a new button

cheers to my sis-in-law, Rica, for making me a button for my blog! i tweaked the size a bit to fit my blog and added the name.

to grab my button:

• right click on the button image, at the side bar of my blog
• click Properties, then copy the URL address

~OR~

• drag the button directly on your desktop

~Then~

• upload the image to your website and link to http://popkingarb.blogspot.com/

i am in deep gratitude to all those who will be linking back to my blog.

online shopping + cloth pads

online shopping in the Philippines is still in its early stage, but steadily gaining popularity. i came across Shopinas, a hub for Filipino online sellers/entrepreneurs and shoppers. it's more like ebay, but with registered companies and not just individuals. i found it more convenient and user-friendly than ebay, sulit.ph, etc. as the latter are way too congested.

i ordered washable/reusable cloth pads from Lala Bella. they are also the makers of Fuzzibuns cloth diapers, which also offers diaper accessories for your diapering needs (which i should have used when my son was younger). although i want to be more earth-friendly, i'm still afraid to use cloth pads during red flag days. i have been using reusable liners already, but chickened out on the pads (though i already bought them). but now i think it's time to step up and take the challenge. i will try them on lighter flow days for the meantime and progress from there.

please keep your fingers crossed for me!!!

a timely summer post on The Storque

Uchimizu is one way to cool-down the streets image from The Storque/Tokyo Times

i found a very interesting post on the Etsy blog, The Storque, about how Japan is combining tradtional ways of cooling the environment with technology. i really admire the Japanese in the way that they never seem to forget their roots but still use cutting edge technology. you will see them reflected in anime and manga, even in video games.

you can read more of the blog post here.

a let down

i watched the last installment of Harry Potter yesterday and went home disappointed. to be honest, i've never been impressed with any HP movie, and i think the finale could have been better. everything was just rushed too much. the climactic banter in the book wasn't executed in the movie, and some of the acting was mediocre (Radcliffe). the epilogue, was even worse than the book's.

the opening was impressing, with a recap of Voldemort capturing the Elder wand, and Snape overlooking a very austere Hogwarts. but then things started going downhill. the Gringgots scenes were far too simple from what i imagined, although Helena Bonham-Carter was very adorable playing a Hermione transfigured into Bellatrix Lestrange. Severus Snape (played by Alan Rickman) was a winner for me, his portrayal of Snape is impecable though i would have liked to see more of his memory (not tears!) in the Penseive. nonetheless, Snape's memories sent my lachrymal glands running. i also could make much of the fight scenes, and the fight with Voldemort was not that long and dramatic.

maybe the film would have been likeable if i hadn't read and loved the entire series. but i have, and in reality, there is so much more to the world of Harry Potter that even non-fans might take interest in.

HK airport fun

during my business trip, i got to visit HK airport. i found a very cute popcorn maker vignette featuring Lightning Mcqueen and Winnie the Pooh, as they are now the stars in HK Disney Land. how i wish my son was there to see it! i envy those who were traveling with their children in tow.

here are other finds found at the HK airport aside from the designer brands:

very cute Japanese candy

more cute Japanese Candy

Doraemon and Hello Kitty Drops in tin cans, very vintage!

cute paper doilies for my ice cream

  we only got to stay there for 2hours so i wasn't able to explore much. how i wish the NAIA airports in Manila were this fun! (not to mention accessible)

thrift finds

another delayed post is of Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit stationery pieces i found at a thrift shop (ukay-ukay here in the Philippines) in Marikina. while commuting from my son's school for an orientation last month, i happened to pass by this nondesript shop and here's my stash:

undated weekly planners, sticky note type, P50 each (more or less $1)

mechanical pencils with 2 refills, P25 each (roughly $.50)

scissors with cap, P25

you just have to bring a hand sanitizer with you as the items were a bit dusty. but all came in cello packaging so the actual items are still in good condition. some of the weekly planners had bent covers though, so not good for OC people. there were also other desk related items such as planners/organizers, white boards, cork boards, folders among others. the shop is not airconditioned, so i recommend a foldable fan to take along if you're one who isn't up for the heat.

for those interested to drop by the place it's directly across Sta.Lucia Mall along Marcos Highway in Marikina, just below the foot bridge.

... and i'm back!

it was very busy for me last week, with a business trip abroad and a local trip for leisure, i wasn't able to post anything at all. so let me start off with sharing photos from my Holga which were way due already (took this last May).

completely unedited scanned photos of my nephew (upper photo) and my son (holding the boat) 

out of the 36 shots, only 4 came out right, and these two are the best. the other two were way too dark. probably it's because the film was nearing it's expiry date already. but that's what's great about film photography, you have to wait for the outcome rather than being presented with the image already. i actually like the effect, it's very nostalgic. but i have to say, i need more practice, not to mention more film! :p

etsy shop update

image from PAWS website

PopkinGarb will be giving a portion of each sale to PAWS (The Philippine Animal Welfare Society) for the rehabilitation of abandoned and rescued animals (mostly pets) in the Philippines. sad to say, but here in the Philippines, breed is highly regarded when it comes to pets that often, local or native dogs and cats are neglected.

you may also give your own means of support (monetary donation or in kind, you can also adopt a pet) through their website.

cake pops by The Happy Tummy Kitchen

my sis-in-law has done it again!

cake pops are now trending in the US, what-with almost bite-size cake pieces which makes you think you've had enough with one pop than with one slice. and they're very cute, too.

Mimay (pronounced as mee-mhay) gave me some extra cake pops from the batch she made for her friend/colleague's baby shower. they were delectable; a mix of moist choco and red velvet cake pop doused in milk candy coating, topped with choco sprinkles. once i saw them in the ref, my mind went churning as i remembered how sweets taste like. but it was late at night so i had to put the idea of devouring the pops for the next day. too bad my son has allergy to chocolates (sad face!).

check out Mimay's post on The Happy Tummy Kitchen for the recipe.

of love & RUST

of

i found a very interesting store via decor8, called RUST. they have the loveliest ways of showcasing jewelry, through cut-outs based on natural history. it gives it a more vintage feel and a Darwinian effect, a trend i am loving right now.

images from RUST jewellery

see more from their online store here.