What did I bring back from Mexico?

Choices:

1. Old people smell
2. The placenta
3. Grandma
4. A lifetime of sadness

Now pick the best answer. That's basically how Cards Against Humanity works. It's this really awesome card game that I played with my friends the other week. It's a fun drinking game and an awesome gift to friends, cousins, officemates, etc. 

via outgrow.me

The great thing about it is, you don't have to buy the cards. You can download the pdf here and have them printed yourself. But remember, "Cards Against Humanity is available under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 2.0 license. That means you can use and remix the game for free, but you can’t sell it. Please do not steal our name or we will smash you."

via rsvlts.com

Now, all you need is a nice box to put the cards in and you're done. I'd get a plastic box for the cards, the nice kind. You know. The ones that look frosted? I think you can find those at department stores or stores like Office Warehouse and Muji.

Tie a nice fat ribbon around the box and that's it! Now you've got a gift that you'd actually want to keep for yourself. Haha!

Go ahead and count yourself in the list so you're sure to make enough copies. You know you want to ;)

I saw the sign

Still on a Pitch Perfect high. I've watched the movie more than three times already AND it's perpetually on repeat on my iPod so I can listen to all the songs (the soundtrack is missing a few of my favorites boooo) and the super funny lines while I work. If you haven't seen it, "aca- believe it"! It's awesome. Please watch it. Like right now. Or maybe after reading this post. Haha!

Anyways, back to gifts. Normally, I find stationaries and pens such boring gifts. The designs are usually either outdated or baduy. Well, at least in my eyes. BUT, there are some that stand out and are so beautifully designed, they make such adorable gifts for friends. Here are some I've found that add some fun to anyone's desk.

Lily McGee sticky pad with pen by Marta's Papertrail Shop (P275 each)

Paper Teddy by Suck UK (P520)

This bear is made of Tyvek, a special material that has paper-like features but is much stronger and tear-proof. Such an adorable gift to send instead of a note!

Napkin Notes by Decor Craft Inc (P350)

Pixel Pad Grab Sticky Notes by Quirks (P175)

Forget Me Notes Sticky Pad from Tetropack (P360)

This will remind your friend of her childhood crush! Hihi.

Artex Letter Opener (P1,600)

Artex Fountain Pen with Extra Roller Tip- Gold Rat (P4,800)

Such a whimsical pen! Imagine everyone's surprise when your dad uses this to sign an important contract. It actually reminds me of The Chronicles of Narnia. Haha!

P.S. Now you can watch Pitch Perfect ;)

DIY for Chi

Some people are born with the creative gene and others are not. I belong to the second group of people but I still try to make an effort- especially for people like Chi. CHEESY! I know. Sorry. ANYWAYS, I try to wrap his gifts in more special ways and I really take the time to prepare them. He should really give me an A for effort. Haha!

For this project, I spent a few hours (finished at around 1am) just cutting strips of wrapping paper. Honestly, I have no idea why it took me so long to cut enough strips to fill the two boxes. Haha! I used craft scissors (the ones with designs on them) for some extra "design". 

I got these Christmas boxes from National Bookstore. They're about 30-50 pesos each, depending on the size. National Bookstore had various designs and in three different sizes. 

I had the bow done in National Bookstore as well. I picked out two kinds of ribbons - a thicker organza ribbon and a thinner satin one. I choose to stick to one color, green, to keep with the traditional Christmas theme. Aside from paying for the ribbons you choose, you only need to add 15 pesos for their service. Not bad! 

I wanted to re-create the ribbon for another gift. I was feeling slightly kuripot so I just tried to remember how the lady in National Bookstore did it. I'm proud to say that I was quite successful. Haha! It's actually pretty easy. Lesson of my story? Study how the professionals do it and try it out on your own after. If it fails, Google or Youtube it. LOL. 

P.S. Pitch Perfect is an awesome movie. Just had to say it. 

Friday Feature: Theo & Philo

"At our factory, each batch of chocolate is produced in small quantities (actually, it would be "micro" in industry standards) and overseen personally by people instead of machines. We take great care, time and effort to ensure that each step starting from the selection of the cacao bean to the final step of molding and packing, we are only offering the best we can offer." -Philo, Founder 

Theo & Philo chocolates are all about being 100% Filipino, from ingredients to taste and packaging. They source their cacao from Davao and their sugar from Bacolod (my mother's hometown!). They offer really interesting mixes, like dark chocolate with green mango and salt, which take inspiration from Pinoy favorites. Their various wrappings make use of the colors of the Philippine flag in modern designs that scream "I'm young, Filipino, and proud of it!". 

Clockwise starting from upper left corner: 70% Dark Chocolate, Honey Cinnamon, Barako, Calamansi, Labuyo, Green Mango & Salt, Pili & Pinipig, Milk Chocolate

Aside from their 70% dark chocolate and their classic milk chocolate bars, Theo & Philo's distinctly "filipino combination" bars are what I would give to friends and family. Some of them are unusual but surprisingly good! It's always nice to let loved ones try new things, especially the foodies in the family. 

Here's a list of the flavors that they offer:

1. 70% Dark Chocolate
2. Milk Chocolate
3. Labuyo- dark chocolate with chili. Not for me but perfect for my boyfriend who LOVES all things spicy.
4. Pili & Pinipig- milk chocolate with pili nuts and crunchy pinipig.
5. Green Mango & Salt- My favorite!! Sweet + sour + salty = HEAVEN. 
6. Barako- chocolate for breakfast? Why not!
7. Calamansi- dark chocolate with candied calamansi peel
8. Pinasugbo- banana chocolate with toffee and sesame seeds
9. Honey Cinnamon- dark chocolate infused with cinnamon with honey pieces. It was their holiday flavor for 2012. 

Each bar costs P95 and you can get them as a set of 3 (additional 50 pesos for the box) or 5 bars  (additional 60 pesos for the box). Their boxes are even prettier than their wrappers. Look!

Box of 3

Box of 5

You can find Theo & Philo chocolates at these locations. Or, you can directly contact them at 0920-431-5650/ 2424093 or email them at hello@theoandphilo.com. 

All photos were provided by Theo & Philo. 

Hang with me?

I've been meaning to write about MELAfied's customizable hangers for weeks but I've only gotten around to doing it now. Perfect timing actually because there's a voucher at Cash Cash Pinoy for them that ends tomorrow. Instead of P2,000 you can get a custom-made hanger for P1,199! Almost 50% off so I think it's a pretty good deal. 

What I love most about these hangers are that they're 100% personalized. They make for a perfect gift for your best friend, girlfriend, fiancee, etc. OMG! Wouldn't it be cute to exchange all of your girlfriend's hangers to these personalized ones spelling out "Will you marry me?" or "Future Mrs.____"? If you're not quite there yet, how about "Will you be my girlfriend?". So adorable!! 

Each 17-inch hanger is handmade using non-tarnish silver wire for the words/numbers. Everything from ribbons to Swarovski crystals and flowers can be used for the beautiful embellishments. Standard waiting time is one to two weeks, two days for a rushed order. 

I think these hangers are just too pretty to cover up so I wouldn't wrap them. I would pair it with a dress or a shirt and "wrap" the hanger with that piece of clothing so that there's still some element of surprise. Haha! Button a polo up to the topmost button to hide the hanger, tie a ribbon around the neck of the hanger and you're done! You can even get creative by tying up the sleeves of the polo in a nice knot or bow. 

But if you insist on wrapping them, here are some ideas. 

via etsy.com

via etsy.com

For more info on the Cash Cash Pinoy voucher, click here. Otherwise, you can contact MELAfied at 0918-941-4143, melafied@gmail.com, or check out their Facebook page.

All photos are from the Cash Cash Pinoy website. 

MNG

Now that Christmas is over, the post holiday sales are beginning. I think these sales are great for buying gifts "for stock". Throughout the year, there's bound to be a friend or family member who's celebrating their ____th birthday and sometimes we just don't have the time to shop for a gift. This is where your stock of pre-bought gifts come in. And what better time to shop for these than during sale season? Simple and classic gifts that don't go out of style are what you're after.

I've been a fan of Mango ever since it was brought here in the Philippines. They're on sale now and here are some of my picks for gifts you could keep on stock. Haha! Oh and they're all under P1,000!

Crocodile effect card holder (P395)

Frayed endings foulard (P495)

Essential cotton jumper (P545)

The sweater comes in 7 staple colors that make it easy to match with anything in your recipient's closet. The classic V neck style is flattering on many body types and the simple design makes it appropriate for women across many ages. 

Braided belt (P595)

Wide belts are always flattering as they accentuate the waist. The braid detail and simple buckle make it appropriate for both casual days at the mall or work days at the office. 

Mini shoulder bag (P645)

Openwork oversized sweater (P950)

I love this laid back yet chic over sized sweater. Perfect for lazy days. Any girl can rock this cardigan. It goes with everything. 

Suede purse (P995)

Rounded leather coin purse (P995)

Any girl would appreciate receiving a coin purse. It's both handy and stylish- especially when it's made of suede and leather.


You can check out Mango stores at Alabang Town Center,Power Plant Mall, Eastwood Mall, SM Megamall, SM MOA, EDSA Shangri-la Mall, Greenbelt 5 and many more.

Or, you can shop online here. 



All photos are from the Mango website. 

Gifts for NYE

I know. People don't give gifts on New Years. But then if you just want to make someone special extra happy or you're feeling extra generous this year, why not? Here are some gift ideas for when the clock strikes 12. 

2013 Color of the Year: EMERALD

via makeup4all.com

Get your favorite gals some nail polish in 2013's color. There are lots of brands to choose from. Just head on to Watcons, PCX, the beauty section of department stores, and Face Shop for great nail polish choices. 

via louisvuitton.com

via lyst.com

I've recently been addicted to Fino leather goods. I've got a bag, a key chain for my car keys, and a license holder. They're genuine leather items and proudly pinoy made. An emerald card case or coin purse from Fino is a nice NYE gift. 

via smdeptstore.com

For the fashionista, party girl, and style blogger, you can never really go wrong with eye catching accessories. I personally prefer huge rings and quirky necklaces. SM definitely has a lot of emerald accessories to satisfy any girl's sartorial needs. Check Accessorize too for interesting finds. 

Dots, circles, and round things

They say that wearing dots and having round objects in your house brings you and your family good luck on NYE. Wish your loved one some more luck with these dotted and round gifts. 

via jcrew.com

via polyvore.com

The weather in the Philippines doesn't really call for wearing polka dotted scarves but working in offices with air conditioning does! Haha! Perfect for the working girl or for those who travel a lot. I've found lots of cute scarves in Accessorize, Payless, and department stores. 

via ava.ph

These Thabto jars are just so adorable! They come in a set of 3 for tea, coffee, and sugar supposedly ( the glints in their eyes say "t", "c", and "s") but you can put anything in them. You can buy them from ava.ph for P1,827.50 (they're on sale now!). 

via spot.ph

Get your tita or your mom a gift basket full of turmeric salted eggs from The Breakfast Store. It costs P320 for a basket with a dozen eggs. They're yellow instead of magenta because the eggs are treated with turmeric, a kind of spice. The Breakfast Store is located at Katipunan Avenue, near Banapple.



Happy New Years everyone and happy gifting! :)

Christmas DIYs

Here are some on-the-spot (unplanned) DIY wrapping projects which I did this Christmas. Disclaimer: Not a lot of time was spent making these. They're products of boredom. Haha!

Using brown paper bags

I got the brown paper bags from Bestsellers in Robinsons Galleria, the washi tape from Fab Manila, and the ribbon and Christmas decor from National Bookstore.

 

My friend got these cute little jars from True Value, I used the same washi tape from Fab Manila, and the ribbon from National Bookstore. Recognize the tag on top of the jars? Those are the ones I made using Microsoft Paint. LOL. (See here)

Not bad given the time constraints and limited resources! Haha! Everyone at the office loved our little jars of goodies. Hooray!

I have one more rather major DIY project (my gift for Chi) but I'll post about that after I've given it to him. To Chi: I know you're reading this now. Please resist the urge to open my gift until the 24th! Haha!



P.S. I'm leaving for Bacolod tomorrow morning so no blogging till I get back after Christmas.

P.P.S. Merry Christmas everyone!!!  I know. I'm 3 days early but better late early than never. Haha!

P.P.S. Last one, I promise. For those who are still doing last minute shopping, happy hunting and happy giving!

DIY Wrapping: Wine Bottle

Sometime last week, I was searching for unique gift wrapping ideas and I stumbled upon Formal Fringe. They have a really cute idea for wrapping wine bottles. It's fast, easy, and unique. In my books, that makes it a perfect DIY project, especially for those lacking in the creative department (like me!). Haha! All you need is a pair of socks. This way, you end up giving two practical gifts instead of one- the wine, and the socks. For me, the more gifts you give, the merrier so hooray! LOL.

Here's how to do it: (All photos are from Formal Fringe)


Insert the bottle inside one sock.

Fold over the extra length of the sock and use the other sock to tie around the neck of the bottle. 

Tie a knot or a bow. Any will do.





And there you have it! See, told you it was real easy.

I suggest using long socks and those with adorable prints. As for the tag, I'd punch a hole and pin the tag on the sock with a safety pin. 

via thekrossroads

via creatingkeepsakesblog

via fatimajakoet

Happy wrapping and happy giving! :)

Converge

I'm not the neatest person in the world. I used to hate it when my yaya would fix my room without telling me (under my mom's orders hahaha) because when I have to look for something, I can't find it. I think that a little mess is fine. Though I'm not a neat freak, I know a lot of people who are. They're family members and friends who can't function with a messy desk. This docking station from Qrius is the perfect gift to give to them this Christmas. 

Converge is a docking station for all your gadgets. It's perfect for those with lots of gadgets but not enough USB ports or sockets for charging. The station has 4 USB outlets and uses external power (110-240v) to charge all gadgets at the same time. 

The slit at the back holds the wires in place and the curved shape keeps the wires out of sight. This way, your gadgets can peacefully "sit" on the docking station and enjoy the view. Haha! It really looks like a mini bench for all your electronics. 

The slit for the wires is in a T-shape so that both bottom connected and side connected gadgets can rest on it while charging.  It's 310mm wide, 100mm tall, and 130mm deep. 

It can charge most USB devices (iPhone, iPad, cameras, etc.) with the exception of Blackberry Torch, Curve, and Barnes & Noble Nook devices. It costs P1,800 and it's available here. 

It comes in a slightly weird shaped box so I suggest using a gift bag instead of wrapping the gift. If you're too lazy to go buy a gift bag, you can make your own using newspapers, magazines, or wrapping paper. See my previous post on DIY gift bags. 

Happy shopping and happy giving!!

All photos are from Qrius