Five On Friday

 Five On Friday is hosted by the lovely Liz.

O N E
I managed to get myself out of an unhealthy lifestyle rut and I'm proud to say I did this in December, a month full of festivities and delectable meals! I've been eating clean and exercising regularly for almost two weeks now. I disliked waking up feeling sluggish and bloated because of the unhealthy foods that I kept putting inside my body, so one day I decided that it has to stop. I was so fortunate to come across Kayla Itsines on Instagram and found her workout and healthy food plans. I'm on week two and I feel healthy, strong and confident! I found my inspiration from Kayla Itsines, Simply Taralynn, Pinterest, and a couple of Youtubers.

T W O
I bought my first ever Nikes! I wanted one for the longest time and it was my early Christmas present from my parents. This will motivate me to work out more and achieve my fitness goals. I got mine from Zalora, it was perfect timing because I got them on sale and it was the pair that I wanted - originally, when you buy it at a mortar and brick Nike store the price is about P5,700($129) but because of the sale I only paid P4,000($90). Score! Its also my first time to purchase something online and I loved Zalora's customer service, I received my package the day before I placed my order in their website. This could be very dangerous for my wallet and a start of an addiction!

T H R E E
I started reading Landline by Rainbow Rowell this morning. It won the Goodreads Best Fiction book of the Year so I know that its gonna be a good one!

F O U R
Last Wednesday, my mom and I had our first taste of chestnuts this year and its one of our Christmas traditions to eat them during Christmas season. After all, Christmas isn't complete without sweet castañas.

F I V E 
I'm on a health kick! I bought this little notebook where I can put all of the healthy snacks and meals that I like. I found so many healthy recipes online and I'm so excited to try them all out. I've also been eating a lot of fruits and veggies and stayed away from white rice and bread.

All I Want For Christmas

 

 Yay! Once again its Christmas season, my favorite time of the year! These are the things that I would love to receive on Christmas day, not that I'm expecting any gifts and I know how expensive these are, I'm just putting it out there and just having a little fun!

Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor - This is the perfect tool to keep me motivated and reach my fitness goals. I finally found a sustainable workout routine by Kayla Itsines and I'm determined to stick through it until I achieve my ideal weight.

Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in Bad to the Bronze - When I swatched this at the cosmetics counter, I instantly fell in love with its gorgeous color! Its a perfect everyday eyeshadow and you can practically bring it anywhere.

Kindle - I prefer ebooks over paperbacks and this has been in my lust list for the longest time. Thankfully, I got an Ipad this year so for meantime that will do but the paper white Kindle is so irresistible.

Purple Yoga Mat - gotta have this so I can perform Kayla's BBG workout routines efficiently.

Vans Perforated Slip Ons - I really like the style of these shoes and it'll go with so many casual outfits.

Under Armour long sleeves - I need more gym clothes in my life!

Silver necklace with cross pendant - I'm also eying the sideways cross necklace.

Dark Blue Pea Coat - I'm on a hunt for winter clothes nowadays, and I think this pea coat will be a lovely addition to my winter wardrobe essentials.

Ankle Boots - This is one of the most versatile footwear and I'm dying to have one! I'm also eying this chelsea boots in black.

WWW Wednesdays!

• What are you currently reading?

Game of Thrones: A Storm of Swords - I'm half way through this book but I've been delaying on finishing this book for months now cause I didn't want to end it just yet. Recently, I decided to pick it up again and continue where I left off.

• What did you recently finish reading?

#GirlBoss - This book is amazing. It follows Sophia's journey on how she built Nasty Gal, her own successful business and became a powerful brand in the saturated world of fashion industry. What makes her even more admirable is that she neither have a college degree nor any background in business. Additionally, she gives sound advice and how to's in order to empower women and become the best version of themselves. This isn't only for budding entrepreneurs but it is also perfect for women in their 20s who are building their career and trying find purpose and meaning.

• What do you think you’ll read next?

Little Women - The cold weather and the holiday spirit during this season calls for a classic novel! I have this book on top of my Winter TBR list and I cannot wait to curl up in bed and read this!

HAPPY READING!

The Happy List

1. Gossip Girl marathon

2. Sophia Amoruso's GirlBoss book

3. The color Tiffany Blue

4. Pinteresting

5. Jollibee's Aloha burger - absolutely delicious!

6. My visa application going well

7. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse - recommended by Leighton and I loved it!

8. The thought of moving away from home soon and taking risks to become a better person

9. Opportunities coming my way

10. People who love and support you every step of the way

11. Journaling

12. Actually putting into practice all the good advice I received from people whom I'm closest with and the ones I've read from books and online

13. Baking delicious cakes and pastries with my mom

14. Chuck Bass!

“Life hands us opportunities at every turn to get over ourselves, to get outside ourselves, to wake up from our own bad dreams and realize that really lovely things are happening all the time.”  -- Shauna Niequist

Credits: Wild Spirit for THL

October Rewind & November TBR

OCTOBER In One Word

EVOLVE

  3 Things About My Life In October:

1. Celebrated my 24th birthday.

2. I binge-watched Gossip Girl and finished the whole series in one week! This is the first ever TV series that I've watched from beginning to end as it was so addicting. Chuck and Blair holds a special place in my heart.

3. I finally got my acceptance letter from the school I'm applying to in Australia. It is one of the most vital documents that I need for my student visa application and hopefully, I'll be able to lodge my application this month so I can fly there in February.

5 Songs That Were Most Popular On My Ipod This Month:

1. Welcome to New York

2. Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran

3. Heartstrings - Leighton Meester

4. With You - Sum 21

5. I'm In Here - Sia

Top 3 Books I Read This Month:

1.Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse - this was 

2. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

3. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

3 New Obsessions In October

1.Gossip Girl - Till now, I'm having separation anxiety now that I'm done watching it.

2. Travel - New York and Paris are on top of my travel bucket list - Gossip Girl and 1989 influence.

3. 1989 by Taylor Swift - No surprise here, really. Everyone's buzzing about her new album and I'm certainly one of them!

Favorite Quote From A Book I Read In October

“I have always believed, and I still believe, that whatever good or bad fortune may come our way we 
can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value.” 
― Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha

My November TBR List:

1. The Secret History by Donna Tartt

2. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

3. A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

4. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

5. Brida - Paulo Coelho

6. For Whom The Bell Tolls - Ernest Hemmingway

7. Landline - Rainbow Rowell

This post was inspired by one of my favorite book bloggers, Jamie!

TBR Tag

I saw this tag on Books Equal Awesomeness and although nobody has tagged me, I wanted to do it as it looks so fun!

How do you keep track of your TBR pile?

I keep track of books I want to read but don't yet own on the ever handy Goodreads.

Is your TBR mostly print or ebooks?

Ebooks! They're perfect for people like me who are on a tight budget. But if I had the moolah, I'll most definitely have more physical TBR books.

How do you determine which book from your TBR to read next?

Generally, I just look at the Goodreads/my iBooks app and see what I'm in the mood for. I'm a mood reader - one moment its a chick lit, YA or a self help novel in my hands and the next it'll be classic or heavy literature. And sometimes, if a certain person whom I look up to recommends a book, I'll immediately read them.

A book that's been on your TBR the longest:

A Storm of Swords by GRRM. I've been putting this series off for a long time now because I don't want to end it just yet. And because the release of the sixth book is still unknown, I'll surely be left hanging and wanting for more after I finish the five books.

A book you recently added to your TBR:

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley - this was highly recommended by booktuber that I love.

A book that is in your TBR strictly because of its beautiful cover:

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson - I love the rainbow colors and its exciting vibe!

A book on your TBR that you never plan on reading:

Not that Kind Of Girl by Lena Dunham. I had high expectations on this one as it was raved by a lot of people I know, but after reading 100 pages, I decided to drop it. I didn't connect with her stories probably because of the way she churned them out in an outlandish manner. I only got into the lovelife part and it was beginning to get tiresome as she elaborated about her ex boyfriends.

An unpublished book on your TBR that you are excited for:

Definitely the 6th book in the A Song of Ice and Fire Series by GRRM - The Winds of Winter.

A book on your TBR that basically everyone's read but you:

Most of them are trilogies - Legend by Marie Lu, The Grisha Trilogy and Lunar Chronicles.

A book on your TBR that everyone recommends to you:

Pride and Prejudice :)

A book that you're dying to read:

Lately, I've been leaning towards heavy literature like The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I'm also dying to read classics like Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Lord of the Flies and Little Women. Also, there's Shauna Niequist's books. There's just too many!

How many books are on your Goodreads TBR shelf?

265 :)

September Rewind & October TBR

SEPTEMBER In One Word

CHANGES

5 Things About My Life In September:

1. I turned over a new leaf and decided to push through with my Australian dream! I left behind my supplemental course, and hopefully I'll be able to fly there next year. It took me a long damn time to finally say 'yes' to this but I'm glad that the opportunity was still there. There's no turning back this time!

2. On September 6th, we celebrated my favorite nephew's baptism and I was one of the Ninangs too! My mom and I baked a fondant cake for him and everyone thought it was lovely.

3. My mom and I went on so many S & R dates this month! Thankfully, S & R has opened a new branch near our home and we get first dibs during sales and promos! After we do our shopping, we always eat at their pizza station, their combo pizza is the bomb!

4. I've decided to learn how to play the guitar and my little brother was kind enough to offer lessons(he's such a pro) when he saw me checking out Youtube videos for beginners. The first guitar chords I learned was Little Things by One Direction.

5. We celebrated my dad and my two older brother's birthday by throwing a huge party for them. We prepared a 5-course meal for them and everyone had a great time! I feel like its going to be a long time before I can celebrate with them again which makes me a bit sad.

5 Songs That Were Most Popular On My Ipod This Month:

Well, most of these songs are from Sam Smith's newest album, In the Lonely Hour. Seriously. I'm addicted.

1. Stay With Me - Sam Smith

2. I'm Not the Only One - Sam Smith

3. Latch - Sam Smith

4. Chandelier - Sia

5. Fancy - Iggy Azalea

Top 3 Books I Read This Month:

1. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas- this latest book from the Throne of Glass Series, solidified Sarah J. Maas as one of my absolute favorite authors of all time.

2. Just One Year by Gayle Foreman - I'm glad I picked up this series again! I LOVED it.

3. Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson - It didn't excite me as much cause the story was predictable. But it made me want to read her other novels.

3 New Obsessions In September

1. Parmesan cheese from S&R - I'm so glad we found an affordable yet great tasting Parmesan cheese from S&R. The thing that I love about Parmesan is its versatility. You can put it on everything - salads, soups, pasta, pizza, bread, etc.

2.  S&R pizza - one of the best pizzas in the Metro. Mom and I ate there 6 times this month!

3. Nutella donuts from Krispy Kreme!

3 Things I’m Looking Forward To In October

1. The first day of October is my birthday!(I just turned 24 today, HOW is it that time flies by so fast?) I'm excited mainly because I get to celebrate it with my whole family. My sister(who's based in Sydney) greeted me via text message saying that she hopes that I'll celebrate my 25th birthday in OZ. It made me so happy and excited!

2. My first ever Nikes. I'm planning to buy a new pair tomorrow and I'm contemplating whether I should get the Roshe Run or the Free Runs. The former is aesthetically pleasing while the latter is highly recommended by a slew of runners online. I'm gearing towards the latter though since I'll use it mainly for running. But the Roshes looks so lovely.

3. My fall TBR pile. I've got some exciting new reads this month that I cannot wait to read!

Favorite Quote From A Book I Read In September

“Sometimes fate or life or whatever you want to call it, leaves a door a little open and you walk through it. But sometimes it locks the door and you have to find the key, or pick the lock, or knock the damn thing down. And sometimes, it doesn't even show you the door, and you have to build it yourself. But if you keep waiting for the doors to be opened for you... I think you'll have a hard time finding single happiness, let alone that double portion.” 
― Gayle Forman, Just One Year

My October TBR List:

1. Assassin's Blade - Sarah J. Maas

2. Me Before You - Jojo Moyes

3. Wonder - R.J. Palacio

4. A Tale for the Time Being - Ruth Ozeki

This post was inspired by one of my favorite book bloggers, Jamie!