SM Welcomes the Year of the Dog with a "Bow-Wow"

Welcome the 2018, the Year of the Earth Dog with these lovelies from the SM Accessories Kids and Toy Kingdom!

Just looking at those adorable button eyes, makes me want to buy one for myself...

Like children born in the Year of the Dog, these plush toys are cheerful, obliging, and a good sport. The Dog, after all, is said to be the most likeable sign in the Chinese Zodiac.

And kids born in the Year of the Dog are said to be honest, intelligent, egalitarian, and super-loyal.  These children are playful, friendly, and outgoing, appreciated by peers and adults alike for their warmth, candidness, and sense of humor.  A dog is a very good and supportive friend to have indeed. When the chips are down, the Dog will always be at your side.

Check out these little Pomeranian dog plushies dressed in birthday, sailor and baseball costumes.

Cutie Beagles begging for a pat.

Paw Patrol fans are sure to go gaga, over these Paw Patrol inspired plushies.

These plushies are sure to make such perfect playmates!

Bring home hugs, joy and charm with these adorable little dogs - available at the SM Accessories Kids department of The SM Store and Toy Kingdom.

DIVIMART ~ Divisoria Prices in a Mall Setting

Welcome to DIVIMART!

This place is a real haven for budget shoppers, who doesn't have the heart to brave the terrible Manila traffic to shop in Divisoria. This is the place to shop, if you want to stretch your hard earned Pesos.

This mall seems to have everything at very low prices.

Groceries, school supplies, cosmetics and accessories, account for most of the First floor.

Cutie fashion accessories ~ perfect for your little divas (I am sure my niece's eyes will popped-out with the sight of all these pretty bows and hairclips) ~ priced at P40 and up.

Wallets and pouches made of canvas  ~ P80 and up per set.

Pretty character backpacks ~ starting at P240. 

Character loot bag set, nice for your child's next party ~ priced at P40 and up.

Or DIY with these goodie bags/drawstrings, priced at P20 and up.

These school supplies make good loot bag fillers.

These metallic balloons will complete your birthday party at P19 and up. 

School supplies ~

Housewares, appliances, toys and apparel is seen at the Second floor.

Food trays are priced at P120 and up a piece.  

Tents at only P900. 

Apparel section is only about 1/5th of the upstair's floor, but enough to choose from.

If you are shopping with kids, stay away from the toys' section.

I spent about 2-3 hours roving about and checking out all the merchandise.   They have so much stuff, packed inside DiviMart.   I was literally all over the place, but I didn't felt tired one bit.  I think it helped that the place was air-conditioned.

The only downside is the limited parking space.  Parking could be a problem if you are arriving late.

My favorite buys for the day:

 Pokémon Cap ~ P75each

Silicon ice tray ~ P45

Toothpick ~ P20

DiviMart is located behind the New Taytay Public Market; And is just a short walk from the Taytay Tiangge Market.

For more information on Taytay DiviMart please check their facebook page: Taytay DiviMart.

Babies Fashion First at SM Mall

Every first in a child’s life is wonderful. Every first touch, first smile, first word and all other “first” milestones will be cherished by loved ones forever. Capture these moments, treasure these, and make these more special by dressing-up the little ones with Babies’ Fashion Firsts from SM Babies.

My First Blessing has adorable baptismal gowns adorned with of silk, satin and lace. My First Party has outfits that will make baby step out in style for his or her first special occasion. My First Playsuit is great for active toddlers to wear during playtime or traveling in style.

My First Blessing exquisite baptismal dress for baby girls from SM Babies

My First Blessing baptismal gown for little boys from SM Babies

My First Party will be memorable pretty in pink spaghetti strap dress with a bow from SM Babies

This fun floral dress from SM Babies is perfect for My First Party

This nautical outfit will make waves for the little boy on his first party

My First Playsuit – a casual denim dress from SM Babies

A classic denim is tops from SM Babies

Playtime is fashionably fun time with SM Babies

Make his first party extra fun with comfy clothes

 
The collection is available at the Children’s Wear – Babies Section at all SM Store Nationwide.  

**Be updated with what’s new for your baby through SM Babies Facebook and Instagram pages.

   

What to give a man, who has everything?

With Valentines Day fast approaching (yes it is just around the corner), I have been rocking (literally) the internet for the perfect gift to my ex-boyfriend (now my husband). 

What do I get someone who has it all? Yes more internet rocking!!! 
 
Good thing the internet has answers to everything.  Type: "What to get a good looking and super bait husband for Valentines?"   

The top of the list answer is "know your recipient's wants and interests".  Now that is easy. My husband loves food, sports, playing with our boys and sprucing himself cool.

1. Eating out is easy, but it can be extra special by dressing up and looking pretty for the occasion. There are bargain dining deals on-line.  I normally purchase via Cash Cash Pinoy, Deal Grocer or Metrodeal. They offer 50-60% off regular rates.

2. Special board games would be nice too.  Check out this on-line game store "Game Library" selling novelty board games. My boys will surely spend hours playing these games.

Sample Boardgames from Game Library

3. Basket ball tickets via Ticket Net.  My husband loves basketball and would love to have me watch his favorite game.  I would be of course be perfect if you can get him tickets to cheer his favorite basket ball team.

 4. For cool clothing finds, I always go to either Zalora or Lazada.  These are personally tried and tested on-line shopping sites. Zalora has numerous selections of fine shirts/polo brands, my husband will definitely love.  Check out these wonderful finds:  Crimson shirt to match with your favorite bottoms.

 

Crimson (Long Sleeves Polo with pocket)

Crimson (Checkered Long Sleeves)

 

 
I am just so happy with on-line shopping ~ real easy and hassle free.  However, no matter how fun shopping on-line may be, remember to stay safe on-line. 

For safety tips internet shopping, visit my previous post on on-line shopping ON-LINE SHOPPING ANYONE?

KidZania Manila Invasion: For First Timers

My children have been asking for a trip to KIDZANIA since it opened in Manila a few months back. 

We finally gave it a go and bought tickets online via TicketWorld.  The boys were just so thrilled.

MamaSpeaks, welcomes you  to KidZania!

What is KidZania?

KidZania is an indoor role play city where kids can be anybody they want to be. It is it's own nation, where kids actually rule! And my boys are ready for some action.

Our timing was perfect. There were fewer crowd than KidZania's normal full house.   Waiting time was under 10 minutes (well except for the blockbuster Fire Station) ~ Lucky us. 

My 7 year old finished 11 activities (excluding lunch break, bus tour, opening an account and getting a passport) in his 9am-4pm shift. Not bad at all!

First stop ~ the Bank

At entry, the kids were handed KidZanian checks worth 50 kidZos.  Kids (yes parents wait outside, as for all of the other activities) must cash-in their check in the bank. 

  They can then open a bank account, to get an ATM card.  It is real fast and easy.  

Next Stop ~ Immigration

Before role playing, the boys applied for KidZanian passport. Applying for a passport requires parental consent and costs P250. I pre-applied the kids on-line, so the Immigration officer needed simply to retrieve their application from the database.

A passport gives your children a citiZen  status.  CitiZens get special benefits such as discounts and higher pay.  

Naturalized CitiZens for instance gets:

• 5 kidZos discount on redemption items at the Department Store
• 5% discount on National Store and Photography and
• earns extra 2 kidZos per activity

A passport is a good investment, especially if you plan of coming back for more of KidZania.

Third Stop ~ City Tour Bus

A ride on board the tour bus cost 1 kidZo each. Taking the tour bus before doing any activity was a good call, as it gave us a good vista of the town for easier navigation afterwards.

 Parents wanting a break, would appreciate the Parents' Lounge located at the Mezzanine level. Here adults can charge their gadgets, or have coffee.

The boys had a blast playing make believe.  Here are pictures from from the activities they did.

As a radio talent at the DZMM/MOR Radio Station 

As a baker at the Goldilocks Bakeshop 

As construction workers

 Developing treats at the Oishi Creative Hub

 Flying a plane as a Pilot at the Cebu Pacific Hub

 As a patrol police officer at the KidZania Police Department (KZPD)

There are dozens of activities kids can try, a shift is not enough to finish them all. 

Here are the other activities we would come back for:

As a dentist  ~ just look at the make believe child seated on the dental chair. She looks life like.

As a fireman at the Fire Station ~ would definitely do this on our next visit.

As a court observer in the court house

Things to remember when visiting KidZania:

1. Activities may either earn your kids kidZos or cost them. Work activities earns, while activities that teaches cost kidZos.

 Use the map you receive upon entry as guide to check if the activity earns or costs kidZos.

2. Check the census plaques (like the one below), which are helpful guides to learning about the town's different activities. It contains information on age requirement, length of activity, number of visitors who may join the activity and whether the activity will earn or require spending of kidZos. 

Note: CitiZens pay 2 kidZos less or earns 2 kidZos more than published rates.

3. A visit to the KidZania website will  help you choose activities pre-hand.  Prioritize your child's personal interests, but try to encourage him on other activities outside these interests as well.

4. Get your tickets online to avoid disappointments.  You don't want to go there learning there are no more tickets left. When getting your tickets via TicketWorld you would notice that there is a ticket availability indicator (green means light crowd, while red means full house) ~ if you are not particular on the date, I suggest you delay your trip to a less crowded day.

5. Bring your camera and take lots of pictures.  Have fun and enjoy an educational bonding day with your kids.

6.  Most of the activities are for children ages 4-14 years old, however, I noticed that my older child (age 12) was not so keen on joining most of the activities. I think he has already outgrown role playing. It was however, perfect for my 7 year old, who was all over town.

Thumbs Up for KidZania Manila ~ Perfect place for Kids is a perfect place to dream and play!

We had a wonderful day at KidZania ~ we would surely be back for more.

 KidZania Manila is located  at the Park Triangle, North 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Tel No: +632 711-KidZ

For inquiries check KidZania's media pages:

facebook: www.facebook.com/KidZaniaManilaKid

instagram: @KidZaniaManila

twitter: @KidZaniaManila