Monday blues and mini haul

My son is probably the clingiest toddler on earth. He clings to his dad 24/7 and monday is the worst for him. Every monday morning, he cries and threw tantrums. We tried talking to him and explaining to him that Daddy needs to work. We also tried to make his monday the most exciting day of the week, new art activities, new books to read, unboxing of a stock toy (yes, I stock up on toys whenever there's a good sale!) and we usually picked up daddy at the office to shorten his waiting time. Any tips for separation anxiety? 😢

Speaking of good sale, sharing with you my mini haul from last week 😊

Got these three books from a booksale at Harboufront Centre, the first two costs 2 for $5.00. They are both hardcover paper books but it's ok because my son still loves dinosaurs. I'm starting to collect Christmas books and I'm happy to see this classic. The third book is a board book which costs $5.90. The books are in good condition but a bit dirty, good thing I have my trusty UV pocket sterilizer from UV Care to clean my son's new books properly.

Giant supermarket at IMM  have occasional book sales at their entrance near the cashier. We already scored a few good deals at their book sales. Last week, we chanced upon their sale again. 5 board books for $20.00. My son just discovered the teletubbies show at cbeebies and is currently one of his favorite shows. I'm collecting Mr. Men series also for him because those are my favorites too! Timmy time is another old favorite of my son from Disney Junior. Seeking a Santa to add to his Christmas book collection because it's ber season already and just like a true Pinoy! I'm singing Jose Mari Chan songs already in my head 😂

I went to Spotlight last week to check for some bedsheets (they have 1000 tc at less than 50sgd per set!) and saw some art materials on sale for 50-70% off. We scored these goodies for a grand total of $5.00!

Mothercare Singapore have occasional in store sales even if it's not GSS or change of season sales. I love looking for the yellow tags! Like this set of Dino socks for $3.00 only! The london theme socks only have 15% off but my son loves double decker buses and british soldiers. I also bought the shoes (also on sale!) and i bought different sizes for extras.The denim dinosaurs have a twinnie pair at size 31 for Thirdy which I sent to Manila already.

Singapore can be really a pretty expensive country! That's why I'm always on the look out for sales and bargains! 😍

Our 10 dollar cake hack activity

 

A couple  of weeks ago, I saw a beautiful cake hack posted by one of our closest friends based in AU. I can't believe she didn't bake the cake! it looks so legit! 😄 The following day, we were at the supermarket and I saw these ready made cake icings. Jatrick grabbed a few thinking it's toothpaste 😃 I thought we can make a kiddie cake hack and it's a perfect Sunday afternoon activity for our little one. We don't have woollies or coles cake here, so I bought a house brand banana loaf, a couple of ready made cake icings and chocolate sprinkles.

 

 

I cut the banana loaf and shaped it to letter J (apologies for my cake hack skills!)

 and spread the blue icing with a spatula from daiso. Jatty picked the color blue icing. And with his old muchkin spoon, he "decorated" his cake with chocolate sprinkles.

 

 

He was very careful with the chocolate sprinkles and trying not to create a mess.  😊😊  I wanted to add a few toy topper on top for a proper picture op but my toddler decided to eat his creation while I was looking for small toys.

 

 

I asked him if he enjoyed our Sunday activity and he nodded and gave me a blue icing smile. 😅

 

What's your family christmas tradition? :)

I can't believe it's 2 winks to go and it's Christmas! :) Growing up in Manila, we have the longest celebration of Christmas. You'll start hearing Christmas songs as early as September and there's this warm feeling that will make you start to count the days. Growing up in a small family, we don't have that much family tradition like other families. We go to the mass on Christmas Eve and have our Noche Buena -- and true to my maternal grandmother's Spanish roots, we have hot chocolate :) hot, frothy and creamy... it's a family recipe that we can't fully replicate since Mama (my maternal grandmother) passed away. I can almost see her in front of the stove, stirring and pouring slowly the milk in the pot. Bittersweet memories.

My childhood best friend and I used to lived next door to each other and we usually buy our gifts together and we exchange gifts after dinner of the 24th. She moved abroad 10 years ago and I miss her more on Christmas Eve. My then boyfriend (now husband) and I used to have dinner and a starbucks date on the 25th. Christmas also means our annual outreach day at St. Rita Orphanage. When Mr. Panda and I tied the knot, we decided to start our own mini Christmas tradition. We handpicked our Christmas décor with love. We want each of them to have a meaning and tied with happy memories. Baby and Breakfast created a list of family Christmas traditions and ours is included. Please click this link http://babyandbreakfast.ph/2017/12/18/9-moms-share-the-family-christmas-tradition-that-theyre-looking-forward-to-the-most/ for more family traditions! I hope you'll love them and probably encourage you start your own family tradition.



Ever since we expatriated, we have this formula for our belongings. Keep or Lose. Whenever we purchase something, we have this mental  note if we will keep it or not when we move to another country. And our Christmas tree ornaments are on the Keep list! Here's our 2017 Christmas tree, apologies for the imbalance of the decors. My toddler loves to "harvest" every day since we put up the tree.

 

 

I ordered this personalised ornament this year in Manila. I love that it's acrylic!

 

 

 

 

This Christmas ball is from Bullarum, handpainted and personalised with my son's name. I bought this last year because it's his first Christmas.

 

 

 

 

I purchased these two star wars ornaments because we're big fans and our family big baby is hooked to star wars right now! New recruit! lol!

 

 

 

I purchased Tsum Tsum Christmas Balls because it's my son's first birthday party theme :)

 

 

If you look closely at the picture of our tree, we have Starbucks ornaments :) this one is the DIY ornament just in time for our first wedding anniversary.

 

 

This little wooden sign was purchased last year at Tatty Marsh at Tanglin Mall, perfect for my chopsuey tree haha!

 

 

Santa mail box is purchased this year when I was in Manila, we started to introduce Santa to our little dumpling this year and we hope he'll enjoy Santa's little notes if he's naughty or nice :)

 

 

 

Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed holiday season! :) and May you start and enjoy your own family Christmas traditions!

GSS 2017!

I used to hear GSS or great singapore sale from my sister from another mother (and father) when we were still both working at slmc-gc. She raved how cheap the items were and how people go to SG for that particular sale. Fast forward, 6 years later I experienced my first GSS as a trailing wife in SG. To say that I enjoyed it is an understatement! I still have some of my shopping loot from my first GSS untouched. My second GSS was all about my sioplet, we just got back at SG that time and we were building his wardrobe that time and some necessities too.

Sharing with you some of my loot! Most items are 50-70% off!

For my sioplet! 😄 and of course he should have panda socks!

Loot from Zara 😊😊😉

This is a very unusual choice for me, but my son laughed when he saw me wearing it. I realized after purchasing it, that i look like a cupcake or a pink chicken flapping.

Slimming!

The ribbons got me.

Again, the ribbons.

Yes, the ribbons and the pink tweed with subtle gold thread.

Love that I can put this on, and look like a decent mom to a toddler.

This is my favorite! from the collar to the dainty silver buttons ❤

 Classic white shirt with a twist, reminds me of  COS.

Retail therapy while pushing the stroller of my sleeping toddler while waiting for Mr. Panda during weekdays 😍

Please share your GSS loot too! 

Weekdate at Buono Trattoria

This draft have been sitting in my folders for so long but I'm pretty sure we ate here a couple of months ago only. :) 

I passed by this new quaint looking resto a couple of times already. That's why when Mr.Panda asked me where I want to eat during one of our weekdates, I suggested to try Buono Trattoria. Weekdates = waiting for Mr. Panda after office hours. 

(grabbed from their Facebook page)

Spaghetti Carbonara

12.00 sgd

Bacon, onion, parmesan, egg yolk and parley cream

Margherita Pizza

13.00sgd (8 inches)

Linguine Chicken Pesto

12.00 sgd

Frittura Di Calamari

12.00 sgd

3.5/5

- serving size is average

- carbonara is too creamy, all I tasted was full cream

- pesto is so-so

- pizza is bland enough for my toddler

- calamari is the saving grace for this dinner. well seasoned and crunchy.

- the place is quaint and cute. could be perfect for after office dates.

- serving is great! crew were very attentive and always smiling

- choices are kinda limited

- price is ok :)

would i go back? probably when there are more choices :)

Buono Trattoria

#B2-27 VivoCity

10am - 10pm

6358 2582

Mothercare Sale 2017

I'm a hoarder for great finds, bargains and anything for kids, And Mothercare annual sale makes my heart palpitate. Crazy, I know! but when you live in one of the most expensive city on earth or the most expensive for three consecutive years as of 2016, SALE is one of the best words in your book.

Last year, we purchased a lot in preparation for the arrival of our Little Sioplet. We saved a lot and my husband was very happy with the savings we got from the discounts. That's why he's very supportive with my tradition, I mean, the mothercare annual sale. LOL :)

Most pictures have prices. The clothes usually range from 5sgd to 15sgd. Others are 10-30% off :)

 I went home with two huge shopping bags and a big smile on my face, Love Love Mothercare Annual Sale!

Mothercare HarbourFront Centre (Flagship Store)
1 Maritime Square 

#03-05 S(099253
http://www.mothercare.com.sg/wheretobuy/