On Having Fun Without Spending Part 2

As promised, let me share with you the continuation of my birthday celebration, highlighting on how we had fun without spending.

Ever since, I don't believe in raffles or anything that counts on pure luck. I'm pertaining to those big ticket prizes such as cars, gadgets and the likes being raffled off during sale events or gatherings. I didn't believe because I haven't tried winning in a raffle draw yet. That's why I also don't bet on Lotto or play gambling because I'm afraid of risks and losing. The first time I learned to bet on Lotto was from my hubby who believes in that. 

Not until last year, when I was pregnant that I started betting on my luck without shelling out any cents. It started when I got hooked on the internet browsing for answers to my questions on pregnancy, breastfeeding, and parenting and that includes reading real life experiences of mommy bloggers. Then the whole blog giveaway thing just became my addiction. But I also screen out and choose to join only the more reliable online contests.

I had won a number of giveaways lately, just in time for my birthday. And because my free treats couldn't be used up all at the same time in one day, I've extended my celebration to day two.

Exactly a month before my birthday, I received a message from AllPromos.ph that I have won on their Daddy, Mommy and Baby Photo Contest. I randomly joined their contest two months ago without expecting to win because first off, I hate to join liking contest and secondly, they have a lot of entries, more than a hundred, and I'm just one of them. Good thing they have another criteria where my photo entry was included in the top 12 judge picks and from the 12, I won the random raffle draw. How lucky am I? And the prize package was quite generous.

One of the prizes was an 18"x24" poster mount from Print and Mount Portraits worth P1,100. It's a high quality print mounted on PVC board. So I thought of having our wedding group picture printed to make it more meaningful which we personally claimed it from their office in Makati. And I was surprised to know that the owner is just one batch higher from me in high school. What a small world!

Aug. 24, 2013. Photo op with the owner of Print and Mount Portraits, Alvin.

Every year during my birthday, I would always remind myself to visit Q Power Station. Why? Because I have to claim my P200 free credits to be loaded in my VIP Q Card. The free birthday load can be claimed within three days before or after your birthdate. When I checked my balance, I have already 844 credits, which means I have been claiming my free load for four years already. Actually five years already because I have been a Q Card holder since 2008. It allowed me and my hubby to unwind for a while, shot a few hoops, and be on our childish mode after so long. The last time we played was when we were still single I think. I immediately exchanged the few tickets we won for some small prizes because I don't know when we'll be able to have the time to play again. 

Aug. 24, 2013 at Q Power Station Rockwell. Claimed my free P200 birthday load.

And since we were already in Makati area, we dropped by Glorietta 2 to claim my P1,000 Gift Certificates at Ginza Bairin which I won from Shoot First, Eat Later blog giveaway just two weeks ago. That served as my birthday dinner date with my hubby. I ordered their best seller Kurobuta Rosu Katsu Set worth P595 and hubby tried Hire Katsu Set (3 Fillets) priced at P345. Of course mine was more mouth-watering. And because we were not familiar with Makati malls, it took us a few rounds before we were able to find the restaurant. The place is along the street (Palm Drive) and beside Wee Nam Kee. Hubby was surprised to see me consume three bowls of rice. Good thing their rice is unlimited. Breastfeeding momma got so hungry after a half day of adventure.

Aug. 24, 2013 at Ginza Bairin in Glorietta 2.

It was a tiring day for both of us but we really had fun because we were able to play and eat without spending, except for the parking. If I didn't win these free treats, I might not be able to take part in the talk of the town, the katsu craze.

Thanks to AllPromos.ph, to Print and Mount Portraits, to Q Power Station, Shoot First Eat Later, to Ginza Bairin and to my hubby for accompanying me to celebrate my birthday.

Although these treats are not really the things that I urgently need or a must-haves, I'm still thankful for whatever blessings that I got. It's my luck after all. And the only thing I could do to pay it forward is to share my wins to you through this post.

If you happen to be interested in the services of Print and Mount Portraits, I would appreciate it if you tell them that you read it from my blog. And if you still have a child-at-heart, you may want to get a Q Card too so that you have something to look forward to on your birthday. And if you want to join the katsu craze, have your authentic katsu at Ginza Bairin.

That's all for now. Share with me your winning stories too, okay? :)

Mommy Sally

Birthday Edition: On Having Fun Without Spending

Hooray for my first birthday as a new mom. I must have called for a big celebration but because my hubby always reminded me to save up, I turned to my ever creative and resourceful self and looked for other means to make myself happy. I love celebrating special occasions especially if it's my birthday. I always aimed to have a memorable birthday by expecting a customized cake, gifts, dining out, birthday greetings from friends and family and lots of surprises. I admit I still act childish in so many ways but that's how I am. Let me share with you how I spent my birthday this year.

I was excited for my lined up activities for that day. As I was about to brush my teeth, I saw no water coming out of the faucet. The whole building was temporarily out of water due to some problems. Wow what a nice surprise to start my day. We decided to transfer to my mom's house for the mean time until the water would be back.

My hubby decided to have our breakfast at the newly opened McDonald's along Jose Abad Santos Ave. corner Bambang Street. 



Mom & Baby just-woke-up look.







Hubby ordered us his all-time favorite Sausage Platter w/ Rice and
a Hot Chocolate drink meal. Yummy!



Thanks to mother-in-law for these goodies from Red Ribbon. Yey cake!

I just remembered that I have a St. Nails Gift Certificate won from The Soshal Network blog giveaway expiring on my birthday so I decided to commute to Makati for a nail pamper treat. Besides, my last manicure/pedicure was more than a year ago, during my wedding. Haha!

I had a hard time choosing from a number of nail polish colors presented in front of me. For a change, I've decided to try my very first red daring nail polish (Orly Star Spangled) for my feet nails and had a conservative nude colored nail polish (Orly Sand Castle) for my hand nails. The service I availed was worth P400 and I just got it for free! :)




I enjoyed my free Top to Toe manicure pedicure service at St. Nails Nail Spa.
A coupon that I won from TSN blog 2 months ago.



As you can see, I'm not used to pampering myself so I don't have any idea how other nail spas perform. With my experience at St. Nails, it was nice of them to serve hot cup of tea, to put hot aroma heat pack to my shoulders, bubble water to soak my feet and hands and free wifi! I was actually amazed by the purple plastic basin to soak my hands on as it was my first time to see that kind of thing. The ambiance and their stylish purple seat were also commendable. The name of the nail technician who did my mani/pedi was Ms. Sahira. Later did I know that the owner is an alumni of DLSU and his name is Saint. I didn't know him personally but his name rings a bell because he's famous in school.

St. Nails list of services.

Like their FB Page at St. Nails and follow their Twitter @St_Nails_Spa and Instagram @St_Nails_Spa to get to know them better. Watch out for their first anniversary this coming Sept. 16, 2013 as they might be having promos. They currently only have one branch for now and it's located at Petron Gas Station, EDSA corner Arnaiz Ave. (Pasay Road), Dasmarinas Village, Makati.



For our dinner, we availed of our free Pizza Hut treat, a BPI credit card promo, using my hubby's receipts. We got one Family Size Supreme Line Pan Pizza (for at least P12k receipt) and one Single Spaghetti Bolognese w/o Meatballs (for at least P2k receipt). We just added the Carbonara and 4pc Chicken Wings Honey BBQ flavor to make our dinner full. Btw, the next promo for BPI credit card is Chowking treat just in case you want to know.


We had Pizza Hut for dinner.

Of course my birthday won't be complete without my usual ritual of blowing of cakes. The number candles were only reused from baby's monthly birthday candles. Hehe! :)


My first birthday as a mom, a certified mommy on my 28th!

I'm thankful for the blessings that come my way despite having a tight budget. These free treats (St. Nails and Pizza Hut) were enough to make my birthday a memorable one. We didn't have to splurge a huge amount to be happy. In any celebration, resourcefulness and creativity goes a long way. And that's my way of having fun without spending. :)

Surprisingly, my birthday celebration didn't end here. There's still a Day 2, on my next post. Happy Birthday Binondo Mommy!

Share to me too how you spent your birthday or how you have fun without spending. I would like to hear from you. Or you may just greet me your birthday wishes thru the comments below.

Mommy Sally