Having second thoughts on purchasing from Group Buying Sites?  Oh, pretty please NO…

Call me frugal or meagre but I just love the deals from them.  They got their ways of bringing the expensive restaurants, things or even vanity fad to the common people.  Just like last August, when I saw TGIF’s promo on Cash Cash Pinoy, with no inhibitions, I immediately purchased 2 vouchers.   I got their best selling Chicken Fingers for only P147 (original price- 295) and the Pacific Grilled Pork Chop for P199 (original price- 395).  It was such a sweet deal!  And yes, boyfriend and I enjoyed their foods! :) (Click here for the separate article)

So, now, I am becoming one of those whose days are not complete without checking these sites yet.  Instantly, they turned out to be part of my system.  And while there are various complaints about the other sites, the three that I trusted too much (because I previously had purchased from them) are Cash Cash Pinoy, Ensogo and Deal Grocer.  Thus, I must say, if you’re looking for a great buy without sacrificing too much of your budget- opt to group buying sites.

Group buying, also known as collective buying, offers products and services at significantly reduced prices on the condition that a minimum number of buyers would make the purchase. - Wikipedia


image credits: turboreview.net

I’ve got into so many things for the previous year- I met good friends, mingled with b****es, got acquainted with $*#ts, been to lots of places, ate real good foods, etc.  And as a blogger in me shouts that I should take a snap or note of each moment, the procrastinator in me says otherwise.  To summarize, 2011 failed!  I couldn’t recall anymore breath taking moments or the people who took my breath away.  Duh!  Sign of ageing? L

So, to avoid it from recurring, not a million thank you is enough for the late Steve Jobs as I just downloaded iPhone applications- my365 and Project 365.  The former take pictures of all the “worth keeping moments” on each day while the latter logs my daily “favorite and not-so” food intake.

And when 2012 ends, I know vividly- I will remember everything! J

Mine is white!

I didn’t imagine that I’ll be seriously using the Starbucks planner this year, I thought it’ll be just one plain journal that I’ll keep in my book shelf and that I was endowed to get one only because it’s “IN”.  But no, I was just too enthusiastic when the SB crew handed it to me and that feeling lives on until this very moment.  I wasn’t totally drawn with its look, I think it’s so plain compared to the previous ones they had.  But much to my awe, I fell in love with its simplicity and plainness.  I like its small size, the pouch, the binder, the texture of sheets, the fonts, the spaces of each day and even the notes section.  Wheew, I just love everything about it.  J

Writing and planning have never been this fun.  I always look forward in getting my purple pen kiss each sheet.  I got one wish though- that it’ll ease the procrastinator in me! JJJ

Have a glimpse of my 2012 Starbucks Planner:      

With the shutdown of free shoutmix, a no-budget blogger like me was forced to look for an alternative FREE chat box to use in my sites. J  Luckily, while I was doing an occasional blog hop, I saw one.  And without hesitations, signed up and got a couple of them for my sites- Just for Foods and Purple andHue (this site).

Shoutmix had served its purpose very well and though saddened, they got a very valid reason of closing down the free service.  Many thanks though! (that’s why I grabbed screenshots of them, sort of remembrance!) J

So now, all my chat widgets are from Cbox.  I know they will do well! J

Thank you, Shoutmix! Until then :)

- Some good things never last.  When there's an ending, there'll always be a new beginning -

December 1 was Ana’s last day at CISCO.  And to celebrate the new journey she’s about to face- last December 2, we went to Trinoma, dine at California Pizza Kitchen, watched Breaking Dawn and chatted at Starbucks until the wee hours.
 
It was a whole day of fun, laughter and chit-chat.  There was never a dull moment especially with Ana, might be she’s going to miss us all! Haha! 
 
To Ana: Good luck on the new path you’ll take.  May the good Lord bless you abundantly and may you do things for His glory.  Keep in touch! J 

Ana :)

Ana and Missy :)

The GANG! :D

Pesto Cream Penne Family- 395 pesos

Spicy Seafood Spaghetti Arabbiata Family- 525 pesos

Cheeseburger Thin Crust Pizza Regular- 395 pesos

Shripm Scampi Thin Crust Pizza Regular- 495 pesos 

The Meat Cravers Thin Crust Pizza Regular- 505 pesos

Bottomless Raspberry- 105 pesos

Urinal? :)

Raspberry is good :)

Until next time, Ana! :)

The guard said, "Lights OFF!" Well, Missy and I have flashlights in our iPhones! :)

special thanks to Ana for the snaps which do not bear watermarks :) 

many thanks to Larry, our friend, our Boss! :)

3 more stickers and I’ll have in hand the 2011 Starbucks planner.  Well, I told myself I’m not going to spend so much money for it because for the past three years of having the planners, I didn’t manage to write even in any of the page!  They’re still in my book shelf, carefully kept. J

So, how was I able to get this year’s stickers?  They are because of my generous friends! J  And allow me to thank them.  They deserve a space here, super!    

Ana- 7 stickers

Bern- 5 stickers
Gabe- 2 stickers

And yey, 3 more Holiday Featured Beverages and Option 1 is done! J Personally, I love the Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha! J  I’m so sure to get it before Christmas!!! J  No particular design yet in mind.  I’ll think of it when I get there.

Note:  I just wish this time; I’ll utilize it and will not resort in using another Sterling planner with life quotes… J

:)

My Cranberry Frappe! :)

If you’re keen in watching news maybe you’re also astounded (as I was) with the NTC (National Telecommunications Commission) announcement last November 29.  They said that the SMS rate between networks will be reduced to just 80 cents and it would be effective- Wednesday, November 30!  But, hello!  It’s already December 9 and Globe had not yet cut their rate.  It’s still at 1 peso.  When I called their Customer Service Hotline, the Agent just apologized and told me that their company is still working on it and would implement it soon.  She even told me to make use of other promos instead.  Well, I don’t hold grudge, I’m a fan of their unlimited promos, etc. but I don’t think it’s fair to fool the public that they are lowering their rates when really they are not.  If they aren’t ready, why not tell it straight to NTC?  I know this decision did not happen overnight, then why is there a delay???  

“They furnished us a letter informing us that the new SMS access charge will take effect on their respective networks effective November 30,” NTC Deputy Commissioner Delilah Deles told reporters, referring to Smart Communications, Globe Telecom and Sun Cellular.” - http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/top-stories/12265-text-rate-down-to-80-centavos

image credit: dreamstime.com