Valentines 2015

I thought of putting a big blog comeback by posting a lengthy post last Valentines but usual life got in the way. Valentines is a bit busier than usual for me because it almost always coincides with the Lunar New Year and these two are my busiest times aside from the Christmas holidays. Hunter's birthday is also a day before Valentines so while everyone was looking forward to the romance, I was actually running around finishing orders and organizing Hunter and his cousin Tacio's birthday.

Days before Valentines, we were fortunate enough to be invited again in GMA to be part of their Valentine feature. It's been five years since I started doing this little guestings and I am grateful for the opportunity. I still get a bit giddy just before the show. I'm just so thankful I have such a supportive little team.

with my ever-reliable SA Aiza

My supportive hubby who went straight to the set after a night shift

Studio Valentine Set-up

Checking my make-up at 3 am. A must after an all-nighter!

Paolo and I knew that we won't be having any Valentine date or getaway since he just started with his new job and is on-call even on weekends. Although busy, my schedule is very flexible so I do make the adjustments for the family when things get a bit hectic. Three days before Valentines, I got my gift from the hubby which is something I had been checking out for over a year already. I love it!

Y for "Ysa Yason" according to the hubby.

I also got 2 dozen red Ecuadorian Roses. Red has never really been my color but I think it is growing on me. =)

Sorry for the cheesy holding-the-flowers pose. I just had to! =p

Standing tall and proud in our new living room which is another post altogether!

Each rose is as big as a closed fist. If only they last a bit longer. 

We had to "celebrate" earlier since we decided to throw a simple 3rd birthday party for Hunter and his cousin Tacio who also celebrates his birthday a day after Valentines.

 I'm that mom who likes celebrating her child/ren's birthdays. No matter what I have to do for the next few days or how busy life gets, I need to be DIY-ing and doing things for my family. Creating memories especially for kids is one of the most important things to me. I can only hope they will appreciate it someday and look back with fondness.

I can't believe its Hunter 3rd already! His First birthday was just like months ago and his Second birthday celebration in Chicago was just like last week! Goodness, Hunter is just speeding along and I'm barely catching up!

Trains, Cars and Screwdrivers! A few of their favorite things 

DIY decors for our two boys

Desserts come first!

Everyone's favorite spot

Having their "secret" conversations

Simple feast for the family

All homemade!

Papa Pao/ Tito Pao

The boys didn't really care as long as they have their lollipops. =P

It was a happy day with family. I wish we could have invited more people but since it was such on a short notice and celebrated right smack on Valentines, we figured our friends will have plans. As long as the two little boys were happy even just with their pops and cut-out trains---everything is just swell. Until next year.

I thought we were done with all the Valentines hoopla but the morning after, I saw a little package at the foot of the bed. Another surprise! 

A sweet bucket bag chosen by Paolo. He figured the wallet was my choice---this one he chose for me. Makes it all the more special and sweet. 

One thing I've learned about family---when you do all the special things for them to show your love---you get it back tenfold. No need to demand. To find The One---you have to be The One. ;)

Cheers to love and family! ❤

Kitchen and Dining Area

The house is done at last! The renovations at least are done but I'm still in the process of updating the furniture and knick knacks. I really didn't want post photos yet until its really done but I guess it is a continuous process.


Remember my peg? 

I really wanted a white kitchen with a black granite countertop and small bar table. I also wanted the kitchen to be part of the house to have a "smoother" flow with the existing lay-out.

We still have to buy the bar stools! =)

No faucet yet! =)

 

As usual, we have to work with the existing furniture. To update this set, we had it re-painted to a Wengue shade:  a black-brown color.

The old door is now replaced with a concrete wall, separating the kitchen from the dining area.

The Last Supper: the quintessential pinoy element in the dining. ;) It used to be in this garish red-wood shade. It was spray painted to Matte Gold and the frame in the same wengue shade with the new large mirror.

Mix of old and new and light all over. Achib! =D

I will be posting more photos in the coming days. I have yet to post one of my favorite updates: the new drop ceiling as well as my office area. I'm loooving my office area right now. I'm still in the process of adding some fun elements to it. Stay tuned! =)

This is one of the major reasons why I had been so busy the past few days...

We are having our little house in P8 renovated.

While everyone is busy decking out their halls with boughs of holly, well not really but while everyone is busy Christmastifying their homes, we had been busy with the demolition.

Not that we had to do the demolition ourselves, haha but we had to run around buying what we need, checking on the workers, etc etc.

The old kitchen and ceiling all gutted out

They are almost done with our floor and I couldn't be happier! The house looks remarkably lighter and more spacious. I'm excited to redecorate my work/office area and the living room.

I just wished though that I was able to take the "before" photos. This house is evolving with us. "She" has been through so many changes over the years.

The first time my family moved here was in 1986, I was still a baby. This is the house were all four of us sisters shared one bedroom--- now in retrospect, is one the best parts of my childhood. It used to be a bustling, busy space.

Now, its just us three.

I love this house so much and I am just so happy that I am able to do something for "her" and "she" is now made over and still evolving with the newcomers. I can't wait to see Hunter running around.

More photos soon!

House Updates

I have blogged several weeks ago how I wanted a new cream sofa. Something that's much more apt for our tiny receiving room.
Several weeks later, I have this clean, cream piece.

Its actually a reworked piece from our old sofa set. I had a it scaled to a more appropriate size for our living room, re-stuffed and reupholstered. I requested for a very clean yet plump design that means no buttons, no extra tweakings and details.

This one I love, it looks a bit lumpy on the photo, but its actually very comfy. I had this made initially fro my office area hence the color but decided that it will look better in Hunter's play area. I imagine it will be our Giant cuddle chair for afternoon readings. =)

I hope to be done with Hunter's playroom this weekend.

This one's my favorite. Breathing new life to your old furniture set isn't really as hard.
I don't have a before photo of this coffee table set but the wood used to have that dated cherry brown coloring with floral (yikes!) fabric.
I had it repainted and stained to a brown-black glossy shade, a bit darker than Wengue. I find this shade makes everything look more modern.

I chose a Grey Blue thick fabric to replace the old one. I love it! I think I'll be using this in the afternoons answering emails since its just a few paces away from my office nook.

Hello, Hunter!

I had to stick to classic, clean styles which translates to boring for others but I'm working on an old house with old furniture.
That means working on what we already have. I think the interesting part about these little projects is the fact that we are a young couple, a young family working on a fixer upper, an old house with old things and with a history that I'm a big part of.
I still want to hold on to some elements that made this house my home when I was little and just breathe in a few things that will update everything else.
More updates soon! =)

I dream of creams

I woke up early today because Paolo left for Cebu. He will be there for two days for one of his major projects. I will be tackling some projects of my own while left to my own devices. =))

As I have blogged days before, I'm busy with some home improvement projects and next is the small sitting area downstairs.
And lately, I have been conjuring up images of streamlined yet plump creaminess.

I really want to  need to lighten up the area downstairs. We'll see, we'll see.

Project 1: Hunter's Playroom

I've been busy with my little projects right now and most of them are about home improvement.
When we came back from the States, in less than two weeks, we had the house sanitized, the window screens and air cooling appliances replaced, the floor rugs and carpet changed and the cabinets organized.
Yes, I am turning into my mother.

I'm halfway done with Hunter's Play room. We are still waiting for all his stuff we sent here through a courier when we were in the States and Its taking too long! I can't wait to finish his animal/jungle theme  play area. Anyway, so far so good.

I still have to replace the Yo Gabba Gabba rug, I'm thinking of an animal print one but my sister Hazel says its an overkill, pun intended. :/ We'll see as we go along fixing the room.

I especially love the monkeys "hanging" from his toy shelves. There were actually six monkeys but I only included five. My sisters and brother know why. Hehe =)

I'm done with just one corner but I think the overall theme is coming along well.
 I used to want a vintage-y, soft color baby theme but I read somewhere that vibrant, loud colors are appreciated by babies more and contribute well to their development.

Loved that Hunter sign from Hunter's Mama Hazel who is also the one checking me all the time if I started working on his play room already. Ayan na po, madame.
What can I say?  Hunter has four mommies (Thankfully, though =)). 


I still have to wait for most of his stuff but I'm happy with how things are going. I'm simultaneously working on our room upstairs to make it comfortable for us three since we are co-sleeping with the baby. I'll post photos of that too soon. 


I just want the best possible environment for the little one. I must admit, I am enjoying these little projects!