• Our Memorable Christmas and New Year’s Trip to Florida

    Our Memorable Christmas and New Year’s Trip to Florida

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    It’s been a long time since I last posted! It feels so good to be writing on my blog again. Can you believe it’s almost April already? Time flies by fastโ€”everything feels like a blur these days! But let me take a moment to backtrack and share about our unforgettable Christmas and New Year’s trip to Florida last year. Planning the Trip: A Family Reunion Across Borders We invited my parents from the Philippines to join us for a vacation in Fort Lauderdale, where my mother-in-law lives, and later in the Cayman Islands, where we reside. Making this trip happen was no small feat. It took months of preparationโ€”handling paperwork for U.S. and Cayman visas, arranging accommodations, planning tours, and even renting a car for the entire vacation….

  • Discovering Los Angeles: How We Spent Our Layover Exploring Iconic Spots

    Discovering Los Angeles: How We Spent Our Layover Exploring Iconic Spots

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    As I mentioned in my previous post, we had a few days’ layover in LA on our way back to Cayman from the Philippines. I ensured we made the best of our short trip, so I booked a full-day tour from A Day in LA Tours. The trip was exhausting since the flight was 13 hours long, and immediately afterward, we went on a full-day tour. But to be honest, it was doable! We were able to visit Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier, Beverly Hills, Farmer’s Market, the Hollywood sign (from the Griffith Observatory), and the Hollywood Walk of Fame! The tour was so comprehensive that we didn’t feel like we missed out on any popular attractions. Santa Monica Pier At the heart of Santa…

  • Toronto Day 6: Niagara Falls and Nathan Phillips Square

    Toronto Day 6: Niagara Falls and Nathan Phillips Square

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    Save the best for the last! This day is my fiancรฉ’s 40th birthday. I decided to get a private tour of Niagra Falls instead of DIY-ing it myself. Niagara Falls is about 2 hours away from Toronto, and with this weather, it would have been a painful experience for us to do all the commute and transfers just to see the falls. I figured it was more convenient to just pay a little bit more for a private tour where all we have to do is relax while we are being driven around the area, and most importantly, we are being guided through the history of the place. Our first stop is Niagara On The Lake. It is often called “The Prettiest Town in Canada”…

  • Sleek modern interior of a beauty store with cosmetics and chic decor.

    Toronto Day 5: Black Friday and NBA Game

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    My co-worker Paula and I had planned to meet on Saturday, but we decided to change the schedule to Friday morning. We had no specific plans for the morning except for shopping for Black Friday. We headed to Vaughan Mills outlet mall early in the morning to avoid the long lines. However, I could only buy four items from Kate Spade because the crowds were insane and the lines were too long. At times, it seemed like it wasn’t worth the wait and that I should have just shopped online instead. I can understand buying in bulk for retail stores, but if you’re like us and only want to buy one or two items, it’s not worth the wait (unless you want something limited edition!)….

  • Toronto Day 4: Winter Village at the Distillery District and St. Lawrence Market

    Toronto Day 4: Winter Village at the Distillery District and St. Lawrence Market

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    I thought I was completely prepared for my trip. It was only on the third day that I realized I badly needed a moisturizer. I had no idea that the cold weather could dry my skin so badly! I noticed bumps on my skin and my lips began to crack. I quickly realized that it was because of the chilly, dry breeze. As someone who has never lived in a winter climate, I didn’t know this could happen. Fortunately, I was able to purchase Mugwort Essence and Cream from the brand “I’m From” at Sukoshi Mart in Eaton Centre. After using it for just one night, my skin felt hydrated and refreshed. I appreciated that it didn’t leave a sticky feeling like some other moisturizers…

  • Toronto Day 3: Casa Loma and The Cameron House

    Toronto Day 3: Casa Loma and The Cameron House

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    Today we are scheduled to visit Casa Loma, a historic castle known for its stunning architecture and beautiful gardens. It is located in Austin Terrace, and the closest subway station is Dupont on the University Line. As usual, from our Vrbo, we took a street car from King St to King Station. It takes about 5-10 minutes to walk from Dupont to Casa Loma. You won’t get lost as the castle’s towers are visible from afar. Casa Loma is included in the CityPass, so we didn’t have to queue when we arrived. Casa Loma was built by Sir Henry Pellatt in the early 1900s. This historic castle is known for its unique Gothic Revival architecture and well-preserved interiors, providing a glimpse into the past. Inside,…