Flip Flops

I love slippers. It's comfy and soft on my feet. Back in 2005 when Havaianas was the "in" thing, I had them in various colors with my housemates.It was our basic footwear, rain or shine...wore them in all places...malls, restos, schools and in parties. 

And then it eventually became just our house slippers, hehehehe. 

To date, people still line up for Havaianas. I find it nice that Havaianas innovate its style and colors, in keeping with the demands of its market. Young or old, I bet my foot, surely has a pair of this expensive slippers.

Last weekend, I went to my first Make Your Own Havaianas (MYOH) event.

Oh well, it's summer...I might as well get new slippers...and have it the way I really want it.

Free Coke Zero for everyone. Refreshing!

I was given this form to fill out, where I can choose the size, sole, straps, colors, charms and pins.

You can go around the area and actually scroll over the choices, if you're having doubts on what color to combine the sole and strap.

 

A lever is provided in all the glass encasings for you to roll over the choices.

Some of the pins you can choose from.

The afternoon crowd at the pre-selection area.

The making of slippers is on the other tent (thank God its airconditioned!). So after selection, the other tent will be the next destination (by batch).

The waiting area.

Inside, where your slippers will be made:

So many people buying slippers!.....

....under one roof!

You can buy as many as you want. No limit.

My line, because I bought only a pair.

Huge crowd indeed.

I chose a navy blue sole, and thin hot pink straps (Php895). Plus the Harajuku Doll pin (Php100). The proceeds of the doll pins will be donated by Havaianas to the survivors of the Japan earthquake through the Philippine Red Cross. See, I'm a wise shopper after all. I buy things for a cause, hahahaha.

The finished product:

Simple. Yet lovely =)

I love the pin!

Because I used my Citibank card to pay for my purchase, I got 10% discount. Sweet deal.

The shopping bag. It comes with a bag tag! Cute.

I enjoyed the craze. I will definitely have another MYOH!

Pampering

I had an I-Love-Myself day. I wish I could have it everyday. It was fun pampering myself after a long, long time.

First stop: haircut. My friends had been pestering me for weeks for a haircut. After I lost 17 lbs, they all felt my hair look heavier and drier. I should have it styled.

I'm not really adventurous with haircuts because I have wavy bangs. I had always been wearing the same hairstyle. Just long, slashed or layered at times. The only time I had a total different look was when I had it really really short (boy's cut) waaay back college. I had the same cut with my Swing Out Sisters Pam and Kitty-Cat. That was the first and the last.

Glorietta branch

It was my first time to visit the Bench Fix Salon. I was planning to have a different (really different) hairstyle, so I might as well spend for that.

But I chickened out, hahaha. I was not prepared what style to have. So, I opted for the usual, LAYERED, hehehehe. Hmmmm....it didn't make any difference at all....though my hair felt lighter....I still look the same. Boooo... so much for an expensive haircut. Next time, i'll have a totally different cut. Promise.

Second stop: I bought myself a book.

Good thing this was available in paperback already. This was first released in hard bound, and I find it quite expensive. I love Sophie Kinsella, especially the Shopaholic series.I enjoy reading the misadventures of Becky Bloomwood (though I didn't enjoy the movie that much, even if it was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer).

All her books are funny. I have them all in paperback, except Remember Me.

Third stop: manicure and pedicure.

This is one thing I think I can't live without. This is one luxury I will never give up. This is one of my sources of joy. Call me mababaw, but I value really nice and clean nails. 

Nail Tropics is posh. Located at the 4th floor of Greenbelt 5.

Cool and relaxing atmosphere

And they got this really comfy seats, with fluffy pillows!

I dozed off here, hehehe

 My hands were soaked in warm water, with some pebbles on it, before the manicure. 

My feet were also soaked and scrubbed before pedicure. Heavenly!

Joan did my toe nails. She's got the lightest hands ever!

The shelf where you can choose you nail polish.

The results:

Lovely!

 

 

Fourth stop: shopping!!!! As usual, I got myself some stuff from Forever 21. They were on sale!

 Truly, a perfect day!

P.S.

The ultimate I-Love-Myself day package arrived.

 

Perfectly perfect!!!

No fasting

I did not fast last Holy Week. Actually, I don’t really fast. I have been claiming to be exempted from fasting because I was sickly when I was a child. My family doesn’t fast as well. We just avoid eating meat, but we eat normally.

I spent the holy days in Nueva Ecija…away from the busy streets and lights from Manila. It felt like being home in Davao because I experienced the same serenity and calmness when around with family at home.

The family of my good friend RB was very hospitable. Very warm and accommodating. This was the third time I visited the place. And I always bring home wonderful memories of home-cooked meals, warm breeze, funny conversations and sprawling fields of vegetation.

In the province, food is always abundant. From breakfast to dinner, there is always something to eat or drink. Fruits are plenteous. Coffee is alluring. Sleep is encouraging. Time is indolent.

I feasted on mangoes all through out my stay...

...that were freshly picked from the backyard.

We had lamb....

Lamb curry

Lamb adobo

 My all-time favorite: Taiwanese camote.

Best with Queensland Butter ;)

Tinola

Nothing beats native chicken

Mango shake

Our afternoon delight

Grilled bangus

Pancit and adobo

We picked sineguelas. It was my first time to actually see a sineguelas tree! hahahaha

 It's not a bushy tree pala, but branchy.

There were only few leaves. I don't know if that's the normal look.

 

We ate them on the spot, right after picking. Yum, yum. Happiness!

So, how did you spend your Holy Week?