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The Hunt for Cheaper Diapers ( Part 2 )

It was 3 weeks ago, Friday afternoon, when I desperately needed to restock my baby's diapers and I only had P500 budget for it. Of course, I could always buy EQ Dry or Drypers in the grocery store, but part of me still has that curiosity and urge to try the 'unbranded' diapers that I still haven't tried.

So I checked my Inbox to recheck those who sent me a price list of their diapers. I contacted some of them, but I was unsuccessful in making a transaction. Then I came across Diaper Station's email. I rechecked their price list and their delivery sked in Paranaque, which I'm delighted to say is from Mon-Fri :) I texted them at around 6PM already so I assumed that if I'll be ordering at that time, they might deliver it on Monday. To my surprise, they texted back with such accommodating words and they said that they can deliver the diapers before 9PM and they asked if I wanted to buy their trial packs since I'm a first-time customer of theirs. It was the best choice for me, so I said yes immediately! Best of all, they were willing to deliver it for free! Just 2 packs of diapers! Another bonus for me is that my bill was only P410. I was so happy because I only had P500 budget.

Since the size that I need is XL, they gave me 6 brands of their available XL diapers - 3 brands in each pack and 10 pcs. of diaper per brand which makes it 30 pcs. each pack. Those brands were Fitti Combo, Giggles Treasures, Petpet, Babylove, Garfield and Teddy Bear 123. So here are our experience with the said diapers:

**Please note that these are my personal reviews only and are based on our my baby's experience with the diapers. All prices indicated are based on Diaper Station's price list.

1.) Fitti Combo (Php255 per pack for XL Size )
Pros:
-Very cottony soft in and out and very nice designs.
-It has adjustable waist band and velcro tapes which is always an added plus for me.
-Absorbency is so-so.

Cons:
-It leaked when my baby used it while sleeping at night. My baby just use it during the day.

Notes: The pad is a little longer than most diapers and the velcro tapes are quite short for the waist compared to other diapers.


2) Giggles Treasures (Php245 per pack for XL Size )
Pros:
-Cottony soft
-It has adjustable waist band and velcro tapes
-2 of the Giggles I've tried so far (Giggles Animals & this one ) are very absorbent. No leaks so far.

Cons:
-Their sizes are quite small. I ordered the XL size, but it seems a little too fit for my baby.


3.) Petpet Green (Php245 per pack for XL Size )
Pros:
-Cottony soft

Cons:
-Plastic tapes.
-It leaked 3 times! This diaper is not that absorbent and I do not recommend it for night use; although some moms still use it at night.
-When this diaper is full, the pad inside the diaper breaks into two probably because the pad couldn't hold the weight of the absorbed wiwi.
-When it was changing time, I noticed some cotton bits and pieces from the diaper stuck to my baby's skin, so I had to wash my baby's bottom to remove them.


4.) Baby Love (Php245 per pack for XL size)
Pros:
-Cottony Soft
-Very absorbent! It can hold up to 5-7 hours. I recommend it for night use because my baby uses it. This is my temporary replacement to Mamy Poko.

Cons:
-Plastic Tapes

5.) Garfield (Php240 per pack for XL size)
Pros:
-Cottony Soft and velcro tapes.
-No leaks so far.

Cons:
-Size is quite small similar to Giggles.
-Doesn't hold for more than 3 hours.


**You can see my review about Teddy 123 (aka Teddy Bear MT) in my previous blog post.

That's it for now. All thanks to Diaper Station for making it possible for me to try this much diapers in such a short time. For inquiries and orders, you may visit their website at http://diaperstation.multiply.com.

The Dessert for All Seasons: Frozen Brazo de Mercedes

Aggy's Cakes & Sweets - Frozen Brazo de Mercedes.

Whenever I search the internet for the best desserts in Manila, I always stumble upon the name, "Frozen Brazo" or "Frozen Brazo de Mercedes". The one made by Dimpy Camara is very famous since she's the innovator for the said dessert. So out of curiosity, it sort of stuck into my mind that I will order and try the famous Dimpy Camara's Frozen Brazo for Valentines Day. Unfortunately, that little plan of mine didn't happen. What kept me from ordering it is because I had to pre-order it several days before and I had to pick it up in Dasma Village, Makati. And since I don't drive, not enough money for a taxi, and no one's going to watch over my baby, I decided to search for nearby stores in the South who offer Frozen Brazo.

The first thing that came to mind is Aggy's Cakes & Sweets since I was able to read in a blog where someone suggested to try Aggy's Frozen Brazo. And since Aggy's Cakes is just one tricyle ride from our home, why not give it a try.



Luckily, Aggy's Cakes always have a stock of their Frozen Brazo since it's one of their best sellers. So I ordered a whole square of Frozen Brazo de Mercedes worth Php632.00. They also offer half square worth Php315.00(?). I'm not sure of the price because I just browsed through their prices swiftly. When we got home, my mom was the one who got to taste it first since I went upstairs to change. When I got down, my mom goes, "Ang sarap nung cake ah. Sa'n n'yo binili?" "Sa Aggy's, 'ma", I replied. Then she goes, "Saan 'yun?" I was smiling when I explained to her that I bought it from Aggy's and we've been passing by that store for more than 8 years now since we always go through BF Homes to go to Alabang or SM Southmall.

Going back to the dessert. When I tasted the Frozen Brazo, I think I hallucinated for a bit on being in heaven. It's THAT good! Well, for me that is. It's cold, it's sweet, it's simple, and it's delicious. It's a whole new level compared to the usual Brazo de Mercedes. It's like a breath of fresh air for someone who's fed up on eating conventional cakes. Though I'm not sure what it's made of. My best guess is it's made up of egg whites, yolks or custard, flavored ice cream, and of course, the legendary graham crust mixed with salt. The combination is quite heavenly. Each bite made my sweet buds go gaga. You really can't go wrong with this dessert. I now have a new dessert partner for my green tea!

They also have Frozen Brazo Cafe (1 whole for Php680++) or something by that name. The difference is that the ice cream they used is coffee/mocha flavor.

Aggy's Cakes & Sweets
44-f Aguirre Ave. BF Homes Paranaque
807-6674

Aggy's Magallanes DHI. Bldg
Lapu Lapu cor. EDSA
Magallanes, Makati
851-1939

Aggy's UPS1
2179 Narra St. United Hills Village Paranaque
776-7731

**They also have a new branch in Festival Mall, Alabang.

The Hunt for Cheaper Diapers

"Ngayong panahon ng krisis dapat magtipid." So I'm venturing on cheaper diaper brands that aren't available in supermarkets where EQ Diapers reigns supreme.

So I browsed on ads in Friendster and Sulit to find online vendors of cheaper diapers. To my surprise, I found a lot of online diaper vendors. You're lucky if you live in the Northern side of Manila (Q.C., Pasig, Mandaluyong) because that's where most of them are. Unlike me, since I live in the South, I have to look for a vendor who's willing to deliver and gives cheaper delivery charge or having no delivery charge at all. There is one small shop in Ruins BF Homes who sells cheap diapers, but they only have limited stocks of diapers available.

I came across some vendors who do meet ups in the south like Angel Escover(angel.escover@yahoo.com) who do meet ups in SM Southmall during weekends and Greenbelt 1 on weekdays. The good thing is she doesn't charge for a delivery fee so I requested for a price list.

But then I decided to look further since I want someone who can deliver the diapers at my home. After a few hours of researching, I came across NAPPIESGALORE (http://nappiesgalore.multiply.com).

They will deliver the diapers right at your doorstep. They don't have a delivery charge as long as you purchase at least 3 packs of diapers. Their delivery to the South (Paranaque, Las Pinas, Alabang ) is scheduled mostly every Saturday.

So far, I've tried the following diapers :

Note: Velcro Tapes and Magic Tapes are the same.

1.) TEDDY BEAR MT OVERNIGHT a.k.a. TEDDY BEAR (BRANDED) - Pack of 30's, Size: Large (Php246)
I think this is the newest version of Teddy 123. I was captured by the word, "Overnight", since I was looking for a cheaper overnight diaper that I could replace for Mammy Poko.

CONS: This deaper leaks (only when my baby's lying down sleeping) and it doesn't last for more than 5 hours for my 1 year old baby boy. Malakas kasi magwiwi baby ko when he sleeps. It's not as absorbent as Mammy Poko.

PROS: Nice teddy bear designs, good velcro tapes, and it's cottony soft. Good adjustable waist band so it has a very good fit for my baby. Instead of using it overnight, I just let it be my baby's daywear diaper since it doesn't leak when my baby's walking/running/sitting down. So far, this is the best cheap diaper that I bought.

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2.) GIGGLES NEW MT (Pack of 30's; Size: Large; Price: Php202)

CONS: It becomes very bulky when its full. After 3 hours of walking/running around, I can see my baby's butt crack showing because the diaper can no longer hold the weight of the absorbed wiwi. (I think that's normal though) I ordered the Large size but its size is quite small for Large.

PROS: VERY absorbent, nice velcro tapes, and cottony soft. Ok din yung adjustable waist band. My baby use it when he takes his afternoon nap because it doesn't leak. I'd probably buy this diaper again but I'll order XL next time.

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3.) WINNY CRUISER MT (Pack of 30's; Size: Large; Price: Php225)

CONS: It doesn't last for more than 2-3 hours and madali siyang masira. When I removed the velcro tape to change my baby's diaper, napunit yung cloth where the tape was attached. Sumama dun sa tape yung cloth. When it's full, I can see the green layer showing up in front of the diaper while my baby is still wearing it. It also has a foul smell whenever I change his diapers.

After an hour of walking/running/crawling/sitting, bumababa na yung diaper from my baby's waist. I can see my baby's butt showing already. This diaper's waist band is not that stretchable.

Another thing - I even found two diapers in the pack where one velcro tape is missing. Ginawa ko nalang na pamunas.


PROS: So far, no leaks and it's cottony soft. It has a green absorbent layer like Mamy Poko which is why it's quite absorbent.

I wouldn't recommend this diaper for active babies. Perhaps this diaper is more suitable for babies that aren't walking yet. As for me, I wouldn't buy this diaper again because it's a waste of money for my 1 year old.


So far, that's all the diapers we've tried. I'll post more reviews when we've tried otherbrands of diapers.

I therefore conclude that Mamy Poko is still the best diaper for my baby.