Getting Ready for Summer!

Summer is just around the corner so I want to get this yellow polka dot bikini for the Little One . . . it has everything I like. . . Polka dots. . .ruffles (haha!) and I love the color . . .simply adorable! =)

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Hello Summer. . . we are definitely ready for you!

Have a nice weekend everyone!

When Kindness comes full circle

In an attempt to be "more organized" (i'm sure Zola's Dad is having a good laugh now!),  I am decluttering not just my closet but my inbox as well!  While sorting it, I saw this e-mail and thought of sharing it with everyone. It is a beautiful story that is worth sharing (and worth reading again to some of us probably).

This is a true story that happened in 1892 at Stanford University . Its morale will always be relevant.

A young, 18-year-old student was struggling to pay his fees. He was an orphan, and not knowing where to turn for money, he came up with a bright idea. A friend and he decided to host a musical concert on campus to raise  money for their education.  They reached out to the great pianist Ignacy J. Paderewski. His manager demanded a guaranteed fee of $2000 for the piano recital. A deal was struck. And the boys began to work to make the concert a success.

The big day arrived. Paderewski performed at Stanford. But unfortunately, they had not managed to sell enough tickets. The total collection was only $1600. Disappointed, they went to Paderewski and explained their plight. They gave him the entire $1600, plus a cheque for the balance $400. They promised to honour the cheque soonest possible.

 "No." said Paderewski. "This is not acceptable." He tore up the cheque, returned the $1600 and told the two boys "Here's the $1600. Please deduct whatever expenses you have incurred. Keep the money you need for your fees.And just give me whatever is left" The boys were surprised, and thanked him profusely.

 It was a small act of kindness. But it clearly marked out Paderewski as a great human being. Why should he help two people he did not even know? We all come across situations like these in our lives. And most of us only think "If I help them, what would happen to me?" The truly great people think, "If I don't help them, what will happen to them?" They don't do it expecting something in return. They do it because they feel it's the right thing to do.

Paderewski later went on to become the Prime Minister of Poland . He was a great leader, but unfortunately when the World War began, Poland was ravaged. There were over 1.5 million people starving in his country, and no  money to feed them. Paderewski did not know where to turn for help. He reached out to the US Food and Relief Administration for help.

The head there was a man called Herbert Hoover - who later went on to become the US President. Hoover agreed to help and quickly shipped tons of food grains to feed the starving Polish people. A calamity was averted.  Paderewski was relieved. He decided to go across to meet Hoover and person­ally thank him. When Paderewski began to thank Hoover for his noble gesture, Hoover quickly interjected and said, "You shouldn't be thanking me Mr. Prime Minister. You may not remember this, but several years ago, you helped two young students go through college in the US . I was one of them."

Herbert Hoover (left) and Ignacy Paderewski (right)
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It's so amazing how a random act of kindness can inspire and change one man and help a nation in the end.  This is kindness coming full circle.  I am sure all of us want to make this world a better place . . .so let's do something nice for someone everyday. 

Spread some kindness! =)

(To validate this story, I've googled both men and found an article here which features Herbert Hoover, his life, his endeavors and how his friendship with Paderewski has played a role in his humanitarian efforts in helping Poland during and after the War. )

My "Sort of Homemade Cooking" Series: Yang Chow Fried Rice

I've mentioned in an earlier post that I'm a fan of Asian Home Gourmet mix because they make cooking various Asian dishes at home easier!

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I had some more packets at the cupboard and thought of trying the Yang Chow Fried Rice since we have leftover rice and ham.  We have eggs, peas and carrots sitting at the fridge and some spring onion (from our garden!).

How easy was it to prepare?  I just sauteed some chopped onions, and just put everything in . . .the ham, egg, leftover rice, veggies and the magic mix (haha!)  And what do I get?

Tadahhhh. . . .

I know. . . I really have to work on my food photography. . . and styling! 

And since we already have fried rice, we might as well have Chinese fare for lunch . . .so we cooked Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet (which DIDN'T come from a packet but was prepared from scratch. . .but NOT by me, haha!) to go with the rice.  It was definitely one of the nicest lunch we had at home.

Have a nice day ahead everyone. . .have a good meal and savor it!

Bon Appetit!  

Who loves ruffles?

I DO!  I love ruffles!

I think ruffles make any wardrobe prettier. . .sweet . . . romantic.  So when I saw this frilly top, I knew I just have to get it for The Little One!  (the beauty of having a baby girl?  you get to have a live Barbie you can dress up! LOL)  

But for the Little One? 

She likes to nibble on her bib,

She thinks the ruffles are her bib,

Therefore, she is nibbling on the ruffles.

She doesn't like wearing a bib,
She thinks the ruffles are her bib,

Therefore, she is trying to remove the ruffles.

*Sigh* . . .Oh well. . . it's okay  . . .. 

I still love ruffles!    

The (Bag) Doctor Is In

One of the nice things about being an SAHM (Stay At Home Mom) is you get to do spring cleaning (or decluttering? teehee) anytime you want.  I did some and found a brown suede bag given to me by Zola's Dad when we were still dating.  I took a mental note to bring it "somewhere" where it can be cleaned (as I don't have an idea where!).  One thing is for sure, the bag DEFINITELY needs some TLC! Haha!

As luck would have it, I saw a friend "like" a page in FB called "The Bag Doctor". . . and suddenly I remembered the suede bag which I set aside ummm. . . a few ages ago!  I went to the Doctor's page and was amazed at the kind of work (it's craftsmanship if i may so) she does. Her work is too good not to share with everyone!  I emailed the Bag Doctor and asked for her permission to use her photos for this blog and took this as a chance to get to know her a little bit more.  

The genius behind the "Bag Doctor" is LP, a very nice and pleasant mompreneur.  After working for several companies and as she was preparing for her wedding, she set her heart to become a hands-on mom.  So she went on to become an entrepreneur and has actually engaged in different businesses before she finally found her passion. . . she put up the Bag Doctor.  This WAHM (Work at Home Mom) is a bag lover herself.  She's so funny (and endearing) when she said, "I feel happy seeing them, smelling them (haha!) and touching them!"  There is passion indeed in her work because what she does is close to her heart (lucky girl!)

And when you have passion, you want to do everything the right way.  She and her husband went to Italy in 2010 to train with one of the biggest leather tanneries there.  The cleaning substance they use also come from Italy.  (Actually, in my "initial consultation" with the Bag Doctor, she already told me that the cleaning substance for suede will arrive in June.)

The Bag Doctor has a whole BAG of tricks!  True to her name, she has "revived" a lot of patients, was called on for "emergency" cases and has prescribed treatments =).

Here are some photos from her FB page. 

BEFORE

AFTER

Just in case you're wondering if they only work on Luxury bags, the answer is NO.  They clean and restore any brand and any kind of bag. =)  

To date they have three clinics around the Metro (Eastwood, West Ave. and White Plains).  You may also send an email to Bagrx@yahoo.com for inquiries.  For more information about the Bag Doctor, please visit their FB page.

So if you think your bags need a dose of TLC, don't worry. . . .the Bag Doctor is IN!

(Now, where did I put that suede bag of mine. . . haha!)

See you soon Doc!

Looking Fab!

Saw this today. . . .Amber Riley (aka Mercedes Jones in "Glee") is looking FAB!

Why I finally started Exercising?  I know I should have started a long time ago (but hey, as they say, "better late than never"!)

As Amber puts it . . .

"I've always been comfortable with my size.  I just decided it was time to get healthy." 

I couldn't have said it better myself!

Yes to loving yourself (whatever size you are) and Yes to getting healthy!

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Going Meatless for Lent

It's Ash Wednesday today.  For Catholics, this signifies the start of Lent.  During Lent, we offer personal sacrifices as we prepare ourselves to commemorate the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

One of the more common sacrifices that Catholics do is to fast and abstain from eating meat every Friday (the Lenten season ends on Easter Sunday).  Some of my friends have given up their dessert, coffee or eating rice as their sacrifice.   (I must say, for Filipinos, giving up rice is one herculean task!)

So in observance of the Lenten Season, I looked for some meatless (and simple!) recipes for our household and would like to share them with you.

All photos and recipes are from Panlasang Pinoy and Overseas Pinoy Cooking .  Please click on the recipe name for the details.

 Easy Clam Chowder

I guess we just have to remove the bacon toppings then, haha!

Seasoned Tofu

Tuna Sisig

Tuna Salpicao

I am sure God appreciates all the sacrifices we make.  But I know what will make Him happier is if we show Him that we truly understand and take by heart what it meant when His Beloved Son had to die on the Cross for us.

Have a blessed and meaningful Lenten Season! =)