Frannywanny

Oh boy, time has been flying extremely fast! Another year has gone by and just like that, here we are again celebrating another blog anniversary. I can still remember that afternoon when I opened this blog account and there was that blinking cursor button waiting for me to type in my blog name. I paused for a few minutes then just wrote the first "what-I-thought-sounded-witty" name that came into my mind -- Frannywanny . A cutesy version of my real nickname. When I first started this blog, all I wanted was to have a more organized place for me to document my food discoveries as I used to just write it on my Multiply account. Paul and I have been eating out quite a lot then and he would take really nice photos while I just love to tell my friends about it. No marketing strategy, no serious business objectives. Frannywanny.com is simply and will be...   a girly-girl's guide to the best things in life .  Back then, I would get all giddy and happy whenever friends wo...

For most of you in Manila, I'm pretty sure that you're really excited for the day to end as it will officially mark the start of your four-day weekend! Awww you lucky lucky people! I have an extra work day to go and I'm off for that much-awaited 3 day break that I've been looking forward to since February! Who agrees with me that while traveling is really fun, packing your bags and luggage can sometimes be a chore. Despite my OCD tendencies, I really do not like packing before a trip as it means making sure that I bring the right clothes in the right quantity and to make it all fit things inside my luggage without packing in too much weight too. Paul is an pro in packing light so it really has been his frustration that his wife (a.k.a. me) always has the tendency to bring the entire closet if not the house with her. I really couldn't help it! The worst thing is to get to your destination and you realize you left something at home. I'm learning though...let...

People always have this misconception that girls spend more money in shopping that guys do. I definitely beg to differ. Shopping to girls is like a good diet, yes we do shop more frequently but for most women, we spend less in terms of peso/dollar value than our better half does. Just like eating, we eat more frequently but we take in smaller quantities each time. Paul and I are not major shopaholics as we only hit the malls here in Manila whenever we need  to. It's a different case in Singapore though as we spend more time at the mall to eat, do our grocery shopping and to familiarize ourselves with our new location. Going back to shopping, Paul rarely buys anything but when he does, it's something that he has thought long and hard about it. We all know that he is truly passionate and is talented in photography and that alone is a big investment already. While other guys his age would probably spend money on watches, shoes or toy cars, he has his eyes set on his camera a...

I love being the bearer of GOOD NEWS! Just the same way that I love receiving good news myself. Before I finally reveal who's the lucky winner of the recently concluded Crumpler Dry Red blog contest here at Frannywanny.com , I'd like to thank ALL 109 readers who took time out to submit their entries. If only I have 109 Crumpler Dry Red bags to give out, I'd gladly play Santa to all of you who joined right now. The guessing game is over and I'd like to present to you the Crumpler Dry Red 6 ! This is what one lucky reader will be receiving from me very very soon! Before anything, let me show you why this bag was my bag of choice and what makes it oh-so-ahhhmazing . This is one versatile bag . You can easily turn it into a sturdy backpack or into a light suitcase . It has a convertible strap that gives you the chance to either tote it like a sling bag, carry it like a backpack or hold the handles too. Furthermore, it can easily fit your 17" laptop and a few ...

Summer is definitely here and one thing that I love about this time of the year is that it's the perfect season to hit the beach! While I'd love to get a tan (or at least I continue to dream to get one) ; this year, I'm heading somewhere cold to chill like a polar bear and to have a perfect excuse to wear my fluffy, puffy coat! Don't you just love traveling ? I simply get the thrill out of getting a new stamp on my passport and really, I hope that I'd be able to fill it all up someday. I just love looking at the different stamps and visas that I get from every country. With numerous traveling comes endless packing. This is one skill that I admittedly have yet to perfect. I use to be a travel hoarder wherein I tend to bring my entire house with me when I travel. As a result, I always have to deal with overweight luggages or a frustrated Paul, trying his best to make everything fit. That was until I went to the US for a two weeks vacation and there's really no...

Wanna win THIS ? Visit this site again on March 12, 2012 to know how to join! :)

Yep! You read that right..true I had a shot of this cocktail called Kiss on the Lips and I think it actually hit me even more than just a soft, tender kiss. With my low tolerance for alcohol here I am typing away as my brain is starting to head to la-la-land...Before I completely doze off, I'd like to share with you this great news from our friends over at Crumpler Philippines ! They will soon be having a big event where you can exchange a bottle/can/case of beer for your very own Crumpler bag!!! I don't know about you but I'm definitely hoarding probably a dozen cases of beer just for this. See you there!! For more info, visit the official Facebook page of Crumpler Philippines .

In the span of 10 days, I got a total of 319 valid entries ! Every single entry, I carefully logged them in an excel file to ensure that I got everyone's name in. The contest has come to an end and for the last time, I would like to ask you all.... Guess what's in the bag? :)

Lately, I've been feeling quite restless. Despite trying my best to relax every weekend, I feel that there's something missing... Today I woke up and realized that it has been 5 whole months since we've last traveled and that's when I got my answer. I miss traveling and that's what's missing in my life right now. Paul and I have been so busy that we haven't been out of Metro Manila since April for our Taiwan trip . For someone who used to travel at least once a month before, five months of no traveling activity is truly hazardous to my health. Well, we're taking it step by step. First, we've booked a couple of short trips scheduled in the next few months. Next, here I am again reading up on our next target destinations, soon will be working on our itineraries. Lastly, we were gifted with this amazing bag that we will surely be bringing with us on our next trip. It's a pretty Crumpler Spring Peeper with Wheels (Php. 9,850)! The perfect an...