small bag so you can tote them along anywhere you might need a change in shoes. So next time I wear heels, these babies are coming with me as backup. But I need not wait for such occasions to wear them, of course. I can wear them anytime I want. 🙂

On our way to the cinema, we had a glimpse of the sea and the barge that we assumed where the fireworks would be fired from for the pyromusic fest later that evening. People were fixing chairs and there were cables everywhere with technicians busy with wire management and setting up a stage and all that stuff. The breeze was calming and I’d have stood there until sunset, but we were due at the theater so I tore myself away from the scene.

So anyway, my Thursday fused on to Friday and we ended the day very late for someone who goes to work at 3am. We were aware of the tragedy happening in Japan, and the potential tragedy to the Philippines and other coasts all over the world, but I guess we coped with it all by seeing a hilarious movie and going shopping. The MOA was NOT full of people as I expected it would be on a Friday, perhaps people were staying away from the sea though Manila Bay was not in the tsunami watch list.

Custom Note Pads

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A lady friend who runs a small clothing store had this problem about what to give to her clients and customers, as well as her employees, during Christmas. Even though her business was running on a tight budget, she wanted to show to everyone her appreciation for their having stuck with her through thick and thin during the economic crises.

While researching on the Internet, she stumbled upon a site offering custom promotional items. She was immediately drawn to the personalized note pads that the site has on sale. These note pads are available in single color pads or in pads of 4 colors, with sizes ranging from 2×3 to 6×8 inches. Intrigued, she decided to make inquiries with the site. To her delight, she discovered that the note pads can be made to her specifications. For note pads as giveaways to customers and clients, she had the name of her company, the address and phone numbers printed at the top of each page. For her employees, she had their names printed on the note pads, along with the company details. While her clients and customers were very happy with the handy gift, her employees were even more thrilled to see their names on the note pads that she gave them. One worker even approached her and said that the note pad made him feel that he was indeed part of the company.

At present, my lady friend always recommends to her business associates that they give custom promotional items to their clients, customers and employees. While they help to spread the word about your business, they also give your loyal staff that sense of belonging to your company.

Charity Collabs for Flood Relief

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Wow, my second digital scrapbooking post in a row. It’s been awhile since I last had back to back posts about kits or anything digiscrapbooking related, but this news couldn’t wait. I’ve always been amazed about how such an amazing community the digiscrapping world makes. Many times, I have seen designers come together to give their time and talent to worthwhile causes. It happened for Haiti relief last year, and for some other families who needed help with medical bills or seed fund to bounce back after a devastating fire, for example.

And digiscrappers rally to help by buying these charity kits where proceeds are almost entirely given to the intended beneficiaries. Isn’t that wonderful?

Here’s another one of those, benefiting those affected by the floods in Queensland, Australia.

Click on the preview to go to ScrapbookBytes to purchase this kit. Even if you’re not interested in donating funds, you’re sure to get value for every dollar paid because of all the goodies that fill this kit. So if you think about it, you’re satisfying your shopping urge for kits while you help others. Ten dollars can go a long way when put together with other tens. 🙂

From Sweet Shoppe Designs, they have this limited edition collab kit to raise funds for one of their designers who was also devastated by the floods. You can read about Zoe Pearn’s story of the flood here. Brighter Days Ahead is a kit filled with hope that they may pick up the pieces and restart their lives after the flood. It is available for a limited time so go grab it now:

this is just the preview for the papers and there’s so much more to this kit. Check it out by clicking the preview.

Now I wish I had enough funds to buy both charity collabs, as well as the Scrap Matters products I put on my cart this morning. But I’m quite apprehensive about digiscrap shopping too much because they might end up gathering virtual dust while they go unused, much like my jewelry making supplies that are just kept in a box in the garage.. Well I hope not, whether paid kits or freebie downloads, I will use my stash to create beautiful pages this year. 🙂

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