Friday, November 10, 2023
Dreaming of cozy evenings by the campfire? Guimaras Island affords a quick escape from the city for a nature filled getaway. I’ve been wanting to do “glamping” for the longest time and Casitas de Palma in Brgy. Tamburong in San Lorenzo, Guimaras is the closest campground to offer that experience.
Last weekend, I treated myself and a friend to a playful woodland weekend staycation at Casitas de Palma for a much needed nature trip to celebrate my birthday month with all it’s autumnal inspiration. I rented a tiny hobbit cabin which came with its own grass covered rooftop lounge, wooden bridge and a meandering, bubbling brook. Just in front of our cabin was a log picnic table which was a perfect spot to enjoy an afternoon snack of Casitas Cafe nachos, soda and hot cocoa. It was also cozy spot to enjoy a book that I purchased from the recently concluded Big Bad Wolf Book Sale. Five o’clock in the afternoon would have to be the magical hour in the woodland valley as the sky turns into a carpet of gold and crimson. Birds start chirping among the mountain trees and nocturnal insects start singing. Chirping cicadas make the most relaxing white noise! At around six o’clock in the evening, the staff of the Casitas started building a tall bonfire from twigs and branches gathered from around the 3 hectare property.
While listening to Bing Crosby's classic Christmas songs on our portable speaker, we enjoyed watching the bonfire being meticulously built. There's nothing more relaxing than seeing embers fly through the air like fireflies and hearing the crackling of wood fire. In the distance the waning gibbous moon shed its lovely light and stars started peeping from the cosmic mantle. Being nestled in an enchanting woodland valley while being warmed by gently crackling bonfire feels so wonderful!
We enjoyed the bonfire for a good forty minutes. A few minutes later it started to drizzle and we climbed up to the Casitas Cafe for a hearty meal of homestyle Bicol Express and rice. Later we retreated to our cute hobbit cabin in Middle-earth that is Guimaras Island.
Our room was simple, comfortable and so conducive to restful sleep. We woke up early in the morning greeted by glistening sunlight peeping through the tiny windows. After an energizing shower of cold, mountain water we trekked back to the Casitas Cafe for free breakfast that came with our accommodation.
We spent the rest of the morning enjoying the rustic simplicity of surrounding attractions like the fishing cottage and pond. We also took some fun pictures with the A frame houses as backdrop. Also, a nature trip would not be complete without a tree hug!
The rest of the morning was spent just soaking in the view and taking in all the good healing energy that the great outdoors provide. At 2 pm, we checked out of our little hobbit cabin which we know we will surely miss. Ground transportation was provided by the Casitas for a fee. In no time, we were back in Iloilo City with bodies recharged and spirits renewed.
Overall, it was a short and sweet staycation and we can't wait to go back!
CASITAS DE PALMA
Brgy Tamborong, Jordan, Guimaras
Email: casitasdepalma01@gmail.com
Mobile: +967 2 315 752
Friday, October 20, 2023
Heads up, Ikea is now in our area!
The moment I have been waiting has arrived! IKEA Philippines which opened it’s biggest global store in Pasay City, Manila back in 2021 now ships nationwide. That means for folks like us who live outside of metropolitan Manila, we can now access affordable and well-designed products that can help build and improve our living spaces minus the hassle of travelling to Manila to visit the physical store. Minus the legendary Manila traffic, the massive physical store in MOA complex is actually an amazing retail wonderland to experience the full Ikea lifestyle--showrooms, restaurant, cafe and bistro plus the mind boggling assortment of products and design solutions. Given that I live in Iloilo and it's impossible to bring home wide and bulky Ikea products without breaking the bank, Ikea's nationwide delivery is really the best news of the year. Depending on the size and weight of the product you're ordering, the shipping fee is still cheaper than a plane trip to Manila. The shipping rates are sensible and affordable given the super fast delivery!
Swedish hygge at IKEA store in Manila
The first two things I ordered online from the home office category are an Elloven computer monitor stand for my home office and a Pluttis wallclock for the work office. Both have clean, stylish design and are highly functional. I especially love the bamboo drawer of the monitor stand that keeps my desk clean and organized. The drawer can store peripherals like mousepad, mouse and a bluetooth keyboard plus other essential school supplies like pens, notepads and a stapler set. With the help of Ikea I look forward to tidying up all the disorganized places in the house. I guess that's a goal I look forward to in 2024!
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| I ordered on a Friday and the items arrived 3 days after. Not bad huh? |
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| Delivered on a rainy afternon by LBC Express |
Thursday, October 19, 2023
I've always been a big fan of The Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond whom I consider the Southern style Martha Stewart. I enjoy her recipes, home and lifestyle ideas and her sassy cowgirl approach to celebrating and entertaining. She has a range of lifestyle products that is a delightful cross between Cath Kidston and French/American Country.
Surprise, surprise! You can find some Pioneer Woman kitchen ware at Super 50 Store at Robinsons Place Iloilo- Main. These sturdy and stylish kitchen spoons, turners and ladles sell for Php 250 each. Totally a great holiday gift idea for friends and family who love to cook. Check it out while supplies last!
Sunday, October 15, 2023
The Big Bad Wolf, the world's biggest book fair has arrived at the City of Love and just like any other Ilonggo bibliophile, I did waste any second as book fairs are akin to premium ukay-ukay at rock bottom prices. You know, early bird catches the best deal or that hidden gem of a book. As fellow shoppers swarm around endless piles of books (2 million of them!), you just wish nobody will pick up that obscure book that you have always wanted and of course you'd wish it would be dirt cheap. Hah!
I didn't have any book title in mind as I wanted the Big Bad Wolf to do a blitzkrieg, surprise me with books that I cannot resist! In Filipino lingo, it's a budol thing. With glazed eyes, you will gladly hand over your wallet with a big smile and not worry if you will subsist on instant noodles for the next 15 days. After all, the Big Bad Wolf visits once in a blue moon. Yeah, right!
Silly me, I spent more than an hour at the Gen Z and millennial book aisles (the young adult/fiction) not knowing that there are other BBW corridors to explore for Gen X like me. My goodness, those Gen Z kids who saved their allowance for this book shindig not knowing if they indeed got their end of the bargain. Save for a few rich kids with the parentals in tow, there were a few kids with trolleys (or shopping baskets for that matter). Damn, where are the Php 20 peso novels??!! Buy a mid-range priced book and checkout as fast as you can, kiddos! Make sure you have enough allowance left for that every other day milk tea.
Hunger pangs eventually gnawed on my book hungry brain and I decided to refuel at a nearby restaurant. The restaurant was situated next to the Graphic Design/Photography/Home and Garden BBW section which was absolutely my thang! So many art and architecture books that I wanted to bring home! Afraid that I might blow a month's salary on those books, I hastily bought (but thoughtfully considered) a few interior design and cat related books (mostly cute and useless but nevertheless will look nice on my shelf) and quickly ran to the nearest exit door. Will probably visit again (the history and biography section) when the book fair comes to a close (praying there will be more books in the A-E price range). To tell you the truth, I have not seen any Php 20-40 peso books. The VIPs/select buyers (the criteria of how they were selected will always be dubious to me) who were given the chance to shop before the grand opening probably carted the ultra-barato books before regular customers had the chance. I definitely got red riding hoodwinked on this part!
That being said, let the budol games begin!
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Concept cafes or multi-use retail spaces have become a trend of sorts lately. Shoppers can relax and unwind while shopping for their favorite products. It gives fresh meaning to the word "retail therapy". NaVhaCu Concept Store and Cafe (named after the owner’s three daughters) located just across Robinson's Place Iloilo (Ledesma Street side) offers that delightful, therapeutic experience to customers and pet lovers. Stop for a cup of coffee or milk tea while you stock up on healthy goodies like trail nuts, freeze dried veggies and fruits and other products. The pet-friendly shop also has a cozy corner for handmade trinkets and crafts, stationery, cosmetics, skin care and decor items. There is also a section for kids and babies where you can find unique and hard-to-find products and accessories.
Books also also available for sale and free to browse if you stay for a cup of coffee or drinks! Definitely a good place to visit during the weekend or after work.
See you at NaVhaCu!
NaVhaCu Concept Store + Cafe + Pabilin Station
Ledesma St., Iloilo City (Beside 168 mall)
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Adapting to a vegan lifestyle is easier now than ever if you live in Iloilo City. Whole food stores like Simple and Whole and vegan restaurants like Buhay Ermitanyo promote a gentler,more conscious approach to consumption and self-care. You can now find various vegan cheeses produced by Buhay Ermitanyo, purveyor of vegan lifestyle at Simple and Whole at SM City Iloilo.You can create your recipes at home or try my version. Happy airfrying!
Thursday, October 5, 2023
It will be utterly useless to hold on to your wallet when the Big Bad Wolf comes to Iloilo City on October 13-22, 2023 at SM City North Point. Touted as the World's Biggest Book Sale, Big Bad Wolf Books is a Malaysian based enterprise that is on a mission to make books affordable and accessible to everyone.
I've been wanting to go to a Big Bad Wolf Book fair since it launched in Manila a few years ago and did a circuit in cities like Cebu and Davao (and other places I failed to mention). In 2021 when the pandemic happened, BBW held an online sale and of course being a bookworm and a sucker for great deals I did not pass the chance to get hold of amazing books at heavily discounted prices. Due to logistical challenges posed by the pandemic, the books arrived later than expected. But boy, the books were worth waiting for! It felt like Christmas when my BBW books arrived. I can't wait to relive that Christmas morning feeling when I go to my first BBW book fair in the City of Love!
For more information and updates on the BBW Iloilo Book Fair bookmark and visit the BBW Philippines Facebook page. See you there baddies!
Sunday, October 1, 2023
Yay, we are down to the last 3 months of 2023 and it's my favorite season of the year! In particular, I love October because Halloween is my favorite holiday next to Christmas. Being born on Dia de los Muertos somewhat makes me gravitate towards this season of autumnal magic and all things warm, cozy and moody.
Here are some ideas on how to spend an enchanting October:
1. Visit Starbucks this time of the year enjoy the iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte which is delightful either hot or iced. There is now a lighter version of this drink with the sweetness level toned down.
2. Sign up for a soy candle making workshop at La Luz Essence. Bring along a bestie for a fun-filled, creative bonding session.
3. Rent a hobbit house at Casitas de Palma and enjoy a night of glamping with friends amidst a peaceful, natural setting.
4. Tune in to super relaxing, chill autumn inspired music playlist from Lofi for Life with Zoe Cat on Youtube.
Happy October!
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