how to fake an entryway

entryway is important because it provides "pause" between outside and inside of the house, not to mention prevents clutter from happening.  we have a very tiny living room with no foyer, therefore faking it is the only way to go.

i placed two antique chests against a mirror to serve as a makeshift table.  you may also use console table or round table with enough storage for keys, wallets, papers, et cetera.  the mirror is for checking yourself before answering or leaving the door.

after that, i created a vignette of things that i love such as books, large wooden bowl to corral small items, and a pair of wooden owls.  a stool would be very helpful as well for easy on and off of shoes.  this is one practical addition you can create in minutes with things you already have in your house.

carved wood home accessories mini-haul

i got very lucky with these amazing wooden accessories from the recent bazaar at robinsons, imus branch.  these are all beautifully carved and made lovingly by hands, which you really cannot see as often anymore in a day of mass-produced and factory-made goods.  i didn't get any discount for any of these, but that's fine with me because they were well-priced to begin with.

large gourd-shaped wooden bowl with rattan weaving, 1050 pesos.  i love the organic and sculptural look.

large rectangular wooden bowl with rattan weaving, 600 pesos.  this will look really awesome in our modern vintage kitchen.

small wooden owls, 65 pesos a piece.  no real practical purpose, but aren't they cute?

collectively beautiful.

market square: vintage-style cake stand

i had been eyeing this vintage-style cake stand for a few months now at market square, festival mall, alabang.  it was a bit pricey for me at 2500 pesos, but after much hemming and hawing, i decided to finally bring it home with me.  luckily, the super sweet shop girl gave me a 20% discount on my final invoice.

i l-o-o-o-v-e the distressing in all the right places!  how's that for added je ne sais quoi factor?  it will be perfect in our rather plain and boring dining table.  i might put old books or large candles on top of it.  however, it is beautiful as is.

please visit the shop when you get the chance, and don't forget to mention that i sent you there to avail at least 10% discount. 

shops to inspire: the tannery manila

photo credit: the tannery manila
website: http://www.thetannerymanila.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTanneryManila/
shop here: http://www.zalora.com.ph/the-tannery-manila/

you can now shop for steals on-the-go with the zalora app!  or, you can download it here!

ps: this is a sponsored post.  thanks guys.

thrifting: mini-haul plus apartment therapy book

i scooped up a ton of good reads from booksale, robinsons, imus branch today.  i was like a kid in candy store faced with indecision from what books to get, and what books to leave behind.  turned out, the shop replenished their stocks merely a few hours before i came in.  i paid 35 pesos for each item, so my total for this batch was less than a thousand only.

here are some of my many favorites.

the highlight of my mini-haul was this every-decorator's-must-have from apartment therapy.  my brother actually found it and i immediately snatched it from his hands.  i was at the cashier in seconds, i kid you not.  i paid 550 pesos for this somewhat beaten up book.   it was definitely a best buy though, not to mention i never had any luck finding it in local bookstores.

500 pesos kitchen upgrade

hello, blog friends!

i finally got the chance to upgrade our recently made over kitchen, thanks to my super nice and super generous online friend who purchased my beloved vintage bags.  i did spend a total of 540 pesos on this little kitchen facelift, but that is still under the 500 mark, right?

first, i used an old wooden shelf from my closet-turned-bedroom as a breakfast bar table.  it was practically free since i already had the paint, brackets, and screws on hand.  it's really amazing what a single coat of paint can do to a boring piece of wood.  we can now sit four people in this tiny nook.

next, i bought 4 casters and large-sized screws to upcycle our existing cabinet from the living area.   the casters provided added height and mobility to the cabinet, which made it more appropriate as a kitchen stand.  it used to serve as a catch-all near our main entrance door since we don't have a foyer. 

i love how everything turned out.  practical, pretty, and most importantly, i stayed within my budget.

vintage bags for shipping today (sold)

first batch via lbc.

next batch via jrs.

please inbox me for any update, many thanks!

selling: vintage bags - bulk/lot (sold)

hello, blog friends!

i'm selling a bulk of authentic vintage bags in very good to excellent condition.  they are from my personal collection, therefore all items had been restored and well taken cared of.  i prefer pick up here in my house near sm molino, bacoor, cavite because it will be much easier for the both of us.  for shipping, however, the buyer must shoulder the fee as i will be sending them in two batches.  first batch via lbc will include big-ticket items and the second batch via jrs for mid-range yet highly collectible pieces.

fixed price:  12k
possible profit:  37 bags x 1k pesos = 37k  (more for rare pieces)
reason for selling: house repairs
contact details:

what you will get:
4 louis vuitton including a rare precursor to conseiller
5 gucci including two rare boston bags
5 jean paul gaultier including a rare cyber backpack
5 vivienne westwood including two large boston or travel bags
2 yves saint laurent/ysl
2 fendi
2 coach
2 michael cromer in munchen/mcm
2 christian dior
1 burberry's briefcase bag
1 bally kelly style bag
1 mulberry bucket bag
1 valentino garavani
1 emilio pucci from the 70s
1 emanuel ungaro from the 70s
1 longchamp briefcase
1 daks of london

*freebie for house pick up only.


SOLD to my favorite fb seller!  merci beaucoup!

thrifting: booksale mini-haul

i picked a bunch of second-hand books today at booksale, robinsons, imus branch for steal price.  my cheapest bargain find was at 25 pesos, titled brick lane by monica lane.  the dust jackets on some of the books were not in perfect condition, but obviously, i will be removing them anyway.

my second-hand books mini-haul.

a few of my personal favorites.

when styled in our antique storage chest-slash-coffee table.

i paid a total of 1000 pesos for 10 books because i purchased a "non-sale" item worth 450 pesos.  the title of the book is city fashion paris by christine bierhals, which i got in almost new condition with original price tag on.  still a winner!