My Final Fun and Frugal Shopping Finds for 2014

A day before New Year's Eve, we shopped for our and our relatives' respective Media Noche celebrations. I ended up buying a few more things as gifts to others and myself as I realized I didn't buy anything for myself for Christmas. Not that it's necessary, just to clarify, I just want to indulge the kuripot shopaholic in me before the year ends.

This means I shouldn't break the bank, so what I bought were affordable, as in cheap finds. I know, right? Before I show you my finds, here's us before going out:

Both that shirt and those shorts used to be loose on me. Now, gaaah!

(Department store polo shirt | Forever 21 denim shorts | the usual Crocs and Coach | Aeropostale watch) 

On the boy: Mothercare shirt | Circo shorts | Nike shoes

We were off to our usual mall, SM Lanang Premier, to do the grocery. However, we first went to Robinsons Cybergate because Mama, ever the bargain-hunter, told me of a place that sells cheap clothes there. So off we went to Robinsons Cybergate! The place is called Left to Vary, and they have two puestos in the mall. We just went to one near the road because the sizes of the clothes in the puesto near the grocery are too large. 

In fairness, there are a lot of clothes there. They are all brand new naman and some are branded. Because they are too cheap, I cannot attest to their authenticity. However, it's still fun to pick out clothes and I was there to look for tops as I don't have a lot of them. That's in preparation for my classes; I don't want to wear dresses then hahaha. 

But I didn't see a lot of clothes I want that time probably because they didn't have new stocks. I'm planning to return nalang next time. Anyway, here are my shopping finds:

Unbranded striped top (original price P300, on sale at P150) and Terranova long-sleeved top (original price P300, on sale at P150)

Christmas Gift Idea: Hot Rod City Playmat

I know Christmas is only days away, but I'm sure some of you are still shopping for gifts. Am I right or am I right?   

If you're looking for a gift for a young boy in particular (any age!), my suggestion is the Hot Rod playmat. You can also buy it for a little girl who loves cars!

Basically, it's a mat designed with a terrain and tracks. That's right; it's designed to be run over by cars and trucks which are, safe to say, are the obsessions of many little boys.

I got mine when I won a Cudsly gift certificate giveaway on Manila Fashion Observer. I contemplated on buying a Kiddie Sofa (which was what I really wanted to buy pre-winning) but decided it would be too bulky to ship and may be left unused because as a mobile little person, Yuri likes carrying his chair around.

So I decided to buy something that fuels the vehicle obsession. I did not, however, want to buy another truck during that time. Then, I stumbled upon the Hot Rod City Playmat.

Top 5 Gifts for Older Toddlers

I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping! I only need to buy gifts for a few more people and I'm good to go. What about you?

In my case, around 70% of the gifts I bought this year is for, well, Yuri. That's the same as the past two Christmases! I can't help it; buying Christmas gifts for a little child is so much fun!

This year, Yuri is in a stage between toddlerhood and preschool. He's 32 months (last Christmas, he was 20 months), and while the interests are basically the same (trucks!), our goals are now very different. For starters, we're aiming to start homeschooling next year so that's a common theme behind my gifts!

(For gifts for younger toddlers/babies, here's my list from last year.)

If you want to know what I consider to be the best gifts for children too old to be called toddlers and too young to be preschoolers, I'll show you some things on my wishlist:

1. BUILDING BLOCKS

If you're kinda lost on what cool gift to give, I suggest you buy something that a child can build with. They're a surefire gift because they promote STEM learning and a child could never have too many of them.

It doesn't have to be Legos or Mega Bloks (although these choices are superb!). You can buy cheaper but still very great alternatives like wooden blocks, bristle blocks, pipes, and gears.

Batatt bristle blocks (P799) 

Source: toykingdom.ph

Just make sure that the pieces are easy to connect and disconnect!

2. SCIENCE KITS

The Snubbed Blogger and Other Stories

My Sunday was a mixture of ups and downs, but thankfully, there were more good things than bad things. But before I talk about it, here's what we wore (hahaha):

Doesn't he look like a fashion blogger? What happened to my 2-year old?

On Mommy: Zara tunic | F21 jeans | CLN shoes

On Baby: Carters shirt | Baby Mossimo jeans | Elle/Chicco shoes

Yes I need to lose weight. Now, about our Sunday, there was only one bad thing, but it almost ruined my day. It was because I was a...

THE SNUBBED BLOGGER

A month ago, I was invited to attend this particular event of a huge company. I said yes. I was even required to wrote a pre-event post as a "partner blogger," the PR person's words, to invite participants.

The venue was an hour away from home. Since we had to go to church first, we had to wake up extra early. Also, we had to plan our day around this event so there were many changes in our usual, comfortable Sunday routine.

To say the event was a disappointment is an understatement.

Kuripot Finds from Sunday

Aside from the "injury" Yuri had gotten (which has now totally healed by the way! Praise God!), my weekend was also a weekend of shopping.

Kuripot shopping that is!

To be honest, my priority last Sunday was to buy Yuri some new shorts and jeans. Kasi...

Tumaba sya!

Finally! Hahaha. Some of you may already know that Yuri has always been on the slim side, and though he grows taller, since I buy long clothes (to accommodate his lanky frame), he barely outgrows them. Some of his clothes he's worn since he wasn't even 1!

Now, a couple of weekends ago, I noticed that one of his jeans didn't fit him around the waist anymore. They used to be long pants, but Yuri now uses them as clam-diggers. This time, I the Velcro (in lieu of the zipper) can't stay closed!

But since the outfit looked cute, di ko na binihisan. Di naman halata.

Fun & Frugal Finds from Summer (to Now!)

I love talking about the finds I have because usually, they come cheap. Well, not cheap-cheap, but I'm usually persistent - and patient - enough to look for the more affordable alternatives.

I try to do this every month but I didn't for the last months because I keep forgetting to do so! I even thought to postpone it but the photos are accumulating, so it's now or never.

YURI-STUFF

Pitterpat Shoes

I was on the lookout for toddler sandals last summer. It's so hard to look for acceptable ones for boys because most had velcroes and cartoon characters - no no! I love Saltwater and Florsheim ones but I wanted to look for something cheaper.

Would you believe these sandals cost P150 and P350 only? True, they're not real leather, but Yuri won't be wearing them for a long time anyway!

Toddler Bike

Would you believe this was bought on my birthday? I didn't even get to buy something for myself! Haha! But it was okay because I had more fun choosing a toddler bike than choosing what to buy for myself. #youknowyoureamomwhen...

This toddler bike was a steal because aside from being made more solidly than others (this had more metal than plastic compared to others), it's also the cheapest at only around P900!

Crayola Toddler Crayons

Turning 24: A New Haircut, A New Bike, and Other Stories

Photo: http://omgeemag.com/

Ever since my 20th birthday, which was after my college graduation, which was spent drinking from night until morning with many of my fraternity brods and sorority sisses, I've learned to celebrate my birthday in a more subtle and God-glorifying manner.

To clarify, during that birthday of mine, I wasn't a Christian yet. That was the very last time I drank, though I still smoked a couple of weeks after that. A couple of weeks because after that, I finally encountered Jesus.

I don't want to post a photo of myself during that night because I'm sure you wouldn't recognize me. Also, it would taint my goody-two-shoes image. Hahaha!

Okay I'm so far from the point of this post so let's go back. Anyway, while I always consider my birthday special, I guess it's special on its own ordinary way. Here ate some of the "special ordinary" stories when I turned 24.

A New Haircut - After 2 Years

The last time I had a haircut was May 2012, a few months after Yuri was born. More than 2 years ago! I went from having mermaid hair to short, short, short (!) hair:

A couple of months after giving birth

It wasn't surprising since I always go through that route. Long then suddenly short. That hair was too short, though. I think the person who cut my hair was kinda deaf or something. But it's okay. I learned to love it. Job loved it, too!

2 years after, I finally made the time to have my hair cut. I couldn't afford to keep my hair long because it's too thick and the hair strands always get tangled. Here it is!

What do you think? I'm loving my hair now! The funny thing is that I can't comb it at all because my hair horrifyingly "flies away"! (I hope you understand what the slang means!)

My Toddler Beach Trip Checklist

I know it's the middle of May, and I know (if you're in Davao, too) that the weather has turned from ultra sunny to rainy-now-and-then, but in the Philippines, it's always summer so I'm gonna go ahead and post this checklist anyway.

Actually, I prepared this post a month ago but failed to write a draft due to #brownoutproblems. And sayang naman ang photos. And we're bound for another beach trip naman so...

Anyway, if you're Filipino like me, going to the beach is no alien task. That's because anywhere you go in the city, the nearest beach is just a few minutes away. I still could remember my high school and college days when we'd go off to a beach-trip when classes are cancelled or the professor/teacher is away. It's literally pack your bags and yourselves and go!

However, I found out (not in the hard way) that going to the beach with a toddler in tow is completely different. Before, I only needed my phone, a towel, and some extra clothes and I'm good to go. I didn't even bother bringing sunblock then (my negrita photos will prove it), and I didn't care.

Now, it took me a couple of shopping trips just to complete Yuri's stuff for his first trip to the beach - and it was just a daytrip! If I could pull off going to the beach bringing just myself, it wouldn't work with a toddler because there are so many possibilities to prepare for and risks to avoid.

If you're like me who have a toddler and want to pack everything but not overpack, I'll try to help you by showing the most essential stuff I brought to Yuri's first beach trip:

1. Sunblock

First is, of course, sunblock! Evidently, one sunblock isn't enough for our company of 5 1/2 (you know who the 1/2 is hehe). In fact, Yuri gets the biggest share of sunblock because he has the most sensitive skin among us.

At first, I wanted to buy organic sunblock, but I didn't pursue it because they usually are more expensive and they don't provide as much protection as the commercially-available ones. I know that SPF 15 blocks 94% of sunblock, but somehow, I can't imagine wearing SPF 60 on my skin and only SPF 15 on my son's. At the beach. In the Philippines. During the summer.

How about you? What brand of sunblock are you use for you and for your little ones?

2. Skin Protection Kit

Yuri's Second Birthday Wishlist!

It's Yuri's second birthday next Wednesday!

(Okay, you and I both know that this is my wishlist and not Yuri's. Let's just leave it at that.)

Wow. I have a 2-year old. I still could not believe it. Despite being thrust into motherhood unprepared, here we are, 2 years later, not just surviving but actually thriving!

Okay back to topic. Yuri's turning 2 in just less than a week. Unlike last year, when we held a small Mickey Mouse-themed party, this year, I have nothing planned. Seriously! I found out the hard way that Yuri wasn't into socialization especially if majority of the guests are adults. I still recall with guilt how he just stayed in one corner because he was anxious and afraid of all those people. I also recall how I was forced to let his yaya put him to sleep because I was still entertaining guests. I had a heavy heart the entire time because the night was supposed to be for him, but his mom wasn't even able to pay attention to him.

Other children might like big parties and company, but no, not my then 1-year old Yuri.

So this year, we'll stay at home and eat as a family. We'll also be eating out on the next day, which is my sister's graduation. Even if he's bigger now and already know how to socialize and make "friends," I wouldn't take a risk again. I want to make sure that he's really happy on his day and that I give my full attention to him.

But because we're not planning to do anything big this year, my focus turned toward - what else? - gifts!

I really, really like buying stuff for Yuri (what mother doesn't?), but lately, I've been more interested in buying food rather than things. But when I tried searching for gift ideas, my interest in toddler stuff got rekindled. Ayayay!

Job wanted to buy Yuri a bike, but I complained that the boy already has two rides, and that's too many for me. We decided to get the bike when he's older.

With the bike idea scrapped, we were at a loss for ideas. What could we give Yuri? Well, the following are the products of my "research." Haha!

1. Salt Water Sandals

Photo: justbyliving.blogspot.com

I am borderline obsessed with the idea of little feet inside open leather sandals. Can you imagine? Aside from the fact that Yuri is about to outgrow his shoes, it's also already summer, and his kicks don't really fit in. Plus the sandals are just too gwapo for words.

I wanted to buy something affordable, but I could not find anything like these sandals in local malls. All they have are rubber/nylon/neopyrene sandals with velcro. Nope!

Photo: www.lesjeunespousses.blogspot.com

Should we buy Yuri Salt Water sandals? They're a bit pricey. Do we think we should take the plunge?

2. Toy Airplane

Photo: www.babble.com

This is what Job wants to give Yuri (aside from the bike). I thought he just wants to level-up from toy cars, but he reminded me that when Yuri was only a few months old, I told him on impulse how it would be nice if Yuri becomes a pilot. Thank you for remembering that! Yes, it would be really nice! I can also imagine Yuri zooming around with his "epeyn."

3. Indoor Basketball Hoop

Photo: http://www.toysrus.com/

Not the most creative gift idea, I admit, but aside from cars, Yuri is becoming very interested in balls. Who knows? I might have a little Lebron in my hands.

4. Aqua-Doodle Playmat

Photo: reliancehvg.co.in

Since Yuri is already turning 2, and since summer is approaching (which means a lighter workload for me), I knew it's time to give the boy serious homeschooling. I mean, we teach him all the time, but pretty soon, I need to be intentional about it.

Thus the desire for an Aqua-Doodle mat. Yuri's been showing interest in writing and drawing; unfortunately, he prefers markers over his magnetic board. And you know markers are never good news. I like how this mat only uses water. No accidents and stains!

Notable omissions:

1. Play-Doh set (I'm not sure about this since I'm planning to make our own!)

2. Books (Dami pa kaming di pa nababasa! Books are always on my list, though.)

3. Toddler Armchair - yung may cushion (I have yet to find an affordable but high-quality chair.)

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Toys and Book of the Week: Time For Bed

Hi there! I'm doing a toy rotation system for Yuri's toys. Some of you might have known that by reading my blog post last week, but for the rest of you, here's a recap on how I do it:

A week's worth of toys should have one educational toy (shape sorter and the like), plush toys (stuffed toys), cars and toys with wheels, and little non-toy trinkets (like his Calpol's cover) to encourage Yuri's imagination.

Anyway, the bottom line is get out only a few toys each week (the number of the toys and the frequency of the rotation depend on you!) and keep the rest hidden. So far, it proved to be only advantageous in our household. Less mess, fewer toys to pack away, gets the child to play with all his toys, and encourages the child to read more books. 

To make the most out of this system, as well as to help you curious souls out there, I will be featuring my chosen toys each week. Just in case you want to have a clearer idea of how to do it. As for me, blogging about it is gonna be a constant reminder to be vigilant in choosing toys every Sunday night!

In addition, I'd also like to feature one book per week. Again, this is for kindred souls out there who also want to raise readers and bookworms like me! By doing this, I hope we'll be able to build libraries for our budding book-devourers. Okay, gawa-gawa ko lang yung word na yun. But it captures the essence, right? Who doesn't want a kid who devours books like there's no tomorrow?

Anyway, enough talk. For this week, here are Yuri's toys:

I've given him wooden puzzles over the last weeks, so to minimize suya, I didn't get out another puzzle this week. Instead, I got out some electronic toys that he wasn't able to use for over a month now. I chose those that can, at least, teach him something, so I got the piano with a mini shape-sorter (unfortunately, one piece is missing!) and an electronic turtle that teaches words. The most educational toy would be the shape-sorter.

I also got out a little plush puppy, a plastic clapper (which we used last New Year's Eve - it was really loud). For the non-toy category, I got out a pink hairbrush. I didn't bother to get a wheeled toy anymore because he has several toy trucks in the living room (I think they are becoming a mainstay!).

And this is our book of the week:

I wanted to feature Yuri's ultimate favorite book at the moment for my first ever Book of the Week feature. Yuri loves "Time for Bed" by Mem Fox, illustrated by Jane Dyer. I read it to him every bedtime, and one reading is never enough for him. He even asks for it when he wakes up in the morning!

Funny anecdote: There was one time when he didn't let me finish a second reading of Time for Bed. Instead, he got the book from me. Then, he got one of his stuffed toys (I think it was Jollibee), and laid it beside him on his crib. He got the book, flipped through the pages, and mumbled as if he was reading. Then, he said to Jollibee, "Tuyog, anayt!" (Tulog, good night!). He then hugged the toy and kissed it. Suh-weet!

Baby Verdict: 
I think Yuri loves this book because of the different animals. There are different mother-baby animal tandems featured with unique "good night" lines. Based on experience, I think all toddlers are enamored by animals, making the book a sure hit. I also think he likes the book because he relates to the little boy in the last page. He thinks it's him! By the time I get to that page, he says, "Tuyog Suri" (Tulog Yuri).

Eh kung ano kung blonde yung boy? Sya daw yun eh!

Mom Verdict:
I don't get annoyed with Yuri's requests for me to repeat reading the book because reading it is like singing a song. The lines are very rhythmic and melodic and stress-relieving. Also, they are very easy to memorize. This is a good thing to remember for us, mommies, because there are times when I'd be too sleepy to read and I'd just close my eyes and recite the lines like a pro!

Seriously, though, the best part of the book for me would be the watercolor-style illustrations that are realistic and romantic. Plus, the fact that it features different animals and the correct names of baby animals (i.e. horses and foals) makes it educational, which makes bedtime learning time!

(I got the book from The Learning Basket for only P90. What a steal!)

PS:
For the record, I don't do book rotation. I think it's not yet time for us to do that because we only have a few books. Also, I want Yuri to be always surrounded with books. Unlike toys, I want him to be able to have a lot of options for "reading" (closed in quotation marks because he doesn't read yet - duh! Hee hee). Finally, if the living room will get messy, I want it to be messy with books. Just like this:

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The Toy Rotation Plan

I have been rotating Yuri's toys for five weeks - or over a month - now. Before I explain to you why I adopted this new system, let me first show you how I stored Yuri's toys months before:

Boxes of toys

Like many others, we haphazardly place all of Yuri's toys in boxes. Aside from this big box, we also have another big box upstairs that house his unused toys. In other words, there was no proper organization. Because of that, what happens is that Yuri just takes what he likes and ignores all the other toys. Yuri has pretty much the same favorites, so he plays with the same toys over and over again. And ignores all the other toys over and over again.

Why toy rotation? I'm a heavy (literally and figuratively) reader, and when a subject sparks my interest, I tend to read so much about it to the point of information overload. Anyway, I came upon the subject of book and toy rotation, and I felt like there was no harm in trying it. Since Yuri didn't have so many books before, I focused on rotating his toys first. These are photos of the toy rotation process over 5 weeks:

Heroes on our buckets!

As much as I would have wanted to buy fancy baskets, I knew they weren't practical. Aside from the added cost, I know Yuri would just throw these baskets around (and I was right!). So, I used the free and reliably plastic Jollibee bucket containers.

The good thing about these buckets is that they have handles, which Yuri can use to carry toys from his shelf, which is in my "office area" now to the living room. He also uses them as pretend "shopping" bags, so they double-purpose as containers and toys. If you don't have these buckets, you can use any plastic containers like Tupperware or just buy cheap plastic ware. Again, those with handles are better!

First Week

Shape sorter

First bucket: Balls, a Rubix cube, plush toys, toys with wheels, his rattle bracelet, and whatnots

Second bucket: A set of stacking cups that he never had the patience to properly use

He didn't even realize his favorite toys were missing!

Plus he discovered his favorite number on one of the cups!

Second Week

Top 5 Christmas Gifts for Toddlers (At Least For Me!)

I have written a new list of gift ideas for the older toddler/young preschooler in mind. Here's a list of top gifts for older toddlers!

My golly banana! There are only 2 weeks remaining before Christmas! Have you done your Christmas shopping already? I should have begun my shopping months back, but I've always delayed it, thinking I'll see better deals come December. Now, I still have to buy a lot of gifts!

Of course, my toddler is number 1 on my list, so I breathed a sigh of relief when I had finished ordering stuff for him last week. Ssshhh, don't tell anybody, but he's going to have full bookshelves after Christmas. I still have to wrap his gifts, which led me to think, what could other parents be giving their toddlers this year?

This, in turn, led me to create a list of the best gifts to give for toddlers. Thus, if you have a toddler child or a toddler niece or nephew or a toddler inaanak, this list is for you!

5. Clothes and/or Shoes
Clothes and shoes are always fun to buy (at least for me!), the fun multiplies by 10 when you're shopping for little ladies and gentlemen. Any parent would welcome an additional outfit to her child's closet! Also, a toddler's foot size grows so fast (I should know) that new shoes are always a necessity. Make sure that you know the child's size, though! To be safe, go for the bigger size.

Photo: http://everydaylife.globalpost.com

Bonus tip: Ask the toddler's parents if they're going somewhere for the summer vacation. You might want to give the child a rash guard if they're going to the beach or a cardigan if they're headed to Baguio!

4. Diapers
Some people may think of giving diapers as un-thoughtful or un-creative, but I beg to disagree. Puh-lease, I would welcome a free pack of diapers in my home any day! My toddler still uses 2-4 diapers per day, so that's still a pretty significant amount. In my opinion, no parent would refuse diapers!

Photo: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/

Bonus tip: Try giving the parents cloth diapers to save the environment. You get plus points by helping them save money, too!

3. Art Materials
Ah, the joy of a homeschooling mom. This sentiment also goes for future homeschooling moms, feeling homeschooling moms (like me), and even those who simply want their children to enjoy art at an early age. After all, who doesn't want to raise a future Picasso?

Photo: http://artfulparent.typepad.com

Bonus tip: You do need to look for toddler-specific and toxic-free art materials. Also, make sure they are easy to use. Great examples are jumbo crayons, non-toxic play-dough, and failproof Megasketcher!

2. Wooden Toys

The Case of the Hacked Credit Card & Other Stories

1. First glimpse of the house

Okay, this is misleading. Our actual house won't be built until next year (the earliest). So it would be a while before I would be posting photos of our house here. However, the model house is almost ready, and my parents (who are both real estate agents) went to the site last Saturday. I wanted to come, too, but a construction site isn't the most comfy place for a baby, so I begged them to take photos instead:

That's my pop in red.

I'm just glad the windows aren't jalousies. Teehee.

2. The case of the hacked credit card

Yesterday, I told you that my weekend has been pretty uneventful - except for the fact that someone went on a shopping spree using my mom's credit card. It was either it got hacked or some cashier was able to copy the numbers fast. It was my problem, too, because the card was our sort of joint responsibility. My mom blamed me at first because of my reputation as an online shopper, but I swear I always use bank transfer as a method of payment.

Our only legit transactions are the ones with SM Supermarket Lanang and Island Rose. The rest... what the heck?

My Saturday afternoon was pretty much spent on calling BDO and contacting Amazon, ELF and a certain online store based on Bulacan. It was easy to assume that the thief is a Filipina woman. She spent almost 10k in just a span of 2 days. God knows what else she ordered in the days not covered by the bill.

3. Yuri's new toy box