Frannywanny

As soon as the contest ended a week ago, I immediately got down to business. The first task was to be organized and to divide all those who chose the Philippines and the Singapore planner. Okay, now that task #1 was done, then comes the fun yet challenging part -- reading through all the 190++ entries and choosing for the best ones. Most entries were really sweet and amazing that I ended up with more than 40 shortlisted ones and I know it will take me a couple more day to narrow that down to TWO . I will stop blabbing now and will go straight to the point... The lucky reader who will be receiving a 2014 Starbucks Coffee Philippines Planner is... Ira Tasha Balucan I was really touched by Ira's answer on how she will be sharing the Joy this Christmas: In light with the recent devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda, I would try my best to make the victims feel that there is still hope in their lives. More than the relief goods, the food and the clothes, it is still es...

December is finally HERE! I can't believe it. I can still clearly remembered how Paul and I welcomed the New Year and now we're a few days away from saying goodbye to it. WOW! 2013 truly went by so fast! Anyway, before we bid 2013 adieu, we still have Christmas , my second favorite holiday of the year next to my birthday! I just love being able to complete the Simbang Gabi (note: mine is literally gabi as I attend the anticipated mass..I really couldn't wake up at 4AM given that I have to report to work at 10AM) , the smell of bibingka and the crazy and hectic schedule of merry-making and gift giving. Paul is actually busy wrapping gifts already as I'm typing this entry. Luckily, we're almost done with our list so no cramming for us in the coming weeks. Christmas is also the time for giving. It's the time where we share our blessings by paying it forward. Ever since Paul and I got married, we have this little tradition of buying all sorts of chips, cand...

As much as I love spontaneity and change, I also do value traditions. There are just some things in life that are best left untouched . These are the ones that you can always count on to happen at the exact same time of the year, every single year. These include mine and Paul's week-long birthday celebrations, our wedding anniversary dinner date, our summer and 3rd quarter ("autumn") travel getaways and collecting the Starbucks Planner . Readers of this blog must have noticed what a big Starbucks Coffee fan I am . This began way before I actually became a Starbucks partner myself. From the time Starbucks Coffee first opened its doors in 6750 fifteen (15) years ago, I've began collecting mugs, tumblers and have been a frequent visitor most especially during my university years. Friends who couldn't find me around the campus know exactly where to go. Thus, being able to be part of the Starbucks Coffee Philippines team a few years ago was just like a dream come tr...

Once again, we have reached the -ber months where people start to make their Christmas list, families decorating their Christmas trees and for avid Starbucks Coffee fans like myself, we head to our favorite store to collect enough stickers to bring home our very own Starbucks Planner ! This is really the start of the countdown as on November 3, 2011 ; Starbucks Coffee will begin giving out stickers for every drink purchase for customers to collect to be able to redeem and get one of the five planners available. Yes, you read that right! From having three attractive designs last year, Starbucks Coffee Philippines now has FIVE for you to choose from! Last night, I was lucky to be able to see the Starbucks 2012 Planner up close and to be able to lift through the pages, run my fingers through the wooden cover and go through each month by month as I read the opening pages. I know you're all dying to see what Starbucks Coffee has in store for all of us planner fans so read on a...

A year ago, I made Maan's Starbucks wish come true by awarding her with the 2010 Starbucks Planner . Her entries really touched my heart and the fact that she was able to leave meaningful comments every single day really showed me how determined she was to win the prize. I'm now back to fulfill the Starbucks wishes of three lucky readers by giving out three limited edition 2011 Starbucks Planners ! As featured in my previous post, this year's planner talks about The Third Place It's not home; it's not workplace. It's that special place in between where we meet to awaken our senses, to find inspiration, and to make lasting connections. The third place -- this is what we have become for you, our loyal customer, our friend. For more than five years already, Starbucks Ashcreek has been my 3rd Place. The only Starbucks branch where I would go to when I want to meet up with friends or to just be on my own. It's where I know most of the baristas a...

Is it already that time of the year when the Green Siren spreads the Yuletide cheer? Once again, our favorite Starbucks Coffee stores are decorated with bright red ornaments to signal the start of the Christmas season. Feeling the warmth that the holiday brings, we enjoy cups after cups of our favorite drink. Be it Toffee Nut, Praline Mocha or Peppermint Mocha , we pair this with their wide-array of mouthwatering food items that is sure to bring back wonderful childhood memories for you and me. Then there's that much awaited 2011 Starbucks Planner that allows you to start your year right. This year it's all  about The Third Place -- It's not home; it's not workplace. It's that special place in between where we meet to awaken our senses, to find inspiration, and to make lasting connections. The third place -- this is what we have become for you, our loyal customer, our friend. Scanning through the pages of this year's planner, it brings me ...

Finally the long wait is OVER! After going through a total of 202 entries created by 113 (yes I counted them all!) awesome readers, we are now ready to spread some cheer to THREE lucky readers this Christmas!!! It was a daunting task as Paul and I slowly went through each and every entry. Some made us laugh, some touched our hearts, and most made us realize the true meaning of Christmas. We enjoyed all the photos, the blog entries, the stories, the comic strips and the trivia that you all have shared with us and with that we would like to say... THANK YOU!!! Of course, we had to stay organize to be able to choose the right winners. While going through the entries, we looked for the ones that has shown the following: - Creativity - Frequency (as the saying goes: the more the merrier!) - Originality (copy cats are not allowed, and I'm proud to say, there was NONE here!) - Ability to spread the Christmas joy (how you have made us laugh, cry or simple leave that warm fuzzy feeling...

I can't believe that it's finally here! I can hardly believe my eyes when my hardworking colleague Mile handed me a warm obviously hot off the press copy just a couple of hours ago! Presenting, the 2010 Yummy Planner ! Featuring 24 delicious recipes, handy shopping lists and more!! I'm seriously so excited about this and I hope you'll enjoy using this as much as we all had a blast creating this for YOU ! This will be on sale for only P250 in all newsstands, bookstores and supermarkets! Stocks are limited to GRAB ONE NOW !!!

Paul asked me if I can be his model for an assignment for his class... Of course, I said YES . Inspired by the 191 (and still counting) comments left on my on-going Starbucks planner promotion page ...here I am with a couple of my Starbucks collection that consists of the city mugs and the super cute Bearista bears! Of course, I just had to be in my Starbucks outfit too! Not really a Starbucks fan, am I? Looking forward to reading more comments in the coming 15 days!! :)

As the clock strikes twelve, watch as almost everything slowly turns more festive... out comes the reds , the greens and the whites. Just like magic, happy holiday tunes starts to play putting everyone in a better mood as they make their Christmas lists. In a couple of weeks, watch as friends and family exchange gifts over a delicious spread of only the season's best. Best of all, the RED cups are HERE !!!... and they're here to stay up until January 6, 2010 !! This year, Starbucks Coffee is bringing back three of our well-loved holiday beverages namely, the Dark Cherry Mocha , the Peppermint Mocha and my personal favorite, the Toffee Nut Latte ! In addition to these highly sought-after drinks, be sure to try a couple of their plenty holiday food items such as the Creme Brulee Cheesecake , the delectable Chocolate Molten Cake , Paul's favorite the Christmas Turkey Chicken on Cranberry Bread and some returning favorites such as the Peppermint Brownie and the Toffee Nut L...