The one with the Petunia Pickle Bottom bags

Before I got pregnant, I told myself that I'll get a Kate Spade Stevie diaper bag once I have a baby. I once said that I'll get Kate Spade shoes for my wedding, and hey, it happened. Kate Spade is my favorite brand, but I don't own any of her bags, so I told myself that I could reward myself with this once I become a mother.

It's gorgeous, isn't it? It even comes with a cute changing pad! The price? $400. Kate Spade isn't a luxury brand like Louis Vuitton or Prada, but it's still too much for my middle-class income. It's not something I can buy before months of saving up and without much thought, and all this thinking makes me realize that P16,000+ (if I had it) is not something I'm willing to spend on a bag at this point. That amount can already pay for so many baby stuff, so... no. No Kate Spade diaper bag for me.

I was window-shopping virtually for less expensive stylish baby bags earlier when I came across the brand Petunia Pickle Bottom on the Nordstrom and Zappos website. Petunia Pickle Bottom! I want to buy a bag just because it sounds like someone from Hogwarts. It doesn't hurt that I find their designs so cute:

Their bags cost $130-$180, so they're still a no-go. Abet is probably relieved that we can't afford these because the floral designs are too girly, and he'll probably be carrying most of the baby stuff when we go out.

That means I'm still on the hunt for a stylish, non-girly, non-pa-cute, and affordable diaper bag. We've been to the Baby Couture shop in Glorietta, and we like their items the most so far, but suggestions are most welcome.

The one with the anniversary wishlist

October will always be one of my favorite months of the year simply because it's Abet's and my anniversary month. It's extra special because we have only one anniversary--we got married exactly five years after we got together as boyfriend and girlfriend. It's even more special than ever this year because not only is it our very first as a married couple, but also because we're now soon-to-be parents.

I already know what Abet wants as a present: a MacBook Pro. Alas, I cannot afford it in time for our anniversary. It will take me a few more months of saving (and overtime work) before I can get it for him. Good thing he's--to borrow a bit of fast food terminology--"willing to wait." As for me, I want nothing but gadgets, and I don't mean the latest iPhone or iPad. I want kitchen gadgets. While other women will probably ask for something fancy, I want kitchen stuff. Yes, I have turned into a domestic diva.

Here are some of the things I want:

plum KitchenAid mixer (I've wanted one for the looongest time)

Oster blender (it has to be Oster)

ice cream/gelato maker

panini press (that opens all the way so it's also a grill)

Ah, to dream. Libre lang naman mangarap. I don't think I'll be getting any of the items above this month because we're seriously saving up for Peanut's arrival, but that's okay. The baby is our priority right now. We'll probably get these as Peanut grows older, I'm sure I'll be doing a lot of bakin' and (fruit and milk) shakin' and ice cream and sandwich makin' once we have a kid.

For now, we have the best anniversary present we could ever give each other: the precious baby in my tummy. And more than any kitchen appliance (or any material thing, for that matter), what I really, really want is a safe and healthy pregnancy and delivery and a healthy baby.