Color Me Happy: April Recap & Fresh May Pages (plus manifesting all the good vibes for this month!!!)

This week’s The Happy Planner layout is all about color and good vibes - smiley washi tape paired with the Color Me Happy sticker book, I think this the perfect way to welcome May. Why Color Me Happy? Because it simply is happy.  And starting the month surrounded by bright colors and uplifting sentiments like “Good Vibes,” “Do more of what makes you happy,” and “This colorful life” just sets the tone right - specially with vacation coming up in a few weeks!

Before diving fully into May, I’m sharing my April journaling recap. My planner continues to double as my daily journal, and for my Daily Stampede, I managed to fill just the entire page. I thought I would need an additional insert but eventually I ended up pacing myself midway through the month.

Reading-wise, April was such a win: 10 books finished, bringing me to 27 reads year-to-date! My standout favorite from my reading journal (made using Traci Reed Designs Bookish collection) has to be False Witness by Karin Slaughter - definitely my top read for the first quarter of 2026.

I also joined Bee Happy Online Party, and even though I didn’t win, my niece, Sabi did - which made it even more fun! I wrapped up almost all my Bee Happy Anniversary Weeklies too (except the bag - because well, I'm in Saudi and I cannot buy it and get it here on time), and I’m genuinely proud of finishing so many, especially since every project was a first for me.

From crafting a Birthday Bouquet with air dry clay (soooo much harder than it looks!), to finally trying proper glass mosaic (with grout this time!), to creating 14 mini albums using my Design Team collections from Kelly Bangs Creative and Traci Reed Designs - April pushed me creatively in the best way. Plus a last-minute pop-up book - totally worth the rush. I almost skipped it, but thanks to some encouragement from the husband and friends, I finished just in time - and I love how it turned out. Read more about my pop up book and my creative journey story here.

We wrapped up the week with a little celebration: a movie date watching The Devil Wears Prada 2. The storyline may not have been groundbreaking, but the nostalgia hit just right - I even teared up a bit. Plus, we tried a different popcorn flavor besides our usual cheese and/or sour cream. We tried pizza flavor and it was so good and tasty! Definitely a new popcorn fave.

Of course, dessert followed (because priorities! Remember - Life is short. Eat dessert first) - Belgian chocolate toast and Spanish latte and then we tried Bup Burger, which was so good and surprisingly affordable. We will definitely be back if not this week, maybe next week. We also made a quick stop at Krispy Kreme for their Harry Potter tumbler! Only SAR 29 (or Php 450) with drinks too!

Now, onto a new week: catching up on future projects before vacation, prepping for the Spring Market, and getting ready to launch next weekend’s crafting workshop with Happy Sandscapes - where I’ve lined up two fun projects for the attendees.

And just like that, we’re stepping into May with full hearts, colorful pages, and so much to look forward to. 

A Little Pampering in Saudi: Crafting, Community & Comfort

Late post, but here it is!

Last November 29, my friend and I went to Happy Sandscapes’ Hot Chocolate Crafting and Pamper Day held at Friends Salon in Al Khobar. It was actually our first time stepping inside a salon here in Saudi! Salons in KSA are usually covered on the outside for privacy since they cater to women, so you never really know what it looks like inside. Honestly, I get intimidated passing by them because… what if they’re super expensive? Then I have to do the embarrassing walk of shame out. Hahaha!. But seriously, my kuripot self always compares everything to Manila rates, so paying 300% more for a haircut really pains me.

Before this, I tried home service from a kabayan who came recommended. I availed haircut, hair color, mani, and pedi. Technically convenient, but the whole time I just wanted it to end. She kept asking how much our rent was, how much my husband earns, if she could have some of my handmade Christmas decor, and even asked if we had STC Pay so she could send money home… I was like, WHAT IS HAPPENING. I ended up paying around ₱8,000 because I covered her Uber too. In the Philippines, this would have cost about ₱1,000. So yeah… I never contacted her again.

After that, I downgraded to my husband’s barber for trims - cheap and efficient. Or so I thought. My last haircut in July, I asked for 2 inches off and he cut it SO short I wanted to cry. And that was right before our almost month-long vacation, so all my photos? Bad hair day chronicles! After that, I even bought hair scissors from a beauty store thinking, “Fine. I’ll cut my hair myself from now on” That’s how traumatized I was.

BUT.

Because of this event… I finally found my new regular salon in KSA!

Even if it’s 2 hours away (if you’re a regular reader, you already know we live in a very very very provincial place haha!), I am committed to going every two months for some pampering. My friend, Melody will officially be my salon buddy for 2026 and she’s just as excited.

The owner, Tita Sarah, is Filipina and she is SO nice. While waiting for Ton to pick us up, she sat with us and chatted about her business. She started Friends Salon around 2002 (or 2003?) so they’ve been around for ages. Her team, Ate Glory, Ate Tess, and Ate Emily have been with her from the start too. That alone tells you she’s a great employer. And since it’s Filipino-owned and staffed, you already know the comfort level is 10/10.

The best part? Her prices are so reasonable! So reasonable that it's almost Manila rates!

From time to time, she collaborates with Happy Sandscapes for pamper events and special packages. Just look at the packages she offered for this event:

Promo 1 – 120 SAR (Php 1800.00
 Manicure
 Pedicure
 Threading
 Haircut
 Blowdry
 Nail Polish

Promo 2 – 200 SAR (3000.00)
 Hair Color
 Manicure
 Pedicure
 Blowdry
 Nail Polish

For the Hot Chocolate Crafting portion, there was a big table filled with pastries, hot chocolate, whipped cream cans, and toppings like mallows and sprinkles. And since most guests were Filipinos, it felt just like Manila, people happily brought food to share.

Because I’m super grateful for the friendships I’ve made through Happy Sandscapes and for their support of My Cat and Crafts, I brought little handmade tokens for everyone: mini hot chocolate cups with a chocolate biscuit and a hot chocolate packet. I added winter animal and gingerbread ornaments too, which double as gift tags!

Melody and I got our nails done but didn’t avail of the full package because the guys were already waiting for us to finish. 

Photo grabbed from HSS Facebook Page

Overall, it was such a win! Friendly community, good food, cozy hot chocolate crafting, and the discovery of a new regular salon for us. We’ll definitely be back, though probably after February since we’ll be in Manila and December–January pampering will be Manila-based. Hehe.

If you’re in Saudi Arabia, especially in the Eastern Province, make sure to follow Happy Sandscapes’ socials too! They always share things to do, places to visit, and events happening around the area. Their page genuinely helped me when I first arrived here and had no idea where to start. 

Facebook - Happy Sandscapes

Instagram - happy_sandscapes

And of course, if you’re nearby, follow Friends Salon on Facebook as well!

I’ll insert their price menu here so you can check out their services: