Love-Hate relationship with Tieks

I first heard about tieks just probably 3-4 months back when someone posted in a facebook group. Seeing the tag price and how simple it looked, I quickly dismissed it. I was not at all drawn to it and thought I was not its market. I was quite happy with the Cole Haans I managed to snag from DSW on clearance sale. Prior to that, I settled for any random brand that would sell cute ballet flats after getting tired of wearing heels. VNC/Vincci, Charles and Keith, Aldo, Coach, MK, G.H. Bass, korean street vendors etc. It wasn't until that Cole Haan pair when I realized that these flats could be comfortable. You see, I'd trade them with sneakers/NMDs anytime when heavy walking is involved.

"Curiousity killed the cat."

Curiousity got the better of me though and I found myself wanting to splurge and indulge in some retail therapy one time that tieks was just back in the radar. Also, not to mention that I was out on a business trip where I had to wear steel-toed shoes which weren't exactly my taste leaving me with a hefty luggage for Just a one week trip. It was the perfect excuse to give tieks a try. It could be perfect for travelling and I had some extra funds.

My first pair was burgundy. I tried to break it in as all other posts I've read told me to. The big toe problem did surface but now that I've been wearing it a lot, it's a very comfortable pair that feels like second skin. Honestly, sometimes I don't realize it is that comfortable until I switch to my non-tieks pairs.

Barely a month later, I found myself, splurging on another pair. This time, with my husband's choice of color, cobalt. It is now my favorite pair. 

I definitely want to add some more but I need to be practical and sensible. Also, since joining the group Tieks Anonymous it made me feel paranoid of how I use mine. My husband takes better care of his Jordan collection than I do with any shoes.

I'm definitely conflicted so for now, a wishlist would suffice, until I can add them to my tote guilt-free.

Top Golf!

When travelling in a city that offers top golf, do try to drop by especially if you have a group of 2 or more (and if you have the time for it).

Top Golf is just like going to a driving range but to play a game of bowling or darts. I have just recently tried it, and though I suck at it I definitely enjoyed it and would want to go back again. We managed to play their popular game where the driving range had somewhat like dart boards spread across with points allocated evenly. The bull's eye with the higher points and the outer rings with lower points. It didn't matter that much if you swing hard or soft, as long as you can get the ball in the innermost ring. We did try another one where you gain more points the farther you can get your ball in a hole. This one I almost got 0 for every swing I made. 

 

Meanwhile, the rest of your group can have a beer and a snack or meal while socializing or watching you (or maybe laughing at you.). 

Travel tip: go before 5 on a weekday to get almost half-off the hourly rate. Rates are on an hourly basis which can be split evenly among the group members. 1.5 hours/3 people allowed us to play two casual games as mentioned above.

Look Rich

These days, I find myself wanting to spend and buy more high-end items in a less thoughtful manner without need or justification. In short, just giving in to whims and maybe perceived self-actualization and competitiveness. That one bag I bought somehow had me wanting to buy more, to enjoy my earnings instead of always thinking about savings and ROI.

Then I saw a timely reminder which had Facebook's CEO picture with the caption, the idea is not to look rich but be rich. That hit me. I started getting addicted to trying to dress myself up, to set myself apart and make me think that people would notice the message "hey I made it". So here I am salivating and planning on my next luxury item while my net worth is not even .01% of Mark's. Oh boy, do I love these little reminders that puts things in perspective and regain focus. The challenge is not to fall into the habit of looking for material rewards every so often. Get rich with experiences than look rich. Live below your means, not within and all the more not above.

Photo grabbed from Mark's FB page.

Carry On 20

Ladies and Gents after several brand hopping, online window shopping, some failed attempts (that's another story), internal conflict, forum scouring, I finally jumped the gun and found my first splurge bag. The stingy side of me, originally dropped the idea altogether but after discovering this brand, it was more than happy to give in and indulge me. My wallet is happy, my stingy self is happy and my EQ is happy. I think I ended up reading all entries from the purse forum just to get to know the brand some more.

 

I exchanged emails with the SA, Louise, who was very helpful with all my questions as well as including some pictures as I requested. Since I have already done my research though, I have my eyes and heart leaning towards a certain direction already. (SO to all the lads and ladies for posting about this brand.). It was the color that I was ultimately undecided on but most weren't available except for the walnut brown. As much as I wanted the other colors than this, putting me on the waitlist would be a bad idea as I knew it might end up in smoke if I don't buy it now. She did tempt me with a few other extras but I stuck with my goal and budget. Besides, I wanted to first give it a try to see if it looks nice in person. Exactly, a week later from my first email, I found a box on my doorstep. In it were two envelopes, one with the receipt and the other was a handwritten note from the SA with some other details about the product and the brand, Faure Le Page. Of course, the shopping bag, dust bag came with the bag as well. Now, the bag, I... LOVE... IT!!! It's the right size and color, not to mention it's so my taste!! It's versatile and practical enough that I think I can use it many ways, not to mention I can stuff more than just the bare essentials in there (I tend to carry more than the usual most days.).

 

As much as I'd like to gush on it some more, I'd have to savor, I mean save it for another day. I hope I'd get the chance to post something like what's in my bag for this one. It's one of those I found difficult to find in my online research.

Also, I am on the lookout of what the total damages will end up being including taxes. The bigger problem though is I might like their totes, pouches and wallets too. uh-oh...

*** runs to closet to find old stuff to sell...

Samurai!

Recently, I realized that when I look for gifts for the husband, they are not available. Why? Because they are limited releases and the only chance to snag them would be at a high mark-up from resellers. It is sooo frustrating. Jordans, NMDs, hats, jerseys and even watches.

So, when this handsome (or beauty), Seiko Prospex SRPB09 - Samurai,  came up while I was on the hubby gift hunt and it just so happened it was being released at the same time, I wasted no time. I immediately went on an online hunt for this product. I was getting deflated when it was turning up on the reseller market already. I did snag one from here: River Edge Jewlers. The good news, no state tax (from where I am at)! And it seemed like a legitimate and an authorized seller. I am so happy I didn't have to resort to the gray market to be able to purchase one. It seems that the demand in Asia and my home country was driving the price up. I managed to get it at a lower price than the reseller I got in touch with. Luckily, it didn't seem like this was as popular here so I had less competition and plenty of chances to buy it. Also, I don't think there would be fakes in the market already for a model that was just released. It made it easier buying it online.

 

 

It's supposed to be an anniversary gift but I couldn't contain my excitement so I ended up showing it to him anyway. It was a success of course! He loved it! Big points for the wifey! :)

This is not an apple watch review

When I learned of those smart wearable devices, I contemplated on getting one for me or for my parents but it felt too expensive for me. The stingy side of me prevailed. While I could see some benefits, I thought rather than depending on technology for monitoring my step count etc, I should just try harder to lead a healthier and active lifestyle. I also became a technophobic with thoughts of exploding cellphones and now to actually attach one to the wrist might be a bad idea. So, I thought to myself, I don't need one and I will not be a slave of these "innovations". To some extent, don't you feel that if we become too dependent on them, the future as shown in the futuristic/fictional movies Wall-E or I-Robot will soon become our reality. 

 

Fast forward to December, my friends gave me a fitbit Flex2 as a prewedding gift (I trust that they were not subtly hinting for me to lose weight.) and then my now husband gave me an apple watch. So, of course I had to use it. I wanted the fitbit because I got jealous and envied my friends who were trying to one-up each other in terms of the number of steps taken. Anyway, since I couldn't use both so the fitbit was left for my mom to use. I have but used my apple watch almost everyday since. I have configured my watch in a way that it displays a lot of info on screen including: step count, date, time, temp in Celsius or Fahrenheit (still trying to get used to the temps units...), and my hometown time. Although I am able to track my step count, I don't think my habits have changed to actually conscientously meet a daily goal. I have gotten used to seeing this explosion of data when I glance at my wrist that on the occasions I end up wearing my other watches (mostly because I failed to charge the watch), I feel that the information I am told is insufficient, as if my wrist is lacking and naked. Sure, it tells me the time, which is what a watch is supposed to be for in the first place. But what's the temp (which is quite good to know especially winters where I am at can jump from lows of 40's to highs of 90's the next day.)?, How many steps do I have (as if it mattered and makes any difference)?, I need to know! I have yet to maximize the watch so other than that, it has been just handy for quick reading of messages while teaching or driving, for doing one minute planks, and camera timer functions. My main deal is that wish I could pick up calls from VoIP apps such as viber, FB messenger etc. without having a bluetooth headphones with me. I am still resisting those Airpods which again are chargeable devices. My carbon footprint is just terrible with all these things and how much glued and hooked I am to them.

 

Now given that the watch has now become a staple, it makes me rethink if I should get that watch I've been eyeing on for a while now. Maybe I shouldn't and just get a D&G Sicily instead (no, that designer bag story still has no conclusion). 

Gundam at Diver City

photo taken by me Aug 2014

So as earlier announced, yesterday was the last day of the Giant Gundam to be on display at Diver City in Odaiba. However, not to fret it is supposedly going to be replaced by another one by 2019 that will supposedly walk this time, 40 years after and before the Tokyo Olympics (Article here). If the teaser during the last Olympics game was any hint on the theme for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics then having this robot as a showcase is not going to be a surprise. 

Had the chance to visit the statue and watch G-Party 35 "RISE!" show back in 2014. I was not a big fan of Gundam so I didn't know what to expect from the show but my brother was. I am not sure if he was exactly a fan in the truest sense of the word but he would save all his lunch money back then just so he can keep on buying those Gundam Robots that he could build himself (so did my cousin). I did watch some episodes of them back then when it was aired at a local tv station. Nonetheless, robots are robots so the geek in me was thrilled to watch the show. I was pleasantly surprised to see that at least it turns its head and some other light/laser projections as well. My research obviously went as far as knowing the show schedule but not what was in the show actually. Nonetheless, sometimes it's better to see for yourself right?