Boyz II Men Concert

It's been a long while since I last watched a concert. And it was of some lame bands. So when I heard that Boyz II Men is going to have a concert here at Manila, my heart skip a beat!

     

Wish it's the real one I'm posing with! But I'm still a happy girl :)

I love them. Seriously, who wouldn't? I have been a huge fan of them since my high school days. I have their cassette tapes and listening to their music is a favorite past time. So when I'm certain about the details of their concert, I talk to my friends Rose and Grace. But they were not sure if they can join me and I was feeling hopeless and helpless. That's when mom of Riley's classmate, Jhe, came to the rescue!

That's Nina, Jhe, and me! We're so excited (and eager) for the show to start!

Araneta is pumped up that night!

Radha, The Voice Philippines finalist, entertained the audience first. She's good I tell yah!

When finally Boyz II Men appear! Much to the delight of the fans!

They sang all their hits, On Bended Knee, I'll Make Love To You, A Song for Mama, The Colors of Love, and many more. They sang acapella too. They also perform upbeat music and make everyone dance and clap. But my favorite performance of them is when they sang 4 Seasons of Loneliness. It was surreal hearing it live! I had goosebumps. One of my favorite songs of all time sang by one of my favorite singers of all time. It was worth the money and effort. It was worth leaving and missing Riley! lol

While singing 4 Seasons of Loneliness

This is when they started dancing ala boyband! Lol. They sure know the word showmanship!

They gave out red roses while singing I'll make love to you, like you want me to. And I'll hold you tight
Baby, all through the night.....

Singing aca pella. They have impeccable blending of voices!

Their last song. But then the crowd can't get enough of Boyz II Men, everyone were shouting More! More! 

Shawn, Nathan and Wanya appear again in the stage and sang two more song!

That ends our night. The concert lasted one and half hours more or less. I was singing along and screaming (when not clapping or taking pictures) all through the concert! I had a great time. I had fun! It really was a great show! Thank you Boyz II Men for making us happy by your music even for just a night. :)

From Scraps to Doormat

One of the things needed to bring in school by Riley is a doormat. That's when I got the idea. :)

We have sorted out our clothes a long time ago and most of it had been donated. Some are kept for my future refashions. The only clothes left are the old underwears. Because seriously, how do you recycle them? Dyahe naman i-donate. Ayoko din itapon kasi pproblemahin pa ng baranggay namin ang pagdispose nun. Baka sunugin lang naman nila. Siguro naman narinig nyo na ang global warming? Me no likey. So it's been on the storage for so long until I can come up of "something better" to turn them into. And that something happens to be a doormat!

The important thing you gotta make sure is that they're clean! Wash it first before you cut them into strips -1.5 inch or wider, it depends on you. The more the better!

Then sticthed them all together. Making it like a long yarn.

This is where it gets tricky. I finished my doormat doing the Half Double Crochet (HDC). My fingers as the hook. If you've never been crocheting it would be a little confusing so I suggest search for it first. Or you can keep up with my explanations and hope that it will make sense. :) Sorry I didn't have photos with these next steps with Riley's doormat kaya gagawa na lang ako ult pra kumbaga e reenactment. First, you need to make a slip knot. Here's how:

(Click the image to enlarge)

Next, you gotta learn chain stitch (CH).

(Click the image to enlarge)

Continue making a chain stitch until you have 16 of them. This will be your base. Chain stitch looks like a V shape. It will look like this: 

Turn your work around and we will start making the next row. We will now do the Half Double Crochet. In real life ganito ang hdc:

Pero dahil kunyari lang naman ito (nyee!!!), ganito ang hdc pra sa doormat na ito:

Imbes lang na sa pangatlong chain tayo mag insert ng hook, sa second chain tayo mg insert, oryt? But everything else, is the same with the real HDC. And remember the loop around your hook (or your finger) is not counted as a chain. Now, do the illustrations above in your doormat:

(Click the image to enlarge)

Continue doing this until you reach the end of your chain stitch. You should have 15 chains by then. If not, check if you miss a chain. 

Turn your work around and then chain one loop. 

Then repeat hdc all the way again. Crochet is sometimes boring. So persevere and being patient you must. 

Halfway there.

Finally! It's finished.....

If you have any questions, suggestions or violent reactions, just leave a comment my friends. And that's how you recycle scraps into a doormat! 

PS.
Now I only have to think of ways to recycle old brassiere. Do you have any ideas? Do share!

Pajama to Dress

This is a simple refashion and I've been wanting to try this for a long time. It's called "pillow case dress" refashion. Just Google it and lots of tutorial will come up. So to save me from nose bleeding (ang hirap mag english lalo na pag tutorial ha! lol) just search for the instructions! Also you can look at these photos and I'll try my very best to explain it so you can make yourself a pillow case dress too!

 Yup, I didn't even use a pillow case. What I have is a pajama/slacks type of pants. That will do.

Unstitched the side with the broken line. And keep the strings. We'll be needing it for the strap.

I put together the unstitched part  and cut it into a rectangle. Also the bottom will now be the top. 

I still need practice sewing in a straight line without the chalk!

Hem the seams. Cut loose fabrics and cut the top diagonally like so in the photo.

Then I insert the strap. 

And made some sash!

Okay, it's not as easy as it sounds but you get the idea. 

And just like that a pajama is now a pillow dress.

Now I'm sleepy! :)

Oldies to Goodies

Well hello there! I have another refashion that I've been meaning to blog. A 60s dress own by my mom and fits perfectly to me! I know right! Ang payat ng nanay ko ng dalaga pa xa. I like the print. I thought it's summer looking. But that's the only thing I like about it.

This dress is perfect only if I am going to a party with the theme "retro." But there isn't anytime soon. Instead I turned it into a tube dress. 

Step 1. Cut the sleeves and collar all at once in one straight line.

Step 2. Put elastic to prevent wardrobe malfunction! :)

Step 3. Put a ribbon or any fabric halter style to add detail.

It was intended to be a dress as you can see but I have a lot of dress now. 

So I cut the bottom which is a better idea!

Now I have a swimming tank top. :)

Happy Mother's Day!

It's Mother's Day again! To tell you the truth I don't need this day to celebrate my mom or myself. Every single day is mother's day to me. Having our ina, is a constant reminder how blessed and lucky I am to have her. I am a good mother to Riley because I am raised by a wonderful person that is my mother. I don't know what will become of me if not for her subtle guidance. That's what I like most about my mom. Hindi siya yung magsasalita or mangangaral. I learn by her example. I learn by her humility. I learn by her love. We all learn a thing or two from our mothers. And for me it is my mom's gentle upbringing.

Anyway, my mom turns 60 last January. Because of our crazy schedule back then I wasn't able to blog about it. So let me blog it now to honor our one and only ina. First of all, my siblings and I wanted a party for her. She never had a birthday party all her life. So by hook or by crook, we will have a party for her! We have to be complete. Kahit taga New Zealand ka pa I DOWN'T CARE! Uuwi kayo lahat dito or pasasabugin ko lahat ng mga bulkan jan! Haha. That's also the reason why Janice's wedding has to be in February. My ate can only vacation in a month. Also, we shoulder all the expenses! Cyempre dapat sitting pretty lang ang ina. We handled all the details and I am happy with the results. My mom is a blushing senior citizen on that day :)

Invitation done by me

Cake from Goldillocks (discounted because of Kuya Jerwin's affliation)

Cake bites baked by ate and me

Dress bought by Janice

Food provided by Chowking (discounted due to Manager Eddie Boy) :)

Photobook from Photobook Philippines and layout by me. I got it on promo. 

It served as the guest book too.

Photobooth layout by me. O diba kumpleto kami! 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=581756808573320 by Editha Javier Magtanong.

Video greetings by her family, friends and relatives

she was so surprise to see this during her bday!

compiled by me

It was a simple celebration but everything is a family effort! It was party done with overflowing love. We love you ina and we wish to show you how much we appreciate you for many more years! Happy Mother's Day!!!

Chuck

I just finished watching the fifth and final season of Chuck. The series ended 2011 but I only discover it this year. If you've never heard nor watched Chuck at all, I am honored and privileged to tell all about it to you!

If you know me better, you will know that I love spy movies. From CIA to NSA to Jason Bourne to James Bond. It's my cup of tea. I'd rather watch movies with these themes than superheroes stuff. No offense Spiderman or Captain America, it's just that I almost know how your story goes. The only superhero movie that I watch is X-Men but only because I secretly want to be a mutant. :) But with spy films, it always makes me ponder. Their story has twist and turns that is very entertaining to me. And don't let me start with the spy gadgets. They are just too cool to handle! 

Anyway, the reason I'm telling about this is because Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi) is a nerd who accidentally downloaded government secrets into his brain. He didn't want to be a spy but with the hand of fate, the data was sent to him thru his email. With all the secrets and data that is being downloaded in his brain, he sorts of became a human computer or what they called the "Intersect." The CIA and the NSA must protect him or else government secrets will be secrets no more! Team Bartowski, which consists of Sarah Walker and John Casey embark in espionage and great visual stunts that make this TV series great! I won't spill all the details but I guarantee you it will be worth your time. There is action, drama, family, friendship, romance and most of all comedy! I laugh my heart out with some scenes. Who would expect that in a spy show, right?

But the reason I am gushing about this show is because Chuck and Sarah's love story kinda grows on me. They make me feel good. Honestly. Chuck is a nerd and Sarah is a kickass, stunning, "nasayo na ang lahat" girl! From their first kiss to how Chuck confesses his love to the proposal to their wedding - it was just boarding on "kilig" overload. I was crying buckets in the last two episodes. I feel his frustration and love for Sarah. The last scene leaves the viewer hanging. Did they end up together or did they break up? Well, I am an optimist (and a romantic!) so I say they end up together and have kids and bought the house with the red door and white picket fence! I believe in happy ever after!

Here it is, the last scene and the last line they exchanged. Love. Love. Love! :)

Chuck: You know, Morgan has this crazy idea.

Sarah: What is it?

Chuck: He thinks that, with one kiss, you'll remember everything.

Sarah: Ha. One magical kiss?

Chuck: Yeah. Ha, ha. exactly. I know, it's...

Sarah: Chuck.

Chuck: Yeah?Sarah: Kiss me.

Blue Floral Mini Dress

This is a dress of my mother from some years ago. I'm sure your mom or lolas have plenty of dresses like this. It's time to bring them back to the 21st century! it's a simple refashioning. First, I remove things I don't like. The shoulder pads, the sleeves and it's length have to go. Then I sew the sleeves and seam the new hem.

It's as simple as..

1

2

3

4!

Now, I have a mini dress that's perfect for semi-casual occasion (like going to the church!) :)

PS

I know it's not the "best" refashioning I have here in my blog. But I really want to encourage everyone to do refashioning too. In this small act of recycling clothes, we help save money, help minimize the waste, and we declutter our homes. That's just my point of view. So hope that inspire you! :)