A Mother's Day

Pao and I had a little secret the past few months...



The reason we waited for a while before telling everyone is because there is really beauty in waiting...We should know since we waited for 2 and a half years for the right time.

We made sure the little peanut is well on his/her way before telling the world he/she is coming. Now, we are as excited more than ever.
The last weeks of keeping secrets were fun. They brought us so much closer, They made us really assess our future, what we wanted for our family and where we are going without outside influences. It was really just us three, literally in those few weeks.

But now is so much more fun because we get to share our happiness and excitement to everyone who loves and cares for us.

We specifically chose September 8 to share our good new because I grew up as a Marian devotee, having spent more than 10 years of my life as a member of the Legion of Mary. Our dear Mother is the first one I call upon during times of hardships.
What better time to announce my impending motherhood than the day of our beloved Mama Mary.

Thanks for the well-wishes and greetings. =) Now there are more things to write about in my blog, but don't worry I won't be one of those preggy women who talk about their pregnancy all the time. Well, I'll try my best. ;)

Here's to the new chapter ahead!

My First Cath Kidston

I've always wanted a Cath Kidston bag. I find the brand very girly, very British and the prints just absolutely make me happy.
It appeals to my granny -chic taste. It's just so difficult to get hold of a genuine one here in the Philippines.

The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton uses a Cath Kidston bag as seen here in the photo during her Canadian visit. Just goes to show that we all need that dose of kitsch every now and then however serious and classic our style may be. =)



I wanted a Carry-all in the same print! What's better than a similar print to a princess for my first Cath Kidston? =)



I wanted this design since I first saw it in a Japanese shopping site.



My Dottie, It's finally here!



Although Cath Kidston fakes are everywhere around the Metro, it's really easy to spot the copies . Usually the tags are not smooth and the oilcloth is much thinner. You can really tell the difference from a genuine Cath Kidston because of the quality.

Here's a photo of the tag in an original Cath Kidston:


Lately I'm into canvass, lightweight and oilcloth bags. I'm still able to address my bag cravings without breaking the bank.
This is my first CK but definitely not my last.
Yay to more affordable bags!

My pretties

Please visit Charmed Life by Ysa Yason for more designs. =)

Good vibes, Good start

Yesterday, my mother-in-law stayed for the night and it was a welcome change in our routine. Funny how we notice the littlest details in the house when the MIL visits. But she is a dear and it doesn't take too much to entertain her. I really should start with all the house projects I've been putting off. We're halfway done with the de-clutterring mode.

I didn't know that two and half years of being married we have accumulated that so much stuff! Time to edit.

I have been cooking the past few days as I have promised and I whipped up Garlic Noodles and Adobo. My recipe is Paolo's absolute favorite. I make a twice-cooked Adobo and use Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil with my recipe. Adobo has that sort-of Universal taste so I also pair it up with Garlic Noodles for non-rice eaters. Garlic Noodle recipe is just basically Olive Oil, Chopped Garlic, Pepper and Spices and I also use Thyme sparingly.





I love Caesar salad and I make my own salad dressing. I use 1 cup of mayonnaise, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp of Worchestechire, 2 tbsp of Dijon Mustard, 2 tbsp of half and half, 1 clove of garlic minced, salt and pepper and mix them all together in the food processor. Voila! Your very own Caesar Salad dressing.



My happy hubby. Adobo is the way to his heart. =))

Ramblings

This is not an entertainment blog. This is an online journal. It’s all about me. And when I need to vent, I sure will.

I’ve long come to realize I’m a sweet person…but awfully expressive (as Pao coins it) and straightforward as well. So when I need and want something, I don’t go beat around the bush and I say it out loud and clearly, sweetly. Although I’m afraid, this is not one of those times.

What I hate most is a sense of entitlement, like an old lady who smugly cuts in front of the line. I love old people and on another day, I would have given up my turn if she asked me sweetly. It’s like having your kids throw a fit when they want you to go somewhere or buy something. Ask me sweetly, and my heart will melt. I’m really a sucker at some level.

Demand something from me and you will be butting heads with a brick wall. Ask something from me pleasantly and with honesty and almost often than not, I’ll do my best to be able to provide it.

When I say, “I’m busy”, I really am. It’s not one of those liners people like to say to make them seem interesting and elusive. No, I really am a busy person. I own my time, yes, but I don’t also follow an 8 to 5er. When I need to finish something until 3 am, I would. When I need to give up my weekends to finish a 70 plus uniform orders of wedding giveaways, I would.

I like to share, I really do. It’s just that giving is not something I talk about.
I’m actually quite generous with my things and money…to people who need it more.
Being generous with time is another story, altogether. Heck, it even took me more than two years to find time to visit my family.

It’s not just about being busy, its just that on my down time I’d rather sleep away the hours or spend a quiet time with my husband (who is even busier than I am) more than anything else but our house is open anytime. I’d rather be the one accepting visitors than do the visiting myself. You make the effort to be with me and I'll do the rest. It's a two-way street.

Although, I have a good husband who provides well for the necessities, I earn my right to buy the things I want. I work hard for them. I work hard to contribute, and I do contribute well.
Although I consider marrying well a feat in itself, being able to provide your own and buy the things you want without asking any man is a bigger feat.

Right now, I am blessed with the generosity of so many people in my life. Everyday I thank the Lord because I had been so lucky with the kind of family I came from. It had been easier for me because of them.

I never had to marry for no other reason than because I’m truly and genuinely in love.
So no, I’m not a woman of leisure who just gleefully spends all her husband’s money with her time.

That may be something to brag about in some other parts of the world…but not in mine.

Entitlement is only for those people who earn it.

fake lashes, real lashes, vain post

I'm still on my quest of finding the best mascara to rehabilitate my sparse, abused lashes. Months ago, I had the great idea of having eyelash extensions that made my real lashes fall off. Eyelash extension is nice for special occasions but I found out painfully (literally and figuratively) the price to pay when you are not careful like I am in maintaining your falsies.


I covet my husband's lashes. He has the longest, thickest lashes I know. Such a waste on a man, really.

During the first few days of extreme desperation seeing most of my lashes fall off, I bought a Japanese brand of eyelash grower. I'm not really sure what its brand name is but its one of those small, small tubes with a white and almost iridescent pink sheen that can only be bought online. It was ridiculously priced at PhP 1,600 for a very, very small tube of serum that lasted only days. Needless to say, I didn't really see much difference at all.

I tried using L'Oreal Renewal Lash Serum. It has a tipped wand to easily coat the thinnest and shortest strands. I use it as a base coat and somehow it helps thicken whatever mascara I'm using. I noticed my lashes got darker after a few days but length-wise, there is not much difference. Overall, it's a good buy and a good base coat without the heaviness.


Of all the things that I tried, what worked the best for me is Revlon's Grow Luscious Mascara especially the original version and not the new Volumizing formula. I really noticed my lashes grow thicker and much stronger a few days after using it on its own, no base coat or lash serum.


Pardon me, I just thought about posting this utterly vain entry as I was searching this afternoon for a good eyelash grower/thickener that's locally available. I just hope they don't discontinue the Revlon Grow Luscious until I find The One. =/

Hello, Ber!

It's September already! Yay! Its the month I have been waiting for. As of now, at least. ;P

I've been relatively quiet with my shop because we've been busy with something big that required all my attention and energy. Finally it's September and we're almost done with the hustle phase. September 8, you are just a week to go. <3

I'm brewing something in my shop, haven't been posting new stuff so much because of what occupied me the last weeks plus being sick all the time. I wasn't able to post the latest special orders album.
I'm getting my hands on new materials and designs for the younger set and really excited with my new pieces, a line specially for collectors or those who just love them.

Long weekend: Day 1

I finally succumbed to the banana craze and got myself a quirky Banane Taipei bag. I know I'm a bit late but getting one is more of a necessity than an urge since most of my bags are heavy and I needed a canvass bag for the meantime (excuses, excuses).


If you are going to get one, its best to get it from Bagahollic Bags because they are the official distributor in the Philippines so you can rest assured that you are getting a genuine Banane. They also offer the lowest price at PhP 4,000 plus shipping. Others sell them at PhP 6,500 which is so OA and overpriced for a canvass bag.
Heidi, the owner is very accommodating and nice which is something I appreciate since I'm an online seller myself and I know how busy it can get trying to reply and accommodate everyone.

I received mine today just after paying yesterday. She made sure I got my bag before the long break.
I got one in Lavender Grey. I wanted something neutral yet girly. I also love pastels and non-colors and Lavender Grey is just so perfect for me. The color is actually more Grey than purple. What I love about a Banane bag is its silliness. Its just plain fun. You can't help but smile when you see one. Love it!

I was so excited with my new canvass bag, here I was trying it out for the afternoon. =)
(Note to self: Must change our area rug.)


Pao and I were craving for some italian pizza so we braved the rain and went to Gino's in Katipunan for some brick-oven pizza. Yum!



All their pizzas are regular sized for about 400 pesos give or take. We ordered Prosciutto which is made of Tomato, Kesong Puti, Parmesan, Prosciutto and fresh Arugula. I just love their flavors, the combination of the cheese and fresh Arugula plus the tasty dough. Unlike other pizzas, Gino's doesn't feel too heavy at all.



Today was a great start of our long weekend. I'm up and about again. I'm starting to feel like my old self. Now we're off to some Spartacus Gods of the Arena marathon. What a nice day, I just hope that the next three days won't go by too fast!

Excited for SEPTEMBER!

Oh, can't you come any sooner? =D

After telling her I was bored the past few weeks recuperating, my sweet mother-in-law was kind enough to lend me her DVDs of Korean telenovelas. I did love the stories but as much as I try to understand Pinoy craze over K-pop male stars... I just can't.

I'm sorry. I guess it's all a matter of taste.

It's just that guys who look more feminine, more fashyon and prettier than me don't appeal to me at all. Mag e-exchange lang kami ng skin-care tips. Hehe.

I guess cutesy guys never appealed to me. I want my men to look like men. I want to know more about fashion than my man can ever know. I want my man to wear leather belts and not those thin colorful pleather ones with tight shorts (Que horror). I want my man a bit scruffy.

Well, whatever floats your boat. I guess this is what I get from alternately watching a Koreanovela and Spartacus these past days. Try doing that and tell me what would you prefer. ;)


Now, you can't help but feel like a woman next to this.

I'm so proud of you, Pooh.

I still remember when you were born. I was the first one to hold you.

I'm so proud to have spent your first two months on your side as your "other mommy." Waking up at wee hours, feeding and changing you, because of you, I discovered my "maternal instincts." My future baby is lucky because I was trained with you, hehe.

You are a sweet girl, I'm so proud of how you are becoming. Not all three year-olds let others blow their cake candles or open their gifts but you always share, even if its your day. It's just but natural to you.

You are a spunky little fireball and we all love your funny antics and most of all your free spirit.

I always love asking you, "Are you a Princess?" and you would always answer me "NO, I'm Cheska!" and for you, that explains everything, being Cheska is super enough. =)

I love you baby girl, my Cheskapooh, Happy third birthday!

*Random

I have this nagging feeling for the past weeks that I am not doing a good job being a wife right now.
I must admit Paolo makes it so easy for me to be a domesticated diva. He provides well, we are comfortable and at the same time I contribute and do my fair share.
And yet with all these being handed to me so easily, I feel like I haven’t been making the most out of everything.
There are so many projects waiting that I could have done since I hold my time and yet there I was thinking there will be more time in the future: a mistake we often make so easily.

I want to fix and redecorate both houses right now, I want to cook more for both of us, I want to de-clutter all our old stuff and remodel the master’s bedroom, I want fresh flowers in the house, I want the house to smell like Black Cherry and Snicker doodle just like in Downers’. I want to do something about the daily kitchen we have in my parents’ place. I just want to be more of a wife, maybe in its old-fashion sense.

It’s a wonder how we come up with the longest lists of things to do when we can’t do much at all. Lately, I feel like a candle being burnt from both ends.

Things will get better soon. =)

I just finished reading Samantha Sotto's book "Before Ever After." A lot of people say, it's too lyrical and there are too many metaphors but I guess "flowery" is my literary aesthetics, because it worked for me. I love googling the places she had written about and after putting the book down, I had this longing ache to go to Europe and an urge to embrace my husband for the longest time.

The book combines everything I like reading about: History, Travel, Magic and Romance. The story is magical. I am besotted.

"...Shelley pulled off her wedding ring, revealing the pale band of skin where the ring had embraced her every second of the last five years. She handed it to Paolo. "Look at the inscription."
"Now," Paolo read out aloud. Most People promise each other forever when they get married. Max and I promised each other Now.
"Why?"
"Because its breakable," "and the only thing you can really hold in your hands. It's where the gnomon's shadow falls on the sundial. Back then, I thought that it was romantic."
"And Now?"

"Now I realize that it was the only promise Max could make..."

What I've been up to.

Hello, world. I'm back from cocooning away. I bought a really cushy, nice mattress topper about two weeks ago that made my bed feel like a quilted marshmallow and truth be told, computing the number of hours I spent the past week on that bed was record-breaking. That includes sleeping, working on my laptop and making a few orders, yes working on my bed: just one of the perks of being my own boss.

But the thing is I was feeling sick and weak the past few days. Coupled that with homesickness and missing my family so much and top it off with rainy afternoons, I had no chance fighting the forces.

When I finally decided to emerge from a hole that I made in my bed, the hubby decided to make me a big, juicy steak. Paolo is a master-griller, in my opinion anyway. He makes the best steak rub that really makes the meat tender, a basic combination of pepper, salt, paprika, secret spices and his own magic. What a way to welcome me back to the flow. This more than made up for the weight I lost while I was sick. *Sigh. =/





I made my loaded mashed potatoes with beef gravy.



We don't go to SM North Edsa as much as I used to when i was younger but decided last Sunday on a whim to drop by again. After getting some sushi and gelato (Cafe Ti Amo's dark chocolate is to die for) I decided to drop by the bookstore in the former SM Annex.

I got three books: Parisian Chic by Ines de La Fressange, The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and Before Ever After by Samantha Sotto. I'm quite excited with Samantha Sotto's book because I've been reading good reviews about it and the fact that she's an ordinary Pinay housewife whisked to being Internationally published, well I just had to show my support and buy a copy. And of course, since I love notebooks, I had to buy a new Jordi Labanda. I miss writing on my journal and I'm determined to go back to my habit of writing everything on a whim. =)


Inspirations, inspirations. I need a big dose again.

I'll be on a self-imposed hiatus.

I've been blogging in spurts the past days. So I've decided to just focus on my main creative outlet: my Charmed Life shop.

Not that I won't be blogging anymore. I just need to shift my focus and re-organize. I need to change a few things on my blog. I just don't think "isabelicious" is the right word or representation anymore (how the hell did I come up with that name anyway?).

I need some "cocooning" for now. Big things are coming in a month and so. I need to be in my full battle gear. =)

I'll be back.

Random thoughts, rainy day.

I was at a coffee shop, killing time before I go up for a doctor’s appointment when I overheard two people talking with much passion from the other table.

“…Then I told my boss in Macau to transfer me and never assign me again in that place or else I might kill the chef." The guy said in Tagalog. "He doesn’t like Pinoys.” He added with conviction.

I don’t listen to other people’s conversations, mind you. It’s just that the way he spoke, overset with so much emotion he might as well be speaking to everyone in the coffee shop.
In fairness to him, I don’t even know the whole of the story but from an observation of someone who’s practically living in two countries right now, he reminded me so much of the conclusion that I came up with sometime ago.

We Pinoys are an emotional lot. It’s a given, yes. It’s a good thing in many aspects such as being close with our families, wading through our issues more effectively, etc. but let me rephrase that: We Pinoys are emotional in the workplace especially overseas, IMHO.

It may be a bit of a contradiction to say we are emotional since we are also a passive-aggressive lot. Saying what we really feel and what we really want may seem a bit confrontational for us. This observation came to me while listening to my sisters’ and mom’s experiences in the US workplace. Although we don’t adhere to the Americans’ direct way of saying things, being frank and straightforward, we take criticisms too personally sometimes too hasty to conclude that its because they (foreigners) don’t like us (Filipinos). There’s not a word “Tampo” for nothing.

I may be making a hasty generalization, saying these things. After all, being emotional more than it being cultural also depends on the person’s character and personality.
It just bothers me that some Filipinos would think they are not liked in the workplace because of their race when, really sometimes (if not oftentimes) its just about the quality of our work per se.

This mentality just proves our misplaced notion of pride. We are sometimes too defensive for our own good. But when you think about it really, it only shows a lack of self-esteem not just a person but also as a Filipino. How we interpret other people’s notion about us should be based on our confidence with the quality of our work rather than our insecurity about our being different.
Only then we can assess our performance through that level of confidence. If you are not confident enough, then maybe you need to amp up your game.

Our auditing of ourselves should mainly (if not solely) depend on our ability and our performance as well as our outlook on life. I wouldn’t say race doesn’t count, because I admit, it would always have a role of influence to what extent depends on the situation. But then, it’s not exclusive to our race; after all it’s the just way of the world.

First and foremost, do what you have to do. Sometimes, it’s just all in a day’s work.
Sometimes, really it’s just all about work.

Yay for the weekend!

It's been a week since I got back but I haven't been doing much at all. The past week was a rest week and I felt the strains of a long vacay just after I got home. I'm still recuperating and sleeping the days away.
Save for meeting up with one my close friends, Maru, I haven't been up and about yet.

This weekend I promise to start my engines. But for now, give me 3 hours to sleep again.

What I'm loving right now: Sparkles for your ears!

I rarely make earrings but when I do, I make sure they are extra special. This batch is composed of Prasiolites, Green Amethysts, Beautiful hand painted beads, Quartz and Crystals set in Gold-filled chains and 14k Gold plated hooks. Love all of them.

My big welcome!

Flowers in every room. =) He did the simple arrangement---Paolo working on flowers meant so much more. Hehe.

This time...I am decided.

Goodbye for now, Chicago.

Leaving home and going home at the same time. I can never ever get used to this.

I realize our family are the very people who drives us to the edge, annoy us to high heavens...but are the same people we will do anything for, give up everything for.

Family is forever.

I'll be home, soon.