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My New ‘Toy’

Okay, it’s not exactly that new, as I’ve had it for almost two months already.  While many would not consider such as a ‘toy,’ I do. Most toys are those nifty gadgets etcetera, but since I’m not one of those techie type of gal, I’m freely referring to it as my toy.

My lover affair with the gym came to an end  three months ago. I just quit one day and declared I was not going down there anymore. My husband couldn’t believe it but as he expected, that gym-going phase of my life will soon stop thus, he was not that surprised. He didn’t expect it to be that soon, though.

Being inactive and lacking that much needed exercise, I must admit, got me more lethargic. But I made up my mind that going to the gym is not an option. I disliked the idea of having to deal with the other gym-going residents, and getting dressed to exercise. Call me weird but I was more comfortable in my jammies (with my sneakers,of course) at home while taking a spin on my Fitness Disc, lifting my own weights or walking with Leslie Sansone on DVD. Sure, I missed the kind of workout I used to get via the treadmill, elliptical, bicycle and other equipments at our Fitness Center but I already made up my mind.

The next best thing to do was to get me an Elliptical Machine. I did a thorough research, went to the nearest Fitness Showroom and tested different Precor Models and I wound up with this one.

precor elliptical

 

In five days it was delivered and assembled in twenty minutes by two nice and polite men. It can’t be any easier than that. In no time, I was on it, after weeks of being inactive. That meant- sore muscles big time after the first workout! But I’m fine now, and I’ve been enjoying getting on it every day except for the last few days.

precor elliptical

precor elliptical

precor elliptical

 

Although this machine was intended for me, my husband finds himself getting on it (right after his workout at the gym) instead of the elliptical machine at the gym. Now he wants a treadmill too… here at home. Having both will bring more pressure to me. I will feel that I need to use both every single day to justify having both machines.

 

My Sanity Keeper

I keep saying that I’m done with Holiday shopping but it’s really hard for me to turn my back on great deals. There’s just too many of them on the net just like the carhartt shirts I saw earlier.

With my shopping in active mode, that also means I keep revising my list. All of the presents that I already bought are waiting to be wrapped, and I’m glad that I haven’t wrapped them up yet. Having such a fickle mind and changing the gift for each as I see new potential present is not good. At the end of all these, I might end up with many extras. If that happens somehow, I know I can always make use of them for next year’s Holiday gifts.

Staying away from the internet is not an option at this point. More than ever, I need it to keep me preoccupied. With my seemingly long days this past few, waiting and waiting for what seems like forever, I need the internet to keep my sanity.

So my mindless browsing continues. You’ll know when I’m finally off it.

Driving Without Purpose

Aimless driving is now part of our norm. In fact, we started this ‘crusade’  last month when our car once again failed in the annual NYS inspection last September because of its very low mileage.

A few weeks ago, husband and I decided to just drive around. Armed with our trusty GPS, we navigated the highways and expressway until we no longer knew where to go and that was when we  consulted our GPS. We wound up ending at the IKEA store in Long Island. It was a fun ride sans traffic but that was because we intentionally got on the road during off peak hours.
ikea

ikea

ikea

We left the store empty handed. We spent a good half hour inside the store plus a good half hour to eat inside their restaurant. We had decent but cheap Swedish food.

ikea

ikea

ikea

We were then ready to take on the road and head back home with our tummies full. It was a simple but fun day.

My Heart Tag Is Back

In July 2008, I went home (Philippines) to bury my Dad. Earlier this year (April), I did the same to bury my Mom. These were two unhappy occasions, but in spite of all that, they were cherished times, as I was reunited with family and the more important people in my life.

Friends come and go, and that is a fact of life. But there are a few of these so called friends that remain, regardless of the distance and the many years of separation, as well as the misunderstandings that come in between. I don’t have tons of friends, I have tons of acquaintances, but I only have few real friends. Friends who continue to be there for me through thick and thin, and whom I continue to do the same for.

They were there during those two unhappy occasions except for the few who are now residing in other parts of the globe. Last April, one of my BFF’s expressed her longtime desire to buy a necklace similar to a piece that I was wearing. She tried and fitted mine. I watched her eyes glow at that very moment. She could very well afford to buy hers, as she is gainfully employed but more often than not the scarcity of the piece is her deterrent.

I was moved. I wanted to give her my old piece, but no, I was determined not to give something used and old. I secretly went looking for an identical piece at the Tiffany boutique in Rustan’s. Unfortunately, it was not available.

Two days before our departure for New York, she met up with us once again. Incidentally, that same necklace was on my neck. I took it off,  and I offered it to her. She was hesitant to accept it at first. I recounted to her my search for the same piece, but I was unfortunate in my search. In spite of my hesitation on giving something old, prior to meeting up with her, my husband convinced me that it was okay. That was my way of extending my appreciation for her presence during my time of grief.  On both occasions (my Dad and Mom’s passing), she had to take a week off from work just to be with my family.

I knew I gave away a long cherished piece.  It was a piece that used to be a part of an ensemble, therefore, I missed it. But I didn’t hesitate giving it away as she is a very dear friend. But I soon realized, I can’t be separated with my heart tag toggle necklace forever, and that it has to be returned to me (by me) LOL.

I did the next best thing. I bought the replacement during Tiffany’s Night Out last September.  Now, my friend and I have another thing in common.

return to tiffany heart toggle necklace

return to Tiffany heart tag toggle necklace

return to tiffany heart toggle necklace

Gifting Is An Art, Not A Ritual

The birthdays of my two Scorpio best friends, and another precious new friend who also happens to be born under the sign of Scorpio are over, but my search for one of a kind birthday gift ideas does not end there. There’s way too many important people in my life, and each of them deserve to get the best treat on their special day. Birthdays come only once a year, and I believe that bringing joy and smile to your gift recipient on that very important day, makes them feel special and appreciated.

I can be very meticulous with gifts. I go all out, all the time. That is just me, and when I do it, I believe that the recipient is deserving and important to me, and the gift is well thought out and given with the most sincere intentions.  One thing is for sure though, I’m not the type of person who is being generous to a fault. I give what I can afford. I give what I’m happy to give, and what I know will be appreciated and treasured by the recipient. And I’m not the type who will go in debt just to give someone something nice. I’m so grateful that my husband and I don’t owe a penny to any one, not from any institution, not even a mortgage. We owe nothing but just the recurring utility bills, and that’s a fact.

I must take gifting way too over the top  sometimes, though. But that is something that I love to do, simply because I like nice things for myself, therefore, I also want my gift recipients to have something nice.   In fact, there is one rare occasion a little more than two months ago when I gifted someone whom I considered to be all worth it, but it turned out that it was all a dud, and later realized that I was taken for a ride. In the end, my intelligence was insulted big time. Don’t ask me how and why, because I may wind up typing away all the details for the whole world to see. Nonetheless, I don’t regret what I did, as I believe that  there’s always some lessons to be learned  from any experience, whether it be good or bad.

My search for birthday gift ideas at ProFlowers just started. There’s a couple of birthday celebrants on my list, and I believe that adding a great flower arrangement to be delivered on the day itself,  together with my usual packaged gift which I will bring personally will be more than enough. At least these two celebrants who are about to celebrate their birthdays will for sure not take me for a ride.

Creative Gift Ideas

Seriously, do parents of kids nowadays consider giving gifts to godparents of their children? Do I sound like an innocent lamb? Forgive me, but that may be how it is when you are childless. Having been a godparent gazillion times, I only remember getting a gift at the day of baptism as a token from the parents.

Modern times call for modern ways. And even if I’m not that ‘antique’ I must confess that I may be out of touch. A quick phone call to my sister indeed confirmed that yes, she is also looking for  godparent gift ideas to give this Holiday season.

Reality sinks in. I’m a childless stay-at-home wife, who’s never had to deal with the baptism of my own child. Although I’m the other half of a non-Catholic (he is Jewish), should we have been blessed with a child, that child would have followed my faith not his.

Case closed. So gifting godparents  is now widely practiced. That means additional expense for the Holidays. Thus, it is but wise for many parents to look for unique and affordable gift ideas.

Perfect Ad On Wheels

The Bond No. 9 boutique along Madison Avenue is almost always on my itinerary when I’m in the city.The recent trek was no exception. With the refill event invite that they send me every time, it’s a great offer for Bond No. 9 aficionados like me.

Spending a good amount of time in the boutique is one of my enjoyment.I love to try out new scents. Now that my allergies are finally under control, I’m back to using my fave scents after many months of not using them because of my chronic allergies. It’s good that I was restrained from giving away the unused bottles at the height of my uncontrolled condition.

bond no. 9 NYC

On our way out of the boutique, we ran into the Chauffeur going in, and true enough,  the Bond No. 9 NYC car was parked right in front. Cute, right? Perfect ad on wheels!

bond no. 9 NYC

bond no. 9 NYC

I took  a shot of the car’s interior, and this is what’s inside. The perfume caddy.

bond no. 9 NYC