Starting the Year Fresh and Nice

We want to start the year fresh and nice so the first day of 2013 is bath time for our dear doggies. It has been a fun, long weekend and our three furries were thrilled that our home had been filled with cheers. More photos are coming up from the last week of December. Meanwhile, here's George, Kisses enjoying a warm bath under the happy sun.  

Tobias doesn't like bath times but here is his "after-shower" shot, feeling cozy and clean on the sofa.  

Brunch: Tomatoes & Scrambled Eggs

 Late breakfast / Early lunch : 

red, ripe tomatoes sizzled in a pan and scrambled in two whole eggs;

fried rice; and coffee. 

Tomatoes + Eggs = Perfect Scramble

( I like to eat my scrambled eggs hot and runny)

last night's leftover rice = white + bits of red
tossed in the same pan.

Quick and Easy!

Happiness is A Cup of Coffee

This isn't just a cup of coffee.  It's a cup of coffee made with love.  It's late at night and I was about to start my shift when my husband brought me this hot mug of instant Cappuccino and to my surprise, a chocolate heart!  ~Sweet~

We Like Our New Home!

After the long hiatus, I'm back to blogging as it is one of the things I truly enjoy doing. It's been almost two months now since we moved out.  We like our new home. It's a comfortable place to live in. There's a bit of an outdoor space where our dear dogs can be free and play or rather, wrestle with each other. It has good ventilation and view. We can breathe fresh air throughout the day.

It's a humble home and we're very happy that we made the move. I'm excited to decorate each space one step at a time. I can't wait to incorporate those beautiful interior design ideas I see online with my own style.   Meanwhile, there are still boxes that must be unpacked, stuff that needs arranging, plenty of cleaning up to do, and loads of work to be done.

Our dogs look happy! I think they like to have a view of the skies, trees, neighbors and other dogs. Well, who wouldn't?  So here are some shots of my cute furry creatures that I would like to share with you.  These photos never fail to make me smile. Hope they can make you smile too :)

Lovely, Little Thing: Lavender Sachet

I adore lovely, little things such as this scented sachet filled with lavender buds. Printed on it is an inspirational Greek proverb, "The heart that loves is always young".

Found this from the Etsy shop, GardenMis

I Adore: A Clean and Clutter Free Entryway

It is so difficult not to share something that you truly adore. Like this lovely home of Maria Carr, a stay-at-home mom and blogger from the blog, Dreamy Whites.  If you are looking for inspiration on French farmhouse living, you would find that her blog is  brimming with irresistible, breathtaking insights on authentic home styling.

When I saw the new photos of their entryway, I couldn't help but gasp.  The space feels so inviting that I just wanted to reach my hand out on the doorknob and come in. 

There are so many elements on this photo that I absolutely love:  

That humongous mirror painted in pale blue! I love the fact that it's not formally attached on the wall but just leaning against the crisp white wall like a sweet, lazy giant. 

The shiny, wooden floors that makes me want to walk on it barefoot; 

Old, re-purposed tote bags hang on a vintage french coat rack to hide away clutter.

I love the boots! It's always nice to see boots or shoes neatly lined up in the entryway because you know right away that people live there.  

The vintage french basket is a smart, utilitarian piece that never fails to beautify a space. I totally agree with Maria when she said that "one can't have too many baskets or crates".  They're wonderful for both decoration and storage.

And lastly, I thought that all the other accents just completes the whole look of this adorable entryway : a set of hardbound books in various shades of blue sitting on a white ottoman; the ceramic pitcher on an aged-looking glass-top table; a wooden, folding chair. . . everything is so neat and bright.  

Even if this was just a photo, there is crispness in every single detail - the hues, the light, that rustic air, the  simplicity, doesn't it make you feel pleasant and warm?  

Boracay Summer 2011

It was around this time last year when we made the trip to Boracay! It was surely one of the most memorable summers I've ever had and one that I will treasure for life! The place was wonderful but what made the trip even more amazing was that we were a family of nine enjoying the sun, the beach, the food, the good weather. . . we were having a blast and enjoying each others' company and love.

We got the chance to try out some thrilling activities for the first time.  I think for most of us in the group, it was the first time we ever tried snorkeling, banana-boat riding, helmet diving, and sailing. Everything went perfect for us that week and we spent four fantastic days on the beach.

Prior to this trip, I am not a huge fan of traveling because I often suffer from motion sickness whether I'm traveling by car, plane, or boat.  However, I am now more willing to brave these challenges to discover new places and gain new experiences.  It is such a pleasurable feeling to be awed by nature, to breathe fresh air, and unwind.  Of course, traveling with people you love makes the trip even more worthwhile. 

Oh, those good, old, lazy days.  I couldn't help but hear a soundtrack in my head.  Weezer was singing.  "On an island in the sun, we'll be playing and having fun, and it makes me feel so fine I can't control my brain..."

I'm waiting for the next time when we will be exploring another beautiful destination with my family.  I certainly hope we could do this again.... soon :)

Have you been to Boracay?
What unforgettable memories do you have from this place?