GRAY STRIPES ON GRAY SKIES

I fell in love with this trumpet hemmed dress for the kids and in neutrals too! It actually came studded with red rhinestones along the neckline but not something a few snips can't fix! I do not think I can shake this color combo of grays and khakis! Was going for a clean and minimal look but just had to include the fringe!!! Haha

This outfit was meant for a day out at Art in the Park which I thought was perfect as an enriching activity for the kids, which we have been lacking at recently. I was so excited I felt so bad when it rained just as we parked our car =( It was just one of those days that things do not go your way! It was actually a series of unfortunate events that sent a hormonal me over the edge! Looking back all times spent with kids are still priceless right???Mundane moments can still translate to cherished memories. We finally brought the girls for the first time to kikufuji, our favorite Japanese place. Just happy to be able to share it with them too! 

Dress from SM Kids, Hat from Divisoria, Purse from H&M Kids, Shoes from Cotton On

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much love

The Art of Comfort Dressing --- in white

I have forgotten how to wear heels and to be honest I am loving the acceptance of flats recently.  Oh the art of comfort dressing, I have embraced it completely. I have hoarded basics lately with silhouettes that cover my problem areas (tummy and arms obviously) and flaunt my assets (legs - the last remainder of my youth and thinness). So happy to find them in the breathable fabric in time for summer. 

Fanciful Shirt Dress with floral detail on the sleeves and pink with rhinestone flats from Zalora

Bershka cotton white dress and gold renegade folk flats

Rose Boutique cotton structured blouse, zara denim shorts, renegade folk flats. 

It may seem that I have forgotten my past self who over accessorizes and piles things on. I have transferred all my energy for that when I am out buying for my store or styling my clients. I have come to love the effect of clean and simple dressing. Lets see how long this sticks though! Maybe its all because of the heat! Who knows 😁

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much love

All a Flutter

My girls have been asking for skirts lately! I recently did a kid's shoot for SM accessories and spotted so many awesome finds! I couldn't help but get for my girls too! I swear it is a treasure chest! I spotted this dress and immediately fell in love with this print! The details are just adorbs too. Cap sleeves + belt = love! They enjoyed twirling in this outfit with a skirt that poofs up! 

SM Kids Dress, Hair clips and baskets from H&M, yellow shoes from SM Sugarkids

Hippie Summer Love

In anticipation of summer we brought out our fedora hats, punchy colors, pom poms and fringe! 

Fedora hats from 168, Top is a gift, shorts from @lailaandlyra, shoes from payless and bags from H&M

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much love

Love AfFAIR

I have finally accepted this fact, you do not mature into being a morning person.  I actually thought it came with age or even motherhood. BUT HELL NO. I dread waking up early, everyday, as I ready C for school. I can always blame it on my interrupted sleep. My girls still does not sleep through the night but really, who are we kidding. My actual favorite moment is when I see C off to school and I crawl back into bed before my girls wake up. For some reason they reward me with my best sleep of the day.  

Anyway I digress...

Although this was one of those times when I cannot go back to bed and have to trot along to C's school very, very, very, early in the morning. It clearly ends happy. On that fateful day, sleepy me accompanied him to school on a SATURDAY to witness their Field Demo and have mandatory fun at their fair. Mandatory, since we weren't allowed to leave early!

It was actually such a heartwarming moment. My son, as I have blabbed on here tend to be shy at times and overly cautious. He surprised me that day by dancing his heart out to "Immortals" from the movie Big Hero 6. I guess our previous talks paid off. Pass performances this year were filled with half-hearted dance move executions as he looks at me laughing in embarrassment. I guess he has reached the stage when he is now self-conscious. I hated it. I am glad though that he seems to have gotten over it and danced his ass off!!! 

And really there are no complaints as I was able to enjoy this fair with him and even got to enjoy a ride with him. Soon enough he wouldn't wanna be doing this with his mommy! I want more moments like these with you C! Even if it means waking up extra early in the morning!

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much love

Fashionista Problems x2!

My first ever splurge purchase for my girls are these orange, embellished, structured blouses from Gingersnaps. I have kept my head on for the last 2 years ++ in shopping for them in low-end brands and sales which we mixed and matched with all the lovely gifts we receive. 

On Sandra (Left): Cream Zara Cardigan, Orange embellished Gingersnaps Blouse, Denim SM Kids Shorts and Pink poof made by mommy  On Lila: Sans cardigan + Hello Kitty H&M purse from Ninang Jola 

How clearly symbolic these tops are since there is nothing smart about this purchase. It was all heart. My pure shopaholic heart that I kept reigned in for so long! Clearly there is nothing practical about orange and bling! How am I ever going to repeat this outfit??! But my heart soared, same feeling as when you buy a neon pink stiletto. It's soooo pretty - PRETTY IMPRACTICAL. My next purchases over the weeks were centered on nudes, denims and big sizes. My head is back on. Although some would beg to differ (ahem ahem my husband) wherein he would say I have been buying so much for the kiddos lately. I HAVE NO EXCUSE, except I have resisted my urges for soooo long. 

I have calmed down from the shopping rush since then and have come to a few conclusions. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a few purchases for our kids especially if this will keep you sane and happy. Not even counting the pretty #OOTDs you can post ='D   

BUT again remember as you pick up the shiny gold pair of shoes for your infant who hasn't even started walking yet... they pretty much outgrow everything SO FAST especially in the 1st year. Be practical and mindful. Pick up the bigger size with allowance!!! Just like how our moms used to do it! There is much wisdom in that! 

Take note of sale season! However do not go wild and buy it ALL. Racks will always be filled with cuteness. I think anything TINY doubles its appeal! HAHA What I do if I have a few extra bucks to spend, is to stack up on basics for each stage. When you shop after a season, take note of the fabric which might not be applicable for the upcoming months so buy for the age that that season will fall into.  Or when you have trips planned through the year best to buy the coats when the winter collection is on sale =)

Stray away from things that are itchy and uncomfortable. The girls were actually not to keen with their orange blouses as they are made of a stiff material! My mistake! Is the lesson of tiis ganda too early to be taught? I think yes! HAHA

Mix and match brands! I splurged on this Zara cream cardigan because I can use it with everything. Plus points that it was on sale. I often scourge SM kids for tutus and sandals in different colors although they have nice basics too! So balance it out!!!

Photo with their amazing Kuya who is developing his own fashion sense too! 

Hoping I can apply all those to myself especially since we have to get everything x 2! But really lets not take away the fun of getting our girls all dolled up! We can do it without breaking the bank! HAHA

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much love

Tutus and Tiaras on My Little Dalagitas

All of a sudden, I have little dalagitas on my hands who have their own disposition in life. How is it possible that this soon, I already have these thinking beings that babble away question after question about everything they see and feel. Picking up new tricks and antics daily that I cannot seem to keep up with. 

Plain white tees from H&M, neon yellow tulle skirt from SM Kids, Pink Crowns and Hello Kitty Purse from H&M (gifts) and whites sandals from payless.

I think we can never stop being bewildered as mothers on this issue of time. How our days can sometimes be filled with waiting, looking at the clock, feeling as if our lives are at a stand still. Where days and nights bleed in and out onto the next with only diapers and feedings in between. Moments filled with non-stop picking up the pieces. Then there will be days when the air will be knocked out of us because it seems time is just fleeting. We cannot hold on to moments long enough. Suddenly, they started taking their first steps, uttering their first words, naming their colors and memorizing their alphabet. Suddenly they are talking to you in coherent sentences, imposing their needs and wants and having their own opinions. 

Don't we all wish we know how to reconcile the two? Time spent taking care of ourselves vs. time spent taking care of them. Time spent away fulfilling our dreams vs. time spent making new dreams together. Time with/for ourselves vs. time spent with our children and family. A perfect balancing act. It is ever possible? 

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much love

Oh 2015

I was excited to welcome 2015 with open arms after a rough 2014, filled with internal struggles and doubt. However looking through my Instagram it felt otherwise. My journey through 2014 brought about a new me that I cannot wait to carry over through this new year. 

The beautiful mess of random yet great things that my children has brought about. Either through their hands or through mine, for them. 

The necessity of making things beautiful without costing you a lot has challenged me but also surprised me as our ingenuity (mine and my husband's) show forth. 

Making my house a home and all the more lovelier come the holidays has become such a deep rooted need. Gone are the days of just not minding anything household related. 

I have learned to appreciate and be grateful of the small things. I have seen the beauty in the ordinary and also made ordinary things beautiful. As often times I have stumbled, I have come out a better person. I adore this person actually and have come to repeatedly be struck of how different this person has become. I still have a few kinks to work out though. It never ends, this self-reinvention and improvement, but please 2015, be kinder and gentler to us this time. 

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much love

Color in the Black and White

Floral ball skirt from my store, Fanciful (3rd Level, Shoppesville, Greenhills)

Oh how times have changed! This is clearly the most daring I have been lately. Yes, a simple print on print outfit made me feel oh so bold!  Gone are the days when I wear something simply because it is different and outrageous. I have tapered my style to a more mature look and have streamlined it to pieces that I truly love.  I have been more reasonable with my purchases too. I used to shop, shop, shop buying everything that I deemed to stand out. Often times items were bought for the sake of an outfit shot. Remembering the hey day of my chictopia account and how each day or night out is made into a pictorial to my hubby's (then boyfriend) dismay. Sometimes I miss my outrageous self but I clearly, do not have the time, effort and money it entailed. HAHA I applaud those who do though! 

However, I am pretty proud of how I have become. Having our resources go mostly to our children and our home has made me more practical. It has taught me the value of every single thing and yet it has also challenged me further. I no longer get to be fashionable because I can buy every new thing. I have to keenly assess each purchase and create looks mixing the old with the new and getting truly creative.  Clearly, its more fun this way ;)

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much love

Of Fairytales and Daydreams

For last year's halloween, I got overly excited and somewhat found myself designing and creating my girls' and niece's costume. I thought everything was so simple.  I have an idea in my head already and I know what I wanted it to look like. My sister and I have decided on a swan lake inspired look for the girls. I knew I just needed onesies/leotards and then I can just simply build on it. I was listing my materials and thinking "hey I can easily do this". I purchased my feathers and appliqué. I have the sequins and rhinestones on hand which actually added to my confidence. In the end there were a few snags that I was able to solve but it brought in a few realizations. 

I have always tinkered with clothing. Ripped things apart and put things together. I do not know why in the world did I never learn to do this properly. Technical skills would have saved me time. Knowledge that the appliqué will not stick to the material of the leotard would have allowed me to change my game plan. Did I tell you I ended up stitching it in a few places and just using double sided tape? Utterly sad. I also tried my hand with the sewing machine and in a few moments I broke the needle. I always thought I do not need sewing and pattern making skills, I can always employ people who can. BUT I guess my girls are such game changers in my life. Creating things make me so happy. To move forward from headpieces and transition to outfits is so fulfilling. Maybe I would be happier if it were executed perfectly too. So this year, I am claiming it! I wanna learn how to sew and move past just the running stitch and making things up as I go along. Already getting excited at what my learned hands can create. =)

The finished product! The tutu was hand made by me too!

Our girls adoring each other's outfit HAHA

Fairytales are made of these lovely bunch!

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much love