Photo-A-Day: January 2013

January's photo-a-day is here! I really love playing along on this project. Check out Fat Mum Slim's blog for details if you also want to play along.

Abby's X-Mas Wishlist

I'm finally done with this year's Christmas wishlist! Yey!!! After much contemplation on my part, I came up with a list that is both practical and attainable. Meaning, I would have the resources to purchase any of them if it wasn't given to me as a gift. Hehe. ; )

Anything that is left on this list after the holidays are done will be subject for evaluation for inclusion on my birthday wishlist. Lol.

In no particular order:

• A new phone (preferably an android phone for Instagram use.) - I'm not particular with the brand of the phone. Sure, an iPhone would be much appreciated but anything that would allow me to post pictures on instagram, send text messages, and make phone calls would do.

• Lauren Conrad's L.A. Candy book series (the whole set) - I like Lauren. I just do. I'm like totally inspired by her now. Which is why I wanted to read the books she's written. And what better way to start by reading her first novel, right?

• Heide Klum's "Me" perfume. - A bit pricey and somewhat hard to find here in the Philippines. But... if there's a will, there's a way! (a.k.a Paypal).

• New set of accessories: necklace, watch, bracelet, earrings, ring, and sunglasses. - Just a piece of each would do.

• New pair of jeans (preferably skinny jeans). - the last pair I bought was eight months ago. And the fabric is starting to stretch since I've been using it constantly for work. About time to find its alternate.

• Red lipstick. - my new obsession. I recently discovered that since I have dark lips, I sort of look sickly without a hint of color on my lips. So in order to prevent people telling me that I look like I'm about to faint, I tried using red lipstick. And it definitely did wonders for my appearance.

• New pair of shoes (preferably ballet flats) - I'm not a big fan of stilletto/high-heels (though I would love to try them someday). So, flats are like my feet's best friend. I can move around freely in them.

• A new bag - again, any type or brand would do. I just wanted something to add to my collection. Although I've been eyeing the red baby satchel I saw from a friend...

• Yellow umbrella. - if red lipstick is my new make-up obsession, then yellow is my new color obsession. This year, I saw the color yellow in a different light. Hehe.

• UST jacket (varsity jacket or the black quadricentennial jacket) - any alumni will surely want one. If I can't have them by this year, I'll surely buy them once I got my overtime pay from work.

• Alarm clock - I need one. Badly. Anyone who knows me well would understand why I had to have one.

So, that's about it. No over the top, hard to find items on this list. Hope to cross off even half of the items listed above by the end of this year. I have to admit that I haven't been a nice kid this year, but Santa... I'm constantly trying to improve myself. :)

*photos courtesy of google image, lauren-conrad.net, myhealthandbeautyshop.com.au and make-upforlife.net.

Christmas Bucket List

It's the first day of December. Counting today, it's exactly 25 days before Christmas. Christmas has always been one of my favorite (if not my most favorite) holiday. When I was younger, a lot younger that is, I always look forward for the month of December since they used to feature Holiday-themed cartoons all day. I remember not wanting to attend school because I will miss watching a show (there were no re-runs), and hated mandatory sleep in the afternoons because of that. Another thing I like about Christmas are my new clothes, shoes, and sometimes, toys which my mom would buy from Cinderella (that's a name of a store). And during Christmas eve, I look forward to spending it at my lola's side of the family where there are games, prizes, gifts, money, lots of food, and laughter filling the air. But then I grew up. 

I have to admit that during the past couple of years, I treated Christmas like an ordinary holiday. It seems that the magic has worn off. Aside from no longer believing in Santa Claus, it seems that I outgrew the spirit of Christmas. I no longer watch the cartoons, I no longer go caroling, and we no longer celebrate Christmas at that side of the family. But even as I am saying it now, the little kid in me still smiles when she sees Christmas decorations, and even if I no longer receive gifts for Christmas, my heart still jumps at seeing gifts (even if they're not mine) under the Christmas tree. Watching Home Alone re-runs on TV still completes my holidays. Christmas lanterns are still my favorite decorations. And hearing Christmas carols still fills my heart with joy. So I want to rekindle that flame. That flame that I had in me when I was twenty or so years younger - a time when Christmas for me is magical. So, how do I bring it back?

Abby's Christmas Bucket List.

1. Watch Home Alone 1-3.
2. Make A Christmas Wishlist.
3. Buy a gift for myself.
4. Attend the "Simbang Gabi". And complete it when possible.
5. Hear Christmas Carols.
6. Go to places where there are a lot of Christmas decorations.
7. Watch Christmas movies.
8. Eat Bibingka and puto bungbung?
9. Go to Star City.
10. Wrap a Christmas present.
11. Visit my inaanak.
12. Spend time with family.
13. Holiday dinner with friends.
14. Write a letter to Santa.
15. Create an ornament.
16. Starbucks special holiday drinks.
17. Drink hot choco/cocoa.
18. Get family Christmas pictures.
19. Eat chestnuts.
20. Stuff Christmas stocking with candies and chocolates.
21. Take a picture with Santa.
22. Buy a candy cane.
23. Read the Nativity.
24. Take a holiday photo.
25. Read a Christmas story.
26. Watch a Metro Manila Film Fest (MMFF) entry.
27. Look at Christmas lights.
28. Attend a Christmas bazaar.
29. Watch a parade.
30. Purchase different holiday-themed treats.

So, that's it. My very own Christmas bucket list. Hope to get them done before the year ends. And maybe at which time, I would have confessed that I still believe in Santa, his elves, reindeer, and yes... North Pole. ♥

XOXO,

AbbyMercs ♥

Photo-A-Day: December

It's finally up! Can't wait to do this month's photo-a-day challenge. Check out FatMumSlim's blog for the details if you want to play along with this challenge. :)