Refashioning

Ever since I stumble upon Refashionista.net, I look at my clothes in a different way. Visit her site and I am 100% sure you'll never look at your wardrobe the same again. She bought her clothes from $1 store and turn them into something wearable and fun! Well, when we cleaned up our closets few weeks ago, I saw some clothes that have potential to be refashions or to be repair. I love this new hobby of mine because it makes me improve my sewing skills more! But what I love about this is it makes me save more. Who needs to buy new clothes when you you can sew it yourself! I encourage everyone to give sewing a try.

My first refashioning with the help of my mother!

More sewing project to come!

How to Tie Dye

This is my first time to dye anything! It is so easy and fun to do! If I had known it would be that easy, I would have done it sooner because Riley has a lot of white boring tshirts. Here's how the transformation began:

First, boil water. The direction on the back of the Venus dye that I use is not clear on how much water is needed. So I just fill the kettle. While you're waiting for the water to boil, lay your tshirt flat in a surface.

There are a lot of pattern you can make but I decided on a very basic design - spiral. Put your thumb and index finger in the center of the shirt. Hold it and begin moving them in a circular motion, spiraling the shirt around the center point. 

Put rubber bands to tie it to create the spiral design on the center. You can put more rubber bands for more intricate pattern.

Dissolve one sachet of Venus Dye in the hot water. Then soak the tshirt in. Here, I dyed another piece of fabric (another project in the making!) so you can do that as long as it is not overcrowded. When the water cools down, rinse your clothing with cold water without soap or detergent. 

Lastly, hang it to dry completely. I read in some tutorial that it should be iron before to wear it so the color won't fade easily. But Riley I was so excited to see how it looks on him so no ironing happened on his shirt!

Riley's happy with it! He didn't want to take the tshirt off. 

Next time I'll try horizontal lines tie-dying. :)

Big or Small, We All Can Help!

Have you watched Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho last Saturday? Their first story features people who are affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda. Yung mga tao nagsasabi kung ligtas sila o ilan sa kamag anak nila ang namatay. May isa na nagsabi na namatay yung 2 anak nya tapos ung isa yata nawawala pa. Their story made me cry. I wept with them. I feel their grief. I was silently wiping my tears away while watching that. More than the houses demolished, and fallen trees, and properties destroyed, what's really devastating about this sad catastrophe are the lives lost along the way. :(

After watching that, I felt helpless. Gusto ko tumulong pero pano? Hindi naman ako mayaman pra mgdonate ng malaki. I can't also volunteer since my son is too small to be left without my care. You know, I always tell myself, pag ako yumaman, tutulong ako sa nangangailangan. Pero kailan pa yun kung ngaun nila kailangan ng tulong? At paano kung hindi ako yumaman? Ibig sabihin hindi na rin ako tutulong sa kapwa ko? This made me think. And made me sadder. I know prayers can help too. So that's just what I did even now - PRAY for them. Then while watching 24 Oras last Monday, Mike Enriquez mentioned "Walang tulong na maliit!" Kahit ano, kahit 10 piso lng na donation basta taos sa puso ay pagtulong pa din. I also saw those kids selling lemonade to help Yolanda's victim. It made me realize na ang dami ko pwede gawin para tumulong. At nagsimula ako sa paglilinis ng aming cabinet...

We've already donated my son's clothes and milk bottles at Bethany last September

but I still managed to rummaged few of his clothes.

After cleaning up, we (janice, ina, at eddie-boy) came up with all these usable and good conditioned clothes.

Where to Donate?

We dropped it off at Basilica Minore o sa Malolos Cathedral this afternoon. They accept all sorts of donation - water, canned goods, whatever it is that you can contribute to help. Or you can also go to the nearest LBC. They'll ship it for free:

For monetary donations, you can send it thru Red Cross. Just text the following:

REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart)

Or thru G-Cash
Text DONATEAMOUNT4-digit M-PINREDCROSS to 2882

You can donate the following denominations:
Globe: 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000
Smart: 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 or 1000

Or you can deposits thru bank accounts. I think GMA Kapuso Foundation really steps up in their relief operations so here is the link on how to deposit money in their account.

It doesn't matter how small or how big your help is as long as you help from the bottom of your heart. I know our donation is not enough. So I'm still thinking of other ways to raise money. Helping them didn't make me feel better. What will make me feel better is that knowing one day, the victims of this super typhoon, will have peace and serenity in their hearts, to stand up again and to continue living. And I pray that the anguish and despair that they feel right now will make them even stronger. I know it won't be easy to rise up from this calamity. But one day, we will all get there.

Life goes on. 

Jollibee Halloween Fun!

Eto na nga! Halloween na naman! And just like last year (and last last year) we celebrated it with Jollibee.

There's my son patiently waiting

This year, my son Riley is a Dracula. I only spent 25 Pesos for his cape since his white polo, black slacks and shoes were from his second year birthday. And may I just add that lollipops are better in making that blood effect on his lips. He is so adorable! But that's not how Halloween is supposed to be. He's supposed to be scary! I'll wait until he's older before I make costumes that is super scary for him. Yung tipong mga pugot ulo na puro dugo tpos my hawak na butcher's knife. Gnun! Para winner ka sa best in costume anak!

See how bitin his slacks are? Riley is getting taller and taller! :)

Nothing new to the programme. Kids and parents play games and kids showcasing their costume for a prize. Riley didn't participate in all of that. But that's fine! Because he only went for one person and one person only. Hulaan nyo kung sino.......

Siyempre si Jollibee!

Until next year Jollibee ^__^

Minion Beanie

I finished another crochet project! A minion beanie for a newly minion fan - my son! He loves it and it's perfect for the cold season. For this beanie, I watch this tutorial over at Youtube. I made some adjustments and modifications to fit it better for a 3 year old boy. It came out nicely and my son is happy with it.

I want to make a Totoro amigurumi next but I can't find a nice tutorial yet. But my next project would definitely be a 3D crochet!

The Right Way to Fly

They say the best things in life are free. Well, not always! One good example is travelling. Given the chance I would like to explore the 7, 107 islands and the 81 provinces of the Philippines. But such adventure needs money and a budget. The first thing we need to spend is for the transportation whether it be bus, or ship or airplane. Yes, the best things in life are not always free. But the second best thing in life is when you get affordable price for a good service that can take you to different places!

AirAsia, The World's Best Low Cost Airline, is partnering up with Zest Air. They are now called AirAsia Zest. This partnership or rebranding will prove to be a blessing to all travel bug out there! It means more choices, better value, and enhanced services for every Filipino. A value for our well earned money. Wait, there's more! AirAsia Zest is now moving to NAIA Terminal 4 for it's domestic and international flight. It means easier access for more passengers unlike before where you have to go at Clark, Pampanga. Now whether you chose to travel in the Philippines or to travel in Asia, AirAsia Zest will take very good care of you. You don't believe me? Check out their websites here. Planning a trip and taking a vacation couldn't be more easier than that. They already have the promos for the Holidays this early! Go book that flight before seats run out!

AirAsia Zest, The Right Way to Fly

Now we have our way of transportation, let's proceed to destination shall we? As I've said earlier, I would like to explore our beautiful country. AirAsia Zest offers flight to Cebu, Davao, Kalibo (Boracay), Puerto Princesa, Tagbilaran, Cagayan De Oro, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Shanghai, Incheon. But if I were to chose only 5, my list would be Cebu, Davao, Cagayan De Oro, Boracay, and Puerto Princesa. Here's what I plan to do when I get there:

1. Cebu. I want to see the Magellan's Cross. This place is very historic as the cross signified the Spain's greatest influence in Filipinos - Christianity. 

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2. Davao. I'd like to witness Kadayawan Festival and to eat durian! 

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3. Cagayan De Oro. Whitewater rafting! I wouldn't pass the chance of experiencing it here! 

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4. Boracay. One of the world's best beaches. I will try some of the water sport that this place offer. Like banana boat, para sailing, snorkeling. The white sand and the pristine blue water is something not to be missed  for.

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5. Puerto Princesa, Palawan. I want to explore the Puerto Princesa Underground River! It makes me proud that it was included as one of The New 7 Wonders of the World. After seeing it, then I'll only have 6 Wonders of the World to visit! :)

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I'm excited to go to these places! Now all I need is a schedule and I'm off to my dream vacation! I know it's possible with AirAsia Zest, The Right Way To Fly!

20 Before 40

This is not planned. Not at all. I am searching for stuff that my son can do for our "mini school" tomorrow. But since I am awake I might as well greet myself first. "Happy Birthday to me!" There. It's not a secret anymore. I am officially not in the calendar. Yep! I am 32 years old right at this moment! :)

Being older is not something I look forward to but is something I have accepted and make peace with. We're all going to get old. But how did we live this one life God has given us is the BIG question. I have to confess that before Riley, I was a lost soul. Didn't know what to do with my life or what I want. If I had only known that he'll be mine to keep, I would have made better choices while I was younger. Like maybe took a college course that I am passionate about. Or took risk and pursue some dreams. Or be braver and not mind other people.Yeah, I have regrets in life. But my son made me believe that nothing is ever too late! I want to set new goals, dream new dreams, and live the life Riley and I deserve. And we're only just beginning.

So, I came up with this list: 20 things I want to accomplish before I hit 40. Some are just downright OUTRAGEOUS! It's my birthday so I can write whatever I want to write, ok?! Haha. Okay, let's get down to it. This is in no particular order.

1. To have a house for me and my mother (and Riley of course!)
2. To experience a Mediterranean cruise.
3. To manage a tutorial service center together with my sister.
4. To be a certified CISCO Network Administrator.
5. To touch the snow at Mt. Ruapeho at New Zealand.
6. To watch a Mariah Carey's concert live.
7. To write an article in a magazine or newspaper or website tapos may nakalagay "written by Joyce Ann Magtanong." :p
8. To have my own car, a Volkswagen Beetle to be exact (and drive it!)
9. To see the cherry blossoms in Japan.
10. To be an active volunteer of Red Cross or World Vision.
11. To explore the Underground River at Palawan.
12. To eat a sumptuous meal while cruising the Loboc River in Bohol.
13. To finish a 10k run.
14. To walk while holding hands with Daddyfriend and Riley in Boracay.
15. To see the pyramids in Egypt.
16. To create an iPad apps (and hopefully my bumili so I can earn money from it.)
17. To have a business of my own.
18. To travel to Greece.
19. To have a stable and enjoyable job where I can use my creativeness.
20. To inspire, touch lives, and serve God.

Big dreams, HARD work. These are enough to keep me busy in the next eight years! We'll see how it will turn out. :)