Febuary isn't all about celebrating the Valentines but also celebrating your love for books! Thanks to the Big Bad Wolf for making this year's love month a book lover's month in the Philippines (finally).

The book fair is located at the World Trade Center in Pasay and will run for 10 days (Feb.16-25, 2018) and get this, they're open 24hrs. Yes 24hrs!! So there's no excuse to not check it out.

I went there on a whim last Feb 16. Was thinking of doing my book shopping there on the latter days however I just couldn't help it. Big bad wolf's posts on facebook wasn't helping me to hold out for a while. Haha so I just have to go there on their opening day.

Got there around 6pm. Quite traffic already entering World trade Center but still tolerable. Plus there's No Admission! So just enter the Book Paradise for FREE! No lines just have to let the staffs check your bag, the normal.


Upon entering you'll be greeted by the massive amount of books stock up high on each table. I mean damn, they weren't kidding when they said 2 million books! Just wow. At that point I was very confused if I'll get a push cart instead of a carry on which I initally wanted to use so I could stick to my budget but YOLO (do people still say that?) I got both just incase they couldn't fit on the push cart haha.


Moreover to the actual books there, take note don't get your hopes so high if you're looking for the latest John Green or whoever author your eyeing for coz books here came from past years publications. Latest maybe a year old. Another thing to consider that Big bad Wolf's books are 60% Children's books 30% Reference and Non-Fiction which are sorted by topic from Business, Arts and the list goes on and 10% Fiction and Thriller. So just wanna get that clear before getting into what kind of great jems you'll find here.


As a certified part of the Titas of Manila I of course headed to the Children's books (well it was the nearest to the entrance too) and got my nephew some Pop-Up-Books, Push Button Sound, Educational & Activity books. Whew my nephew is spoiled again by her wonderful tita hahahaha! I then went to the Fiction side where lots of people especially millenials are looking for their fave authors like I even overheard "OMG John Green, ay wait Jane Green pala girl na sya?" Hahaha! Definitely I do have my set of authors I'm looking for but..


TIP #1: Be open to other authors and book genres. Seriously you might find your new (unheard) fave author here. Which leads me to..


TIP #2: That literally Don't Judge the Book by its Cover. Lemme tell you I got some books I honestly was just attracted by how they look. Shame on me. But I returned them after some reviewing. *Pat on the back*. Hihi!


Lastly TIP #3: Make use of their Sorting and Storage Sections. I'm really impressed on how they've thought of this. Maybe knowing Filipinoes can be overwhemed by the books and we'll get everything we (think we) want. Just like in buffets where we keep putting so much food on our plate and ending up with still so much food on our plates haha! *BONUS TIP: You might find what you're looking for on the unwanted books pile ;)

Their Storage System is where you have your unpurchased books be stored for 24hrs in order for you to go around the book fair and get more or if you're planning to go back the next day to continue shopping.

With these systems they will help us shoppers to rethink our selections before purchasing. So better take advantage if you wanna just get what you'll really read!


Fave section of books of course haha!

BTW, Prices? Can go for as low as 60 to 680 for hardbounds. Expect a lot higher when purchaing sets or volume based books and Premium ones of course can go as high as 3k but still such a steal. But overall they're waaay cheeper than even local bookstore sales. Yes seriously. So for even 1k you might get 8-10 books. Book binge shopping for sure!

In terms of paying, they accept Cash, Credit, & Debit and there are ATM machines in the area. Don't worry about long lines coz they have I think 40? Definitely more than 20 Airport Style cashiers to accomodate us faster. It was breezy for me there lining up. *BONUS TIP: Omg was looking for Finding Audrey and I found it along the the Paying counters where they've put more books to grab while lining up (well played Big Bad Wolf haha!)


I was done with my shopping sesh after more than 2hrs roaming around so before 10pm I paid already and left Happily Ever After with my new babies.


What I bought? No judging lols


For my nephew, Zachy!


Always learning..


You thought John Green noh? Hahaha!


Fashion and Style books! Can't beleive how cheap they are!! :)


PS. Was worried at first how I would carry my 3 plastic bags (which btw I brought a super big Eco bag to carry on one go *BONUS TIP: Bring a strudy bag/s to put your purchases in case you have tons of hardbound books like me lols) since I can't bring the push cart outside ugh this super cute staff immediately helped me with my bags!! Damn, he's so cuuute and helpful mind you haha! Even the girls behind us thought so too lols hihi 💓

Whew I think I pretty much covered the whole thing? Now time for me to catch up on some reading. Seems like my 2018 reading sesh is covered now thanks to Big bad wolf! 😊

Before this 1st week of January ends, it would be nice to look back on things,specifically my top 5, I have come to love and appreciate in the past year.Happy 2018 btw.

One, I love spending more time with the fam. Decided to really make a schedule and prioritize it. Our little zachy (nephew) really became one of the glue for this family. He brings headache sometimes joy to us. And that brought great memories to remember more than what we captured on our selfies camera.

Two, Nature. I'm such a fan of the great indoors honestly. But 2017 brought me to some pretty awesome places and doin some outdoors-y stuffs + meet new pepople & refresh some long time friendships.Guess it translated to my Jan 2017 resolutions to try out new things. Just a few for this year and hoping I could do more.

Three, Colourpop. I know. So late in the game. But finally gave in and tried it. Aahh I regret for not buying these the first time they came out. My ghad I just love Colourpop's formula. Their mattes arent so drying inlike that of the Macs I used to wear. They are just so feel light and definitely pigmented as repeated by thousands of beauty bloggers. Just so in love. Brb buying more Lippies Stix and Ultra mattes. Oh wait this blog post I have to finish lols.

Four, My hair. Sorry not sorry but 2017 got me shookt when I found out short pixy cut suits me! May or may not go back to long hair anymore hahaha!
Shameless selfie here we go 💖

Five, lastly the Waxified's ROI done. Return of Investment in Business is usually takes quite some time. But am just in awe how that happened for me so quickly! It was a blessed year for this business and we're beyond thankful for that ✨

*Special Mentions,Wicked play & Books.
Finally one of my bucket list is to watch Wicked and just overjoyed from story line to production. So worth the watch!
Starting 2017 I decided to make a list of books to read and practice also what I've learned. Have to say I was just able to finish more than half of that list. However each book thought me differently yet all important life skills. Which I'm pretty excited to keep workin on this year.

With these, 2017 thought me to be a lil braver than before to say yes (not all the time tho coz I learned also that its best to say no and just focus on whats important) and be open to all kinds of possibilities. And one thing to take note to make this new year 2018 better, its up to me not to resolutions but with my choices and habits I keep.
Ugh this sounds like an adult I know but it makes all the difference if we want this year to be our year.

Happy 2018 and goodluck adulting ✔

I've been eyeing on this book since college days but wasn’t able to get to read it because of busy schedule or just maybe just plain old procrastination. Entering 2017, I decided to have a list of books I’ve always wanted to read thus this book 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is definitely on my top list.

To be honest, this isn’t the kind of book I usually reach out for rather it was somehow pressure I guess that made me decide to read it since everyone seems to have this on their bookshelves. So I gave it a shot. It was quite long and sometimes heavy to read even though it may seem just a narrative of the Buendia family living in a town of Macondo.

I was surprised as the story progresses to a more mystically weird life of the characters. Rest assured it was one of those books you can’t wrap your head around and have to read twice some parts just to get into the author’s mind. Quite bizarre kind of a story for its setting as I read through the pages. Each character has its own story and lesson to be learned. Though it was all fiction I still believe something like this happened. I mean life in general can be pretty weird and a story told by the author seems like a just dramatic version of reality rather than of a plain made up story.

The book would really take you to the generations of this family and their experiences that ties up to their being. With that, think I've said enough to really describe the book I hope that didn't spoil it. However I agree now that this is such a must read book with its powerful reminders that are still applicable up to this day. It's truly a masterpiece of the art of fiction.

Planning ahead.

First month of a brand new year and the first must have is a planner (well for some tho). I don't really keep a journal like this before but there's something in the air I guess that makes me wanna get one and just start well (hopefully). Got this Limitless Planner in National Bookstore which by the way took me a long time to find a decent one. As hundreds of planners we're opened, tossed and actually were so unorganized, how ironic.

It just reminds me that there's an inevitable excitement when it comes to creating plans, listing to dos and having resolutions. These are all good but when life happens and things doesn't go as planned, am I setting myself for disappointment then? Maybe to some extent. But maybe planning ahead is what we need. It's not gonna be a walk in the park in accomplishing everything we listed but putting it out there in writing gives us a clear view of where we wanna be. And yes we might need to adjust and be flexible according to our circumstance but once we work around it, it's gonna be magic. Like if you were able to still pursue that goal and get it, well you've just proved yourself that life happens and so what? Right? Right. Maybe that's why I like that title cover of my planner, Limitless. Pursuing something that didn't work out the last time or the last year doesn't mean you can't pursue it anymore. You just have to keep rollin' with life in order to achieve whatever it is.

Yep, 2017 I'm going to plan and make schedules to get through my goals and still be open to the possibilities. Let's do this!

To 2017,

Every time that clock strikes 12am we know we're entering to a new chapter of our life. Where as they would say that it's the first blank page to write a better story for yourself. With this in mind, I with the rest of the world is feeling extra hopeful that you 2017 will be our year. Oh don't we all just say that every damn year tho?

You are the new chapter we've been waiting for. This has been our way really of hitting that restart button and hoping things gonna work out this time. That we can be in control and overall come out better on the other side. Yes you're basically our gateway to give that dream another chance or to finally start that crazy diet so we can be beach ready for the summer.

Are we putting so much pressure on you 2017? I'm sorry. Well I'm just glad you're here. I don't wanna be too hard on you this time around. I wanna put on a fresh pair of eyes and just let life happen. Life that isn't controlled by selfish desires. Life that is well lived with others. And that's all I really hope for.

That's my girl!
Not as if we're close, I know.

#Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso is definitely a good read for someone who wants to be ignited to start a business or anything actually through her story. Getting an insight on how she started her whole business from the ground up is not only inspiring to me but it serves as a playbook in dealing with people and the hardships you have to go through to get where you want to be. It wasn't an easy road for sure for her as she started this fashion empire Nasty Gal back when Ebay dominated the shopping online district for people. She really gave detailed descriptions on how she would select the thrifted items to sell online. *Cue Mackelmore's Thrift shop*. A true definition of a go-getter as she would make things work according to how they're appropriate for her.

The journey of her going from point A to point B is just remarkable as the way she would handle the business life that may not be up to the standards. She made her own path that resulted to creating an empire. With all her insights and and advises on how to be a #Girlboss, one thing that struck me the most is her ability to give back. Regardless of how successful or kinda on a downhill recently with her business is (which she wasn't to be blamed for), she knows that equipping girls to be confident and be their own bosses is for me her greatest achievement. After all the leather tight and sparkly dresses she knows that the ability to be apart of something so much bigger of you and even of your brand is what it's all about. We may not have the smoothest journey in getting there but one thing for sure when you take charge by the end of it we would still impart to others how that rocky way up is what you actually need.

After consistently procrastinating on my first blog post, finally decided to just do it.

Why am I even postponing this? And what am I even waiting for really before hitting that Publish button?

I realized that there's no right or perfect timing for this. Just have to get over with that ideology we all have really. Do it without reasons or signs of a rainbow outside your window that's inspiring. You have to simply start and face the reality that you might not feel like doing it today or tomorrow but it's not enough reason to stop you from doing what you really want.

Creating a blog isn't to make myself one of those bloggers who do so because well basically that's what everyone's doing or a way to be internet famous. Nah. Nor another "oh it's just a way for me to express myself or just a creative outlet you know" kinda thing. Started this to know ,regroup and refocus on myself. I know that sounds vain. I want to dig within me and discover possible gems I hope I would discover. Taking time to navigate through my likes, thoughts, passion and some shenanigans in between. Either way let this blogging thang begin.

Let's start and here we go!