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Shopping loot from Bungalow 300

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Here's what I ended up buying from Bungalow 300's sale:

I love buying stuff for entertaining so I got these cork coasters, which were 50% off (original price: P765).


They had different whimsical designs like birds and flowers (comes in black and white too), but I chose the ones with numbers. I love how they're numbered from 0-9, so you and your guests can keep track of who's drink is on it. I think it's also a nice gift idea right? :)


And the reason why I went to Bungalow 300 in the first place - their pillows which were 50% off too! Like I said, I had such a hard time choosing what colors and prints to get since everything was so cute! In the end, I decided to get these prints in pink and coral tones:

CHEVRON & SCALLOP original price: P755; IKAT original price: P795
size: 18"x18"
all their pillows are printed on one side only

I also got these Ikat pillows in indigo as well. The 2 striped ones are bigger in size than the others at 21"x21". The inside cushions are not included in the price btw, but were cheap at only P50 each.

Striped IKAT original price: P795; Small IKAT original price: P625

Just to remind you, here's how my living room couch looked like with my Landmark buys:


And here's how it looks like now after I incorporated the new indigo covers! What do you think? :)


I honestly still think my Landmark covers are the best buys ever - less than P100 each and they're printed on both sides of the pillow too! And don't you think their designs give their more expensive counterparts a run for their money? ;p But I think the Bungalow 300 ones are a nice addition to my collection anyways. And thank goodness they were on sale hehe!

90's Fashion Revival

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What is old is definitely new again. Specifically trends from the 90's! These fashion pieces were all stuff I used to wear back in grade school and high school. I wish I'd kept them all, but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't fit me anymore now hehe. At least this somewhat validates my hoarder tendencies. See, never throw stuff away because you never know when they'll be cool again! ;p

OVERALLS

My denim short overalls were my go-to outfit when I was in Grade 7. I remember that was the time I started going out on gimmicks with my barkada and the beginning of my interest in fashion. I remember feeling so cool when I was in my overalls! Oh, and I also had the one with the pants and the skirt version too. ;p

I love how they're now back in style and better than ever. They're still effortless and comfy to wear, but the silhouette is sleeker and sexier. And you can totally dress them up or down by just changing your shoes and accessories.

all images from Pinterest

Here's my own take on the overalls trend. The pink overalls I got from an ukay-ukay, while the denim ones are from Mango. What do you think? ;p


JELLY SANDALS

Remember these? Gosh, I had the clear plastic ones back in the day. I like how there's lots of different colors now though. And it's perfect for the rainy season too since it's made of plastic lol! ;p

all images from Pinterest

TIE DYE

I remember how I had this really bright and colorful tie-dye shirt (rainbow colors ha) that I kept wearing when I was a kid. Like everywhere! I like how it's more simpler and stylish now with the use of just one main color.

all images from Pinterest

BIRKENSTOCKS

Now I was totally surprised to find out these are so back in fashion! I used to own the classic 2-strapped black one (the Arizona) back in high school and I remember wearing them all the time. I have no idea where they are now, but I sure wish I'd kept them around. I know some people hate them and find them so ugly, but I love it! They're so comfy and I'm so happy I now have an excuse to go get myself a new pair. :)

all images from Pinterest

Hubby still has his old pair, so he was so yabang when I said I wanted to buy one again hehe. I went to the Alabang Town Center store and I was kinda surprised to find out a pair costs about P4k to P5k! Parang I don't remember it being that expensive. Although siyempre that was a long time ago na hehe. I almost said never mind but then hubby said it was a good investment since they last a really long time. Ok fine, you don't need to convince me na hehe! And I have a feeling I would probably wear them all the time too. This time, I was torn between the single strap (Madrid) and the thong (Gizeh). There were also so many nice colors to choose from, although I knew I wanted to stick with either black, white, or brown. But the metallics were super cute too...


In the end, I went with the white Madrid! And I LOVE THEM! And why do I have a feeling this won't be my last pair? ;p

Birkenstock Madrid - P3,750

There are so many other 90's trends making a comeback. Like I'm seeing the iconic fashion from the movie Clueless returning too. All I know is I better take care and keep my favorite outfits so that I can pass them along to my daughter when they're considered cool again in about 20 years or so. :)

My Fab Finds

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I have a habit of buying stuff, stashing them away, then completely forgetting about them! Usually, I'll remember them when I'm searching for something else and then I find them, still with the tags on. Anyway, sharing with you some of these finds, better late than never. ;p

1. I got this embroidered kitchen towel at Metro Department Store for 50% off. I love the design and all the intricate little details. They're so pretty I almost don't want to use them hehe!

love the embroidery
At 50% off, I got 2 towels for just P149!

2. I love cute and quirky decors, especially stuff like fruit. I got this ceramic apple (which happens to be a coinbank) at the Caltex stopover in SLEX. We were on the way home from the beach and we had lunch in KFC. If you've been to this stopover, you'll know that aside from the many restaurants here, they also have stalls where they sell pasalubong. They were also selling other ceramic fruits like cherries and pears, which I might just buy next time (then pwede na pang fruit salad lol!).


3. You all know I love Uniwide and this cowboy set was something I got during one of my shopping trips there. I just had to get the hat since it's perfect for parties - you put the chips on the brim of the hat, then the dip in the center. Super cute right? Or you can just use it for decoration. Total for both is just P150 so you can't beat that! I just need to throw a western themed party and we're all set! ;p

perfect for chips and dip
unbeatable price

4. I wish I could buy all the plates and bowls from Gourdo's Sakura line. The designs are just gorgeous! I just contented myself with buying these assorted miso bowls at P80 each.


I happened to chance upon Gourdo's in ATC one time and saw some items that were 50% off. Turns out these were "damaged". I checked everything thoroughly and the only chip I saw was on the bowl (and it wasn't even sharp and hardly noticeable). The plates on the other hand were just a bit faded, which was fine with me. The plates ended up being P70 each and the bowl P87.50.


5. I just love unicorns! If you're a Sweet Valley book reader like me back in the day, do you remember the "Unicorn Club" which was made up of the prettiest and most popular girls? Hehe, throwback lang... Anyway, I saw this figurine online at Urban Outfitters and luckily someone was able to buy it for me. It's actually a ring holder (you put the rings on the horn) but I'm using it as decor for our living room right now. :)


Stay tuned for more of my fab finds! :)

Local Edition Coffee and Tea

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Back when I was still working in advertising, my office was located in Enterprise Bldg. Makati. I loved how there were so many restaurants and cafes within the vicinity where we could have lunch, meetings, or just hang out (or vent!) after work.

When I had a recent get together with my high school friends, one of them suggested we try out her new business venture, Local Edition, which is located in Perea St. I haven't been to the area in a while, but I think me and my officemates have tried almost all the restos in that street back then. So it was quite nostalgic for me walking there and seeing all the office folks out for lunch. That used to be me hehe! ;p

Anyway, Local Edition just opened last June 2014 and it's your new specialty coffee shop in the neighborhood.

love this table that welcomes you as you enter
A cafe where people can gather, be inspired and create.
love all the burlap buntings that hang on the ceiling
The grids on the walls and ceiling can be used to hang artwork / art installations for future exhibits
newspapers to read while having coffee or tea
more seating outside
LE hashtags. Check out their IG account @LocalEdition
orders are taken at the counter

Here's a closer look at their menu. They have one blend using local coffee beans called the Perea Blend (named after their street of course) and then you can choose to have it however way you like. You can also take your pick among their tea variants.

love the iced gem cookie that comes with each cup! so cute!

They also serve some food and we were able to try almost all the items on the menu. Everything was so yummy and reasonably priced too. But I have to say my favorites were the Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Tomato Soup. Super craving right now! ;p

Soup of the Day: Tomato
Gooey Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Chorizo Con Huevos
Caprese Pasta
Chicken Caesar Sandwich
they also serve dessert like Carrot Bars, Tablea Brownies, and Banana Bread

They also have some coffee paraphernalia for sale on one side of the cafe. It was so funny because at first glance, my friend and I thought the plants were the ones for sale since the prices were on the pots. We were like, ang mahal naman ng plants na to! Ooops hehe! ;p

closer look

Local Edition is definitely a welcome addition in Perea St. It's the perfect place to just hang and relax while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea. If you work around the area, this is a great place to brainstorm or have meetings since the atmosphere is just laid-back. It's also a perfect place to hold workshops (just inquire for their rates which are very affordable).



LOCAL EDITION COFFEE AND TEA
116 Perea St. Legaspi Village, 1229 Makati
0917-8310056
M-F: 730AM - 730PM / SAT: 830AM - 6PM
www.facebook.com/localeditionph

Instagram: @LocalEdition

DIY: Sunburst Mirror Makeover

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Remember this sunburst mirror I made out of wood shims? Well, I decided to give it to my sister who redecorated her room (actually, it was my old room when hubby and I still lived at my mom's house). She didn't like the natural wood finish since it didn't go with the new paint colors and furniture, so we decided to make it silver. :)

time for a makeover!

We just used a couple of coats of spray paint and the whole thing was done in about 15 minutes.

used masking tape to cover the mirror while painting

Here's the BEFORE and AFTER look. From my living room to it's new home in the bedroom.


If you noticed the reflection in the mirror, the opposite wall is painted with gray and white stripes which we also DIY'd. :p


Doesn't the silver look so much better with the purple background and black furniture? I think it's the perfect accent piece for the room. :)


Fab Finds: Party Supplies

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If you're planning a party and don't have time to go to Divisoria to buy supplies, here's some more places you can check out:

NATIONAL BOOKSTORE

I went to the Alabang Town Center branch the other day and was pleasantly surprised to find a whole rack of supplies from Hallmark!


The designs are super cute too, especially the multi-color chevron pattern on the bottom shelf which has got to be my favorite!


Here's the prices:

P105.00 for 10 pcs of 9" paper plates
P52.50 for 10 pcs of 9oz paper cups
P59.50 for 10 pcs of table napkins
P85.00 for a pack of buntings
P84.75 for loot bags
P145.00 for a wine confetti popper

ROBINSONS DEPARTMENT STORE

I found these paper straws and cups at the Robinsons Outlet in Pergola Mall, BF Paranaque. But I'm assuming they have these in other branches of Robinsons too.

lots of cute designs to choose from
P60 per pack
P89 and P99 per pack (depends on the design)

Of course, you can always buy online. But if you want to save on shipping costs and are actually in the mall already, then at least you know where to look. :)

Happy, happy, Oh Joy!

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First of all, I loooove the US store Target and I love it more when they do collaborations with designers (like Missoni, Jean Paul Gaultier, Jason Wu, Phillip Lim to name a few) to bring more affordable fashion to everyone.

Now, I was browsing Instagram one day when I saw a photo of this super cute tray pop up with the hashtag #ohjoyfortarget. I clicked on it and was suddenly all giddy with excitement when I saw all the juicy colors and gorgeous prints that belonged to this fab collection from blogger Joy Cho.

Inspired by Joy's love of color and pattern, the Oh Joy for Target collection is an exclusive party-inspired line offering everything you need to throw the perfect party in no time at all. With Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter collections, look out for a full year of Oh Joy parties. 

I immediately knew I needed these in my life (like right now!) so I was literally jumping for joy (pun intended ;p) when I was able to get my hands on these babies! Aren't they the cutest? And the colors really make me so happy!


This was the serving tray that caught my eye. That fruit print is so adorable! And it has pineapples too, which you know I love. :)


These goblets are probably my absolute favorite out of all the products. Each pack is just $4 so that's $1 or about P45 per glass! I love that it's made out of plastic since we've broken so many glasses around the house it's not even funny. The colors are just so bright and that gold rim makes it look extra stylish. I've also seen on Pinterest that some have used these as flower vases. :)


I really like the color of this acrylic pitcher with the gold handle. Again, love that it's not glass so I don't have to worry about it breaking.


Doesn't it all look so cute together? Can't wait to use it too when we have guests in the house. :)


These food baskets were also $4 a pack, so I figured we could use them when eating fries or other snacks.


This bag is actually described as an "insulated soft cooler" which keeps your chilled foods chilly when you have a picnic or go to the beach. I initially thought it was small like a lunchbox, so I wanted to use it as my pump bag where I can put my breastmilk when out of the house. Turns out it's quite big hehe. However, it's the perfect size for Skyler's things when we go out. So I've been using it now as a diaper bag! ;p


Here's some more photos from the collection. They have other products too like straws, paper plates, napkins, paper lanterns, etc. but I figured I can get stuff like that here in Divisoria right? hehe ;p I just love how with products like these, throwing Pinterest-worthy parties is now as easy as 1-2-3. :) 


Pumping & Storage of Breastmilk

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Since August is National Breastfeeding Month, I decided to share how I pump and store my breastmilk. I proud to say that I have been exclusively nursing my baby for 7 months now (read about my journey HERE). I'm also lucky that I'm a stay-at-home mom so we direct feed most of the time. However, I also pump to relieve engorgement and to be able to leave milk at home when I go out without baby.

I've been using the Medela Swing electric pump for all 3 of my kids. I first used this in 2010 after my first child and it's held up fine until now. This was recommended to me by a friend and I'm really happy with its size and the fact that it's not so noisy. I bring this with me whenever I leave the house so I can pump when needed.


Most of the time, I nurse right until I have to leave the house then baby just feeds again when I come home in about an hour or two. But if baby is sleeping or is full, that's when I pump right before I go and then leave the milk at room temp without refrigerating it (usually 4-6 hours) for when baby gets hungry.

Usually, I'm just out for about 2-4 hours anyway (maybe 6 hours max) and then I'll also pump on the way home in the car. Hubby and I also love going on movie dates and what I do is pump in the theater while watching. I mean, you're just sitting down doing nothing, might as well pump right? At least after, if we decide to have dinner or go to the grocery, I don't have to worry about my engorged boobs anymore. ;p

When going out, I usually have 2-3 bottles in the refrigerator. I keep them for 3-5 days, then move it to the freezer if baby doesn't get to consume it. I usually keep the milk in each bottle to about 3oz to prevent wasting milk in case baby doesn't finish it.



There are times though that I'll get to pump just a little (like maybe 1-1.5oz). What I'll do is set aside the bottle (still at room temp) and pump again after an hour or so until I get 3-4 oz. Then that's when I refrigerate it.

I've also mixed milk pumped at different times of the day. I did research on it and it said it was okay as long as they're the same temperature when mixed. So let's say I pumped 1.5oz in the morning and placed that in the ref. When I get to pump another 1.5oz later in the day, I put that also in the ref and then combine it in one bottle after a few hours when they're both the same temperature. But I've rarely done this (maybe just thrice?), and only mixed milk pumped in the same day.

I also use Pigeon's Peristaltic Nipples with cross cuts since the milk will only come out when baby sucks on it, just like when breastfeeding. Not like nipples with round holes where the milk comes out as soon as you tilt the bottle. With these nipples, baby is able to replicate how he naturally latches on to you when nursing.


I also use this small cooler bag when transporting my refrigerated or frozen milk somewhere (for example when we go to my in-laws house and leave the baby there for a few hours). It also comes with 2 reusable cold gel packs which helps keep the milk cold while in transit.


I have just a few frozen milk in storage because I prefer giving my baby freshly pumped or refrigerated milk only. I also read that frozen milk can lose some of its nutrients and antibodies, but of course it is still better than formula. Besides, we direct feed most of the time anyway. The frozen milk is just for emergency purposes just in case the refrigerated milk isn't enough when I'm out.

These are the storage bags I use:


I prefer the Lansinoh ones since they have a ziplock seal. However, they're a bit expensive so I only use these when transferring about 3-4oz of milk so there's more space (the bags can hold up to 6oz).


The Playtex Nurser Liners are what I use most of the time since obviously they're cheaper. I only transfer 2oz of milk into these 4oz bags so that there's enough space to seal it (take note that milk expands when frozen so you don't want to fill the bags all the way too). However, I've encountered instances when the bags had little holes so the milk seeps through. So just make sure to double check before freezing, or place them inside another ziplock bag when thawing.


I was given this sealer by a friend which I use to seal the Playtex bags:


There are 8 heat settings, but I only place it at no.2 then press down for about 2 seconds. I once didn't realize it was at no.4 and the Playtex bag sort of melted where I sealed it because it was too hot.


I try to remove as much air as possible before sealing it, but it's a bit tricky sometimes since the milk goes up. I just do it really carefully then seal quickly. Although I'll probably buy the bigger sized bags next time to make it easier hehe.


I also seal it twice just to make sure it's really closed.


Then I lay it flat in a tupperware before putting it in the freezer. I also place all the packs in a big ziplock bag when frozen already.


When thawing, I transfer it to the ref a few hours before if I know I'll be using it within the day. If using it straight from the freezer, running the frozen pack over tap water helps to thaw it quicker. But our yaya just puts the frozen bag in a bowl of hot water and then transfers it to the bottle when already warm.


For more information, I read Chronicles of a Nursing Mom, especially the VIP (Very Important Posts) section which has really provided me lots of useful tips. :)

DIY: Getting Creative with Chalk

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Like every other parent, I love taking pictures of my kids. I love dressing them up in costumes or cute little outfits and teaching them how to pose (my daughter Miley has mastered the hands-on-hip, beauty queen stance at 4 years old).

We’ve had our family portraits done by a professional photographer about 4 times already (basically once a year). And one thing I can say is that these photoshoots do not come cheap these days. It really is an investment, especially if you choose to go with the more well-known studios around town. 

But really, there’s no reason not to have beautiful pictures even if you just take these by yourself at home. I love searching for inspiration online, and if I can recreate something with my kids, I’m all for it! One of those ideas I’ve been wanting to try is sidewalk chalk photos.

I love this whole concept since it’s so easy, inexpensive, and creates a big impact. All you need is chalk, an area where you can do your drawing, and a huge imagination.



To find out more on how I did this, please head on over to Cerelac & Gerber's #ParentingNerd blog, where I (along with other mommy bloggers) give lots of cool tips and ideas on Food, Fashion, and Arts & Crafts.

I'm officially out of the calendar

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Because I'm now 32 years old!!! haha! :)


Others say that after you turn 30, you sort of stop counting how old you are already. And I guess that's kind of true since my tita asked me yesterday how old I was and I sort of had to think twice about it haha! ;p

We celebrated by having a staycation in Fairmont Hotel this weekend (more on that soon) where we just spent the whole time eating and swimming. I also heard mass early this morning where I was able to give thanks for all the blessings that I've received this past year - the birth of my youngest son Skyler, the health and safety of my family, the chance to travel, the opportunities and new friends from blogging, and many more.

My birthday isn't over yet, so I hope you'll join me in celebrating my special day. And I'd like to thank you my dear readers for all your continued support. It makes me so happy to be able to share my life through this blog and know that I'm able to reach out to others who share the same passions as me. Cheers everyone! :)

Celebrating my birthday

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It's a known fact that I love planning and throwing fabulous parties for my kids and loved ones, but when it comes to me, I'd rather keep it super simple. So I guess it's no surprise that I'm okay with just having a cupcake for my birthday (whereas I had to go and buy a whole cake just for Skyler's 6th month hehe!) ;p


It was so funny because when I told the kids it was my birthday, Miley immediately asked "where's the decorations?" Haha! Then they were like "Mommy can you decorate the house since it's your birthday?" Toink! Well maybe next time I can DIY my own stuff, but I think we should teach Daddy how to make buntings and paper pompoms so he can surprise Mommy next year right? ;p

make a wish...
the best gifts ever!

Instead of a fancy dinner or party, I figured a weekend staycation in a hotel was the perfect way to celebrate since the whole family would be able to enjoy. And no need for an expensive gift from hubby. To be honest, I was completely happy just spending time with my greatest treasures. And tipid-mode na lang muna since I'm also starting to plan Skyler's 1st birthday and ang mamahal na ng mga suppliers ngayon ha! ;p So here's to turning 32! And thank you to everyone who greeted me as well! :)

DIY: String Laser Maze

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My kids get so active sometimes, it's hard to think of ways to keep them entertained at home. They're at that age where they love playing pretend and using their imaginations. I find it so cute when I catch them talking to themselves while playing with their toys, making up different scenarios and characters! :)

One afternoon, Miley was telling me how she was bored and wanted to do arts and crafts. I honestly wasn't in the mood to take out all their painting materials again since they had just made a huge mess in our room the day before. So I thought of doing this activity I read about - a String Laser Maze!


It's super fast and easy to do but you're kids will spend hours having so much fun, guaranteed! All you need is yarn (or any type of long string) and masking tape!


Just tape the end of the yarn to the wall and then start weaving it in a criss-cross pattern across the room at varying heights...


I also threaded the yarn through the cabinet handles...


And also through the chairs...


In the end, you'll have something that looks like this! It's ideal to do this in a hallway, in your garden, or any area where you don't have to worry about breaking anything. In our case, we used the dining room and just pushed the table and chairs to one side so we had more floor space.


Needless to say, the kids were so excited to play spy agents, Mission Impossible style! We made up this whole story where they had to get the treasure at the other end of the maze. If they touched the string, an "alarm" would go off (basically me just making a siren sound lol!) and then the cops (me again) would have to bring them to jail! Haha! ;p


I swear this was so much fun, and it was a great workout for the kids too. You'd be amazed at how a simple piece of string could provide so much excitement! This was a great experience and we've done it a number of times again since the kids couldn't get enough. Go ahead and try it too and have your own spy adventure with the whole family! :)

Flaunting my Finds from Seek the Uniq

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I don't remember exactly how I came across the online store Seek the Uniq in Instagram, but I know that once I did, I was definitely hooked! They have such fabulous clothes, especially their bestselling kimonos and tunics. The only problem was that everything would get sold out at once, so you really have to make up your mind quickly when you see something you like or else you'll miss out.

love how they wrap their packages :)

I personally find the clothes a bit on the expensive side, since the prices range from P1,500 to about P3,000. The kimonos start at P1,400 while the tunics are P1,660. I really love all the clothes, but honestly I kept thinking that I could buy more items for the same price elsewhere. Like I've found kimonos online and in bazaars for as low as P180 each.

But I guess that's why they're called Seek the Uniq - because their items are indeed unique. Aside from clothing, they also sell accessories, bags, make-up, home decor, and even books! So after stalking their site for the longest time, I finally made my first purchase... and then some more. ;p

I finally found a tunic I liked that wasn't sold out at once!
This wooden peacock tray was something I couldn't pass up.
I also got a baby kimono for Miley. Like mother, like daughter! ;p
You all know I love pineapples, so this canister was a no-brainer. I also got it in green.

Now, they had a contest a few months ago called "Flaunt Your Finds" where you post your most creative shots of your buys on Instagram. Can you spot some of my entries below? ;)


Needless to say, I really, really, REALLY wanted to win. And I guess I was quite lucky because I did! Check out my winning entry, Tray Chic:


Check out my prizes! The box it came in was an extra special treat too - it was so nice!

Renegade Folk sandals (the ones I wanted were out of my size, but these were cute too)
1969 by Joyce Makitalo Oracle necklace
Butter London nail polish
Napoli Mesh Coverup
another Pineapple Canister in pink...
which perfectly fits in with the other two I already had.

Not a bad haul for just posting a photo on IG right? I'm still stalking their site like crazy though, drooling over all the items practically everyday. I'll probably give in one of these days and buy something. But for now, these finds will do. :)


Family Portrait Outfit Ideas - Neutrals

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I've just booked a session for a new family photoshoot in the coming weeks and I'm super excited (check out our past portraits HERE and HERE). Right now though, I'm thinking of what we're all going to wear and I've pretty much changed my mind so many times already. We've already done white, black, and denim outfits before so I want to do something different although I love how those looks turned out.

I've always been a big fan of neutrals when it comes to portraits since I want to keep it simple, classic and timeless. Besides, you want the focus to be on you and not the clothes right? But of course, I think you should still choose outfits that show your personal style so that you'll be comfortable and confident during the shoot. I've been searching Pinterest for ideas and inspirations and here are some of my favorites:

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What do you think? I love how they're not so "matchy-matchy" but everything still looks good together. Now time to make up my mind and I still have some shopping to do! ;p

Korea, here I come!

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My hubby will be going to Korea for work for a few days and after much deliberation, I've decided to join him. I really had to think hard about it since I'm still exclusively breastfeeding Skyler. I thought about bringing him, but then decided against it. I personally feel that young kids, especially those 1 year old and below, won't appreciate or remember anything from the trip anyway. And they'll just get tired particularly if you spend the whole day outside walking and sightseeing. Kawawa naman especially if it's hot or you go to crowded places. For me, I feel that it's better for them to stay at home where they'll be more comfortable. Of course, it's a different story if you have no one to leave your baby with. But in my case, my mom was very willing to take care of the kids while we're away.

Don't get me wrong, I admire parents who bring their kids everywhere because I know it's not easy. We've traveled with Miley and Sabre last year to Singapore without a yaya and it was definitely challenging. Anytime you travel with kids, you have to think about them first. You have to realize that you can't go to all the places you want or do everything on your itinerary. You have to deal with temper tantrums, bathroom breaks, lugging around strollers and heavy baby bags... At times, it may not even feel like a vacation since you're extra tired too!

I'm sure for other parents, the prospect of leaving their kids while they go away seems outrageous. And I do understand that feeling as well. I think anytime you're away from you're kids, you get apprehensive and end up missing and thinking about them the whole time.

This will be the first time I'll be away from Skyler since he was born so I'm still honestly feeling mommy guilt. But he's turning 8 months now and I think I've got to cut myself some slack. Breastfeeding makes things a little bit more difficult, but I've been working on my milk stash this past month so Skyler will have plenty to drink while I'm away. I also fully intend to pump on this trip and bring my breastmilk home. I've already done the research and bought all the necessary storage supplies.

Bottom-line, I'm going on this trip since I believe it's important to have a break once in a while. Like any other job, being a stay-at-home mom can be exhausting. I love my kids but there are honestly days when I just want to get some "me" time. This will also be a great time for me and hubby to spend quality time together which I think is important for any couple. :)

So yes, I've finally allowed myself to get excited about this trip since this will also be my first time to visit Korea. I'm sure I'll miss my kids everyday and I'll probably be thinking about them the whole time I'm there. But I also know that when I come back, I'll be recharged and ready to face my mommy duties head on once more! :)

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    How I got my Korean Tourist Visa

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    Applying for my Korean Tourist Visa was so much easier that I expected. Not like when I applied for my Australian Tourist Visa which was more complicated and expensive too!

    All you have to do is visit the Korean Embassy website for the requirements. Love how there's even a category for housewives hehe. :)

    http://embassy_philippines.mofa.go.kr/english/as/embassy_philippines/visa/requirement/index.jsp


    Then, just print out and fill up the application form also found on their website. There's a second page which gives instructions on how to fill out the form.

    http://embassy_philippines.mofa.go.kr/english/as/embassy_philippines/visa/form/20111026/28259_file_VISA%20APPLICATION%20FORM.pdf


    Good news also for BPI Gold and Platinum Cardholders since I saw this notice in their Visa Announcement section:


    When you have all your requirements, just proceed to the Korean Embassy located at 122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

    • The Korean Embassy is located at the corner of Upper Mckinley Rd. and C5 Rd, right beside the British Embassy.
    • From Guadalupe MRT Station or Market-Market, take the FTI-C5 jeepney. It will take 20 minutes from Guadalupe MRT Station and 7 minutes from Market-Market.
    • From the Venice Piazza at Mckinley Hill, there is a free shuttle bus that will take you to Upper McKinely Rd. The ride will take about 10 minutes. The Embassy is within walking distance from the last Bust Stop at Mckinley Rd.
    • When you take a cab/taxi, ask the driver to drop you off at the Korean Embassy at Mckinley Hill along C5 road, beside the British Embassy.

    Visa application time is from 9am-11am, Monday to Friday. I went on a Tuesday and arrived there at about 9:30am. I signed in their log sheet and was required to leave an ID in exchange for their guest pass.


    Once inside, I just handed my documents to the person right by the entrance who is in charge of checking the papers. Everything was ok so he gave me a number and told me to go to Window 3, which is for frequent travelers or those who have traveled as tourists to the OECD member countries within 5 years (in my case Australia). When I checked the number that was called, I was surprised that I was next! And once it was my turn, the girl just checked if my documents were complete then gave me the claim stub which said that my passport would be released after 3 days.

    It just took me all of 10 minutes and I was done! It was so funny since just when hubby was able to find parking, he received my text that I was finished hehe. Sayang daw P30 niya! I guess I was just lucky din since I noticed more people arriving when I left. ;p

    Anyway, I guess I was so happy and excited when I was done that I didn't realize until we got home that I still had that damn guest ID clipped on me! Which meant I left my driver's license back at the Embassy. Haaaay stupid! Good thing my brother-in-law works in Fort so he was able to go there na lang and get it for me. ;p

    We went back last Friday to the Embassy for the releasing of passports which is from 2pm-4pm, Monday to Friday. It started raining like crazy when we were on the road so we got stuck in a bit of traffic. I got there at 3:30pm but I had to walk quite a bit since hubby wasn't able to drop me right in front. And it was getting flooded na ha! Needless to say, I got soaked and my shoes got ruined. But again, it was very quick once I got inside since I was able to get my passport immediately in just a few minutes. And good news since I was approved for multiple entries for 3 years! Yahoooo! Korea, here I come! :)


    KOREAN EMBASSY Contact Numbers:

    Teaser for our family pictorial

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    We're finally done with our latest family photoshoot and I am so excited to see the pictures! Here's a sneak peek of what you can expect hehe. :)

    Here's the outfits I came up with based on my Pinterest inspirations. We also changed into another set, but you'll have to wait for the edited photos later on to see. :)


    The photographer did an excellent job with the set-up. I asked for a travel theme and I love all the props he used! I think our outfits matched the background perfectly too. :)


    It was a very long and tiring day making the kids pose and stand still for the camera. It was definitely challenging getting everyone to smile for the family pics! There would always be someone looking away, or with their eyes closed, or not smiling haha! I just hope we got at least one perfect shot. ;p

    Anyway, I was so surprised when I saw Sabre's pic on the photographer's Facebook page the next day (with more than 700 likes!). The photos looks amazing but I have to be patient since it will take about 3-4 weeks to edit everything daw!


    Can't wait to see the rest of the finished pics and share them with all of you! :)

    Qiwellness Living Tagaytay: the Bath House

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    I was very fortunate to be invited last August 30 to Qiwellness Living, a new dining and spa destination in Tagaytay. They had just opened recently so I was really excited to check the place out with hubby, who was my date for the evening.


    We were greeted by these huge red doors which only hinted as to what lay behind them...


    Once we entered, we were welcomed by the sound of a gong, which they do to announce their guests' arrival. We were a bit surprised by this since the sound was quite loud, but it was pretty cool hehe. ;p

    Inspired by centuries-old architecture, cuisine, and healing practices of China, and combined with modern design, culinary techniques, and advances in wellness, Qiwellness Living reflects the sublime synergy of the old and the new, and presents a distinctive ambient, dining, and spa experience. I have to say, every inch of the place looks gorgeous and was begging for a photo-op! 

    remember my dress? finally got to wear it hehe ;p

    I loved all the furniture, but my absolute favorite has got to be these Ming Dynasty 2 meter high chairs. Don't we look so regal sitting on them? Parang King and Queen ang peg lol! ;p


    The place is divided into 2 areas: the Bath House, which is their spa, & the Tea House, which is the restaurant. I'll dedicate this post to the Bath House first, so I can focus on showing you their facilities for massages and treatments.


    The Chinese Bath House

    Bath houses have been part of Chinese culture for hundreds of years. The Chinese congregate in a common place that is the bath house, similar to other bathing cultures. The bathhouse at Qiwellness Living offers one a sanctuary of relaxation, rejuvenation and renewal. They bring effective traditional and holistic healing practices in a modern setting thru massages and hydrotherapy.


    This is their yin yang pool, which provides cold and hot plunges offering a multitude of health benefits while giving a greater sense of overall well-being. I can't wait to be back and just take a dip with that amazing view of the Taal lake. Pure perfection right? :)


    This is the opium den where their dry signature massage and reflexology treatments are done.


    This is their private room with an ensuite rainshower for their other spa services.


    So nice right? If you're into massages and spas, then this place is a must for you to visit. You can check out their website for a list of their services and packages. I definitely can't wait to be back with hubby to avail our 90-minute signature massage! :)


    Website: www.qiwellnessliving.ph

    Qiwellness Living Tagaytay: the Tea House

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    I've already showed you the Bath House part of Qiwellness Living in Tagaytay. Now let me focus on the Tea House, which is the dining area of the place, as well as our 8 course Yin Yang degustation dinner.

    The Chinese Tea House

    Traditionally, a Chinese tea house provides a tranquil place where one can meditate while sipping tea and enjoying a natural scenery such as lakes, mountains, and forests. At the teahouse at Qiwellness Living, you dine against the stunning backdrop of the Taal lake with a perfect view of the Taal volcano.


    This is the Dining Hall which is equipped with Ming Dynasty 2 meter high chairs and a one piece rectangular table over 20 feet long. This is the more formal area that can seat 20 or so guests, perfect for family banquets or even corporate events.


    Check out this gorgeous area which is just a few steps away from the spa. They can set up a romantic dinner for 2 here, overlooking the Taal volcano. Wouldn't this area be perfect for maybe a proposal, with the sun setting over this magnificent view? ;p


    Going down the steps from the Dining Hall is the more casual dining area where our bloggers' dinner was held.

    with my date for the night
    with my fellow bloggers, all gorgeous ladies inside and out :)

    Qiwellness Living's dishes are inspired by the traditional Chinese medicine’s principle of “yin” and “yang” and utilizing classical and modern culinary techniques with western and eastern ingredients. Their 6 and 8 course Yin Yang menus are multi-course degustation menus that changes seasonally, over spring, summer, autumn, and winter, inspired by China’s four seasons.

    For our dinner, we had the 8 course Summer menu, which you can see below:


    Here's the food which all tasted delicious and were presented beautifully.

    Fried Mantou bread to start the meal
    Money Bag of Foie Gras and Green Apple with Chestnut puree
    Tuna Tartare with Pineapple and Pickled Shallots
    Lettuce Soup with Poached Egg and Shitake Dumpling
    Endive, Roquefort, Walnut, Roasted Pear Salad, Pomegrenate Vinaigrette
    Pan-Seared Sake-Marinated Scallops, Avocado Puree, Ebiko
    Pacific Black Cod in Buckwheat Noodles, Orange Teriyaki Glaze
    Beef Striploin, Sichuan Pepper Spatzle, Snow Peas, Truffle Jus
    Cardamon Custard, Strawberry Sorbet, Crumble, Soil

    It was an amazing experience from start to finish. And add to that the loads of chika from my fellow bloggers which made it so much more fun! I'm so glad hubby was able to join me since it was nice to get dressed up and go on a "date" hehe. ;p

    Again, thank you to Patty for the invite and also to the amazing staff of Qiwellness Living who took care of us that night and made us feel so special. Good work guys!


    So if you want to have a romantic date with your loved one, celebrate a special occasion, or maybe just want to have good food with a beautiful ambiance, then Qiwellness Living is the perfect place to visit. :)


    Website: www.qiwellnessliving.ph

    Traveling without baby: How I pumped & brought my milk home from Korea

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    I just got back from Korea where I tagged along with hubby on his work-related trip. Like I said in my previous post, my main concern was leaving my 8-month old baby Skyler since he is still exclusively breastfeeding. I definitely had a lot of worries - will the expressed milk I left for him be enough until I get home? Will he drink my expressed milk in the bottle the whole time I was gone? Will my milk supply go down on this trip? Will I be able to bring home my pumped milk? Will he still want to nurse from me when I get back?

    I read a lot of articles about traveling without your baby, and I was greatly reassured by other moms that YES it can be done! I was initially thinking of just pumping and dumping my milk, but after more research, I made up my mind to bring home my breastmilk. I was thinking of getting a Fridge-to-Go, but then I asked Jenny of Chronicles of a Nursing Mom and she said that an insulated cooler and frozen ice packs would be enough since Korea is just 4 hours away.


    Our entire trip lasted 6 days, so I didn't have to freeze my milk since freshly pumped milk is good for about 7 days in the refrigerator. Of course, I had to double check if our hotel room had a fridge and thankfully they had one.

    Before we left, I actually tested how long my ice packs would stay cold inside my cooler. I placed the bag inside our bathroom (so no air-con) and was happy to find the ice packs had thawed but was still slightly frozen after 8 hours. I checked again after 12 hours to be sure and although they had completely melted, it was still cool.

    The flight to Korea is only 4 hours, but you have to take into account the total duration from the time you leave the hotel to go to the airport until you get to your house - in our case, about 9 hours.


    I use the Medela Swing Pump which is really convenient to carry around inside my bag because of its size. It's an electric pump but can still be battery operated when you're using it outside. I hand carried this with me so that I could pump in the airport and also on the plane.


    Other things I brought:
    - 2 storage bottles
    - breastmilk storage bags (ziplock type)
    - rechargeable batteries (Eneloop) for my pump
    - nursing cover / shawl
    - liquid detergent for cleaning the bottles & pump parts (then I'd sterilize by pouring boiling water using the electric kettle in the room)
    - plastic container / tupperware to store the bottles & pump after washing

    Since this was a working trip for hubby, we didn't really have the whole day to go around sightseeing and shopping. We would spend about 6-8 hours a day exploring, which was fine with me since that meant I only had to pump once or twice outside. I would pump right before we would leave the hotel, then usually when we'd take a break and eat. I'd just cover myself with a shawl and pump away. I don't think naman it was noticeable e, parang nilalamig lang ako haha! ;p

    pumping in Hongdae
    pumping while eating in Myeongdong

    But there will be times na alanganin talaga and I'd really have to stop wherever, whenever. Even if just for 15 minutes coz I'd feel really uncomfortable with my boobs so full. Parang breastfeeding lang, strike anywhere hehe. So of course I had to make sure to wear clothes that were easy access for pumping too. ;p

    in Dongdaemun Park

    My limit for taking the pumped milk back to the hotel was 3-4 hours. I didn't have a cooler so if I felt it was out for too long (it was also summer in Korea so it was pretty hot outside), I'd just have to throw the milk away to be on the safe side. I didn't want to risk it din if the milk was spoiled already.

    And even though I'd be so tired from walking the whole day and would just love to sleep in, I'd still get up twice at night so I could pump every 3-4 hours. It was more important for me that my milk supply wouldn't decrease on this trip.

    Hand-Carry or Check-in?

    I had a hard time deciding if I should hand-carry or check-in my milk. Based on forums I read, most moms prefer to hand-carry their milk since they feel it will be hot in the airplane's cargo. And I guess they feel safer having their breastmilk close where they can continuously check on the temperature. Maybe you can even ask for ice from the flight attendants or ask them to place your milk in their chiller (if it fits).

    My main concern with hand-carry was that I didn't want to get hassled at the security checkpoint if ever. Although based on this TSA article, you can definitely bring breastmilk on board the aircraft. If you're planning to do so, I guess just print the document and have a doctor's certificate that states you're a breastfeeding mom to be sure.

    I talked to my friend who's a flight attendant and although she never had an experience dealing with breastmilk on a flight, she recommended that it would be better in her opinion to check it in. Apparently, it's cold in the plane's cargo which I didn't know about. The hottest it can get is 21°C, which is the temperature when there's pets/animals on board. But if there's none, temperature is 7°C! 

    After hearing that, I finally decided to check-in my milk. We asked the hotel a day before our return flight if they could put my ice packs in their freezer, which was no problem. Getting my frozen ice packs from the concierge and packing my milk was the last thing I did right before we left for the airport. I placed the milk storage bags inside big ziplocks as well, just in case any of them burst (none did). We had a hard case luggage and I placed the cooler on the very top of our things. To be on the safe side, we also put a sign on the outside of the luggage that said "THIS SIDE UP".

    my liquid gold

    Total duration from the time I packed my breastmilk at the hotel in Korea until we arrived at our house was 8.5 hours. And when I got home, I was delighted to find the ice packs still 75% frozen which meant my precious milk had made the trip safe and sound. When I placed everything in the freezer, I was happy to find 3 remaining packs of breastmilk from the stash I had left for Skyler. Super sakto!

    Now I was worried Skyler might not want to breastfeed anymore when I got home since he might have gotten used to the bottle. I nursed him immediately, and he seemed hesitant at first since he kept stopping and looking at my face! It was as if he was thinking "Mommy, is that really you?" Awww... Well, I'm so pleased to say that we're back to regular programming folks. He's back to nursing on demand and it's like I never left. :)

    I'm glad everything worked out in the end and I was able to bring home the best pasalubong for Skyler. Since we're direct feeding, I don't know if he'll be able to drink all of the milk I brought home. But at least I didn't lose my milk supply and I'm now back with my babies who I missed so much! :)
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