Charmed 30 years

Oh, goodness me! It's the last day of May. This month just flew by! A lot of things happened this month and as usual, I was bad at keeping my resolve to write again as much as I can.
Life happens and nothing reminds you more of that than turning 30!

My sisters couldn't agree on the birthday theme: Shabby chic from my sister Hazel and Sassy Pink Flamingo from my sister Vi. I guess they are both my personality. =) 

My 30th birthday was a relatively quiet one. It was just a simple get-together with our family.

Admittedly, it wasn't initially what I had in mind. I've been planning my 30th birthday for most of my 29th year (heh) and a vacation with my husband and son somewhere far and romantic was what was included in my dream sequence. I kept on moving my flight back in Manila that I just decided to spend my birthday with family in good, old Chicago.

But nothing beats being with family and 80% of all the people I love most and being reminded how loved I am for the last 30 years of my existence. I guess I just have to make it up with the one very big % left in Manila when I get back. ;P

Unlike some people who dreads the big 3-0, I actually looked forward to it. My twenties are nothing short of awesome and I was able to accomplish, experience and learn so many things that I guess will come by few and far between from now on since our twenties are always viewed as the time of experimentation and finding out who we really are.
I am more excited with the calm and stability my thirties will bring. I guess there's nothing that quite substantiate the feeling of coming to your own and having the quiet confidence and belief in yourself that naturally comes with time and age. 

I wouldn't say I had it easy, but I must admit I had it easier for the most part. I am well aware of that. I guess its the awareness that pushes me to do more, to want more because I am given these opportunities and blessings.
I remember when I was trying to come up with a business name, I was thinking of what we all strive to have. It is the Charmed Life. A charmed existence that is not just so much about the material things but aspects of life that make everything meaningful: family, happiness, love.

I don't have a perfect life but I do live a Charmed Life. In my own terms.  ❤

Wednesday Wish list

I'm actually excited about turning 30 soon. I think I'm one of the few who actually look forward to that. I guess its because they always say the 30's are the more stable, quiet but still best years of a person's life.

I just realized I always stay here in the States with my family right before a big change in my life: Graduating, getting married, giving birth and now turning 30! It is a great opportunity I guess since I'm able to acquire the things I want and need to get me ready for a change in my life.

I'm in the process of purging old stuff and building a new and better collection that represents me well. A more streamlined, yet better representation of who I am.

My 20's was a great decade but I really never felt I had a distinct style. I was more concerned about accomplishing goals and chasing after dreams to really invest on my closet. Not that I didn't acquire a substantial collection, I did. But it is more of acquiring things for the sake of "investing" and not really a reflection of who I am and what I really like.

Wishlist Wednesday will be a new regular in my blog. Just a sort of style journal notes to know what I really like and who I really am style-wise.
I am no fashionista, I'm just a regular girl who loves pretty things. Bear with me.

Kate Spade Beau Bag

 I am starting to like, really like Kate Spade. I guess my biggest influence is my sister Hazel who loves the brand. 

I have a jewellery/Accessory business but I still can't stop pinning for other pieces and designs. I particularly love these two because they would look good layered with my Charmed Life bracelets.

I only shop for cosmetics whenever I'm here but boy, do I hoard! Probably because they are much cheaper than in Manila.

Coral blushes are my must-have. I can never get enough. I particularly love this shade from Chanel: Le Blush Creme de Chanel Presage 62.

And my ultimate in the wish list is this beauty:

Someday Mi cheri, someday. 

Hunter is 2!

 Just a dozen posts ago was my entry about Hunter's first birthday. I can't believe we just celebrated his second one last Sunday!

We really planned on celebrating his second birthday here in Chicago with family since I didn't have anyone from my family last year except my sister who flew in to celebrate with us.
This year though we didn't have Paolo with us since he had to fly back in Manila right after the holidays. Something's always gotta give when you are far from family.

Since I'm on a work hiatus, the Type A in me got a little carried away preparing for Hunter's party. It was 80% handmade and homemade. I did all the decorations: the pompoms, pinwheels, paper letters and paper flowers.

Mason jars always give a nice vintage touch to any occasion. Will be selling soon in my shop!

Mini Candy bar was just an assorted of our favourite treats for the little ones. 

I also cooked the Prosciutto Pasta, Bruschetta, Bacon wrapped in Asparagus, Waldorf Salad and Chocolate-dipped strawberries. I made a mock-tail of Citrus, Pineapple juice with Rose Grenadine. The rest are generously given by family.

I love Ree Drummond's blog The Pioneer Woman. I get most of my cooking inspiration from her recipes. =)

 Bruschetta is topped with an assorted of Salami slices or Prosciutto with basil and my favourite Brie, I also added a thin slice of apple and a dollop of honey that really works well with the tanginess of the cheese.

That's what I loved about celebrating here, everything can be DIY since its easier to look for the right materials. Doing much of the work without Pao and my house help were relatively easy. But then I also have the most gracious and generous hosts, the Lorenzos who made everything so much easier.

Seeing Hunter enjoy his party is all worth it. He is beginning to realize the importance of birthdays. 

And I am becoming more and more into this mommy business. =D Sometimes we think we do these things for our children, but the thing is we do these for ourselves too. 

There's a different kind of joy seeing my little boy happy not because of expensive toys but the pompom wands that I made. But then they are almost always happier playing with plain boxes and thingamabobs than toys anyway. But still.

Goofing around with his other mommy, Mama Vi.

He loved seeing our guests sing him a happy birthday! The look on his face  was priceless. We had to sing "Happy Birthday" numerous times!

Enjoying his new ride

Birthday cards from the little "Ate's"

              "Banderitas" and cupcakes by his Mama Zel

Celebrating with Auntie Michelle

All the details have something to do with family and I love it! Its so personal and special which is what birthdays are all about. =)

My birthday wish for you is to be always healthy, safe and happy. 

And that you will always have that sweet smile in life. I love you so much.

Hello, its been a while...

Three weeks! Goodness gracious, that's the longest I have gone without writing anything in my blog. The past months, I've been really neglecting this little cyber home and I must say, I'm sorry. I miss writing here, I miss visiting and just typing away little random thoughts.

So hello again. I don't want to say it over and again but yes, I had been really busy. My sister's family came and those three weeks were packed to the brim with so many activities.

I miss my spunky Cheskapooh bear again so much. Three weeks is so short.

Hunter's Vintage Carnival party was a success. I can be such an OC with many things in my life especially when it involves details, so you can just imagine how I was with the first birthday party of my first born.
 I have always wanted a vintage carnival theme for Hunter's party. No fuss, no cartoon characters. We wanted a retro, backyard feel that the kids would enjoy and the adults would feel nostalgic about.

Sometimes it gets a bit tricky when planning parties since I can be really particular with things---I remember planning my wedding: I was so particular with the no mums, no leaves policy.
I guess it makes it easier for the planners and suppliers, but sometimes I must admit, it can be a bit trying.
I'm thankful though with my very capable event planner, Stephanie of Dishful Gourmet. She is first a friend then an event planner/caterer so she knows me well enough to understand when I get into my control freak mode. :/
I loved all the details but what I really loved even more was seeing all the little kids enjoying and seeing all our friends celebrating with us. It was an afternoon of blessing and joy.

The charm lies in the little details. I love the vintage touch of the boards, the food carts and the simple balloonderitas that went really well with our high, wooden ceiling.

I especially loved the personalized details. "Hunter's firsts" was definitely a hit! Even our veteran magician host commended me about that booth. It wasn't something he sees very often in parties.  It was a nice touch.Worked well for a mommy like me who keeps just about the littlest things! Sometimes the best way to wow your guests is not through the "bongga" details but the personal touch.

Photos of Hunter's monthly "birthdays" with Mr. Wiggles--the teddy bear we took photos of with Hunter every month to see his monthly progress were displayed by the entrance.

Welcome to the ONEderful party! =)

I had so much fun planning Hunter's birthday. I live for these little "projects" in my life. I can't for the life of me, imagine having to do the same thing over and over and over again for the rest of my life. So I guess projects and events work well for me since it takes so much of my time and effort for a short while then I move on to the next. =)

We love you, Hunter! 

Speaking of little projects, I have many events, bazaars and trade shows lined up for the next few months which I'm totally excited about. We just finished with our first one for the year last weekend which I wasn't able to blog about because we were running around like headless chickens the past few days trying to finish everything.
My lovely Lovely, my ever-loyal personal assistant of four years left for a maternity leave so I was feeling the loss while trying to be on top of things.

I'm happy to report though that everything went well. We met old and new clients and did well with the  whole run.

My cousins were with me as usual and they made everything so much more fun and a whole lot easier. I love how this is a family affair. =) Hunter did his part by being such a cutie and his usual smiley self. People were asking me if he was for sale. =)

And what do I love almost as much as I love jewelry and accessories? Makeup! I also sold makeup in my booth. I've just recently started dipping my toes in the makeup world. I'm still wading my way through selling makeup but I think I'm loving it so far. Although I think I will be selling only through bazaars. I'm still working things out with my supplier. My problem though is I end up getting the makeup for myself! But we'll see, we'll see.

Anyway, this is such a long post already, I guess to make up for the last three weeks I've been awfully quiet. It is becoming such a busy year but I love it!