Michi Photostory

We went to The Great BDO Travel Sale to purchase their tickets via Jetstar, since the promo was only applicable on-site. We wanted the experience to be enjoyable and comfortable, especially since my father-in-law is already a senior citizen, so we included some add-ons like seats, baggage allowance, and meals. 

On the day of the flight, they relaxed at the PAGSS Airport Lounge, courtesy of our credit card perks, a great way to start the trip stress-free. It was also their first time flying with Jetstar Airlines, and the experience went smoothly. 

Although I wasn’t part of the trip, I was the one who planned everything, from flights to hotel bookings and activity itineraries. I researched several hotels, and my husband chose Robertson Quay Hotel, a practical choice with a central location, near the Singapore River, and within walking distance of Clarke Quay. 

My husband is familiar with this area since he usually stays at Four Points by Sheraton during his business trips. It’s a senior-friendly neighborhood with peaceful surroundings, perfect for early morning or evening strolls. You can even walk from the hotel to Merlion Park! 

We kept the itinerary light but meaningful; enough to explore key attractions while ensuring it wasn’t too tiring for my father-in-law. We pre-booked all activities through Klook, which made everything hassle-free. 

They explored iconic Singapore landmarks on foot, Marina Bay Sands, Merlion Park, Esplanade, and nearby attractions. It was a relaxed way to soak in the sights and enjoy the vibrant city atmosphere without a strict schedule. 

This was supposed to be a Walking Tour + River Cruise, but my husband didn’t purchase the River Cruise voucher, just in case their flight got delayed and they couldn’t use it 

Using the Sentosa Fun Discovery Pass, they explored several attractions at their own pace, including the Singapore Cable Car, Harry Potter: Visions of Magic, Madame Tussauds, Images of Singapore, and some scenic spots around the island. 

Sentosa is very senior-friendly, with plenty of shaded walkways and places to sit and rest. 

Even at 70, my father-in-law enjoyed the excitement of Universal Studios Singapore! He and my husband both went on a few rides, watched shows, explored the themed zones, and had a great time just walking around the park. 

It’s not just for kids, it’s for the young at heart, too! 

Before flying back, they explored Jewel Changi Airport, a destination in itself! From the Rain Vortex to the indoor gardens and shops, it was the perfect way to end the trip on a relaxing and scenic note, even though their flight was delayed. 

 Traveling with a senior citizen can be incredibly meaningful. With the right planning and a relaxed itinerary, Singapore proved to be the perfect destination for multigenerational travel. 

This trip wasn’t just a birthday gift; it became a cherished memory that both father and son will treasure forever. 

Check out @KlookTravel to book popular attractions, tours & activities! Sign up and get ₱250 off!

I’m not really into Halloween. It’s never been my favorite holiday, so I didn’t plan to complete the entire lineup. Instead, I simply picked the designs I liked, and in the end, I created 9 projects that genuinely inspired me. 

Two crafts really stood out to me and ended up becoming my top favorites from the countdown: Pumpkin Gnomes and Trick or Treat Layered Craft. 

Crafting along with the countdown felt like opening a tiny creative surprise each day. Whether the theme was cute, creepy, or somewhere in between, every project had Sarah’s signature style: layered, whimsical, and thoughtfully designed. 

What I love most about these countdowns is that you can do them on your own terms. There’s no pressure to finish everything, and the projects are always available to revisit later if you want. 

Other craft projects that I finished are: 

While Halloween isn’t quite my vibe, I still really enjoyed the projects I chose to make. Now, I’m really looking forward to the Christmas Craft Countdown because that’s much more up my alley!

Then I remembered Rosario Pamanang Panlasa, the restaurant that replaced Josephine Restaurant Tagaytay, which closed on January 1, 2023. Rosario is owned by the Vikings Group of Restaurants. From the name itself, the concept revolves around serving food rooted in Filipino family recipes. They offer a breakfast buffet on weekends and holidays, as well as an à la carte menu available all day. 

A week before my son’s birthday, my husband contacted Rosario by Vikings to reserve a table. There was no down payment required, but reservations would be canceled if we didn’t arrive by 7:00 AM. The buffet breakfast starts as early as 6:30 AM, and by the time we arrived, there was already a long line. Luckily, the service was efficient, and we were ushered to our table after just 5 minutes of waiting. 

Over the past few years, we’ve tried several buffet restaurants in Tagaytay, and so far, this is the biggest one we’ve visited. I also love the elegant, Filipino-inspired setting — a beautiful blend of modern and traditional design. 

They offer the usual breakfast like classic silog meals, egg-station, salad and fruit station, soup station, bread and meat station, dessert station, beverage station, and many more. 

At around 8:00 AM, the staff started handing out complimentary birthday cakes while playing a birthday song in the background. It was a small but meaningful gesture that added a lovely personal touch to the celebration. I really appreciate restaurants that offer a complimentary cake. Hehehe! 

Celebrating your birthday at Rosario is a treat not just for your taste buds but also for your soul. With free buffet dining for the celebrant, a complimentary cake, stunning views of Taal Lake, and good service, it’s a birthday experience you’ll truly savor. 

Promo Period: January 9 – December 31, 2025 

Birthday celebrants can dine for FREE at the breakfast buffet when:

Accompanied by ONE (1) full-paying adult on their exact birthday, or Accompanied by FOUR (4) full-paying adults on any Saturday, Sunday, or holiday during their birth month. 

Don't forget to bring a valid ID with your birth date. 

Sunday & Saturday mornings: 6:30 AM 

Rest of the days: opens around 10:00 AM 

Closes at 10:00 PM daily. 

PHP988 + 7% Service Charge - Adult 

PHP398 + 7% Service Charge - Kids between 3ft to 4ft (3-7 yrs old) 

PHP284.29 + 7% Service Charge - PWD Kid 

PHP718 + 7% Service Charge - Kids between 4ft to 4.6 ft (8-10 yrs old) 

PHP512.86 + 7% Service Charge - PWD Kid 

PHP705.71 + 7% Service Charge - PWD and Senior (60 to 74 yrs old) 

PHP494 + 7% Service Charge - 75 yrs old and above 

Kilometer 58, Emilio Aguinaldo Highway 

(Tagaytay Laurel Road), Maharlika West, 

Tagaytay City, Cavite

I just shared a new blog post on the Printable Cuttable Creatables website, where I show how I created five adorable DIY Halloween character cards using the Halloween Treat Bag SVG Bundle from Printable Cuttable Creatables. 

Yes, you read that right! These SVGs were originally designed for treat bags, but I saw their potential and gave them a fun twist by repurposing them into cute greeting cards! 

One of my favorite things about crafting with SVG files is their versatility. While these were intended for Halloween treat bags, I saw how perfectly they could work on the front of a card — and they did not disappoint! Whether you're short on time or want to maximize the value of your SVG purchases, repurposing designs like this is a fun way to stretch your creativity. 

Plus, with all the layering options in the SVG bundle, each character pops off the card and brings a smile to your face. 

Meet my cute little crew: Pumpkin, Frankenstein, Cat, Mummy & Vampire. They’re sweet, spooky, and super fun to make using the Halloween Treat Bag SVG Bundle.  

Head over to the blog to see how you can make your own! You can grab the Halloween Treat Bag SVG Bundle here and start crafting your own set of spooky-sweet cards today! Don’t forget to use MICHIPS15 for an extra 15% discount. 

Actually, I had planned to buy a machine last December, but I couldn’t decide between the Cricut Joy Xtra and the Cricut Maker 3. Then, in February, the Cricut Maker 4 was announced, so I decided to wait a few more months. Unfortunately, there’s still no news about whether this machine will be available in the Philippines. 

I checked Amazon, but the additional taxes were too steep, so I changed my mind. 

I watched a lot of videos comparing the Cricut Maker 4 and the Cricut Maker 3, and honestly, the only noticeable difference seems to be the speed. I couldn't wait any longer — kasi naman, my wedding anniversary, Mother’s Day, and even my birthday had already passed, and still, no sign of the Maker 4. So I told myself, Cricut Maker 3 na lang. 

Sakto, there was a 9.9 Cricut Sale, so I told my husband about it. 

I added it to my cart, and when I saw that the price had dropped to ₱19,999, I immediately purchased it. A few minutes later, I realized it was still September 8, and the sale actually started on September 8 at 8 PM. Toink! Hirap talaga pag inaantok pa. 

I missed the ₱999 Cricut voucher, but I’m still happy because I got the machine for ₱18,799, thanks to a Shopee voucher. That’s even cheaper than my old Cricut Maker, which I bought for ₱25,000! 

It was delivered the next day, but since it arrived in the evening, I waited until the next morning to unbox it. 

Here’s what immediately stood out:

1. The Maker 3 is noticeably faster than my old machine. 

2. Matless cutting is a game-changer. 

3. The loading system feels smoother and quieter. 

4. It came with free Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, Smart Paper Sticker, and Transfer Tape. 

The downside is: 

1. It doesn’t come with a cutting mat. 

2. Smart materials can be pricier. 

3. No additional blade, like a rotary blade. 

To test the machine, I searched for Cricut Cuties on Cricut Design Space. For the past five years, I only had one sticker on my old Cricut Maker—but now, just on my first day, puro design na agad!

I’m so happy with my birthday gift, and it was definitely worth the wait. Huge thanks to my husband, who always supports my crafting hobby

Yes, I made my own birthday cake topper, and I’m proud of it! It was the perfect way to personalize my cake and add a touch of handmade charm to the day. 

Unfortunately, I forgot to buy my own cake – but luckily, the complimentary cake from Café Hyatt Regency Manila saved the day. 

I went with a clean, fun design that simply read "Happy Birthday to Me" – because why not celebrate yourself? I used the Thinker Font, which you can find here: 

For a special 17th birthday celebration, I crafted a topper that read “Ethan Ranked Up to 17” using the Somekind Font. 

Fun fact: I actually made two versions of this topper because I didn’t like the color combination of the first one – perfectionist problems, right? 

A milestone birthday deserves something extra special. For this one, I created a topper in silver and black cardstock, giving it a classy and elegant vibe. I used the Chirp Font for a clean and modern look. 

Pro tip: Layering metallic cardstock adds instant sophistication! 

What’s a birthday without a card? This one’s for the beer lovers out there! 

I designed a birthday easel card featuring the punny phrase: “Happy Beer-day!” It has a layered design with 3D beer mugs, frothy foam, and bubbles – all made from cardstock. 

The easel style means it stands on its own, making it perfect for display. 

The 3D beer SVG file is from Craft with Sarah 

The easel card template is from Cricut Design Space 

Crafting these birthday projects reminded me of the meaning and value of handmade creations. Whether it's a simple cake topper or an elaborate card, adding your personal touch makes any celebration extra special. 

Until the next craft project – happy crafting!