The Story of Adie

Moving from one place to another is really a tough decision to make. You need to give up so many things-- like your family, friends, work and even the food you customarily eat!!!

It's almost your whole life! One of those includes my dear, dear... bicycle (which I totally miss!). 

Back in Manila, I totally enjoyed riding my bike around the metro.

I missed it more when we moved here in Adelaide as I observed it to be a more biker-friendly city. 

There are broad and flat roads, the major streets have bicycle lanes, and even bike pumps to keep your tires in tip-top shape. You can even rent/hire (as they call it here) a free bike everyday,

and it's open for everyone! Perfect for a city tour! Getting away from traffic has never been this convenient in my experience. You can enjoy the view, the scent of fresh air and there's a whole lot of coffee shops to try! Ahhhh! (can I pass as your tour guide?) Haha! 

So when 'the husband' decided to give me a gift as I start to feel the homesickness being away for too long, he bought me a bike—a vintage lady bicycle from Reid cycles! I’m sooooo HAPPYYYYYY and excited that I don’t want to leave the house anymore just to wait for it to be delivered!!!

I actually got it last February 18 #sentimentalpurposes HAHA and my husband immediately assembled it for me while I was having my grocery shopping. He knew how excited I was that day but I really needed to load up our fridge or else we’ll not eat! I even got sad that it arrived only few minutes after I left, when I waited almost the entire day for it to came! It was that bad! Haha!

We immediately went to the beach to try it and take pictures of it. For #sentimentalpurposes (again)!
 I saw how happy he was too, as he saw my ear-to-ear smiles while riding my new bicycle! 

I named it “Adie” short for Adelaide. <3 #sentimentalpurposes 3.0! 

so chic and vintage---very Instagram worthy too!

Tip: Better to call their customer service to make sure you have the right size of the bike or visit their nearest shop. Mine is huge in person! I got the large size, cos my height is in between the medium and large frame which is 5’5.  I actually called them to check if what size do a 5’5 woman usually purchase and the representative told me as long as you can touch the ground with one foot it's good but we can also visit their nearest shop to have it checked or even exchange it with a smaller size if we need to do so. I preferred this size, I can sit straight and my legs are comfortable. BUT! if you aren't that used to riding a bike, I suggest you get the smaller size even you are between that size too.

I bought this basket separately, cos this is excluded as you purchase the bike.

Great for picnics or any quick shopping! 

Now, I can go around the city without worrying too much about the rush hour that means a higher fare. We can actually use it for our dates as well. Just like this, nothing fancy and much more healthy, we can save time and money by bringing our own food in the park or beach and just enjoy every moment.

Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a riding a bike.

Ride safely!

Love,

Jamila

Love every day

Yesterday was a beautiful day, my feed was full of flowers, chocolates and different kind of dates. I’m glad that my friends are enjoying the occasion and though we don’t have it in our own beliefs, there’s no reason for me to comment anything against it the same way I don’t want non-muslims to give negative comments when we celebrate our Eid. Probably, that’s the good thing about being a revert to Islam, you have the heart to understand other religion and it’s easier to be aware on what they’ll feel in each and every post you share. My friends and family know that we don’t celebrate it, they understand the reason why. --- Cause, every day is love day for Muslims! HAHA!

Our religion is simple. People are complicated. Do it as if you are a medical practitioner. You use layman's term for people to understand, to avoid any misunderstandings.  

On a lighter note, yesterday was just a usual weekend for us. Except that my feed is soooooooo RED. haha! I woke up to prepare hubby’s breakfast before he went to work, ate lunch alone, prepared hubby’s dinner after his work, worked out, we read a book together, told stories that’ll make us laugh until bedtime. Nothing fancy, but that’s the time I’ve realized that every day is a chance to show how much you love your partner, family and friends. Not just once in a year, because they deserve to feel loved everyday.

Every day is love day!

 It's Monday and no special occasion to celebrate, just another day to feel loved!

Scarf from @classiccrownhijabstore (Kaffah)

Leather jacket from Dotti

Dress from Cotton On

Shoes from Adidas Superstar

Cuppa date by the beach (Cibo is the best!)

Hawaiian pizza and it's halal HUHU!

Glad that we lived 15 minutes away from the beach

Nothing fancy, Just love. We can do this everyday.

Love,

Jamila

The love for layers

Who says you can't wear layers in summer? You actually can, All you have to do is to choose lightweight materials, such as cotton, polyester and chiffon--definitely summer friendly! Even here in the place where it's freakin' hot every last quarter of the year while everyone is getting cold.

Lately, I enjoy mixing and matching different outfits, and now I'm currently obsessed with adding on vests/blazers/coats. For me, they add a different touch to your outfit, you can even repeat the same basics you wear inside, cover it up with different outwears and tadaaaaah! NEW OOTD! Just look for the right pieces that can be perfect for your current weather to avoid overdressing.

Wearing "Ellie" #classicprintcollection by @classiccrownhijabstore

-made of lightweight chiffon, summer friendly! love it. 

Please don't try this at home! LOL

-definitely love layers!!!! even in summer! Wohooo!

Just enjoy mix matching lovelies!

Love,

Jamila

The Love Down Under!

Travel. Relocation. Migration. Three of the most common things we saw on our social media feeds. We always see people travel, relocate or migrate somewhere out there. To us Filipinos, we just get tired of living with the same old system we always have. I'm not being less patriotic here but it's the reality, we, Filipinos love that wandering feeling and being able to get something in return, might be new experiences or new stuff we can't always get back home or even some refreshing way to live life without the endless corruption issues.

Things got busy these past few months and I don't always get to lie in bed like this to share my recent experiences by typing. Glad this moment came, as I badly need to share my happiness before I burst! Kidding aside, my husband and I just relocate (like most of everyone, does). We are now here in the south of Australia, that place you always think of kangaroos, yes, that's it.

Hi Mommy and baby kangaroo (joey)!

To my friends and followers who might ask, if I'll be staying here for good I want to share a piece of it and can't disclose everything, but for certainty, I am staying here for 2 years. Hopefully 2 good, awesome years! In shaa Allah! Back in the PH, I always hope and pray that Allah would guide us here and be able to find a Muslim community that will help us in our journey. Answer to that prayer didn't take that long, as we arrive in Adelaide (where we'll be staying mostly), we were able to meet some Filipino Muslims living here! The Islamic Center they have here is a plus! I can't wait to post about it too. Soon!

Islamic Centre of South Australia, Masha Allah!

Back to Adelaide, which is known for being the old city with old churches, let me share how I would be describing it from my own perspectives I'm having, so far.

It's so convenient, like living in a square that you won't be afraid of exploring it around. Their transportation system will always allow you to go to one place to another hassle-free, either you take the bus or the train. There are so many beautiful buildings out here, preserved for you to get a piece of the past while looking at their present appearances. (Almost every street is IG-worthy, I tell you!)

Bookstore in Central Market #bookhaven I know!

Perfect place for a cappuccino!

Something old, something new! 

Isn't it lovely?

Victoria Square

Very instagrammable!

Pigeon's usual tambayan! LOL!

(Scarf from @classiccrownhijabstore, Blazer from Lavina, Pants from @unarosa

Bag from @sacola, and shoes from @butterflytwist)

What is more lovely here is that the city is surrounded by beaches, which makes fresh air just few minutes away. To hear the splash of the water in the white fine sand, to feel that breeze in your skin and to see those flying seagulls that may join you too while you snack. Sounds great, right?

Glenelg Esplanade

(Scarf: Kaffah shawl from @classiccrownhijabstore, Sunnies by @sunniesstudio,

Jacket: Forever21, and shoes by Merrell) 

Friendly seagulls!

Seagull's favorite tambayan! 

Still in Glenelg Beach

Lastly but not the least of what I admire about our first few days here... is their people. Australians are polite, they smile at you, greet you even they don’t know you and for the Muslimahs out there, good news for us. I am wearing my scarf and I received that same treatment.  Alhamdulillah I suddenly remember that famous hashtag #Illridewithyou where Australians fought for the right of everyone, respect to other religions and beliefs, Muslim or not, black or white, it's all the same. They make everyone feel deserved for respect.

I know everything won't always be perfect but I always pray for the best. We leave everything up to Him. And I knew He guided us to meet this Muslim community here even at the time we least expected it. Truly, He is the best journey planner.

Love,

Jamila

Escape from the city: Bag of Beans - Twin Lakes, Tagaytay

Whenever we want to escape the city, whenever we felt overworked, and felt the need of a short vacation (which is the least we could have due to our busy scheds), there's this one place that will always cross our minds--our fave, *drum rolls* Batangas.

If you're not a frequent visitor of the county, don't worry. It's not as far as you think. From Manila, it'll just take around 2 hours to go to Tagaytay and just 45 more minutes to an hour to reach Nasugbu. Not that long for the sake of fresh air and a breathtaking view, either the beach or the Taal.

Last weekend, my husband and I suddenly wanted to hit the beach in the middle of the year, for a change. "Beach, please" as my husband calls it. Thanks to Canyon Cove Beach Resort, which always saves our itching soles from the need of the sand.

Anyway, on our way back, we'd decided to drop by our favest of all coffee/cake shops, Bag of Beans, as we heard that they recently opened another branch at Twin Lakes (along with Splendido).

My heart jumped and my eyes popped up as I entered the shop because of its Pinteresting theme. The other two branches are picture perfect as well but this one's different.

I love white! I really do! So I eagerly took lots of photos of my favorite spots hungrily but discreetly!:p Glad that we visited on a Monday so there are lesser customers around, lucky me!

Here are some of my fave spots in the shop:

I know, the view from the balcony is amazing! Loved the cold breeze in the place which was way better than a typical air-conditioned tambayans!

Balcony (you can also eat and seat here)

Even their cashier / staff area is also picture perfect!

The dainty theme of the second floor, and the hand-painted tables are so awesome! I wanted to bring them all home! yay!


 
White, flowers, lamp, infused water lemon and more! So much love for this place!
Definitely, one of my inspiration to work hard and build our future home! In shaa Allah!
With my husband. Alhamdulillah for another year here in dunya.
And May Allah bless you with healthy and happy life here and the hereafter.
Perks of visiting during weekdays: Uncrowded and you can choose your seats!


This place has really caught me! Oh, my love for bikes and white walls! Classic!



Stairs going to the first floor!
The lovely details from ceilings to the floors.
Hands down for their unique theme even here in the first floor!
 The seats and tables are so beautiful!
Outside the store is an overlooking view and a perfect spot for couples like us!
See those wooden chairs and table? Isn’t it perfect for a romantic date with your wife or husband? :)
 And oh, don’t mind me! I’m busy with my ootd. Haha! :p



Next time, small doors/entrances would be a warning to me!
The inside was really unexpected! 

I will definitely go back here! Cheers to more sweet escapes away from the city! It will be a great treat for yourselves after work or school! :))