Perks of a Bella

Hello lovelies!

Last January, I bought myself a planner at National Bookstore because I didn't get to complete the "collect stickers for a 2019 planner / travel organizer promo" of Starbucks. Initially, I was looking for a dotted notebook so I could try bullet journaling but as I was browsing through the shelves, I found this cute planner for women!

It is a Belle de Jour (BDJ) Power Planner, which was designed to empower Pinay women to live their lives to the fullest. It has different covers but I chose this leather covered one.

I bought it because it has really cute and engaging pages. 

And on top of that, it also has a booklet containing some "Perks of a Bella." It has a card that you can present to affiliated shops to get discounts.

It also has 60 vouchers from various establishments.

With all these, the Php 680.00 cost of the planner is worth it!

Then yesterday, I was able to use my first voucher at Mc Donald's. It's a free McCafe Iced Coffee when you purchase any Ala Carte meal at any McDonald's store nationwide.

I presented my booklet to the McDo crew at (Hi-Way) Sta. Cruz, Laguna and he told me that he doesn't know about it so he called the floor manager for assistance. The manager told me that they didn't receive any memo regarding that promo so they could not help me. She even told me to try another branch. I pointed out that the promo coupon states that "from ANY McDonald's store nationwide." So I asked her if there's anyone that they could call and ask about the promo. She said "none."

So I told them, "Ok, wait. Let me just take a photo of this (booklet & card) here so that I can report this." Then she said, "Wait." She took the booklet & card and looked for another manager. The other manager knew about it and instructions were given. So they processed my order and my free Iced Coffee. BUT, they took my coupon. They told me that they have to present the coupon at the main office to answer for the free coffee they gave me. I wanted to argue, for the reason that I will tell later, but the free iced coffee (instant gratification) was all i needed at that time. So I just let them take my coupon. 

Here's my free McCafe Iced Coffee with my double cheeseburger.

The reason why I wanted to argue that they should not take my voucher was this. The booklet states that we just have to ask the store representative to write his/her name and signature, branch, total amount, and date of purchase at the back of the coupon. We should attach the receipt to the completed/signed coupon and keep it. Why? Because if I use 30 coupons by September 2019, I get 10% off my next BDJ Power Planner purchase. If I use 35 coupons, it is 20% off. But if I use 40 coupons, I get 1 FREE 2020 Planner! If I use 50 coupons, 2 FREE Planners will be given. I just have to keep all transaction records and send to their office via snail mail before September 30, 2019.

How can I complete at least 40 coupons if 1 was already taken away from me? I hope that this will not happen to any other Bella.

But I was and still am grateful for the free iced coffee. Thank you BDJ #PerksofaBella and #McDonalds! 

XO, Ails

2013 Handmade Planner/Journal

Finally, I am done with my 2013 Planner/Journal's cover.  I chose a burnt orange textile for my cover.  I still can't get over that color for some unknown reason. :)

Tomorrow, I will be nesting.  The Mister and I will be searching for a used but in good condition dining table for 2. We have vey little space for additional furniture  but this is a necessity.  I hope we can find the right one tomorrow.  I will also be sewing some more wall/door decors (↓) this weekend while watching some old and new films with the Mister.

What projects are you going to do this weekend?

Happy crafting! :-)

i heart weekend!

i received a text message last Friday night that we had no work today, Monday, because Malacañang declared September 7 as a national day of mourning for the late Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) leader Bro. Eraño 'Ka Erdie' Manalo. so Yay! thank you Malacañang i was able to rest and spend more time with my self and my family! ^_^

my weekend has been quite productive. I left my laptop in Manila so i won't be tempted to spend my rest days in front of the computer. i crave for more physical activities during my rest days coz i spend 70% of my regular weekday in front of the computer. besides i have lots of paper projects to work on in my little craft room.

here are my projects i was supposed/able to accomplish over the 3-day weekend:

1. i had to make a dozen cards for different people's birthday this September unfortunately, my heart was elsewhere this weekend so i ended up making 0 card. :(


2. a last quarter planner for my dear boyfriend with pages to suit his needs. he requested something functional and not cute but i just couldn't resist myself from using colors so the inside looked a bit girlish. my DSIL and cousins liked it that i ended up having a new set of orders for the holiday season. i had soooo much fun doing this last sunday!




3. a commisioned scrap album for a new born babe. (pic to follow coz i failed to photograph it. and i left it in the province for the buyer)

4. crochet. i always carry thread and crochet needles in my bag so i can continue working on my coffee huggers while travelling (waiting for the traffic to move especially). last weekend, i was able to finish a couple huggers while watching tv with my family after dinner. and on my way to Manila a couple of hours ago, i gave them to 2 of my cousins celebrating their bdays this september. i need to buy more spools of thread!

5. our family portraits. i bought 3 woodblocks in Quiapo 2 weekends ago for 90 pesos and i plan on painting our family portraits on them. i painted the wood blocks white for a start. then i drew my parents, my sister, and my brother with my new sister-in-law on paper. my sister saw the drawings and she liked them specially the drawing i made of my parents. i wasn't able to transfer my drawing on the wood yet though. i'm excited to finish them!

6. invitation designs. a friend of my sister loved the cards i made and posted in my fb account so she chose me to be the maker of her baby's baptismal invitation. YaY! i wasn't able to create the invites but i made a drawing of her lovable family and am hoping that she'll like it. ^_^

on other news...

i wasn't able to swim last weekend coz it was raining cats and dogs. so i played in the rain instead with my sweet Mojito! so fun!

xoxo,
ails