Pottery Barn

I love everything about Pottery Barn. This store has full of charm that makes you want to always get inside without any qualms. The more you acquaint yourself with each and every offering they have the more you understand why despite the many other options available outside you'd still want to get your hands with a few items.

Everything you need in your home is here. Things might be a little expensive but the quality is just above par which why I realize why despite the hefty price tag one should really opt for quality all the more. I took a few pictures if you haven't visited the store yet, I've realized I haven't took a lot because I was admiring each piece that I sometimes forgot to take a snap. 

Pottery Barn is located at Central Square, Bonifacio High Street

The first Pottery Barn Kids retail store here. The furniture for the kids' rooms are just beautiful and functional. The towels and blankets have designs that both the parents and the children will surely agree on. There are school bags that veered away from the seasonal cartoon designs but are as pretty it's impossible the kids wouldn't like them. Everything's beautiful, oh my, if I can afford each of them, I'd surely have them ahora mismo.

The Chatham Outdoor Furniture said to be made from exceptionally strong hardwood.

I'm scared of using white sofas as they require more maintenance than the black ones but this is an inspiration as it exudes relaxed homey vibe.

 

Table setting in one of the dining area. So many utensils, glasses, plates, mats of different designs to choose from. 

The baskets are also of good quality and are pretty too. They are sturdy and functional that they can be of other use than what they're intentionally meant for.

So I went to their website and here's more of what I'm totally drooling at:

coffee pod ferriswheel

melamine platter

rye salt and pepper shakers

roosevelt upholstered settee

walking dead condiment set

Source: www.potterybarn.com

Kitchen Dreams

Social media has been loaded with photos of practically anything and everything you can think of and search for. One of my favorite subjects is about houses. I tend to save in my file folder those I find striking because I do hope that when we build our own soon, these are the files I will look for and get inspiration from. I collated a few ideas for my kitchen and these are what I liked the most.

I like the idea where one side has a bold color different from the rest of the walls. (Image source: iVillage.com)

Black and white motif appeals so much to me especially in the kitchen area where every nook and cranny must be essentially disinfected and thoroughly cleaned. (Image source: condolivingmag IG acct)

That kind of sink must be expensive but I like the old charm it brings. Washing dishes with a window view and those roman blinds are a simple dream of mine. (Image source: iVillage.com)

I like open shelves where I see every plates, glasses or bowls that we have. That way I get to utilize them all than let them sit there for years. (Image source: iVillage.com)

I see that double vertical cabinets as where all my spices and all dry ingredients go. Not for everyone to see but are hidden safely away from prying insects. (Image source: roominterior IG account)

how to choose Rental Homes

When you're renting homes, there are many factors to seriously consider before moving in. do your homework and see if the environment you will live in will be suited to the kind of life you wish to have. obviously you would want to stay longer to your choice of place (while saving for that dream home) than move out every so often because of concerns that bother you or your family that have not been addressed properly. If you're newly married and you decide to rent apartment or condo unit or you're someone who yearn for independence you want to live at peace on your own, here are my tips on what to consider when renting out.

observe the neighbors: the unit that's beside yours or facing yours. see if they have newborn child, a toddler or a family with many kids. if you're like me who value peace and silence during the wee hours when you're suppose to enjoy your nocturnal rest, steer clear of these bunch. especially when your units are not spaced decently apart. a baby who cries so loud at night is not the real issue for me really, it's the parents who don't budge so these people you must look out for.

if units are spaced apart: there are units that are inconveniently near each other, you would likely hear if the couples next door are fighting over mundane things. you wouldn't want other people to hear your rows too.

network connection: find out if all major networks have clear signals in the area. believe it or not, some areas still have poor connections.

firewalls: this is very important for your family's security.

prone to flood areas: others offer unbelievably less rental fees because of that and most of the time the owners will be less likely to inform you that. you can probably choose 2nd floor units just to make sure.

pets: if it's allowed to bring one or if you don't like neighbors who again doesn't mind attending to their pet's endless barks at 3 in the morning. if you notice, I want stillness and peace at night. I easily get waken up by noises outside and I'm the type who doesn't get to sleep back right away.

provision for exhaust fans: it's needed for when you're the type who cooks at home. some place doesn't provide that that it's highly likely to see neighbors who cook outside their doors using coals or by using small tanks. nowadays most condo units prefer their tenants using induction cooker which I think for me is safer.

windows: opt for a well ventilated place. it will save you money in the long run, I've read and I agree that we should choose ventilation over space.

security guards: if there's someone you want to watch over your place especially when you're not home most of the time and during the nights too. some buildings has CCTV cameras for the protection of their tenants, that is something secure for me. i also like it that they're very strict with visitors because that only means they mean serious business.
 

By far these are just a few tips i have on my arsenal. I've learned all these in time and even if it's really not that easy to look for rentals that will suit all your terms and conditions, i think it's better to have at least those that truly matters to you and your family than be sorry later. You go home to a place you call your sanctuary so never make a mistake of shortchanging that. Happy hunting!


 

what are your Pantry Essentials?

When I was newly married, I had a notebook with me where I write all the things we needed to buy for our new home. I didn't realize that as small as this notebook may seem it would be so busy I would depend on it the whole time for it entailed pala a lot of things to go through and look after when moving into a new home. From the list of basic furniture we might need to household appliances to basic pantry essentials to linens and curtains to storage boxes and more were what concerned me to make the experience if not perfect, at least fuss free. To think that all we needed to start off were just the basics first. It was tiring but the truth is it was the happy kind.

Let me share the list I found in my notebook and I will start with the pantry essentials. Actually our needs, you and we, may all vary but just maybe, this list might be of aid too. You can start from what you see in your parent’s house first and take note if you might need it for day one or if you can hold buying it off for a few more weeks.

Rice.
No brainer. We’re rice eaters so rice comes to mind when we think of basic needs

garlic, onions and tomatoes.
even if you're not a good cook yet, you will need these 3 for the easy gisa (saute) dishes. for a newbie, sinangag (fried rice) and omelet isn't a bad way to fire up your cooking skill.

salt, pepper.
every dish you whip up will need these dependable duo.

cooking oil. (olive, palm or vegetable).
what kind of oil to get first will be your little concern, for me vegetable is ok for it's the kind that will not affect the taste of whatever dish you prepare. If you’re into salads then buy olive oil first. If you’re into fried foods, palm oil is better.

soy sauce, fish sauce, vinegar.
splurge in brands that you trust, sometimes the best adobo comes from the kind of soy sauce you use and so with fish sauce and vinegar. 

cornstarch, all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, bread crumbs, aluminum foil.
these will come in handy once you feel like making pancakes or breading from scratch. There will be a lot of recipes that you will use these soon with, not to mention they don’t expire straight away so they're a good investment really.

calamansi (lime or lemon), ginger.
I never let me ran out of calamansi for I find it very useful in almost everything, not just in cooking but also in cleaning, bathing, washing, treatments, deodorizing and drinking. Ginger on the other hand takes the lansa away for chicken dishes, which we cook most of the time, so we really need to have it. Plus it’s medicinal aid proves indispensable too.

eggs, butter.
eggs will save your day for when there's nothing to eat, you can always rely on them. Well with butter, I need not say anymore for everything is just happier with butter. Wink.

bread or biscuits.
you should never allow your husband to die of hunger :) so make sure there’s at least bread or biscuit in your pantry all the time. I believe most men are not naman picky, just see to it hindi kakalam ang sikmura nila hahaha.
 
sinigang mix, monggo beans, pasta, bullion cubes.
my go-to dishes to survive are sinigang, monggo and spaghetti. :) not all days are sipag days for me and since hubby is not one to complain I whip them up with no trouble at all. For an easy recipe click mackerel sinigang or corned tuna pasta.

sugar, coffee, milk.
you can add chocolate drink or tea if you're not a milk drinker. just make sure that what you both prefer for a morning drink is in your pantry. Add powdered juices too if you wish.

Catsup, Mang Tomas.
If you’re into sawsawan (dips) do not forget them too.

Canned goods.
for me what you should always have are tuna or corned tuna, corned beef and sardines (or mackerel in our case). these will save your day or midnight hunger pangs.

For day one of living together in your own home as husband and wife (for singletons who wish for their independence too), you can work your way out from these lists and then later on stock your pantry with your favorites too. We usually buy them as we need them so we avoid purchasing on a whim. Hard times teach us to make do with what we have so good luck and build your pantry a little at a time.

P.S. so what are your other pantry must-haves?

Merry Christmas Tree

Every Christmas I have this want in me to change the look of my tree. Either I change the color of the balls or I add more balls to it. Yup I was just limited to balls. Wink. This year I was carefully thinking of a new motif when I chanced upon snowflakes ornaments in SM Makati. That would be pretty good for my tree I thought, but these ornaments were way pricier than my budget would allow. So I thought of making my own ornament instead and I came up with crocheting flowers. It was so brilliant of me, lol. First I have to know if I still got the groove. The last time I crochet was when I was in secondary school so that was way way back. But I knew I had good grades then so I was kinda confident. I armed myself with a crochet hook and a yarn. I youtubed a flower pattern and started with this little project of mine. I was glad my hands are busy. I started last week of October with 3 dozen flowers as my goal before I put up our tree. Turned out I needed 6 dozens instead but hey ti's the season to be jolly, I can still make a few each day. :) 

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Salt Wonders

If it's Sunday evening and at I'm just at home, I try to catch Good News, a GMA NewsTV show, always. For once, it's nice to be updated with anything and everything good and positive, hey who doesn't want to hear good news all the time, right? Besides I learn a thing or two, actually more, on this show. One of them is the many wonders of salt. Salt is a staple in every household so it's truly good news to hear that there are gazillion things we can do with it. Here are a few I learned..

pic from wisegeek.org

Pangtanggal ng mantsa. (Ibabad sa asin ang namantsahan.)

Panglinis ng gulay. (Ibudbud sa gulay, haluan ng tatlong tasa ng tubig.)

Panglinis ng sponge. (Budburan ng asin at ibabad sa tubig.)

Deodorizer. (Ilagay sa trash can.)

Pangtanggal ng amoy sa sapatos.(Ilagay sa loob ng sapatos, hayaan ng magdamag.)

Pang mumog.(Ihalo ang asin, tubig at baking soda at imumog ng 5 minuto.)