My Collection: Envirosax Bag

Some people call it hoarding and some call it collecting stuff.

Whatever you wanna call it, this is the first collection I'm going to post here and no surprise that it's about bags - reusable bags, that is.

My first Envirosax purchase was at Sydney Airport. I was looking for an extra bag to store my duty free shopping in, and I saw it next to the cash counter. I bought it for AUD $7.50 back then.

On their website, it now retails for US $8.95 and if you want the 3-pc set, it's $24.95 while the 5-pc set is $39.95.

Here is my Envirosax collection:

Designs

Folded

How it looks like when carried

Filled with goodies

(see how a big box of Rice Krispies and a bag of Kettle Chips 

fits inside the bag with space to spare!)

I have lots of these bags coz I use some for the market, for shopping, one in the diaper bag and one inside the car. I also clean it regularly, to keep bacteria from breeding in the bags, especially the ones i use for food shopping.

Envirosax bags are chic, lightweight, portable & waterproof and each one holds the equivalent of two supermarket plastic bags thanks to reinforced seams. I'm personally not too keen on using plastic bags because it clog drains and cause flooding.

Another good reason why I buy Envirosax bags is because it donates a percentage of its web sales to the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Surfrider Foundation, both dedicated to the preservation of the environment.

Carry an Envirosax wherever you go and make a positive contribution to the environment we all share!

Some photos and information are from Envirosax

What's In A Name?

What does your name mean? Where did it come from?

Do you know or have you ever wondered how your name was chosen? In The Philippines, parents get creative when choosing names for their kids. I blogged about it here.

As for me, my name didn't just come from a baby book or by combining my parents' name. It was chosen by my Mama because she liked this actress, Yvonne de Carlo.

Isn't she a beauty? Look at those blue eyes and luscious lips!

Yvonne de Carlo is a Canadian actress best known for her role as Sephora (Moses' wife) in The Ten Commandments and as Lily Munster in the original Munsters series. Anyway, after deciding on the name, YVONNE, she then looked up the meaning in a baby book. 

Yvonne is of French origin, which is derived from the Germanic word "Iv", meaning "Yew" which is translated as beautiful girl. 

"People with this name are excited by change, adventure, and excitement. They are dynamic, visionary and versatile, able to make constructive use of freedom. They fight being restricted by rules and conventions. They tend to be optimistic, energetic, intelligent, and to make friends easily. They may be changeable, restless, untidy, and rebellious." (sheknows.com)

Thanks to my Mama for giving me such a beautiful name! Some people I know hate theirs, but I wouldn't change mine at all.

What about you? Do share what your name means and how it was chosen for you.

FLY: Hanoi and Motorbikes

If you have been to Hanoi or HCMC before, I'm sure you already know that crossing the street is not an easy thing to do. Why? Because of the swarm of motorbikes going in different directions. Sure there's a traffic light but I wouldn't rely on it to save my life.

Guess who's driving? 

Another thing to watch out for, drivers carrying different things from chickens to steel pipes!

One of the things you must know if you're planning a trip to Vietnam is how you should deal with the motorbikes. You're probably thinking, why make a big deal out of it? I've crossed the streets of a bustling city many times, what's so different about doing it in a city like Hanoi? Well, that same thought crossed my mind and coming from Manila, I thought I knew how to dodge the occasional cars and motorbikes. Boy, was I wrong!

When I first arrived here, my husband who has traveled to Vietnam several times gave me one important reminder - when I cross the road, be confident and do it slow & steady.

I went out of the hotel to take a stroll around the lake and I was so scared of crossing the busy road, I ended up standing there for a good 5 minutes. I pretended to look at my map and make a few calls/text (lame, i know). Now that we're living here, you can say I'm pretty good at it and have never been bumped by a car or a motorbike.

A common riding attire for women, you can buy in the roadside shops or in the market

My tip: Think of the road as a river and the motorbikes as water, and you are a rock. Just cross the road slowly with caution and i assure you, those motorbikes will navigate around you. Do not hesitate and never go back without looking behind you, unless you wanna be a casualty!

Now driving is another matter I have to tackle next time.

Life Lately

(1) Crispy Pork Spring Roll, Quan An Ngon Hanoi

(2) Dinner Buffet, Sofitel Plaza Hanoi 

(3) Spiderman, Krispy Kreme Manila

(4) BBQ  Sampler, Al Fresco's Hanoi

Back in the Game!

I'm guessing you've read my latest post... so yeah, I'm back in the game and I really hope I get to update my blogs without fail. I'm not gonna talk about my backlog, instead I'm just gonna post whatever that comes to mind.

We are going on another trip, oh yes we are! And I'm so excited, as always, whenever my hubby starts browsing good travel deals online. Saying we love to travel is an understatement. Even with a new baby in the family, it won't keep us from moving. We will never put our luggages in the storage  =)

So guess where we're going next?

After 4 years, we are traveling to the U.S. again. Last time we were there, Obama won the Presidential election. I'll share our travel itinerary once I've worked out all the information I have.

Photo: Google

SHOP: Hanoi, Vietnam

If you are shopping for quality clothes and handicrafts, then Hanoi is for you. Because of the fact that there are not a lot of shopping malls, you will find side-by-side shops on the main streets.  There are a lot of bargains in both day and night markets. If going to local shops is not for you, you can still find malls selling international brands. Some of the places I've visited are:  Vincom Towers, Parkson, The Garden, The Luxury Mall (italian brands) and around the Opera for well-known designer brands.

Hermes at the Hotel Metropole Sofitel

I personally like walking around the Old Quarter, where you will find shops named after the wares they are selling. Just a reminder though, you will need a map, good walking shoes, umbrella etc. Be prepared to walk a lot and have lots of patience while browsing each store for nice bargains. And don't forget to haggle! And do it with a smile... it will go a long way.

Here are some of the goods I found while walking around looking for souvenirs:

Eyeglasses and Shades

Toys

Holiday Decorations

Hardware

Handbags

Luggages

Shoes

Books

And of course, if there's a shop for girls, there's also one for boys  =)

However you choose to shop in Hanoi, you will surely find something unique and truly Vietnamese you can bring home.