Family {Adorable Oana-banana Turns 1}

Lemme just say a few things about Oana-banana, my adorable little niece. She has the most inquisitive, smart eyes, the most adorable giggle, and the most amazing ability to learn new stuff everyday. She is also very independent for a one year old, and knows her way around her walker like a race car driver knows his way around his Ferrari. Oana turned 1 last Saturday, in a fairy-themed affair that brought all the people who love this darling little girl together. It rained that day, but it also rained love and kisses indoors. And the next day, Oana walked a few more steps, I was told... isn't that just amazing? A great sense of timing, this little girl has.

We shoot these photos a few weeks ago and finally, after so much procrastinating, I'm getting to share them. 

family, family, family, family, family, family, family, family, family, family, family, family
Congratulations on your first year, Oana-banana!

Travel {Back to the 50's: Macy's Diner, Laoag City}

“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” 

– Bill Bryson

JP is the one who chooses the hotels we stay in when we travel and for this trip, he really outdid himself. Once our plane landed in Laoag, we caught a ride in one of their cute little pedicabs that seem to be built ONLY for two, so two people with really large backpacks have to do some serious body-bending just to sit comfortably, and we told the driver to take us to Tiffany's. 

Tiffany's is a gem of a hotel, quaint, with an obvious 50's vibe with it's framed photos of John Lennon, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and other 50's and 60's icons on the walls. But what made me grin from ear to ear was the 50s-inspired diner on the first floor, with it's checkered black and white tile floors, a vintage jukebox  in the center, 50's style diner booths along the walls and a whole lot of Americana adorning the walls and the ceilings.

The details inside the diner were amazing and I was glad I took the good camera along to do the photos justice. Macy's is rated on Trip Advisor so it is pretty well-known among the touristy crowd.  If you are planning a trip to Laoag or to Vigan, it's a good idea to drop by and try a few of their signature dishes. I tried the green tea ice cream and JP ordered Hi-Bol with malunggay, one of their signature dishes. For all its retro-American inspired decor, Macy's serves great Ilocano food, and their menu is a delight to read, especially since I don't think I've tasted anything near authentic Ilocano before that trip. If I ever find myself in Laoag again, Macy's is definitely one of my stops. 

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