Of Pretty Things and Memories

I have been dying to share this with everyone but kept postponing since I thought I will be able to add to the present amount of work I have done. However,  I cannot hold on any longer since I am so proud of the turning point their group was able to accomplish in just a year!!!

I was so fortunate to be friends with Pinky, one of the founders of Life Documented Manila and was one of the 1st batches to attend their fun workshop.  It was wonderful how they were able to bring people together who share the same passion of "memory keeping" and was able to introduce the "new" way of doing it. Even I, who has a limited capacity of being artsy found it so fool proof! It was so easy to do and yield such beautiful results! 

We were asked to bring in photos of a theme that we would want to work on. I brought in my girls' monthly photos and birthday photos. My eldest was so lucky to have numerous albums with PRINTED photos that I felt I have to do one for my twins too.  Of course others brought in travel photos etc. and I was cringing with me being so old school - that one mommy that scrapbooks about their kids! BUT one thing that makes this great is that, there is no way that yours will turn out uncool! 

So as you can see I have yet to add a few bits and pieces on my Project Life Binder. I want to reiterate how utterly simple and easy this is. There is just really something wrong with me and I still haven't completed the task. Or maybe I was overwhelmed since I have to detail out 2 years of my twins' life. So my tip to you mommas out there is start just START already. Start even before your little one is out.  In our digital world where everything is online, I think it will be nice for our kids to have something to hold on to that is really personal. For them to see the strokes of your pen and the edges you made on the photos that you printed out. To browse thru small knick-knacks, tickets, artworks or even a leaf you both picked up. Something tangible wherein they can connect with us would be cherished so much. I am promising now to make a follow-up post on this and how I have improved on mine. 

Do check out their website and Facebook by clicking on the link. You will see there other inspiring and creative works and their workshop schedules. It is worth the click and the time I promise!!!

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much love

Keep Picking Up the Pieces

Read into this as you may, taking this literally or figuratively but my life just feels like this nowadays.  So much feels on a Tuesday. I am so sorry for the current trending mood. I actually talked to my sister about this, my Birthday is lurking and yet I feel the need to disconnect and hide under a rock.  I often did  this before, locking myself in my room and hiding until I feel ok to emerge again. I don't think I can allow myself this mood anymore. Continuing that conversation with my sister, I followed that up with "too bad though since it's C's exam week" so I really need to function. BUT truly thank God for my kids that does not allow me to wallow. I have been sad for quite awhile but they have pushed me to function and move, not allowing me to succumb to the dark recesses of my mind. So truly, with these guys around, you have the best reason to keep picking up the pieces and putting them back together again. 

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much love

Fashion Flashback

Fixing my blog, I got into reminiscing and ended up going through my old blog as missdonata. Oh how I miss the life she had and the outfits she wore. That person seemed so put together and took chances on her outfits more! I have compiled some of my faves from the year that was -- 2011! HAHA Cannot believe that was 3 YEARS AGO! So interesting to see my style choices then and how up to now I hold certain style philosophies to heart. 

I loved this wine red skirt that I deemed "oh so sexy"! I think this is why I kept pairing it with long sleeved button downs just to balance it out! Actually I remember loving the ruching too and how it hides the tummy, that I guess was always my problem even before the girls came!

I cannot believe I only have 3 outfit shots of me wearing a kimono cover up! I remember it to be more than that, as this is my default and go to! Love how it transforms an outfit and elevates it to a more dramatic look - may it be a short dress, a maxi skirt or plain shorts!

My ever reliable knitted black poncho!!! I love pieces like these that adds such character to an outfit. So effortless to style too! I guess at that time I thought it goes so well with my animal print booties haha

Rarely would you see me in pants! BUT surprise! I have 3 sets of those in this series! Remembering the hey day of blazers and how it can easily amp up a rather simple outfit!

Please remind me what these pants are called? I was a sucker for them coz I thought it hides my tummy hahaha NOT Another look showcasing the importance of well fitted button sown blouses. It is truly a staple. 

I am including these 2 looks to mourn the demise of my shoes! =( Aren't they so edgy? =) 

My ever favorite lace shorts in red! Love how it can go from a simple and casual sailor inspired outfit to a more chic and uptown look - Funny how I didn't think I am a red person, but this series says otherwise. 

The return of the wide legged pants! I love this pant cut since I can easily wear platforms and cheat my height hahaha

My love affair with flirty skirts will never end, the poof and pleats will always always get me!

As much as I love how I used to dress up, I cannot wait to keep reinventing my personal style. Coming out of my pregnancy and bed rest left me out of sorts catching up with the trends and a new body type. 2 years on, I am slowly finding my footing. Keeping in mind too that I am also changing how I present myself to the world.  As the saying goes, "Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak" (Rachel Zoe).  Well I am fervently, getting to know myself again and again. We, mothers tend to do that right? Self-assessment? And now that I have the toughest critics of all- my kids, I just have to be the best of myself even the silliest parts of me. OH BUT WAIT! FASHION IS NOT SILLY!

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much love

Of Rainbows and Sunshine

And when the times are dark and gloomy and everything seems to pull you down.

 Count your blessings, it's unlikely that you have none.

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much love

Getting to Know You

Oh Lila I am so happy to be getting to know you more and more. My worries have dissipated as I understand your ways and learned your strengths. You see, I have been worried ever since you were born, much smaller than your sister. I have distressed and tormented over you not hitting your milestones at the same pace as her. Even a 2 week difference was enough to scare me. However, I see YOU so clearly now, your different way of interacting with the world, I have begun to appreciate.

You see, Lila is quite a handful, my feisty little one. She is the one who runs around climbing everything, throwing things and laughing over hurting you. Although to be fair Sandra does those things too but Lila just does it more - much more!

Despite these things, what I used to worry about more, are again the milestones. Sandra just seemed to get there faster. I guess there is truly a blessing in everything. When I lost my yaya and started spending time with them 24/7, I was able to observe even more closely how Lila is. I think it also happened in a crucial time wherein they have developed their personalities more for me to see the change.  I saw how she is able to focus if given the chance. She was able to finish our alphabet puzzles on her own without getting up to do something mid-way. She is also adept to painting and again filled her paper until she is done. So I realized then her love for art and her ability to stay on task.

However, what really moved me is seeing how she shows her emotions. She chooses well and is very honest. If at times she does not feel like it, you won't be able to force her to hug or kiss you unlike Sandra who knows too well how she is supposed to act. However is she feels like it, she will shower you with kisses! She is awfully loyal to her sister too. Whenever Sandra is "punished" and made to stand on the wall, she will be right next to her.

So I understand now Lila, I was worried for nothing. I kinda see how differently you both will end up being! I am excited, but for now I am enjoying getting to know you and Sandra. I will forever be in awe of how similar yet different you both are.

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much love

Neoprene Blooms

FANCIFUL skirt and top, SM Parisian flats

I am such a sucker for blooms especially now that they have gone through an upgrade! I have rekindled my love for them as they took on their new form, being as graphic and bold as can be, lending them such an edgy vibe. This top was purchased for my store but I cannot help keep one for myself! It was such a struggle though since as the trend on blouses now dictates - everything is so much shorter! I for one cannot sport anything cropped! My solution is pairing it with this flounce skirt since you can easily wear this high waisted! Bonus points on how this flirty hemline balances the boxy cut of the blouse! Full on neoprene on neoprene on a Sunday! 

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much love

Always a Favorite

There's something about this silhouette that I cannot let go. Maybe because it hides my flabby tummy and creates an illusion of a wider hips that balances my not so slim waist! Plus points for this beautiful color!

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much love