dreamcatchers – On Purple Wings

“She’s an old soul with young eyes, a vintage heart, and a beautiful mind.”
-Adrian Michael-

I am trying to figure out as to when my fascination to these sacred hoops started.

Sacred hoops which are best known as Dream catchers.

Photo source: https://www.slideshare.net/hannahmcmillen/dreamcatchers

I just saw this curtain made of dream catchers in my most loved colors and had this assumption that it is somewhere far and someplace I can not easily access. Doing my research, said curtain is just a few towns away from my hometown.

So I asked my foodie buddy (who have been supporting all my wishes all these years) and head to Batangas one weekend. So there, I saw it right in front of me. =)

The place is called Purple beetle. It’s a coffee shop and they also sell Dream catchers and other Bohemian stuff.

Since then, it has been one of my favorite stuff. I started collecting it at every chance. I even wished that Pandora would come up with dream catcher charms, and like they heard my prayers, and I was so ecstatic to discover they came up with one, so instantly it’s already in my bracelet.

You will see dream catchers in my bedroom, in our living room, in some of my bags as key chains, in my notebooks. =)

After my mama passed, and I’m trying to make use of her stuff (she used to create dresses as a profession) and I’ve got lots of fabrics , laces and beads. I made key chains out of it and eventually, I thought of using beads (fabrics) as charms, and collect them and soon enough, I was already selling them.

Handmade with love. ❤

Trying to find the right market, we decided to visit this only place that’s endorsing Bohemian culture and the most number of Dream catchers that you’ll see in the Philippines.

Dreamland Arts & Crafts cafe in Tagaytay is so huge and displays all kinds of Dream catchers and it gave me too many ideas in my mind, I even brought some beads from them. =)

It’s like a museum of all things boho and crafty. It’s so me. True enough, there’s too much for me to learn.

I am so amazed with the varieties. It comes in all sizes and colors and used different materials too.

I learned that they also have one in Batangas though the one in Tagaytay is bigger.

They have accessories too.

It is really beautiful here. Like I found my tribe. =)

There is a cafe, we just had drinks and that awesomely prepared nachos.

They also have a bed and breakfast, and getting a peak to its’ interiors, the boho vibes is literally extended to each room.

They say I’m a dreamer (but I’m not the only one), I wish to have a similar place right in my home (where my mama used to create lovely dresses), not as big as this, as long it’ll showcase all of my creations.

I think it is timely that our visit happened to be almost New Year. I left the place with just one feeling in my heart, I am so inspired. I wish them more success and I think it’s not gonna be my last visit. Dreamland felt like home to me. =)

They are so transparent in supporting local artists. =) It is evident in all corners.

Should you wish to visit, their address is: Calamba Road, Tagaytay, 4120 Cavite, Philippines

You can call them at:

PURPLE BEETLE

“Where focus goes, energy flows.”~Tony Robbins~

It all started with this photo.

dreamy — Courtesy of: http://www.imgrum.org/media/1276837540570395942_1725691340

This is probably one of the most beautiful dream catchers that I’ve seen. It isn’t a painting, it isn’t a drawing, but a photo of a real dream catcher(s). Not just one but several dream catchers put together creating a very beautiful masterpiece. I’ve always thought and assumed that it is somewhere not near, maybe in a different country.

Then one day, while browsing for hotels to stay out of town, I came across this café in Lipa, Batangas. It’s called Purple beetle.

A graffiti of a native Indian struck me, with all kinds of dream catchers surrounding it. Colorful feathers here and there. As I went further, a very familiar window captured my attention. It was that window with the dream catchers I’ve seen months ago. I couldn’t believe that it is here in my country.

As if running out of time, I immediately asked Jen to visit Batangas because I really wanted to see this café. There have been many blogs about it, though I really wanted to see it myself.

We were able to squeeze it with our busy schedules. Just recently, we decided (finally – after contemplating if we can do it) to go to the gym regularly. Adding up another activity that we try to manage inspite of our conflicting schedules tons of work in the office and at home.

We took a bus from Alabang, and it took us less than 2 hours to reach Lipa, Batangas. I must not forget to mention that I admired the town for its’ cleanliness, the roads are very organized, bus stations are situated in just one location giving comfort to commuters and tourists alike.

Lipa City never felt like a province to me. I saw McDonalds one block after another, I saw a total of 3 McDonalds in Lipa. It was funny, because in my own hometown, I am happy that our village is in front of McDonalds, however, the next is an hour ride from its’ location. Very province right?! =)

The main roads in Lipa are a bit wider too, and before we reached our destination. It was inspiring to discover that Purple beetle is sandwiched by known restaurants like Army Navy, two very popular coffee shops: CBTL and Starbucks, and you will be surprised to witness that despite of the competitors surrounding the place, their tables were seldom empty. When we arrived, we even have to wait for some tables to be vacated and we never had the chance to choose spots we like. I don’t mind, I’m just after that window with the dream catchers.

They also sell boho stuff: of course dream catchers in all sizes, hair accessories, boho tops and dresses, tasseled bags, shawls, and mandala spreads.

Let’s take a look at their menu:

We opted to have nachos salad and quesadillas which they called “Pizzadilla” because it has toppings too. I had my purple slush and Jen had coffee.

Much as I do not want to be too transparent in my blogs. The place is just hype, famous among Millennials (Coachella type), but they need to make further study when it comes to the food that they’re offering.

The pizadilla, since it has toppings and fillings at the same time, tasted salty. No feel of the other ingredients due to its’ saltiness. The tortilla wasn’t able to balance it, apparently, my palette normally requires salty taste from time to time, but this one I couldn’t tolerate.

In all my travels, several times I’ve proven that a picture can literally speak a thousand words. One can look so beautiful in pictures, when in reality, it is not that pretty if not disappointing. Honestly, the photos enticed me. The likes of Sonya’s Garden, Prado farm weren’t that pretty in reality. They were lovely in their own terms, We were just happy to visit.

Jen was too positive to tell me that out of the many travels we’ve made, the disappointments are very few. That most travels made us happy because it surpassed our expectations. One piece of advise is to seek opinions of those who saw a specific place already. And you’ll never go wrong. Visit travel blogs. Validate actual experiences by these awesome bloggers. Besides, it is always been a part of the adventure. Usually, it is not the place, it is the adventure itself.

PURPLE BEETLE is at Ayala Highway, Lipa City, Batangas Philippines 4217. You can send them email at: hello@purplebeetle.com.ph with telephone number: 0998-855-7732.