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!

It’s been a year since I became a mom: A year of firsts for both my little big guy and me.

They say that the first-born is special because you grow up with them. Nothing changes a person more in the world than being a parent.

I remember my sister saying that Children were created to make humans less selfish. I couldn’t agree more. Nothing has whipped me more into proper perspective than being a mother for the first time.

What did I learn from the past year? The little details such as how to handle a sick, sniffy baby, weaning from breast milk, changing diapers in a cramped public bathroom seem so small compared to the actual lesson of parenthood: being selfless. That is doing everything you can and more for that tiny, human being and knowing someday he will leave you.

Honestly, I couldn’t fathom that before but now, it is just like the most natural thing in the world.

There is nothing in the world that I want more than to give my son and my future children the best that I can give.

And yet there is nothing more in the world that I wish for than for them to someday fly away, leave me and become decent, useful, independent and happy human beings.

But for the meantime, let me just enjoy toddlerhood. =)

Happy birthday, my baby.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, My Hunter!

I can't believe its been a year since I first met you. You were just an itsy bitsy, tiny one.

I guess it is really true what they say, Love just gets bigger with you. I love you, my boy. I just love being your mommy. Happy birthday!

I know. I have been neglecting this blog for a while now. My sister's family is visiting in a week, Hunter's first birthday bash is coming up and I have another major trade show and bazaar happening before the first quarter ends.

These days, I wind down by being so domesticated. I love redecorating the house and I'm really enjoying my new kitchen.
Since I now share a room with the hubby and the little guy is co-sleeping, my once girly room now looks more functional. That means all my frills and happy things were removed to accommodate the men.

Good thing I now have my very own work area. It's not yet done though.
 I'm just glad I have again a little private space to do my stuff and to place my "happy things".

My inspiration wall. All my favorite fashion sketches and vintage ads in white frames.
I will be adding more in the future!

The reason I keep those mismatched tables is because I use them for bazaars and trade shows.  I'm still working on that wall. I will be moving my parents' "sowing" painting to the main room and install functional shelves on the wall. 

My favorite spot! 

I believe in making your space beautiful for yourself. It doesn't matter where you are and how simple your place may be. I've been doing this since college when i just had a little bed space in a dorm.

You don't have to be an interior designer or super rich to create a beautiful space. Just make it a warm, happy place and surround it with all the things you love and more importantly, with the people you love.

 Its always nice to have a little, lovely spot in the world.

De-clutter #1

January is all about organizing and de-cluttering. First stop is my dresser and all the make up I have accumulated the past year. I tend to hoard on make ups when I'm out of the country since my favorite ones are unavailable here and almost always the prices are jacked up online. 

After

                                      

The acrylic organizers are just all below PhP700 at National bookstore. So much cheaper compared to the ones in Muji.

They are all spread out since I'm an out-of-sight-out-of-mind kind of girl. If I don't see them, I won't be able to use them. :/

On to my next projects! =)

2013

I always look forward to the New Year Celebration. New Year means new beginnings.

I just feel extra energetic every time the end of the year looms by. Energetic and somewhat sad at the same time. Sad because I am a very sentimental person and I just love holding on to so many things even to time and memories. 2012 is my best yet--- simply because Hunter came into our lives and we will never be the same. 

But I also feel energetic as well. I have so many thing planned out for this year: for my family, my business and myself. I guess the best thing about getting older is you come to know yourself better, which in turn makes you more confident about your choices. 

Cheers to a great year that was and Cheers to another year of blessings and love. The best is yet to come. 

Scents and Memories

Every year for quite some time now, I try out a new scent at the beginning of the year and if I like it, I make it my "annual signature scent."
I do switch perfumes every now and then but the "signature scent of the year" becomes my main go-to.
Every December, I do a major research about perfumes I want to try and choose "the one" for the year. I purchase a really big bottle of the chosen signature scent as well as mini bottles that I can keep in my purse.
Although this is not really a strict practice for me. I don't get to commit to just one at a given time but when I do, I never forget about it. Ever. 

The reason for this is because I strongly associate memories to scents. 

Revlon Charlie White reminds me so much of my high school days, The Braxtons' "Only Love" and oddly enough, our beloved Siena Hall.

Old school na Old school, literally! This scent reminds me of my Siena days.

Hugo Boss Woman reminds me of the 18th birthday of our HS friend, Danessa. Particularly our dance practices for her cotillion.

Tommy Hilfiger True Star reminds me of UP Junior Marketing Assoc's legendary parties and "glitches."

Davidoff Cool Water reminds me of grueling Debate sessions in Sir Barry's class AND Paolo during my UP days.
This scent will forever remind him of the 19-year-old Isabel. I still use this when I need some "extra-convincing" powers (don't tell him that)!

Bvlgari White reminds me of Discovery Suites and our little corner space in the office with my dear friend, LC.

Memories. Particular, vivid ones evoked by scents.

2012 is all about Marc Jacob's Daisy So Fresh. This scent is very special...

...because it will always remind me of labor pains, hospital stay and a tiny, tiny baby in my arms.

Yes, I managed to take a bath and spiff some perfume after my water broke. 

My signature scent for 2013 is...

Lanvin Eclat d'Arpege

I love it already! I wonder what this scent will remind me of. =) 

Cheers to making good memories! 

How we spent Christmas

We decided to spend three nights somewhere else so we can enjoy the lights and decorations around the Metro. =)

Nothing is more magical than seeing Christmas again through a child.
Hunter is still a baby and we went to the light show at the Ayala Triangle for ourselves but oh my, his eyes: pure magic. =)

Family time! Hunter with his cousins and Auntie.

This year is an amazing year for us. My best year yet. It's truly as if 2012 just zoomed by. 

Really though, I can't believe we are done with this year! 

And its because of this little big guy. My best Christmas present! =)

Merry Christmas! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We just got back from a mini vacation in the City. Since the house renovations were done less than two weeks before Christmas, we had little time to prepare the house for festivities. But of course, if you know me well, I can't let any occasion, Christmas for that matter pass by without a bit of sprucing up.  =)
I just wanted to share a few photos around the house.

Of course we had to put up the tree by Hunter's play room. =) Drums and Candy Canes for the little boss.

Tree between Hunter's play room and my work area.

It is our baby's first Christmas! =)

Just a few Christmas-y details around the house.

Just a few candles around. My favorite holiday scent is BBW Leaves.

Yay for family and love! Merry Christmas! ❤

This year just flew by!

And I am most thankful for this happy, smiley boy.

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! =)