serving and shelving

I went out earlier today for some bank transactions, to get a chest x-ray and find a notary public. A few hours later, I walked home with four huge bags from home and decor stores, a refrigerator catalog and an appliances pricelist. Plus the notarized documents. But no x-ray.

It is a mistake to step inside of a shopping mall after getting some money from the bank. I was only supposed to purchase a gift for my secret santa in an upcoming (but very much delayed) christmas party. But I had to pass through the lane of home stores, alone, and with some money. And I was just too weak.

I’ve long been wanting to get some baskets to make sorting and storing the boys’ toys easier. I keep saying I’ll get some woven baskets in Samar but those I found look too native and doesn’t seem appropriate to store kids’ toys. An ideal toy cabinet for me should have large, open baskets in bright, cheery colors.

At home, we have this huge open cabinet with large square-ish shelves that serves as the TV and DVD rack and toy cabinet at the same time. My mother once mentioned she would be handing this down to me when we move out. When it’s officially mine, I’ll be painting it white so the colors of the newly-purchased toy baskets will be brighter.

Another noteworthy purchase from today’s unplanned shopping spree is inspired by decorative metal trays–perfect servingware for small parties or a great accent to a breakfast table.

I am so very lucky to find something so much like these from Papemelroti, very cheap too. And there were two pieces left I had to buy both. I can imagine this as our bread basket, lined with handwoven cloth, beside a bottle of jam or honey and a tub of butter or cheese!

 

wood workin’

Kids and toys go very well together, but so do toys and plastic. We try to do our share by refraining from purchasing toys for our children, which is an effective money saving measure as well.

Last night was a different case, however. Turo and I stumbled upon the remaining few pieces of a wooden truck assembly set. We loved the wooden trucks and did not hesitate to buy two sets for the kids and a few more sets as gifts for Christmas.

yellow gerberas

I passed by the flower market before coming to the office the other day. I bought some bright yellow gerberas for an officemate’s wife who recently gave birth to a baby boy.

greener gift giving

We have more people on our Christmas list this year but in terms of expenses, we seem to be spending less for gifts compared to last year. Possibly because I’ve decided to prepare a lot of DIY gifts and homemade stuff for give away. Although they require a lot of planning and effort, I believe such presents are made more special that way. I’m not one for spoiling surprises so I’m keeping my mouth shut on what those gifts are until after Christmas. What I can reveal in this post is how I plan to wrap and package those ultra-special gifts.

a cup of mint tea

When the parsley plant died just when I was supposed to use it to garnish a soup dish about a month ago, I sensed it was time for me to learn a bit about gardening. Turo might not always have the time to look after my herbs, and I don’t want them dying on me just when I’m about to use them for a particular recipe. I started by removing the weeds from around the plants. Then I did some pruning. I tried to remember what Turo told me when I accidentally killed the sweet basil because I cut the entire stem and left it without leaves. Never do that again.