End of November…. Beginning of December!

 

Baby boy kept saying that tomorrow will be Christmas already!

I feel like time flew this year.  I could still remember spending New Year’s Eve at the same place we’ve been for the past 3 years feeling nice and getting a fever the next day from lack of sleep and standing in the rain the night before.  Thinking back, it was “a small price to pay for the party gods” (quoting Travis from Clueless).

Anyway… here is my shoe of the day:

I paired the Nicole “Stinson” boots with my faded straight leg jeans and a red H&M sweater.

These boots were made for walking.. okay so I’m exaggerating a wee bit but all I could say is that 75% of my 8 hour workday on my foot and my feet did not hurt at all.  I have to take them to get them restored since the points on the front are scratched up.

 

Currently:  watching Notorious and feel like listening to Ready To Die album.

DSW-ing for Lunch

 

So instead of having a bagged lunch, me and my coworker ventured to DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) at Mercer Mall.  And looky what I got….

Love, love, love these boots!  Just look at the buckle detail.  The shaft is big enough that I could fit my jeans in them!  It’s very rare that I find boots that I’m able to tuck in.  The problem that I have is that my calves do not fit the average high boots let alone trying to fit jeans and/or even leggings-eeek! inside.  While I am on a large size and petite (I’m 4’11”), it’s a task finding boots that has a correct fit.  Sadly, all the boots that I have, excluding this were only worn under jeans.

Ikea trippin’

 

This Saturday, the fam and I ventured on a 45-minute drive to Ikea. 

While I rarely go to Ikea, I find it such a treat taking a trip to this wonderland of a place. 

Of course, you cannot leave Ikea without getting the Swedish Meatballs (which are fabulous!)  The gravy and cranberry jelly just balances out the sweetness and saltiness in your palate that you cannot help but continuously consume it in large quantities.  Here it is in all its goodness:

There was a purpose of going to Ikea and that was to buy some bookshelves and organizing storage to decrease the clutter that have accumulated in our tiny abode.  I’m a terrible packrat!  Unfortunately, we did not get a chance to acquire such items because Hubs didn’t want to carry it!  Nevertheless, I have enjoyed browsing and perusing through the countless showrooms they have displayed which gave me some great ideas for decorating.

 

Currently:  watching Iron Chef (original).  The challenge is yogurt-quite strange but Iron Chef Chen Kenichi was victorious!  I wished it was a battle with Iron Chef  Hiroyuki Sakai.  He is my fave!

All Saints Day

Growing up in the Philippines, I have never had the opportunity (as a kid) to get dressed up and go door to door trick or treatin’.

But we did celebrate November 1^st, or All Saints Day (otherwise known as the Day of the Dead).  On this day, my family and I would bring flowers, candles and food to the cemetery where other people would gather at the grave site of their loved ones.  This day was a celebration of paying respects and remembrance of the dearly departed.   This holiday was an important religious day for us.  We would stay at the cemetery all day - it somewhat resembles tail gate parties.

I remember my grandfather’s grave –white marble laying flat on the ground.  

I still remember playing with the melted wax and making wax balls with it.

I remember the smell of wax in my hand.

I remember walking around the cemetery and visiting all the grave sites and mausoleums.

I remember the lake next to my grandfather’s grave.  One time, all the cousins gathered around back facing the lake (height and age order) to take a picture.

While I have adapted to the Western traditions, I feel that sometimes there are things that I miss about the Philippines.  This is one of them.