4 Travel tips for Couples

If you notice most of my travel post is all about my adventure with my beau so I decided to write four travel tips for the couples like us, some of them are based on my experienced that’s I why I want to share this.

1.  Have a Travel Fund- of course this is important before anything else having a fund will make you feel confident to spend your money just for travel and also to track your budget as earliest as possible you can put it on a separate bank account or a piggy bank label it for example: 15k for Baguio Trip, from that your mind set to budget that amount in your specific trip.

2.  Plan together- of course two of you are involved in this trip so why not plan this together? Delegate a task for example I’m the one in charge for hotel booking and what documents to bring while my boyfriend in charge in itinerary and budgeting.

3.  Pack light- Literally, this is the most common tips for most travelers but this also should be applied to couples. Bring only what necessary so you will not end up focus on the thing that you bring. aside from that you can easily move around.

4.   Enjoy and have fun- don’t sweat small stuff (I’m guilty to this!) cherish your moment together, always remember that you spend vacation to enjoy.

BDJ Fair 2014: #LiveItUp Dance to the Beat of your Dreams

How are you going to live it up this 2015? Start living it up by going to the 6^th BDJ Fair on October 19 at SM Mall of Asia, Music Hall!

Live it up and dance your way through life by making new goals, planning ahead and supporting a new advocacy!

Head to the BDJ Fair 2014 at the SM Mall of Asia, Music Hall on Sunday, October 19, from 10AM-10PM and dance to the beat of your dreams by attending inspiring talks, trying out different booths, activities and workshops from the BDJ Team.

 This year, the BDJ Fair is entitled: #Live It Up! Dance to the Beat of Your Dreams! The BDJ Fair is a fun-filled event where they will launch their 9^th edition of the BDJ Power Planner and raise funds for the advocacies they support. This year, they will support the students of SulongKabataangRomblomanon, Inc. (Romblon scholars), and MoveMNL. It's also where BDJ Girls all come together to learn, experience and have fun through our various talks, booth, activities and workshops. It's where they get to interact with their fellow BDJ Girls and gain new friends and learn from each other! Enjoy a fun-filled event of learning and being empowered and get first dibs to the BDJ 2015 Planner for only 500pesos at the fair

To pre-register for any of the talks, simply visit belledejourpowerplanner.com and choose your top 3 picks from the talk line up.

Talk Line Up:

12:45-1:35 – From GRIT to GREAT with Jonathan Yabut

2:00-2:40 – Life is Your Playground with Ann Jacobe of Project Hardcore Sisterhood

3:00-3:35 – Create Your Own #BeautifulStory with Tricia Gosingtian for Pond’s

4:10-4:50 – From Zero to Financial Hero with Edric Mendoza of ANC

5:10-6:00 – The Fullness of Life with AndiManzano of GSK

6:20-7:05  – Seasons of Style with IshaAndaya-Valles of Preview Magazine

The event is open to everyone but only pre-registered girls will be allowed to participate in the talks, get a loot bag, and get to try out exciting activities such as zipline and wall climbing!  Slots will be given on a first come, first served basis.

 Save the date for the sixth BDJ Fair! Put on your dancing shoes and dance to the beat of your dreams!

Stay tuned for more details regarding the BDJ Fair! For more information on the Belle de Jour Power Planner, other products and events, log on to belledejourpowerplanner.com or join their Facebook Fan Page, or follow @BDJBuzz on Twitter and Instagram.

We Won Real living Make Over May 2014 issue

We won a House Make over :) It's a late post and yes we were overwhelmed of the result i never thought our house were going to be like this,it was just a simple dream to have our house design by a professional interior designer and we all know that is not easy to find one.Good thing the designs complement our daily routine and it's all functional not just for the sake of aesthetics view.

I really thank Real Living Magazine Staff and to John Vigilia who made this thing possible. Our Real Living Makeover are featured in  Real Living  Magazine May 2014 issue.

(behind the scences)

(after the make over)

Joaquin Bed & Breakfast Tagaytay

It was a quick decision to spent overnight in tagaytay, and i'm glad i was able to booked Joaquin Bed and Breakfast at the same day since i know most of the hotel in tagaytay are fully booked but maybe because it's not a peak season we were able to book :)

Joaquin Bed and Breakfast is nestled along aguinaldo highway and has a taal overlooking view it's been a week since i told b to spent a day in tagaytay in a hotel with a taal view.

Joaquin Bed and Breakfast has Shabby Chic Inspired furniture our room is dimmed lighted maybe because they need to exude a romantic vibes, I love how our room looked like and it smelled good
i thought we were entering a spa :) all staff are courteous  and accommodating ,stay cation is one of the best thing to do in this place b and i spent the whole night watching movie then drink coffee in the veranda perfect night ever so simple all we do is cuddling look at the bed best for honeymooners.

I suggest if you're going to booked them try their room with a garden i think it's much more private and romantic.

(the bed)

(Complimentary bottled water and coffee)

(Clean Bathroom, I'm particular to this)

(nice display)

(our breakfast)

Joaquin Bed & Breakfast

KM. 58 Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City

http://www.joaquinsbedandbreakfast.com

Luljettas Hanging Garden & Spa

I would like to thanks b for this wonderful quick R&R in Luljettas Hanging Garden & Spa in Loreland Resort in Antipolo. A weekend spa is really the best how i wish we can do more of this in the future.

Since last year were eyeing for this Spa it was the first spa with this kind of concept a hanging garden with a view of Laguna de bay and Manila skyline.

(Infinity Pool)

I love the privacy of the place and there was only few guest during our visit since it weekdays. We reserved through text and they promptly reply to all my queries, and to enjoy what luljettas amenities has we reserved a room in loreland resort. We availed their Hanging Garden Retreat Package (visit their website for more package)

Inclusions: good for 7 hours, welcome drinks, use of sauna, heated jacuzzi, hydro massage, infinity pools, dr.  fish spa, shower,  locker room, access to lounges and gardens. traditional bathrobe (batik) and towel for your use. Package include complimentary snacks of Antipolo's Best Suman.

We spent most of the time at the pool and taking some picture since the place is really loveable and relaxing.

Service:

The staff are friendly, though we reserved 8:00 pm and were there 30 mins. before our reserved time they did not accommodate as right away because they said they have to fix the room which i thought it was a nipa hut as what show to their website but it was just a room with divider and i think they don't need to fix it at all cause no one use it.

Massage:

The Pressure of massage is the same as what i experience from other spa but their massage oil is somewhat sticky compare to other and i need to wipe it off.

Overall b and i had a great time.

Rate: 9/10

Hydro Massage

(while waiting for suman)

Infinity Pool

Luljettas Hanging Gardens & Spa

Loreland farm Resort

Brgy. San Roque,

Antipolo City, Philippines

http://www.bienvenidotours.com

Financial literacy

Part of my 2014 goal is to invest in instruments wherein I understand that’s why I read some books, joined financial forum, email some financial advisors which offer free advice, watch back episodes of pesos and sense and ANC on the Money, and even attend seminars.  Way back in 2011 which is I was unemployed my bf tag along me in a free seminar conducted by IMG I learned a lot in that seminar but I didn’t invest in any Investment Instruments while my bf started invested in stocks J

Maybe because I’m not  getting younger  and I see some old people still working with no investment back up I decided to change the way I spend and fixed my cash flow, my emergency fund is still on work and I’m planning to invest in mutual fund for my long term goal. Recently B & I attend a seminar which is conducted by Aya Laraya.

*( Make your Money Grow Seminar (April 5, 2014) )

(Books that i read)

Financial literacy is not something you can learn from school because no one will teach us how we start to fix our cash flow, manage debt and etc. I think this is something that we must be learn by ourselves.

*Photo grabbed from pesos and sense facebook account.

Costa Pacifica Baler Review (11th year Anniversary)

It’s our anniversary again and our annual vacation take us to Baler dubbed as Sleepy Town up north. we booked at Costa Pacifica Baler the 4 star hotel of baler we love the Luxe feeling of this hotel we felt that we were a VIP's. B and I took Joy Bus to get there an executive couch bus wherein they offer snacks, blanket, toilet and an attendant on board. We arrive 7:00 am in Baler Town and a shuttle from Costa Pacifica hotel is already there I think they really expect that there is a guest arriving.

SERVICE & STAFF:

 What we really love is the staff are very welcoming they smile all the time. We arrived 7:00 am a shuttle of Costa Pacifica was already there to fetch hotel guest as we arrived at Costa Pacifica we noticed how inviting and cozy the reception lobby that they had. We never thought that they will allowed us to check in as early as 7:30 am since the check in time is 2:00 pm we were delightful since it means we have an additional hour to enjoy our room and take a rest from a long drive hour from manila after filling up the form a hotel staff named Wilson ushered us to our room he bring all bags that we have our room is in Casa de bahia which is a few steps across the main hotel.

Casa de Bahia

The Room has an all white paint and has a minimalist interior which has a relaxing vibe with complete toiletries and an ample snacks in mini bar but we don’t have closet in our room that’s why we put our stuff in a long bench just beside our bed we also don’t have a table since we order in Beach house and deliver it to our room. I suggest that they should have a closet and a mini table inside the room so that we wouldn't end up eating at the bed.

(snack bar)

Beach House restaurant:

Is the only restaurant in this hotel they offer buffet and ala carte and even some booze, we tried their Asian Buffet for dinner and they had a wide range of cuisine to choose from. Even their breakfast buffet is superb but the coffee is requested separately.

Beach house

(no need to use filter)

Massage: 

Were really into massage specially me that’s why b contacted the receptionist if we could set an appointment at 10:00pm. The Masseur’s are on time they asked us first what oil we would like and I choose lemon grass with green tea, it will be our first time to have a massage in bed without a facehole, the massage ore ok it’s a typical ‘’Pinoy hilot with tangal lamig’’ but after a minute I feel uncomfortable since I have to changed the position of my head I thought I’m going to have a stiff neck I hope that they will have a face hole and MP3 for sounds since it’s too quiet and I suggest that they will also have a massage room secluded over all the massage is great after that we have good night sleep.

We love this hotel and this is highly recommended despite the fact that it much costly compare to the other hotel along sabang beach . B and i enjoy each moment that we were there.

Date Travel: March 2014

Total Damage: 15k+ + +  ( 2 nights and 3 days for whole baler trip take note that we only stay 1 night at costa pacifica  )

How to get there:

 We book at Genesis Joy Bus an executive couch with a nonstop drive in manila to Baler with toilet available inside the bus and a snack, bottled water and a blanket since it was too cold and it will only takes 5 hours with only 700 PHP.

COSTA PACIFICA BALER

inquiry@costapacificabaler.com

Address: 080 Buton St., Sitio Labasin, Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora, Philippines, 3200

http://www.costapacificabaler.com/

Pacific Waves Inn Annex (Baler) Review

On our Second day we check out in Costa Pacifica Baler and transfer to much Affordable inn and that’s the Pacific Waves Inn Annex a walking distance to the beach compare to pacific waves main but we don’t mind we arrived at 12:30 PM a personnel in charge ask us for a copy of confirmation email.

It’s hard to find an affordable Inn around baler since all of them are fully booked good thing that when I asked Pacific waves Main they told us that Annex has still have an available room that’s why we don’t think twice we contact Pacific waves Annex and  told them to reserve us.

 (Our Room)

(Best for Solo traveler and Couples)

(House Rule & Reminders)

We were assign at Room#2 and it’s enough for us since the room is good for solo or two person, a caretaker told us that the check in time is 1:00 pm (or 2:00pm) which I can’t remember and they will charged additionally since we already open the air con but B told them that we were going to check out earlier which is 3:30 am in midnight and most of the time we were out I’m glad that she allowed us.

There is no toiletries provided but you can buy from them you can also request a towel which is free of charge.

Our Room has an A/C with LCD TV, Hot and Cold Shower. And that’s only for 1500PHP

If you’re in Budget and a Backpacker choose this Pacific Waves Inn they have a clean,modest room and a accommodating staff even I texted at night they still answer my queries.

When we check out they even thank us through text and we highly appreciated it.

(Thank you Message)

PACIFIC WAVES INN

Purok 2, Brgy. Sabang

3200 Baler, Aurora

pacificwaves.baler@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/pacificwaves.baler/info

DISCLAIMER: This is not a paid review, and all based on our experience.

ticking off Checklist

It's been a month since i last post here :) i just want to share how much i love my first 2 months of 2014 i didn't expect that some of my wishlist will be done as early this year :) so much blessings to thanks for i really do believe that writing your hopes and dream will come true of course as long that you also do your part so here i am ticking off my checklist.

1. Clear Skin
     As i post last November i'm battling against my pimple, i even bought anti-acne products but nothing happen that's why i consult a new derma and i'm glad i switch my skin is much better now no shouting breakout :)

2. Teeth Braces
   One of my biggest goal since high school i thought it will be done next year :) but hey! i have braces now to fix my crooked teeth in left side :) i know it will take a years but i never mind.

3. 52 week Challenge
    I started last January i'm glad that i didn't miss saving for this so i can have money at the end of the year, aside from my monthly savings in the bank i put my 52 week challenge in a jar and deposit it every end of the month.

I have a long list on my bucket list and i have more way to go just enjoy the moment and you will never know that some of them is already happening.