The Girl Behind the Pen

February 5, 2022

Valentine Gift Guide 2022: 10 Affordable Valentine’s Day Gifts for Her That Will Melt Her Heart

Valentine’s Day is one of the occasions to go all out for the woman you love. However, buying Valentine’s Day gifts for her can be tricky—pick out the wrong thing and you could already kiss goodbye to her good mood.

Romantic dates, flowers, and chocolates sure are classics but they’re kind of lazy if you think about it. Because come February 14, all you’ll see are women holding fresh bouquets of flowers. It’s sweet, but don’t you think your girlfriend deserves a little more creativity and uniqueness than that?

The best Valentine’s gift for girlfriend doesn’t have to be pricey. You just have to prove that you know her too well through the Valentine’s Day gifts for her. So, if you’re looking for the perfect affordable yet romantic gift ideas, you came to the right place!

From personalized Valentine’s Day gifts for her that are sure to bring a tear to her eye, to gifts that will go well with her self-care or kikay routine, you’ll find them all here!

Read through as I rounded up the best Valentine’s gifts for her she’ll surely love!

1. A Customized Vector Lamp

If you want more personalized Valentine day gifts for girlfriend, you’ll love this vector lamp. You can customize this lamp with a cute photo of you together which will then be turned into a vector art on the acrylic light board! There is also an option to add a song that’s scannable and opens in Spotify! How cool is that? Indeed a perfect romantic Valentine’s gift for her!

Vector LED Lamp valentines day gifts for her

Customized Vector LED Lamp

₱799.00 - ₱1,749.00 | Available on Shopee

2. An Aesthetic Heating Coaster

If her coffee or tea is always getting cold before she's done with it, this smart touch mini heating coaster would be such a thoughtful Valentine's Day gift idea for her! This is great to use whether she’s at home or at the office, keeping her drink warm till the very last sip. Plus, it does not take up much space because of its small size.

mini heater coaster valentines day gifts for her

Uareliffe Smart Touch Heating Coaster

₱816.00 | Available on Shopee

3. A Classic Red Rose

Though this beautiful red rose encased in a glass dome with LED lights may seem pricey, that's because it's naturally preserved to last up to a year! Made from real flowers that went through a sophisticated preservation process, this enchanting preserved rose is the best Valentine’s gift for her that shows everlasting love. A perfect decor for her bedside table, too!

Preserved Rose valentines day gifts for her

Beauty & The Beast Rose

₱1,499.00 | Available on Flowerstore

4. An Exquisite Grazing Box

Nothing excites a wine-lover more than a grazing box complete with cold cuts, cheese, fruits, and a bottle of wine! So to make your date night even more romantic, this grazing box is the best Valentine’s Day gift for her. Plus, you can even pop it open together and enjoy a glass!

Grazing Box valentines day gifts for her

Grande Grazing Box

₱2,350.00 | Available on Grazely

5. A Stylish Leather Tote

For a gift she's sure to use day after day, this high-quality, monochrome leather tote is perfect! It comes in pique leather, and features knot detail handles which makes it unique. Definitely a head-turner no matter where she goes! Trust me that this is gonna be the best Valentine’s Day gift for her!

Lacoste Leather Tote Bag valentines day gifts for her

Lacoste Women's Chantaco Leather Tote Bag

₱12,250.00 | Available on Zalora

6. A Kikay Kit Must-Have

For the kikay ones, this is the best Valentine's Day gift idea for her! Make sure her lips look extra-kissable with this set of mini glosses from Fenty Beauty! Get ready to be smothered with kisses when she opens this!

Fenty Beauty By Rihanna - Glossy Posse: Mini Gloss Bomb Collection

₱1,881.00 | Available on Zalora

7. A Luxury Bath Set

A luxury bath set is the perfect Valentine gift for girlfriend who loves enjoying a long and relaxing bath. Gift her a little me-time with these luxurious products that come in a gift set which includes a shampoo bar for lustrous and soft-to-the-touch locks, a conditioner bar to restore hydration to each strand, and a bath bar for smoother complexion and ground oats to remove dirt and excess oils that clog the pores.

Nectarine & Honey Luxury Bath Set

₱699.00 | Available on Veste

8. A Travel Size Nail Polish Set

Give her the gift of a salon-worthy manicure at home with this easy manicure set. The best Valentine gift for girlfriend who’s always on the go! Everything she needs for the perfect, damage-free, gel-like manicure are all in one kit. Very handy!

Limegirl Poly Nail Gel Set Poly UV Gel Polish Nail Tools Set

₱373.00 | Available on Shopee

9. A Scented Candle

Fill up her room with a soothing scent from this clean linen scented soy candle which gives off the scent of fresh laundry – reminiscent of the soothing memory of clean sheets sun dried on a warm summer day. Perfect Valentine’s Day gift for her especially after a long day of work and chores.

Happy Island Clean Linen Hand Poured Scented Soy Candle

₱799.00 | Available on Shopee

10. A Birthstone Necklace

Who wouldn't love to add this dainty necklace to their jewelry collection? This birthstone necklace is high quality gold plated copper and is hypoallergenic! A Valentine’s Day gift for her that she’ll truly appreciate and treasure forever!

Tala by Kyla Heart Birthstone Necklace Collection

₱309.00 | Available on Lazada

Article by Aila Cruz

February 1, 2022 Siargao Island, Philippines

12 Must-Visit Siargao Tourist Spots That Will Make You Fall Deeply In-Love with the Island

Although Siargao is known as one of the best surfing meccas in the world, the island is also home to many beautiful Siargao tourist spots that never fail to captivate its visitors. From pristine beaches, thrilling caves and pools, to fun and interesting food spots and friendly locals, name it and Siargao has you covered!

This teardrop-shaped island has remained unspoiled despite the influx of tourists and new infrastructures in recent years. It has been enchanting visitors because of its welcoming vibe and easy island lifestyle. Plus, there’s a lot of activities to keep you busy for days.

If you’re planning to travel there, I’ve rounded up the best places to visit in Siargao.

1. CLOUD 9 SIARGAO

Dubbed as the “Surfing Capital of the Philippines,” Siargao takes pride for its stunning tourist destinations including the world-famous surfing spot Cloud 9. It is one of the most popular tourist spots in Siargao thanks to its sensational waves and awesome location that boasts of the best views of sunrise and sunset. The waves here are perfect for surfing so don’t get too surprised if this place gets a bit crowded.

cloud 9 Siargao tourist spots cielo fernando

2. MAGPUPUNGKO ROCK POOL

Magpupungko Rock Pool is an ideal spot for cliff jumping, swimming, and ofc photoshoots. From General Luna, where most of the tourist accommodations are, Magpupungko Rock Pool is just a 45-minute motorbike ride. Its formation is unbelievably beautiful but there is a catch though! On some days, this Siargao tourist spot is closed to tourists so be sure to check before you make the trip there. And before going to Magpupungko, make sure about your preferred time of visit because the area gives unique experiences during the low tide and high tide. If you’ve only got few days to spare on the island, be sure not to miss Magpupungko Rock Pools in your Siargao itinerary. And oh by the way, Magpupungko Rock Pool tends to get crowded and only accessible during low tide so plan your visit well.

magpupungko rock pool Siargao tourist spots cielo fernando

Photo from instagram.com/thesiargaoisland

3. GUYAM ISLAND

If Naked Island is completely bare, Guyam Island offers a totally different setting yet equally scenic. This Siargao tourist destination is surrounded by a lush clump of vegetation. Guyam Island is uninhabited except for the island’s caretakers. It has two sides—the rocky beach and the sandy beach, both are very instagrammable. There are many coconut trees in this Siargao tourist spot where you can let yourself get lost in the moment. There are few huts available on the beach so you can just chill out and enjoy your solitude.

guyam island Siargao tourist spots cielo fernando

4. NAKED ISLAND

Naked Island, as the name suggests, has nothing but white sand and azure waters surrounding it. This tourist destination in Siargao has no shades and facilities, only locals and tourists who enjoy the picturesque view of the island. Naked Island may be bare but it is surrounded with serenity and beauty that just by looking at it will have you speechless.

nake disland Siargao tourist spots cielo fernando

5. DAKU ISLAND

Daku Island is mostly the place where tourists are brought to by guides for lunch. You can indulge yourself into a sumptuous meal that includes the freshest seafood and refreshing buko juice.

Your local Siargao guide will help you find the best cook on the island and enjoy it on a boodle fight! And unlike the other two beaches mentioned above, there are a lot more things to do in Daku Island from kayaking to fishing.

daku island Siargao tourist spots cielo fernando

Photo from instagram.com/iradeniseoyco

6. SUGBA LAGOON

This Siargao tourist spot is located at the town of Del Carmen. It is about a two-hour drive from General Luna. You can explore the lagoon by canoes, bamboo rafts, paddle boards and by snorkeling.

sugba lagoon Siargao tourist spots cielo fernando

Photo from instagram.com/gotmarked

7. COCONUT ROAD

They say you’re never in Siargao if you don’t visit the Coconut Road. This place has a really good view of perfectly-lined coconut trees on both sides of the street.

coconut road Siargao tourist spots cielo fernando

8. COCONUT ISLAND

This Siargao tourist destination will have you amazed at the scenic view of the thousands of coconut trees, hence the monicker "Coconut Island." Coconut Island is just along the road so you can pose at the side with the coconut trees at your back.

COCONUT ISLAND Siargao tourist spots cielo fernando

9. MAASIN RIVER

After seeing the Coconut Island and Coconut Road, you shouldn’t also miss the bent coconut tree in Maasin River. The most interesting part here is that, you can swing back and forth from the rope attached to the tree and let yourself plunge in about 6ft. deep water.

MAASIN RIVER Siargao tourist spots cielo fernando

10. SHAKA CAFE

When in Siargao, tourists never miss this cafe by the beach because one, they serve healthy, refreshing and yummy smoothie bowls and two, they are located by the beach so you can enjoy your treat with a great view of the sunset. And oh, did I mention they're just so Instagrammable so you wouldn't help yourself from taking lots of photos! Road to #feedgoals it is.

Shaka Cafe Siargao tourist spots cielo fernando

11. YEAH YEAH CUPSICLES

This small Siargao cafe is just along the road of General Luna, and is something you shouldn't miss. Yeah Yeah Cupsicles is an ice cream shop and a bar at the same time. It's the same area as the Fat Lips store.

You should try their ice cream on cups. They won't give you a spoon though. So, how are you gonna eat it? Simple, just rub the cup with your both hands until the ice cream pops up and there, eat it like a kid. The banana and chocolate flavors are the best!

yeah yeah cupsicles Siargao tourist spots cielo fernando

12. JACKING HORSE

Jacking Horse Siargao got its name because of the way the waves that jack at the peak, smashing into the reef. The place is best surfed between mid to high tide. The waves are manageable for those trying to balance and get their timing right that’s why this is perfect for beginners.

There’s nowhere quite like Siargao. It’s the kind of place where you can do nothing but to relax; a place where you can find serenity… and love.

It’s not difficult to see why Siargao was named as the best island in Asia according to Conde Nast Traveler Magazine.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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January 29, 2022

Valentine Gift Guide 2022: 10 Practical and Stylish Valentine’s Day Gifts for Him He’ll Love

Raise your hand if there was ever a time in your life where you found yourself searching every store in the mall, browsing through every online shopping platform, racking your brain thinking of the best Valentine gift for boyfriend. Because, not gonna lie, looking for a gift and thinking of ideas for Valentine’s Day for him can be a daunting task!

Valentine's Day Gifts for boyfriend 2022

Whether you’re looking for your first Valentine gift for boyfriend or your nth, finding the best Valentine's Day gifts for him that’s not too cheesy but also not too over the top is a real challenge!

But fret not 'cause I’ve rounded up all the best Valentine's Day gifts for him that he will surely love! Because they do deserve the appreciation, not just on Valentine's day, but all year round!

1. A New Scent

I mean, who doesn't love burying their face in their partner's shirt and breathing in deeply their scent, right? So be it their signature perfume or a new one that you would love to smell on him, giving a perfume as a Valentine gift for boyfriend is a no brainer! Plus, studies show that smelling a romantic partner’s scent may reduce stress. Sounds pretty weird but amazing, doesn't it?

BULGARI pour Homme Extreme Eau de Toilette valentine's day gifts for him

BVLGARI pour Homme Extrême Eau de Toilette

₱3,700.00 | Available on Rustans

2. A Nice Wrist Watch

You’d think that with the advancement of technology, wrist watches would be a thing of the past. But there’s something about this timeless piece that men are fascinated with. Some guys use this as an investment, some, as an heirloom. While there are others who wear watches because it’s a part of who they are. Regardless of the reason, men’s trend of wearing wrist watches is here to stay, making it a perfect Valentine’s Day gift idea for boyfriend!

Police Taman Brown Leather Watch

₱9,140.00 | Available on Zalora

3. An All-in-One Grooming Kit

A grooming set with all the essentials will make him feel like a gentleman! Upgrade his shaving routine with this rechargeable beard trimmer, hair clipper, and electric shaver in one! No more trips to the barber needed and say yes to that instant clean look! Perfect as a Valentine’s Day gift for him!

BLADE Wahl Lithium Ion All-in-One Beard Trimmer Men’s Grooming Kit

₱3,950.00 | Available on Shopee

4. A Carry All Backpack

This is a perfect and practical Valentine’s Day gift idea for boyfriend, especially for the adventurous ones. Be it for a day hike, a quick weekend trip, or even for his constant visits to the gym, this backpack is a light packer’s best friend!

Herschel Little America Backpack

₱5,990.00 | Available on Shopee

5. An Insulated Tumbler

This is one of the cutest Valentine’s Day gifts for him – perfect reminder as well for him to stay hydrated! Having an insulated tumbler that he can carry wherever he goes is the best Valentine’s gift for him to enjoy his favorite drink, whether it is coffee, tea, water, or sports drink. Because of its double-wall insulation, his drink will be kept piping hot or ice-cold for hours. Oh, and to make his day even brighter and special, you can make your own version of his favorite drink, specially made with love!

Hydro Flask 40 oz Olive 2.0 Wide Mouth

₱2,990.00 | Available on Shopee

6. A Trusty Pair of Slides

Of course, comfort is of utmost importance for guys. And what better Valentine gift for boyfriend than slide sandals? It’s no secret that slides are one of the most comfortable shoes men can buy. No matter what material the soles are, slides provide the ultimate comfort level. But aside from that, the main reason why men like wearing slides is because they’re so convenient and easy to wear. You literally just ‘slide’ them on and go!

Adidas Adilette Aqua Slides

₱900.00 | Available on Adidas

7. Wireless Headphones

For the music lover or maybe gamer boyfriend, this is the best Valentine’s Day gift for him! Who wouldn’t want a wireless headphone with an exceptional sound quality, extended battery life, smart features and, the best part, has a noise-canceling capability?! Just a warning though, he might not hear you whenever you’re talking to him or worse, when you are nagging. Oooppss!

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones

₱16,499 | Available on Shopee

8. A Matching Belt and Wallet

Belts are indispensable accessories for men. Wearing a belt makes them feel stronger and more confident. It gives them a neat and polite look. And for men, having a belt proves their style. So gifting this set as Valentine's Day gifts for him is a practical and good investment! You’re completely assured that these will always be a part of his ‘fits, be it casual or smart look!

Swiss Polo Men's Gift Set

₱2,290.00 | Available on Zalora

9. A Fancy Flask

For the guy who loves to drink, this is the best Valentine’s gift for him as this is one of the all-time favorite gent’s accessories. Take his liquor game up a notch with this luxury set which includes shot glasses, a foldable bottle opener, and a corkscrew. Expect a man jumping for joy like a kid after receiving his favorite toy.

HipFlask 4in1 Luxury Set

₱1,550.00 | Available on hipflaskph.com or message them on their Instagram

10. Fun Socks

Colorful fun socks for men have been trending for quite some time now! And it appears that if your guy is among those who are free-spirited enough to experiment with their clothing, then he might just be a genius! Studies show that wearing crazy and unusual socks and showing their creativity and non-conforming attitude through the clothes they wear is often a sign of brilliance and success! Such a cute Valentine's Day gift idea for boyfriend!

Iconic Socks Pizza and Chill Pattern Ankle Socks

₱150.00 | Available on Lazada