Every customer is....

"UNIQUE" here at Yaya Chique!




We are gearing up for the holidays with lots of GREAT new clothes, jewelry and home decor!  And as our customers know.....Yaya Chique is the place to find that "unique and unusual" gift item for the holidays (but don't forget to buy something for  yourself!!!)





and if you haven't visited my studio (debi lynnn designs) lately....LOTS of exciting "happenings" there"! Go to take a peek...

Creating Fun Family Nights In

Life

If there is one thing that our family loves it is a good old-fashioned board game night, in fact, some of my most favorite childhood moments were spent around board games. I still remember the Sweet Valley Twins board game that I would play with my best friend and the endless rounds of Skip-Bo that I played with my sister when we were kids. Later, when we were first married, we had little to our name other than a futon for our bed, a card table for our kitchen table, and a stack of board games to keep us company. Those are still some of my fondest memories of those newlywed days.

Now board games are the ultimate frugal family fun night in our house. I try to get our board games at Goodwill because it is a great way for me to try them out without making a huge investment. Sometimes I buy games and we discover that it isn't something we would want to play over and over again, but I know I don't have to worry about it. When the games cost us only $1.50, it makes it much easier to donate it back and try something else out.

Here are a few of my favorite board games to look for when doing your Goodwill shopping.

skin in the game

Apples to Apples- If you have not played Apples to Apples before, you are really missing out on a treat. It is my new favorite game to tote around to all of our family functions and any opportunity where I can get a few friends together. Simply deal the cards out to each player and one person gets to be the judge. The judge will share a card and you select from your cards the best match to that card. Once everyone has given their card to the judge, the judge decides which card best fits the card they shared.

The fun is in the variety of unexpected comparisons people make, sometimes apt, funny, creative, or simply absurd. For example: people might match "Awkward" with "Oil Spills," "My First Kiss," "Dandruff," and "Gold Chains. " Or: "Painful" with "High School Reunions" and "Regis Philben. " Strategy comes into play since, because each player takes turns being the judge, you begin to pick up on the preferences of each player and tailor your choices accordingly.

Honestly, if you find yourself hosting a dinner party where you are worried about conversation or a family gathering that you don't have very much in common with, this is the game to break out to get through those awkward silences. Kid versions of this game are also available. (Age Recommendations- 12 and up)

Skip-Bo- As I mentioned before, this was my favorite game growing up and my sister & I would play this for hours and hours. Created by the makers of UNO, this card game is a delight for anyone of all ages. The game is a sequencing game of skill and strategy intended for two players or more and ages seven and up. Players create sequential stacks with cards on the board, the first player to use all the cards in their stack wins. The deluxe edition has a board with placeholders for all of the stacks of cards and score sheets to keep tabs of the winners. I love this game because it is easy to still have conversations while playing, making it a great game to socialize with other couples.

Trouble- Trouble is a great game for younger kids because it is a very simple concept and the playing time is perfect for shorter attention spans. Adults may remember this great game from their childhood. With this game, you just move your four pegs around the board and put them into the finish spots. If you land on an opponents peg while going around the board though, you can boot them back to the beginning and make their piece start all over again. Instead of rolling dice, you push the “Pop-o-matic,” in the center which throws the dice for you. My kids really love this game and you will too! (Age Recommendations- Ages 4-9)

Giant Connect 4

Connect Four- Connect Four is one of our favorite games and both the kids really enjoy it. The game is a vertical version of tic-tac-toe. Each player has a color and you drop the pieces in and try to get four in a row. The other player can block your moves with their pieces and this is a great game for strategy building to see if you can outsmart your opponent. This is another game that is short and sweet so it is perfect for children with short attention spans or for a quick game before bedtime.

Rummikub- This is a game that my husband loved to play when he was growing up, and now he has me addicted to it too! The game is intended for ages eight and up and can be played with two or more players. With rules similar to gin rummy, Rummikub is a classic tile game that’s guaranteed to get at least a million kid-hours of use in any family. Players take 14 numbered tiles and try to get rid of them as fast as possible by creating runs (for example, 7-8-9) and sets (7-7-7). The link provided is for their deluxe edition (which we do not have). This deluxe edition is cleverly designed so that the four plastic tile racks fit together to form a carrying case for the game. Junior editions of this game are also available.

Scrabble- What is not to love about this game? Intended for two players or more and recommended for ages eight to ninety-nine, you can play this game for years with your children. The game has been improved with a swivel board (less stretching required!), raised holders to rest the tiles into, and a bag to store all of the tiles. This is one of my personal favorites and we play this a lot in our house. Don’t forget to purchase a copy of the Scrabble Dictionary and store it with your game board. Take some time to study some words and really beat your opponents! Want to see what Scrabble obsession looks like? Rent the movie, “Word Wars.” It is all about the Scrabble championships that are held and people who attempt to make a living from this sport. Junior editions of this game are also available.

Upwords- Along the same vein, this is another fabulous word puzzle game, but with a twist. You build words just like Scrabble, but you can build up and up (five letters high) to change words into new words. The more you stack, the more points you earn. I think it is more challenging than Scrabble, but the scoring is much easier to do. This game is for two players or more and recommended for ages eight and up. This game can be a powerful tool when your children are beginning to read because it can help teach them how to change words using different letters. Consider it a cheap version of “Hooked on Phonics” and a game that they can enjoy for years after they have learned to read!

Yahtzee- A classic game of dice that has been around since 1956 and is still played in millions of homes today. You can play alone (which I don’t think would be as much fun) or with more players. The ultimate in this game is to actually get Yahtzee or five of a kind. This game is so much fun and also a great teaching tool for children. Children can learn basic addition and subtraction, as well as sequential ordering.

Monopoly- I had never played this game until high school, and I can honestly say that my husband is always the winner, which is why we don’t play it as much! This game is a great teaching tool in money-management and in buying real estate. We have a couple of different versions of this game, but my favorite is the Dot Com Monopoly, which we purchased when Dot Coms were ruling the world. Few of the companies on the board exist anymore, which makes for interesting conversation and fond memories before the dot com bomb hit for computer nerds and geeks alike!


We have many more games in our collection and the last time I hit Goodwill, I picked up another stack of new ones. Our collection keeps growing and we hope to have a game collection that our kids will enjoy someday with their friends. In a day of technological bliss, game nights now seem “retro.” Why play on a board when you can just grab your game system or play a computer game online? I hope that board games will last the test of time because they can be an essential part of family bonding and creating a family night to remember!

What are your family's favorite board games? Have you ever found any great ones at Goodwill that have become part of your family night? Please share here!

Lovely finds

Haven't been blogging for days now because of some things I need to attend to. There was some conflict with joaquim's teacher (just thinking about it again makes my blood boil!) but i dont want to dwell with all this negativity so i'll just show you some pretty finds :) (way to calm down :D hehe!)



got this beautiful palazzo pants from my fave thrift store for just P80.00 ($1.85) in very good condtion and with no signs of wear and tear. :)


and i got this pretty tassel earrings from Metro Market! Market! dept. store for P89.00 ($2.06) saya! :)


kisses,
kath

Biker Chic this Fall

It’s riding season, motorcycle riding, that is. So what do you wear? How can you look chic and still ride safely?


I went toHannum's Harley Davidson Hannum’s Harley Davidson to get the scoop on looking good for those who ride a Harley and those who ride bitch (that’s bike talk for riding on the back). Grace Carnevale can help you out. She’s got the gear to keep you styling.

At Hannum’s I found there are three important things to keep in mind when riding; a helmet for your head, boots to keep your balance and most important being visible to traffic. Your helmet should be DOT approved. That means approved by the Department of Transportation. It could be the saving grace you need if you ever take a spill on your bike. Helmets come in different colors and prices. Some have shades that you can pull down to keep the sun out of your eyes. Others cover your full face.

Boots, girls we all love boots. But riding boots are unique for they have a harder toe and should go over the ankle. It helps when you shift so the toe is protected and won’t feel the pain. The boot takes the brunt of the shift and keeps the ankle straight. For a passenger, a higher heel is good so you can reach the bars to rest your feet on.

Sunglasses are important too. They should wrap around your eyes so your eye is protected. At Hannum’s if you bring in your prescription they can order the glasses you want so you always have great vision.

It’s good to be visible especially at night. So Harley Davidson has put reflective material on some of the outer jackets they sell. You want to be shine in the dark basically. Bright colors are warranted to keep you safe. When riding, always think safety first. One jacket has Illumination of 360 degrees so you can be seen from nearly every angle. They have Hi-Vis jackets and vests in orange and yellow. I know what you are thinking ladies, but remember you can’t be styling if you aren’t alive.
There is also the Rider Comfort System. It’s a three part system consisting of a base layer for moisture management, a mid- layer for extra insulation and an outer layer for protection. And for those who want to be warm and toasty as they ride on 32 degree and below days you can even plug into your bike or a rechargeable battery bike to keep warm. Leather chaps will also keep you warm Hannum’s has a great selection. Yes warm and toasty is good on a cold day on a bike.

Leather gloves are a good investment. Padding is what makes the difference between regular leather gloves and riding gloves. It helps with the shifting and pulling the brake and the clutch. So now that we have the basics down

I know you are asking what about fashion? How do I look styling on the bike or off? After the run, I want to look good.

Pink and purple are big this fall according to Carnevale. The Black Label Dark Custom line is new featuring pre-washed black denim trimmed in purple. The Pink Label has a philosophy true to most bikers: On this road, no one rides alone. This collection is gear and apparel with a purpose. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this collection is donated to National Breast Cancer Organization. The collection stems from tee shirts to even a leather jacket. Adding pink brightens up that all black biker look and helps out others. At Hannum’s you can find clothing for the petite woman to the full figured woman. Leather jackets sold at the store are guaranteed for 5 years.

Men’s clothing line features the Wille G insignia, a skeleton for those who don’t know who Willie G is. Honestly I didn’t. Men can find leather coats, sweaters shirts, jeans, sweatshirts, enhanced visibility clothes, tee shirts and even golf shirts.

Even the pup is styling in his Harley Davidson gear.
Keep Styling in Delco. Ride safe!

yay! found you

I've been scouring malls and shoe stores for my perfect flat boots. It's hard to find a nice pair of short, flat boots...ask Jhe! hehe! He probably got tired of hearing me and helping me find the "one" :)

But, I'm so happy to share that I did find my perfect flat boots..and I'm ecstatic!
Just how I like them simple and comfy! :)

 boots- Juan by Janilyn


kisses,
kath

iam_kbc Facebook Page

I just created a Facebook page for my blog :)
And I'm asking you a favor, could you pretty please like my page? Just click here
I would greatly appreciate it if you could do this for me :D

And if you want me to like your Facebook page too, just leave your links and I will return the favor.

Thanks!

kisses,
kath

BC Bloggers

I came across BC Bloggers while I was browsing through my reading list and I got really interested. So I read the post about it and after reading about it, I decided to be a member :)
The objective of BC Bloggers is to help its members in building backlinks. And as a new blogger,
this will be a great way to meet other bloggers :)



BC_BLOGGERS

If you want to know more about BC Bloggers visit http://www.mommydiary.net

kisses,
kath

Weekend Love IV

Last Sunday, we went to Greenbelt and Landmark for some "gala mode" :)
Here are some of our photos

Wore the red floral blazer that I've shown you from my previous post..
what i wore: red floral blazer and bag- thrifted, shirt and short- fashion market, shoes- bazaar


natuwa sa mga turtles si Joaquim
 There were cosplayers roaming around Landmark


We had dinner at Teriyaki Boy. We ordered teriyaki boy chicken, yakimeshi, kani salad and california roll. We really like their chicken teriyaki :)



Bought this costume for Joaquim's United Nations Day Parade, he will be representing Italy :) Excited! hehe!
But I'm actually planning to sell this to a costume rental/store after the event, because he will be only using this one time.. para di naman sayang.


That was our weekend :)

kisses,
kath

It's all about the....

crosses, fleur de lis, and layering here at the Yaya!  Beautiful new pieces arriving weekly....





A dash of preppy


Been looking for a pussy bow blouse but haven't found the "one"
So when I saw this black sash/ribbon I immediately thought of this look :)


button down top: thrifted
shorts and shoes: fashion market


kisses,
kath

One Lovely Blog Award


I would like to thank Michi of michi photostory for giving me the "One Lovely Blog Award"

Here are seven random things about me:

1. The ob/gyne that delivered me is the same doctor who delivered Joaquim. I didn't have a particular OB before getting pregnant so when I was expecting I asked mama for recommendation and she took me to her OB :) You might be thinking isn't she too old? No, just a few years older than mama :)
2. I have a terrible fear of worms (scoleciphobia) and caterpillars! I remember when we were younger my sisters would chase me around the house while holding caterpillars and I would scream my head off! 
3. I have a sweeth tooth. I can't say no to chocolates, cakes, ice cream or desserts!
4. I'm addicted to sudoku! :)
5. I'm not a morning person...asked Jhe hahaha! It's really hard for me to wake up so early in the morning but need to because of wife duties hehe! need to prepare his uniform and coffee!
6. I'm really not into make up, but can't leave home without blush on hehe! inside my make up kit you will find a compact powder, eye liner, blush on and lip/cheek tint and balm. That's all I use whenever I go out. 
7. I would love to travel around the Philippines. I would really like to go to famous destinations, to experience the different festivals and know more about my own country :)

Something blue and something new...




Wore the dress I received from Ann of numbers letters and fashion and the pretty dangling earrings I got from Market Market dept store which I got on sale for only P60.00!



lace cover up: thrifted
red flats: bazaar


kisses,
kath

Jewelry that speaks to the artist in you

Stephania Lopez of Upper Darby started her hand crafted jewelry business after being laid off from MedRisk where she worked as an insurance specialist for ten years. The striking artist studied fashion designing ten years ago but needed to work so she put her dream on hold.


After being laid off she started her own business Mary’s Nieta. Lopez creates wearable art. Her art deco jewelry pieces are one of kind. She uses antique buttons, glass beads and wire twisting and turning it creating such interesting rings she calls Scream, Garden Heart and Celebration.

I love making jewelry I consider each piece to be a work of art in its own right. The rings  are like little sculptures for your hand, “said Lopez


"Celebration"

Lopez doesn’t just make rings; she also creates gorgeous beaded necklaces, earrings and bracelets. You can find her jewelry on her website http://www.marysnieta.com/


Weekend Love III

Last Saturday, got the 2nd dose of my cervical cancer vaccine..yay! one more and I'm fully protected :)
another charm added..check!
After that, we went to Megamall and as usual Joaquim played at Dave's Funhouse..
having fun in a sea of balls :)


 

Had lunch at Mann Hann
fried noodles with seafood and lechon macau
Went to Toy Kingdom before going home..
And what I wore that day: thrifted denim jacket and dress, shoes from fashion market (my hair is disheveled from running after Joaquim! :) )
that's Joaquim wearing an Optimus Prime mask :)
Then yesterday, Sunday, we went to Market Market (ayaw mag-mall! haha!) to buy a luggage
and Joaquim's white long sleeves polo for their United Nations parade.
I aslo bought these wedges ♥love♥
excited to wear them :)
We had dinner at Gilligan's, and we were able to eat peacefully because Joaquim and Lucas fell asleep..hehe!

my sister Marian, my nephew Lucas and bro in law Edison
mama and my sister Aileen
bro in law Gerald and my nephew Miguel
and us :)

That was our weekend :)

kisses,
kath