Happy Planner Spread | Back to Stickers & All the Happy Feels

This week’s spread felt like coming home to my stash - back to my beloved Happy Planner stickers (I've been using Traci Reed's Brighter Days collection stickers the past 2 weeks) and all the color and florals that just make everything feel lighter. I skipped the Harry Potter theme for now (I realized the Harry Potter washi given to me didn't have Ravenclaw), but I’m definitely still planning both a Ravenclaw spread and a full Hogwarts one in the coming weeks.

For this week, I leaned into a bright washi and the Happy Quotes sticker book - florals, happy colors, and all the feel-good sentiments. I added phrases like “live life with a little zest,” “relax,” “give up, give in or give it your all,” “think happy, be happy,” and “there are so many beautiful reasons to be happy!” But my favorite has to be “Happy girls are the prettiest” by Audrey Hepburn. We used to have that quote on our locker wall back when I was working in Citadines, and it always made me smile, so it felt extra special adding it here.

Life lately has been moving fast. Last week flew by so quickly (even if my husband insists otherwise) that I didn’t even realize we hadn’t changed the sheets yet! At that point, we decided not to bother since we’re heading off for another Bahrain weekend anyway. Of course, I’ll be sharing that in a separate blog post. But if you haven’t yet, you can check out our first Bahrain weekend over on my previous blog. Weekend 2 is coming soon!

On the reading front, I’m now on my 6th book of the month - and still reading daily! I’ve also been binge-watching The Blacklist on the side, thanks to a friend’s recommendation, and the husband and I are hooked.

Projects from last week:

I had quite a productive week creatively! For Printable, Cuttable, Creatables, I made a passport-sized TN with a spring theme, everything from the notebook to the inserts was fully DIYed, which made it extra satisfying. Read about it in PCC's blog here.

For Traci Reed, what started as a simple organizer turned into a full-blown set (classic me getting carried away). I’ll be sharing more soon, but the full project will be up on her blog, along with more photos on my socials.

Also for Traci, one of my sketches from two weeks ago got published, it’s a scrapbook layout from my very first pop-up here in Saudi. And another project that went live last week was a mini folio album - super pretty and surprisingly easy to recreate!

I’ve also started working ahead on my May (and even June!) projects since we’ll be out for most of June. Trying to stay ahead feels so good (and responsible! hehe!). One of the layouts I finished is for our Valentine’s Day celebration - I can’t share photos just yet but here's the journaling I added.

Check out my TRD blog features here:

Sketchy Sunday #73

Mini Album Tutorial: Create a Bi-fold Folio

For Bee Happy’s anniversary celebration (14 handmade gifts for 14 years!), I decided to go with mini albums - something I truly love making. It just felt right to combine documenting memories with the craft I enjoy most as I love both. So far, I’ve completed 10 out of 14 bases (no inserts or embellishments yet as that’s the fun part I’m saving for last!).

10th mini not in the photo

I also started working on my bouquet using air dry clay… and wow, it’s not as easy as it looks. Hoping the painting stage will make it better!

For Polkadoodles, I made easel cards that will be published on May 6 for Digi Choosday, with a full tutorial coming here on my blog too.

Lucky update 

We discovered something new about Lucky this week - he loves the memory pillows we bought from the Philippines! He kept choosing them over his cat beds, so I finally gave him mine. Now he has his own little setup beside our bed - mini pillow and all - and he absolutely enjoys it. I guess he knows which one’s the fancy option compared to the Shopee beds I got him. hahaha! Photos above are him enjoying Ton's memory pillow and here below is his new set up with my memory pillow.

We also squeezed in a quick dinner at Happy Lemon while running errands and grocery shopping last week! That’s when I picked up my air dry clay and tools, so technically… a productive food trip too!

All in all, it was one of those weeks that felt both fast and full - lots of crafting, a little bit of creative chaos , and many small, happy moments in between. And honestly, that’s exactly the kind of week I love documenting!

Bahrain During the Ceasefire | A Weekend Getaway - April 10-11

We hadn’t been to Bahrain since February 14, when we spent Valentine’s weekend there. Thinking back, I might have already been iron deficient at the time, I remember not feeling well the entire trip, which made it feel longer than it actually was. So even though it hasn’t been that long, it felt like we hadn’t been back in ages.

With everything that had been happening recently, we didn’t dare travel. The thought of getting stranded, even just across the causeway felt too risky. And of course, we had our cat waiting for us in Saudi. That alone was enough reason to stay put.

So when the ceasefire was declared, the idea of going back felt pretty safe and ok.

Then came the perfect push as Fraser Suites Bahrain messaged us with an sweet deal: BD 55 for a stay upgraded to a One Bedroom Executive, with in-room breakfast, a mixed grill dinner, late checkout at 7PM, and even 50% off massage. It felt too good to pass up.

That Friday, we drove to Bahrain.

Crossing the King Fahd Causeway was surreal as it was almost empty. There were probably less than 10 cars. What usually takes around 30 minutes or more with queues. This time, it took us barely any time at all. It felt like a completely different experience.

Our first stop, as always, was Bahay Kubo for a proper Filipino food feast. We went all out (with pork of course) - pork BBQ, liempo, tortang talong with giniling, leche flan, and Ton even tried something new, their kare-kare with lechon kawali. Definitely too much for two people… but also exactly what we wanted. Heheh! We just had them pack leftovers for later.

We checked in at Fraser Suites, and if you’ve been following my blog, you’ve probably seen this room before, we almost always stay in their one-bedroom units. Still, it never gets old.

The husband surprised me with a massive OA haul of self-care goodies - face masks, hand masks, foot peel masks, lip masks, even butt masks! Some were favorites we’ve gifted before, but others were new to try. It felt like a mini spa weekend waiting to happen.

After settling in, we headed to the pool, and had it completely to ourselves. Low occupancy perks! It was quiet, peaceful, and tbh one of the most relaxing swims we’ve had. 

Back in the room, while waiting for our complimentary dinner, I finally picked up something I’ve been meaning to do for the longest time, watercoloring. I used my Harry Potter Watercolor Magic Book (which I rediscovered while cleaning my craft room recently. I bought it in Jarir a year or two ago), and it turned out to be such a fun and easy way to start practicing. Being Harry Potter themed made me even more excited to keep learning.

My crafting grab bag aka analog bag (free from Sunnies!)

With lucky pin, button pins from KM, monogram keychain gifted to me by cousins

Plush charms from Chummy she got me when she went to Taiwan, ice cream clicker from Cecille

Cat pouch from Korinne

                                       

Used this mid painting!

Dinner was a mixed grill set. I mostly stuck to the fries and our Bahay Kubo leftovers since it included lamb (which I don’t eat), but Ton loved it. The serving was huge and we even had leftovers the next day.

At 10PM, we went for our couples massage. We booked a relaxing one, but it turned out a bit stronger than expected - still good, though. That kind of “good ache” massage that knocks you right out after.

The next morning, we had breakfast in-room. Since occupancy was low, there was no buffet, but we didn’t mind. I kept it light with pancakes (and they kindly added eggs upon request), which was perfect.

With our late checkout, we headed to City Centre Bahrain for a bit of shopping. A quick stop at Bath & Body Works turned into a mini haul with bubble baths and body scrub. Thankfully, I had Aura points that were about to expire, which softened the damage (haha).

We also grabbed Pinkberry, picked up socks, badminton gear for Ton (he’s joining Friday games with friends now!), and somehow, I ended up scheduling hair highlights for myself instead.

Back at the hotel, I squeezed in some proper self-care, bubble bath, scrubs, and masks while Ton rested before the drive.

We checked out a little after 6PM (I love late checkouts and 7PM really makes overnight stays feel longer), and headed to Istumo for dinner. We missed the set promo by 30 minutes and ended up with the unlimited package, but no regrets, it was a great meal.

Driving back to Saudi in heavy rain, we were just grateful to arrive home safely.

What stood out most during this trip, though, was the people. Everyone we encountered felt especially warm and kind. Conversations would start simply asking for our number at when we pay for something, and of course, from our mobile numbers, they will find out that we drove all the way from Saudi so they would ask how things have been, shared experiences of the past weeks.

There was something kind of quietly comforting in that.

You could feel that Bahrain had taken a hit, but also that people were hopeful and happy to see visitors coming back. It made the trip feel more meaningful than just a quick getaway.

Here’s hoping things continue to get better, and that this ceasefire turns into something lasting.

Read about my TN journaling about this short trip here (near the end if you want to skip everything else! hehe)