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It’s been a shopping marathon. Three consecutive days at three different National Bookstore branches.

The shopping marathon started late last week. Day 1 at Crossings, day 2 at SM North, and day 3, heaven at the Super Branch.

I found out about the sale a week before the marathon began. I was buying books for Facebook’s Nurture Nature garden, an online game, and Facebook’s first-ever live garden, which I did the production/set design for. I was at the Super Branch then but was not able to go back earlier to get my own share of books. So one day when I was on my way to Wilcon in Quezon Avenue (as I was a renovation project), I stopped by at National Bookstore and ended up buying some books. That kicked off the marathon.

After three days of book shopping with Amrei, we got the books that really interest us. There are books about music, business, dogs, beads and crafts, furniture design, Asian decorations, trivia books, pop culture and of course, arts and travel. We got some fiction novels too, biographies, and a whole lot of illustrated and comic books. A total of 77 titles, or 84 books if including duplicates for gifts! I measured the tower of piled books and it’s at 154 cm, just a few cm short of my height!

I’ve never bought so much books in my life before, and I have never spent this much! I will not say how much we’ve spent but I must say it’s all worth it because there are really good books out on sale. So go now before it’s too late!

National Bookstore’s Price cut sale is up to 75%, sale is only until August 22!

So last Monday, I explored Recreational Outdoor eXchange or R.O.X. at Bonifacio High Street and discovered some things on sale that really caught my attention. I bought a The North Face (TNF) Base Camp Bento Box but left behind another bag that I also liked. So last Friday, while I still have the time (and the budget), I went back to R.O.X. to see if the orange bag that I liked last Monday was still there. Unfortunately, it’s not. But there’s an orange TNF Shifty Messenger Bag in place of the original bag that I liked, I thoroughly examined the Shifty bag if I would like it as much as I liked the appearance of the other bag. I found the other bag prettier because of the mesh design in front, but the Shifty bag looks good and functional as well. I was having second thoughts about the Shifty bag because that’s not why I came back to R.O.X. in the first place so I checked out other stuff instead, while making my decision about the bag.

I was looking at the Keen products and found a cute Mary Jane shoes. I have always wanted to get a new doll shoes again, but could not seem to find the perfect pair. I’m a little picky with doll shoes because I truly loved the last doll shoes I had – I got the pair from Maphisto when I was in high school. The shoes have thick soles with wood sandwiched in the heels, And I just loved its form, it’s good for pants, shorts, skirts, with or without socks! ANd they were not too girly at all! Gosh I missed those shoes! I wish I could find another one like that. But not after I’ve worn out the new Keen Midori MJ shoes that i bought.

Keen Midori Mary Jane Shoes (online photo)

I was just looking at the shoes in rust and green and the next thing I know, I was already trying the black pair on, walking on it, and liking it. I think would also look goon on shorts, pants and skirt. And it’s made from Keen’s environment-friendly products of organic canvas, natural jute rubber and renewable nubuck leather. The first time I knew about Keen was about three years

My pretty Keen Midori MJ shoes from R.O.X.

Now going back to the Shifty bag, I asked a stire staff to stuff the bag so I could see how it would look, and I realized how big it was. It’s like as big as a medium duffel bag when fully stuffed so I bought it because I love big, versatile bags.

The North Face Shifty Messenger Bag - Mine!

Now I’m thinking if I should just bring my Bento Box and a small backpack (maybe my Hedgren backpack) on my next trips, instead of bring my 65L TNF pack. And now I’m using the Shifty bag as my everyday bag. :)

I love my new gears and I just cant wait to go out and explore some more!

Related Posts:

Never Stop Exploring, R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street – part 1/2
My Hedgren Great American, HGA 16 Function Travelgear
Other posts under Gears and Gadgets

Recreational Outdoor eXchange or R.O.X. at Bonifacio High Street looked like it’s going to be a happy place for me and I’ve proven it just this week!

I have only been inside the store a few times and a few months ago, I went inside to look at some The North Face bags and drool on everything I see. Then discovered that there’s a registration booth on the second floor that gives out flyers for marathons and runs. And of course I picked up the reg forms for the marathons that were to come soonest since I missed Ayala’s Run for Home where my sister and brother in law joined.

Anyway, Amrei and I were in a client meeting last July 12 at McKinley Hill and decided to walk to BHS. I was wearing boots and carrying my laptop and it was a twenty-minute walk that made us sweat so much, but I enjoyed it just the same. I was so thirsty when I got to BHS but I saw R.O.X. so i passed up the drink and instead drool over some swell gears. Amrei got a beautiful TNF Surge backpack while I checked out every pack that TNF has to offer. I found myself adoring a TNF Base Camp Bento Box on sale. It’s still a bit pricey even on sale but I loved the red bag and thought that it would make for a good hand-carry luggage. I still needed to look for something else so I did not immediately buy the bag until after I checked out other stores in BHS! Save the best for last, right?

The North Face Base Camp Bento Box - Red (online photo)

I checked out some Salomon and Deuter products but I did not like their hydration items. I also checked out Nike, but did not find what I was looking for.

I have always wanted to get a waist pack or a hydration  belt because I always lose momentum in running when I have to stop to grab a drink, and my form is poor, so a hand-held bottle would tire me and make my form worse! Too bad there’s a basic hand-held bottle (with straps) at TNF at an affordable price! So since I was already at BHS, I checked out Runnr, a shop that obviously specializes in Running gears. I was lucky that Runnr has one hydration belt that has a 22 oz tumbler, since most hydration belts they sell are those with multiple 500-calorie/5-ounce flasks.

my Nathan Elite 1 Plus tumbler

I use two tumblers – one is a 1.5L tumbler which I use at work, and a 750ml tumbler that I use for jogging and shooting (like in commercials, movies, not the one with guns, ok?) and I lost the 750ml just recently at a Serendra shoot. Now though this new tumbler is the smallest I ever had, it’s currently my favorite and I use it at work as well!

Mine is a Nathan Elite 1 Plus from the Race/Elite Series, so it also has one flask. And since I’m not a hardcore runner and I don’t buy gels and the likes, maybe I’ll use the flask to put chocolate drink in it. ;-)

Nathan Elite 1 Plus hydration belt. Actual photo above, online photo below.

So after buying at Runnr and getting a power cord adapter at iStudio (because mine is already busted and over heating), I went back at R.O.X. to buy that gorgeous red TNF Bento Box. I was disappointed to see that there’s another bag on sale — an orange messenger bag with a laptop divider and mesh design in front! I was disappointed because I do not want to buy two bags at the same time and because the discounts do not make a big difference and I’m not one who impulsively buy things. So I only bought the Bento Box and went home happy.

The North Face Base Camp Bento Box (Red) - Mine!

I was happy because I can already cross out the hydration belt on my “to buy” list. Finding the TNF bag was accidental but buying it was absolutely intentional. I was also happy that I truly explored R.O.X. and the other shops at Bonifacio High Street and found out all these interesting items that they sell. I only used to check out Speedo and Stoked when I go to B.H.S., or look at tents and backpacks at R.O.X., and occasionally I would go inside the Nike store, where I found my first Nike running shoes two and a half years ago!

So R.O.X is right all along, we should go inside the store to get outdoor. And TNF’s motto is one that’s really for me – we should never stop exploring.

Recreational Outdoor eXchange / R.O.X. is located at Bonifacio High Street, B1 ROX Building, Taguig City, Philippines. Contact them at +632 8564639.

Related Posts:

Never Stop Exploring, R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street – part 2/2
My Hedgren Great American, HGA 16 Function Travelgear
Other posts under Gears and Gadgets

After our whitewater rafting adventure in the Davao River, and getting dropped off back to Crocodile Park, we rushed to get to Aldevinco Shopping Center, in front of the Marco Polo Hotel downtown. I was amazed that it was one big place with more than a hundred souvenir shops.

I was so excited to buy Malongs and bags, but I was unfortunate because there’s a power outtage so there was only a few stores left open. And it’s hard to shop in the dark though the shops was lit with some lamps. I was only able to buy one malong, one bag for my mom, a polo for my dad and another big bag with a pretty metallic print. I promise to go back to Aldevinco when I go back to Davao!

big bag i bought from Aldevinco Shopping Center

Aldevinco Shopping Center is located at the junction of Claro M. Recto and Manuel Roxas Avenues in Davao City.

Related Posts:

Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Davao (Part 1)
Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Davao (Part 2)
Isla Malipano, Davao
Giant Slide at the Maxima Aquafun, Island Garden City of Samal
White Water Rafting in the Davao River, Davao
Crocodile Park and Tribu K’Mindanawan Cultural Village, Davao
Bogser’s Coffee House, Bangkal Davao

Ananda Kanani Accessories is in Philippine Star’s YStyle Section for Tracy Dizon’s Tiara Collection today, March 05. The feature gives styling tips for the prom using tiaras to liven up the prom dress. Article is in YStyle page L-2.

Here’s a scanned image of the feature (to see large version, click here)

Ananda Kanani in Philippine Star

The online write up is here (though Ananda Kanani is not credited in the online write up).

Connect with Ananda Kanani Accessories:

Facebook
Twitter – account made only today :D

View items for sale at the Ananda Kanani Online Shop.

Here’s a very insightful introduction to Arab Street from the Street Directory website.

Arab Street , true to its name, epitomizes the Arabian way of life. Here, one can freely observe conservatively-dressed Muslims hurrying towards the Sultan Mosque once the call for prayer reverberates, robe-clad Arab men puffing away on their apple-flavoured sheeshas (tobacco pipes) and cigars and black abaya (robes for Middle eastern women) -clad women haggling over the prices of Oriental carpets.

That, coupled with the existence of various shop houses selling a variety of ethnic Arab goods (Qurans, prayer mats, muslim apparel, carpets, wicker products and more) confirm the very essence of Arab Street.

Although observably a Muslim district, everyone from all walks of life gather here to indulge in Arab Street’s rich culture, if not to savour the ethnic cuisines, the souk-style retail experience or the rich history.

We had an extra day in Singapore so we took a friend’s recommendation to visit the Arab Street. I was amazed by the beautiful silk fabrics lined up in different stores. We had dinner at a Moroccan Restaurant. I don’t really like curry and spices so I was glad that after eating mostly Indian and Thai food, we finally found something that I really liked. But best of all, I got to see a real mosque, the Sultan Mosque, up close.

Take a look at the cultural experience that you’ll find in Arab Street.

An intersecting street, at the end is the Sultan Mosque

The second floor of the retail stores is a sight to see

bamboo, rattan and other handcrafted products are also for sale

the different uses of batik

retail stores line up the street

Arab Street is where you’ll find beautiful silk fabrics that ranges from modest to the finest.

beautiful silk fabrics

Related posts:

Singapore Travel List
Posts with Singapore tag
Sultan Mosque, Arab Street, Singapore

As an annual family vacation every May, we went up North to Baguio City last weekend.

We haven’t been going to the usual tourist spots like Mines View Park, Botanical Garden, Wright Park and Philippine Military Academy (PMA) since we’ve visited these places a couple of times years before.

This time, we went to Tam-Awan Village for a different experience. I’ll post a separate article about that, meanwhile, let me tell you what I do when 0n vacation in Baguio.

One of the fun things that I always do when is going to Ukay Ukay stores to look for very affordable fashion finds.

Aside from the cool weather, Baguio City has also become famous for its Ukay-Ukay (probably derived from the Filipino word Hukay, or to dig) or Wagwagan (to shake) shops. Originally, clothes, bags, shoes are thrown in on a mat, table, or big boxes where you can dig to find your match, these were on small shops and  side walks.

Now there are several Ukay Ukay joints in Baguio, most famous are the Skyworld along Session Road, and Bayanihan, near Burnham Park. They have rows of clothes racks, and shoes are displayed in an organized manner.

I still do not know where the items come from, some say these are surpluses from abroad, maybe why some items are brand new and still have tags.

Most of the items are pre-owned goods and if you’re lucky, you’ll find new, branded stuff at very cheap prices.

Manolo Blahnik, Bally, DKNY and Naturalizer

Another place to visit is an area called Hilltop, behind the Baguio Market where they sell all sorts of clothes, accessories and even home furnishings like curtains and bed sheets. You can find streets and blocks of Ukay Ukay shops in Hilltop. A few years ago, I was also able to buy a couple of good finds in Harrison Building in Harrison Street, beside Burnham Park. At night, Ukay Ukay sellers would spread out their selling goods around Harrison Building, passing through Mabini Street going up to Calderon Street. Calderon Street is intersection Session Road. At the corner is Skyworld. So that’s a whole block of Ukay Ukay stuff!

a customer fitting a pair of Guess shoes

Related Post:

Oh My Gulay! Baguio City
Filomena’s Restaurant and Bakeshop, Baguio City
Tam-Awan Village, Baguio City
Strawberry Farm, La Trinidad Benguet

Here’s a first timer tourist’s guide to Singapore from another first timer tourist. This contains the walking, shopping, sight seeing and eating that I’ve done the first time I was in Singapore last December. I went back soon on March for the Indigo Girls concert.

Essential:

First thing that you need to do is be familiar with the MRT stations. The MRT can take you to most of the places you need to go to.

Here’s a hi-res map:

The trains are always on time and the stations are easy to navigate because of the numerous signage that point you to your destination. MRT rides cost .80 to 1.90 SGD, quite affordable for its efficiency.

Here’s our itinerary (click on linked items to see related article/s):

The First Day

1. Vivo City
- Food Republic – Toast Box and Java Kitchen

2. Sentosa
- Islander Card
- Sentosa Express
- Skyride and Luge Car
- Underwater World
- Dolphin Show
- 4D Magix Show
- Songs of the Sea

3. Clarke Quay

The Second Day:

1. Ikea

2. Suntec City Mall
- Fountain of Wealth

3. The Merlion

4. Hawker Center / Hawkers, Esplanade

5. Orchard Road

view from The Merlion's bridge

The Third Day:

1. Singapore Cable Car

2. Museums
- National Museum of Singapore
- Singapore Art Museum
- 8Q SAM

3. Bugis

4. Night Safari

5. Mustafa – 24 hour mall

The Fourth Day

1. Funan / Funan DigitaLife Mall

2. Chinatown

3. Marina Square

4. Ikea

—
Other useful tips:

If you’re a smoker, prepare to be watchful, most places are smoke-free and there are only small smoking areas which you have to spot while strolling. Don’t worry too much, if you’re mindful about it, you’ll find these smoking areas.

Transportation

Go to ticketing offices in the MRT stations to inquire about the Tourist Pass – an all day transportation tap card – if you think you will be heavily relying on public transportation. There are also the standard card (enter – exit MRT card with 1 SGD deposit) and a prepaid card for MRT and buses.

I’ve seen two types of taxis – Comfort Taxi and Silvercab. Comfort is blue and dominant in the streets and looks like a mini cooper. Silvercab is white, seldom and intimidating. Its cabs are Mercedes Benzes! Really. Don’t get intimidated (like I did), I heard that the fare is the same.

Food

Rice is about .50 SGD a cup at the Hawkers, Coke in can at vendo machines is 1.60 t0 1.80 SGD. A decent meal is at 4 to 7 SGD the cheapest. Airport food is ok, at 7 to 15 SGD. We tried the Hor Fun, Mui Fun and another food when we get there. Milkshakes are nice too, it’s got a faint taste of tea.

I have yet to update this once I’ve posted the write ups about the other destinations. :)

Singapore IT Show March 2009 @ Suntec City Mall

Buy a 50+” flat screen TV and get a 17″ tv free. Xbox games at 80% off. $10 off for premium external hard drives every other hour. Ipod touch bundles with $78 worth of freebies.

swarm of people lining for the escalator

Literally thousands of shoppers — the escalator from the ground floor to the second floor was manned by staffs to regulate human traffic. Advisories were flashed on big screens telling guests to come back in an hour — due to the number of people that flocked the Suntec City Mall convention center at one time.

see the green text in the big screen

Laptops and Ipod Nanos were flying off the shelves like toothpaste. Laptop bags and gadget purses at 40-60% off. And if IT products weren’t enough to sate the appetite of bargain shoppers, Jean Perry linens were also sold for slashed prices. There were also underwears, sneakers, chocolates, and clothes.

At one part of the exhibition, there’s a dispenser of delicious milk tea in mini cups!

delicious milk tea in mini cups

live manequin

gimmicks by the entrance

I said I would not buy myself anything, so I only brought money enough for food and transportation. But I ended up eye-ing a Hedgren laptop bag at $20 off. And, seeing bargains at irresistible prices, got myself a White 320G My Passport Essential portable external hard drive.

outside the Suntec Mall

People went there to shop. At really low prices. So no one went home empty handed, so to speak.

no one went home empty handed

Related Posts:

Singapore
Arab Street, Singapore
Makansutra Gluttons Bay, Esplanade, Singapore
Sultan Mosque, Singapore
My Indigo Girls Experience
Going Back to Singapore

Indigo Girls @ the Esplanade

I am in Simei St. 3, Singapore at this very moment, thinking of what to do, or where to go to. I arrived 12 hours ago and haven’t left the unit yet. I want to go visit temples and markets — what I wasn’t really able to do last time I was here in December.

Today is the 3rd day of the IT Fair aka IT Show, where affordable gadgets and freebies abound. But everyone’s telling us that there will be a lot of visitors to the IT fair so I’m not that interested in going. Anyway, I don’t really need to buy anything right now. I though I need a portable external drive, so yeah. I bought myself a 320g WD White My Passport hard drive (edited 11PM).

I will watch the Indigo Girls Concert on Monday at the Esplanade as part of the Mosaic Music Festival Singapore. I got myself a second row ticket, so I shall see the Indigo Girls very up close and personal. I’d probably get high singing along!

I am excited for Monday. Just need to decide where to go to today.

Related Posts:

Singapore
Singapore IT Fair
Arab Street, Singapore
Makansutra Gluttons Bay, Esplanade, Singapore
Sultan Mosque, Singapore
My Indigo Girls Experience
Going Back to Singapore

I had the chance to visit the new Eastwood Mall in Eastwood City in Libis Quezon City last year and I was able to appreciate it as it was not yet crowded then. The facade is like a mini park where you can stroll while towered by mid-rise and high-rise buildings.

specialty stores at its Atrium

shops

stroll, play

tall buildings

like a park

Shop inside the mall with numerous chic brands and dine outside at The Veranda where you can choose a place from a platter of concept-restaurants. At night, the buildings fronting the mall light up in different colors.

Walking from the Merlion, we passed by the Riverside Point Mall on our way to Clarke Quay.

Riverside Point, colorful bridge

view of the Reverse Bungee

along the riverside

From  http://www.visitsingapore.com/

Riverside Point
30 Merchant Road

Nearest MRT station: Clarke Quay (NE5) or Raffles Place (EW14/NS26)

Step into this waterfront shopping mall by the Singapore River and be awed by the imposing central atrium that opens up into the sky! Watch an interactive water feature with animated jets shooting into the air as you stroll around the mix of jewelry, lighting and fashion shops. Take your pick of waterfront dining either indoors or al fresco, and be entertained by street performances.

Related Posts:

The Merlion
Clarke Quay
Suntec City Mall
Fountain of Wealth
The Merlion
Hawker Center
Hawkers, Esplanade
Orchard Road.