Featured in Illustrado Magazine: 100 Most Influential Filipinos in Gulf 2018

2018 was not my best year as a Blogger, and not as a Traveler (if I can call myself as such) either. I had fewer blog posts and lesser collaborations. The latter was actually my choice as I have decided to focus on the brands I admire and would share even without a collaboration deal.

Ed and I also didn't get to travel as much as we have done in previous years because of work situation. It's a long story but to make it short, I had to involuntarily leave the workplace that brought so many good things in my career as a Lab Tech. But then, that gave me the opportunity to begin a new chapter in a company I truly adore. That was my silver lining, I must say!

2018 was a year of personal growth, of career, and of family... a year of embracing life as it is. I was pretty quiet on the blog and on social media, so you can imagine my surprise when the team behind Illustrado Magazine contacted me for their annual 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf issue. Humbled and extremely grateful, I thought I must have been doing something good throughout my blogging years to deserve this recognition for the second time around.

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10 Things I Learned in my 10 Years in Dubai

Today marks my 10th year in Dubai.

It was on March 29, 2008 that I flew from the Philippines to get my first ever UAE entry stamp on my passport. I can still remember how fast my heartbeat was while queueing at the immigration. It was my first solo out of the country trip and it wasn't just for a simple sightseeing. It was a serious move that could change my life forever! 

While waiting for my turn, I was silently repeating my cousin's mobile number and address. I should be able to say those confidently when the immigration officer asks. Frail and much shyer than ever, I took a deep breath and walked towards the counter. I anxiously smiled, gave my passport and my paper visa. I waited for a question, but he did not say a word. All I heard was a thump sound from the stamp.

And just like that, I was welcomed to Dubai!

10 years and more heart racing memories later, I still consider moving to Dubai as one of the best decisions I have ever made. This move has opened my eyes to the realities of life.

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The ABCs of 2017: A Year End Review

2017 was a roller coaster ride. It took me on a winding track of ups and downs. There were a lot of hellos, a few goodbyes, a sprinkle of challenges, and a shower of blessings. It was a crazy beautiful year; hence, before we move on to new blog posts, allow me to reminisce and share my most memorable experiences from A to Z.

Care to join me in the memory lane?

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Coming Up: A 9-day Sweet Escape in Indochina!

Selamat Datang! Xin Chao! Jumreap Soa!

I will be using those words frequently over the next few days! Ed and I will embark on a sweet escape tonight. We are traveling to 3 countries in Indochina (3 cities, actually) in 9 days. We will start and end the trip in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We will spend 3 days in Hanoi, Vietnam and another 3 days in Siem Reap, Cambodia!

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Dear Dubai Newbie: A Letter from a Filipina Expat who is celebrating her 9th Year in Dubai

Dear Dubai Newbie,

Marhaba!

You might be surprised with this letter. You don't know me, and I am not in the position to welcome you in this mega-city. But today is special; hence, I'm writing this letter down whether you'll read it or not. I hope you'll read though. 

Today, exactly 9 years ago, I was like you. I got off an Emirates airplane and step foot in Dubai for the first time. Finally having a taste of independence at 25, I was excited, but tremendously scared. 

Looking back now, I want to give my younger self a pat on the back for taking that initial step. It was a bold move that prepared me to a lot of crazy beautiful changes, so please allow me to share some unsolicited advice today.

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The Sweetest Escapes of 2016

So, 2016 is nearly over! What? Where did the time go? 

It has been a good year for this food and travel blog. I've been spontaneously productive, and honestly, I'm quite not ready to say goodbye to the magic 2016 has brought into my blogging routine. Magic or mojo or whatever you call it, I hope it's here to stay as I love doing this... blogging, sharing travel tips and making my readers happy!

Looking at my 2016 blog archive, I realize how this year was sprinkled with surprises. Most of the sweet escapes that we had were totally unexpected!

Join me in the memory trail, will you?    

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Dear Paris: A Photo Essay and A Love Letter for the City of Light

Dear Paris,

I have loved you ever since I was 10 - the first time I ever laid my eyes on you.

I was too young to know where you are exactly or how many miles you are from my little town. But, I promised myself that one day, I will be staring at your famed Iron Lady not just in my world atlas book but in real life.

I loved you more when I turned 18, when I embraced the fact that I'm a hopeless romantic and then I came to know that you are the most romantic city in the whole world.

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My Paris Bucket List

Bonjour! 

I'm in Paris! Wahhh! I'M IN PARIS! 

Sorry to sound like a broken record. I just need to type that again in all CAPS to remind myself that I'm here... for real! Ed and I arrived in The City of Light just in time for my birthday. We'll be here until our 5th Wedding Anniversary, which means we only have four days and a half to explore the city!

Honestly, I thought fours days are more than enough for Paris. But when I started researching for this trip, I realized that there are so many things to do other than seeing the Eiffel Tower and Mona Lisa! Hence, in order to save time, I created a wish list which only includes the activities I'm interested in.

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How We Save Money for Our Travel Fund

Ever since Ed and I got married, traveling has become an essential part of our life. We have different personalities, yet we share the same perspective when it comes to travel. 

Traveling, for us, is more than seeing new places, more than learning about the world we live in. It has been our favorite way to bond and get know more about each other. When we're out of our comfort zone, our strengths and weaknesses are revealed. When we're on the road, we learn how to communicate better. And when we share wonderful moments, we appreciate our marriage even more! 

That's why we make sure to go somewhere we have never been once or twice a year. But how do we make our travels happen? 

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Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Blogging

On August 11, 2016, my little pink blog will celebrate its 4th year! Yey! ** confetti *** Hahah! Before the celebration, let me tell you a little secret. 

I started Lady and her Sweet Escapes wrongly. And it was not a walk in the park in the last four years! Yes, blogging is not that easy!

To celebrate the journey, let me share something precious - some lessons that I think can help those who are planning to start their own blogs. Because for a blog to grow, there are several important things to keep in mind.

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25 Travel Quotes That Will Spark Your Wanderlust

Wanderlust (noun): a very strong and irresistible impulse or desire to travel the world.

I am suffering from that thing called WANDERLUST. I'm not going anywhere as of the moment, but I can hardly wait to book that plane ticket for another sweet escape. I'm currently armchair traveling, getting all the inspiration I need from Pinterest, Instagram, my friends' travel blogs, and my fave travel quotes.  

Ohh, travel quotes! Admit it or not, we sometimes need a string of inspiring words to make our travel plans work out. So, I decided to share my 25 favorite travel quotes here on the blog. 

Warning: These quotes will make you want to pack your bags! 

Ready. Get set. Be inspired.

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Goodbye Pink Polka Blog!

Today marks an important milestone in my blog life! 

I no longer have a pink polka blog! Say a big HELLO to a newly-polished Lady and her Sweet Escapes! 

This major revamp is the most drastic change I've taken in the blog world so far. The thought of having a new look made me giddy, but scared... really scared. I desperately wanted a website suited for everyone; gents included, but I'm afraid that the blog might lose its identity. 

Goodbye Pink and Polka!

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Featured in The Filipino Times

If you happen to stumble across The Filipino Times Volume 1/Issue 6, turn to page 24 and you'll see... ME! Teehee. 

Lady and her Sweet Escapes is turning two next month. Two wonderful years in the Blogosphere and I'm still overwhelmed with the support I'm receiving from the Filipino community in the UAE. I am extremely blessed. 

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Quick and Healthy Home-Cooked Meals with DinnerTime

Though Ed and I enjoy the comforts of dining out, my husband is the happiest when I cook! I'm not a kitchen expert. I hate spending long hours in the kitchen, most especially when I have to stay a little late at work or have a load of blogger tasks. I also get frustrated when my home-cooked dish doesn't turn out the way it should be! Despite of that, I still try my very best to serve something nice on the table. But since I am a wife-on-the-go, I sometimes end up preparing the easiest (quite unhealthy, most likely fried) meal.  

Then, last week, I was introduced to the concept of DinnerTime; an international company started by three Swedish women who are striving to maintain work-life balance just like me! DinnerTime offers four quick and healthy recipes per week. They deliver the freshest ingredients right at your door step with easy-to-follow recipe that only requires half an hour to prepare. DinnerTime makes cooking wholesome meals easier. 

  

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Bloggers in the City

On my first blog post for 2014, I wrote that I am bound to an extraordinary year. I just had a strong feeling that the next 364 days of my year will be as awesome as the first, and I think I got it right! Mid-January, I was invited to a Bloggers' Dinner hosted by Mitzie Mee and Pia. It was an event I was so thankful I didn't miss! As a one-year old Blogger, I have always felt that there's a thick wall between my real world and my Blog World! I love blogging, so I have been fighting with this 'shy little girl' in me who is often uncomfortable during media events, the one who is also afraid to be criticized by my peers because of sharing too much online. The thick wall, the shy little girl and the fear have to go and I somehow knew that being in that private Bloggers' event could help! 

During the meet-up, I finally had the chance to meet some of the people that I have been following and have been friends with in the Blogosphere! We had a wonderful feast at Pia's lovely home while we talked about our blogs, the technical stuff and even some personal issues that we are going through as a blogger! That night, I finally realized that I was never alone and that the nicest people I got to interact with online are indeed friendly and "real". Before the night ended, Mitzie Mee suggested that we should create a support group. It was the best thing I have ever heard! Being a blogger in a crazy big city, it is essential to be a part of a team, or shall I say a family, who can truly understand all the troubles and the fun!

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On Going Out Solo and On Eataly's Piadina To-go

If you have stumbled upon this post while searching for a good review of Eataly at The Dubai Mall, I'm sorry you're not on the right page! But, I do promise that I'd be back with a better blog post solely for the new Italian market place soon. For now, here's more of a personal post with a bit of Eataly on the side.

Last Monday, I gladly gave in to Cosmopolitan Philippines' dare for all the Cosmo Chicks to "hoof it solo once in awhile". It's such a shame, but I have to admit that I somehow became clingy and not as independent as before. Though I do have my me-time, it's usually within my zone and around friends. I haven't really been alone for the longest time in this big tough world. So, I challenged myself and went to the mall just across our home for a quick solo lunch. It wasn't as excruciating as I thought it would be, in fact I was loving the state of solitude I was in.

I took the liberating feeling a notch higher and decided to spend the rest of the afternoon at one of the largest shopping malls in the world, all by myself for the very first time! At The Dubai Mall, I went to the shops that I love without being worried that someone might get bored waiting for me. It was finally a day for me, myself and I. Then I noticed Eataly, a new Italian store at the lower ground level and immediately remembered my husband who greatly loves authentic Italian cuisine.

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Cheers to 2014: The World's Largest Fireworks Display

On the last day of 2013, I forced myself inside a jam-packed Dubai Metro cabin, walked for an hour and squeezed my way through the crowd at the beach beside Burj Al Arab. This city that has been crazy over breaking world records has made me do what I think I'm not capable of. I've pushed myself to the limits, knowing in the end it will all be worth it! :) 

My 2014 began with a bang, under a night sky lighted with 400,000 fireworks that is now known to be Guinness World Record's largest pyrotechnic display!!! 

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Farewell 2013!

I know you are busy preppin' up for the new year! So, I made this post really short and sweet. I just want to thank YOU for making my 2013 amazing! Cheers to 136 posts, over a dozen of sweet escapes, hundreds of new experiences, thousands of calories, loads of laughter and a million smiles! :)

Here's my attempt to squeeze ladyandhersweetescapes.com's 2013 highlights in a 15-second Instagram video. 

Thank you for being with me through all these! 

Happy New Year! Maligayang Bagong Taon! 

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We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

Sending you the warmest of wishes 

for a holiday filled with LOVE and LAUGHTER!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Love, 

Ed and Lady

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Random Ramblings: 15 Days after Yolanda

It's been fifteen days since the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda. My heart still bleeds for the typhoon victims, but as they say, life must go on! I have also been coping up with a recurrent flu for the past two weeks. I really thought that taking a break from blogging could help me, but it actually made me more sick and depressed. That's why I came up with this post. I want to share what I've been through while I was on a blogging hiatus. I still have loads of unfinished posts in my draft folder, so I will try to settle everything and will be posting regularly next week. 

* On Strength 

There's a trending comment on CNN's website about the Filipinos' strength and resilience. It is a fact and I have seen it surfaced amidst the tragic situation. Days after the typhoon, my Facebook news feed was filled with inspiring words from the typhoon victims themselves. While I was dazed and depressed, they remained strong and hopeful. Instead of me encouraging them, it's actually the other way around! I am blessed to know people like them. They are the ones who inspire me to be what a Filipino should be: a true survivor! 

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