Postcards App by Posten.se

I've been wanting to send a card or a letter to my friend in Sweden. I haven't seen her in almost a year, so I wanted to send a little something: a postcard or a greeting card. I absolutely hate "losing friends" because of distance/timezone issues, and I'm not going to lose this friend just because she lives in another continent!

Unfortunately, there's not much info online in how to send mail abroad (from Manila, Philippines) and I don't know how much it will cost. I also don't know where I can send snail-mails anymore. :-/

I stumbled into Postcards by Posten.se, a website/app that will electronically create a postcard, using any photo from your camera roll (iphone) or in facebook. At the back, I entered the message and the mailing address. I ended up with a bill of $2.99/postcard which isn't too bad. That's about Php 130.

The postcard arrived the following day, as they promised. Since the company is within Sweden and the order was made before 4PM Central Europe Time, the postcard arrived the next workday.

Here's the steps:

1. Download and open the Postcard app. The app itself is free to download.
2. Click on Get Image or New Photo to choose which picture to use
3. Flip it at the back to enter the message and the mailing address
4. Once done, click on Send, then Pay and Submit
5. Enter your payment information, click on Pay
6. Once paid, an email notification will arrive. So simple!

I just blurred out the photo and message. ;)

There are other apps out there, they may be cheaper (around $1.49) or with better functionalities. I just didn't choose them because they might be based in an entirely different continent from my friend's location (which means it will take a longer time to arrive).

Check out some of the links below.

• http://flipthemedia.com/2013/12/what-the-crapp-7-apps-to-send-your-pictures-as-postcards/
• http://www.tomsguide.com/us/pictures-story/447-greeting-cards-ecards-apps-ios-android.html

I haven't seen the actual postcard, so I can't comment on the quality.

Polagram PH: Turn Instagram Photos into Magnets in Manila!

I decided to try out Polagram.ph after someone commented on my Canvas Prints in Manila post form 2 years ago. One of my favorite things to do is to take photos and post on Instagram. I ordered 20 2x2 magnets for Php 778 (minimum starts at Php350 with 9 magnets). It comes with free shipping!

I ordered some family photos to be posted on our fridge, that way, people at home get good vibes whenever they go to the kitchen.

I wasn't able to get screenshots of all the steps, but it's quite straightforward: 1) Log in with your Instagram account. 2) Choose the photos you want to print. 3) Put in the shipping details. 4) Pay with Paypal or Over the Counter.

The main tough part for me was when I need to remove some items, I had to re-choose everything all over again, so make sure you choose carefully before hitting Submit Order. Plus, my internet was wonky when I clicked pay with Paypal so I ended up submitting twice, generating 2 order numbers. The folks at Polagram quickly addressed it, so no problem.

After choosing, this is the next page with the order summary

Put in the shipping details after the order summary.

I'll be updating this along with the results of the actual magnets! I can't wait!!! I got a text from PolagramPH saying my magnets will arrive on Friday (48 hours after my order), such good customer service! :) I'll append this post with an update on the actual magnets.

Update: I got the magnets this morning, as theyve committed! It's set on a card. I love them! :) They're now stuck on our fridge.

Creme dela Creme Blog

My brother and sister-in-law are starting a new blog together. It's called Creme dela Creme. http://itsacremedelacremelife.com/

Check it out! They only have 1 entry so far on their Brazilian Stew (Feijoada). The upcoming one is a cheesecake. :)

Here's a photo of their Feijoada. I've tried it and it's really yummy.

Photo of Feijoada that I took using iPhone 5s

Photos of My Anvaya-Subic Trip

Over the weekend, I went to Anvaya and Subic with my high school friends. We went on a day trip in Anvaya and stayed overnight in Subic. We stayed in Seorabeol Grand Leisure Hotel (family room) - it's our favorite go-to hotel when I go to Subic with college friends.

Here's a collection of the Instagram Photos I've taken.

Having breakfast in KFC in a gas station in NLEX. I had the Chicken Tocino meal. I will most likely not go back to KFC for their breakfast.

Arriving at Anvaya mid-day :) 

My friends attempted to play frisbee but failed because the sand was too hot.

We availed some of the activities. The ping pong was free. Some of us rented bikes for 150/hour. I fell off the bike. See my bruise in the later pictures.

We went around the place to take photos. 

The backdrop of the lake and trees were really nice

There were a lot of white ducks roaming around the place. One person was chasing it around to see how fast they can run. Another friend had a video which we're not posting online.

Now that it wasn't too hot, my friends played some light frisbee catch

I took a photo of a random couple watching the sunset

Joan again, chilling

They still had their Christmas decors up!

Back in Subic after checking in at Seorabeol, we had dinner in Xtremely Xpresso! We had bibingka after.

The following day for lunch, we went to Meatplus. The Rib Eye steak was AWESOME. It tasted very similar to Mamou. I heard somewhere Meatplus is a supplier. :P

See my bruise from falling off the bike

Pasalubong for my pamangkin: 2 Chicken Alphabet soups from Puregold Subic and the paper bag that came with it that I decorated as a puppet!

Canvas Printing Services in Manila Philippines

I've been looking for a service that can print my Instagram Photos into something that I can frame for a limited budget in Manila.

Before now, I've only known about Instacanvas, which is US-based, and they sell the 12x12 inch canvas for 39.95 USD + 9 USD for shipping fees. It's too steep for me and I don't think I'm their target market since I earn in Philippine standards. [Plus, I joined Instacanvas with the seller-mindset rather than a buyer-mindset...]

I've recently tried out Pop Print Photos (http://www.facebook.com/popprintphotos). I ordered their 12x12 Xintra Print as a gift. I got this one for PhP 900 (inclusive of VAT & Shipping).

After a week of settling the order details and the payment details, it arrived! I was happy with the quality and that the photo didn't come out pixelated, considering I took and edited the photo in my iphone using Snapseed and Instagram.

My niece and her canvas

My niece hung her picture on the doorknob, thought it would be funny

Photo: City Lights of Mandaluyong and Makati

Photo: The Fountain of Lights

The office building rarely turns on the fountain and the fancy lights, so I'm lucky to have gotten a shot.

Photo: Stray Dog in Black & White

While we were at the Kanto Freestyle Breakfast, there was this stray dog waiting for food scraps from us. He's got those sad eyes.

Photo: Buildings and Trees under the Blue Sky

By yours truly... :)

Sisig Mini Tacos and Portobello Inasal from Pino Bar and Pipino

I was happy with the food in Pino Bar and Pipino (the vegan restaurant upstairs) so I'm documenting it! Whoohoo! Today, we ordered to things: The Sisig Mini-Tacos and the Portobello Inasal. I've been here several times since it's one of my favorite places to go to in QC.

So what's good here?

Sisig Mini Tacos (PhP 215) - I love the sisig of Pino Bar and it went great as a taco filling.

Vegan Portobello Inasal with Red Beet Puree, Eggplant Salsa, and Brown Rice (PhP 260) - This is my official favorite vegan dish of all time! The Portobello Mushroom was like Inihaw na Pusit. It all went really well together.

Pino Resto Bar and Pipino are located in 39 Malingap St. Teachers Village QC. Pipino (Vegetarian Restaurant) is at the 2nd floor. Their facebook pages are: http://www.facebook.com/PinoRestoBar and http://www.facebook.com/pipinoveg

Parking is limited and Pino Resto Bar is always full especially at dinnertime so better reserve!

Got Featured! And Next Entry

Thanks to the help from my friends, my J Ruiz LRT Station photo made it to the front page! It's part of the top 100 photos of the week. It seems that they are now making this a regular thing in Instacanvas so I entered a second photo for the contest whose voting ends on October 22.

Front Page of Instacanvas (http://instacanv.as)

Here's my next entry - it's the photo I took in Amsterdam Central (or Amsterdam Centraal) back in July 2012 in our 6-hour stopover from our Poland Business Trip. What's amazing about this place is that it's packed with different kinds of people and cultures and it feels "normal", unlike other places where there's an element of fear when there's something/someone that's different. In the background, the structures looks very Christian and European, while there are many people of different races (Middle-east asians, South-east Asians, Africans, Caucasians, etc) walking around.

If you like the picture, vote for it on Instacanvas by clicking on the photo below. :)

Instagram, Instacanvas, and Help Needed

One of the things that I've really been into these days is Instagram. I've been into "amateur photography" for the longest time, usually using my sister's digicam or using mobile phones (before, Nokia N97, now, iPhone 4). Instagram has just been the most convenient app to use right now. In 2 months, I've got over 250 photos (addict!).

Since I mix personal photos with artsy-fartsy photos, it's great that there's Instacanvas to allow me to select photos which I categorize as the latter. :) Instacanvas also allows me to sell my photos, but I'd only get 8USD out of the 39USD. I'm not exactly hopeful on selling photos in the Philippine market as 39USD seems too steep. But then, I'm aiming to advertise through the Instacanvas page to link up with buyers from other countries!

With that, I need your help to get to the feature page! Please vote for the picture, we only have until today (Oct 15 afternoon)! If you don't think it's vote-worthy, that's alright. :)

This particular photo was taken last Saturday on my way to my university. This is the J Ruiz Station of LRT2 in Metro Manila Philippines. There were only very few people, so I was confident enough to take my phone out. :P Doesn't it look like the train stations in Europe? LRT2 is the best train line in Metro Manila :)

Check out the rest of my gallery here: http://instacanv.as/yvettety

Chocolate Tableu Cheesecake from Pino Bar

I love this! :P For 160 Php in Pino Bar in Maginhawa QC.

Misibis Bay Legazpi Trip

A bunch of us went on a trip to Misibis Bay in Legazpi City over the weekend. One of my friends got the deal from Deal Grocer and we tagged along.

I'd say overall that the "feel" of Misibis Bay resort is comparable to Anvaya Cove. Price-wise, i cant compare it because Anvaya involves membership-related costs and we also got Misibis for a good deal. For the purpose of comparison, I'll take a stab at sharing the highlights of the trip.

The view from our room

1) The hospitality of Misibis is tops. All of the staff is very warm and friendly. Their "good morning" is genuinely friendly. When you come out of the coaster, you're greeted by tribal dancers, cold towels, snacks, and fancy calamansi juice.

Ibalong Dancers

2) The non-motor activities are free and the people are eager to serve and help you out. We went snorkeling and we went on a sailboat trip around the island. We would have taken up more activities like windsurfing. The games are also free! We played some foosball and billiards.

The game room slash bar

3) The package comes with a free tour around Legazpi (i think this is optional). We went to Ligñon Hill to see the city from the top. We got to see the Mayon Volcano in the Cagsaua/Cagsawa Ruins, and we went to the Our Lady of the Gate Parish. Our tour ended in the Pili-Nuts and Legazpi Souveneir store. Our tourguide happened to be our snorkeling guide. :)

Mayon Volcano and Cagsawa Ruins

Saints, Jesus, and Mary in Our Lady of the Gate Parish

4) Our breakfast and dinner buffet comes with the package for the room! The food was good, especially the Filipino food and the grilled meat/fish. Stay away from the Roast Beef Pizza, though. It looks good, but it was tough to eat.

At the Spices Restaurant

The dinner table

5) The swimming pool with the bar connected to it with underwater stools was cool. I didnt get to try drinking in the pool, but looks like it's a lot of fun!

Overall, I really enjoyed the stay. 3 days has been too short, but if i stayed too long, I'd get too fat. :D

I'd definitely want to go back. There's a deal right now in Deal Grocer, but ill need to save up for it again!

From outside the front desk

Our room was at the top floor

The garden

Flower Close Up Shots in Legazpi

I like taking pictures with my iphone and i like using snapseed and instagram to fix it up. I a self-proclaimed "amateur photographer"!

These were all taken today in Legazpi City. :) I'll share some more later on.