Mommy Fleur

This Kid Is It! --- Darling Lia

2013-05-21T09:00:00.000+08:00

Shirt: From a tiangge
Shorts: Guess

Have your kids featured in the Mommy Fleur blog's This Kid Is It! =) You can email me the cute photos of your babies with a brief description and clothes credit. Open to kids 0 to 10 years old.

Because Filipino kids are just so adorable and fashionably fierce! =)

My SM Department Store Loots!

2013-05-20T21:27:00.001+08:00

Last Friday, I found myself in SM Makati after work.

Don't ask me how or why, may magnet kasi ako sa SM eh. Hahaha! I seriously love SM! When they said that they've got it all for you, hindi sila nagbibiro. I swear. Hihihi!

While going around, napadpad ako at the kids section. I noticed that SM Kids had a lot of pretty dresses, tops and shorts. Since they have the summer collection now, bright colors na bright colors ang peg nila! I love making Anika wear happy colors.

So hindi na kayo magtataka that I bought some dresses and clothes for my little girl.

Little Miss dress priced at Php 599.75

Zap denim shorts priced at Php 399.75

Eyelet dress priced at Php 599.75

Hurry there because Maynika's on sale at 40% off on everything!

Top originally priced at 399.75 and white shorts originally priced at Php 449.75. Both less 40% pa!

After shopping for clothes, I went to the SM Accessories section to check out hair clips for Anika and some accessories for moi.

SM Accessories Kids are perfect because Anika's starting na Kinder 1 this coming June. She'll be attending a big school already and she'll be wearing a school uniform for the first time. She'll be wearing these hair accessories to school. Ang cute lang niya for sure!

Of course hindi magpapahuli ang lola niyo. SM Accessories has a lot of really bonggang borloloys for the ladies. Nakaka-donya talaga ang dating.

Black and white earrings at Php 249.75, white and gold earrings at Php 249.75 and bib necklace at Php 599.75

There are more designs and kinds of necklaces, bangles and earrings there to choose from. I'll definitely going back =)

On the way back to my car, I passed by Forever 21. It's been the longest time since I went there.

I found this really presko top at only Php 400

I dunno what's with blue with white polkadots pero type na type ko siya. If you remember, I already have a similar dress from Cache Cache. I still got this because of the soft fabric. Winner eh.

Priced at 1,175

I was one happy shopper that day =) Thanks to SM Department Store!

Sa uulitin!

This Kid Is It! --- Gwapito Siblings

2013-05-20T09:00:00.000+08:00

The featured kids today are sons of Joan, the mom behind the blog, Four C Sons.

Clian Gabriel 5 years old

SHIRT: Baby Bench

SHORT: Oshkosh

SHOES: Tough Kids from SM department store

Cyle Mikael 2 years old

SHIRT: Oshkosh

SHORT: Oshkosh

SHOES: Tough Babies from SM department store

Cade Ezekiel and Cale Mattie 4 years old

SHIRT: Disney Pixar CARS from SM department store

Behind the Scenes

2013-05-19T23:31:00.001+08:00

I had the most amazing day today!

A few months ago, I asked Alvin's permission if I can have a boudoir photoshoot with Pineda. Wala na kasi akong mapagkatiwalaan sa ganyan except for my bestfriend eh. I wanted to have a boudoir photoshoot kasi alam niyo naman mga mudraks, minsan lang tayo maging bata. Aminin na natin, napaka-validosa kong tao. Gusto ko when the time comes na uugod-ugod na ako, I have photos to look back to so I can remember na minsan ay naging fresh na fresh ako. Hahahaha! Loka loka!

Kidding aside, I really wanted to have this photoshoot for the longest time and Alvin kept on saying no. Hindi niya naman alam kung ano yung boudoir. It was my fault din kasi because when I showed him the sample photos, ang hahalay nung mga napakita ko. Naghigh blood agad ang lolo niyo.

I don't remember exactly when pero that was two weeks ago when finally I was able to secure his approval. Naka-inom kasi then nilambing ko ng todo. Ayun pumayag. Yiz! Dizizit!!

But. But. But.

He had a lot of conditions. One, hindi dapat bastos tingnan. Two, he has to approve ALL THE PHOTOS before I can post them. Three, babae daw dapat ang photographer. I said yes right away, pumayag lang siya.

Hihihi.

So anyways, this morning, I went to Eddie Bruan's salon in Makati. He was the designated make up artist for the day. He was the one who did my wedding hair and make up =)

It took Tito Eddie one and a half hours to paint my face. After that, I picked up Anika and off we went to the Picasso Boutique Hotel in Salcedo, Makati.

Outfit of the day:

Dress from Gingersnaps, sandals from her Ninang Arnaiz

Top from Forever 21, Guess shorts, Fitflops and Tory Burch bag

Arnaiz went with us kasi siyempre, the day would not be complete without her =)

This was the most wholesome boudoir photoshoot ever!

Anika and Pineda's baby girl went with us. Iba talaga pag-nanay ang kinukuhaan at ang kumukuha, nandun din ang mga bagets sa kama!

Ang timing ng anak ko makipagkwentuhan.

Baby M also wanted to join the fun.

Fine sige, sali na din kayo =)

Since we arrived, Anika kept on asking me if she could swim in our room's bathtub. She was extra super duper lambing that time, pumayag lang ako. Manang mana sa pinagmanahan =)

ANIKA: Nanay, can I go swim in the bathtub now? ME: Later anak, two minutes.

After two minutes..

ANIKA: Nanay, bathtub please! I want to swim in the bathtub! Please! Please! Please!

Okay so nagswimming na nga ang bagets sa bathtub =)

Thank you Pineda for taking my photos today.

ARNAIZ: Iba din etong si Pineda pagnakahawak na ng camera ano? Hoy Pineda! Siguraduhin mong payat din ako sa mga wedding photos ko ha!

PINEDA: Hindi ako si Belo noh!

ME: Ano ka ba Arnaiz! Anong akala mo diyan kay Pineda, magician?!

ARNAIZ: Eh bakit ikaw ang ganda mo sa photos?!

ME: Hanep ka talaga. Grrrr!!!

Hahahaha!

Thank you Arnaiz for paying for lunch and taking the behind the scenes shots =)

As expected, laugh trip na naman the whole day. Present ang dalawang Michelle eh. Super kulit.

Baby M and Anika were quarreling over the phone. Ayaw magshare ni Anika.

ME: Anika! Let Maeko pindot too!

ARNAIZ: Tae na english yan.

ME: sorry

Hahahaha!

Thank you so much guys!!! Love you!!!

http://michellepinedaphotography.com

Have a great week ahead of you guys!!!

Abangan =)

2013-05-19T20:59:00.001+08:00

The Past Three Busy Days

2013-05-19T06:45:00.001+08:00

Very, very, very early good morning to you guys!!!

It's 5am now as I am writing this. I woke up early kasi. Paano ba naman, I was sooo tired from the two birthday parties we went to yesterday so 7pm kagabi, borlogs na lola niyo. It didn't help pa that my panga was hurting so bad and Anika wanted to be carried all the time. I have to have my two upper wisdom tooth taken out via surgery asap. I just have to find time. The earliest time that I can ata is July. It will be Arnaiz's wedding on June 12 then our midyear reporting after that so I'll be very busy talaga. Tiisan muna ito while drinking a lot of mephanamic. Addict na naman lang ang peg. Lol.

Anyways, lemme tell you about my past few days.

Look at these old school cassette tapes that I saw at Wowa's house. Those are mine and I'm happy that Wowa kept them =)

Last Thursday, my friends and I went to The Mind Museum at the Bonifacio Global City. They have an ongoing buy 5 take 1 promo =)

It's so cool pala at The Mind Museum. My friends had fun. Five talaga sila na sumama. My bestfriend's camera shy so no show siya diyan sa photo hihihi. I'll tell you more about our The Mind Museum experience soon!

Then last Friday, I went to SM Makati to do some shopping =) I love talaga SM. Everything you need's there! So many cute dresses for Anika at very affordable prices.

I saw again their Fleur brand. Feel na feel ko I Instagrammed it. My friend DC told me that Fleur and Tarte Tatin have the same owners =)

Nagbabad ako at the accessories department for me and Anika =)

Palengke queen lang ang peg ko that day. Haggardo-verzosa na kasi because I came from work. Partida, ang sakit na ng panga ko niyan pero gorabelles pa din sa pagshoshop. I just felt the pain of my panga after shopping when I was walking back to my car. Lol!

And then, very quickly, nagsukat ako sa Forever21. Sabi ko sukat lang pero alam niyo na, low EQ di ba? =) I'll show you na lang my shopping loots in another post. Mga twenty years kasi magload eh. Hehehe

And then yesterday, off we went to two birthday parties.

First at McDonald's in Greenbelt for Zac's birthday party.

These two kids are super adorable =)

We stopped over at National Bookstore to buy some stuff. I finally have a copy of the Walking Disaster! =) I can't wait to read it. Also, I would like to encourage you guys to donate for their Project Aral. Php 25 pesos lang for one pack you'll make one child happy already =)

Next we went to Jollibee in Pioneer for Lia's birthday party. Lia's the daughter of Mars of Planet Marsy.

Naumay kami magasawa sa chicken and spaghetti that day but it was okay. Anika had so much fun at the two parties. Yun naman ang important =)

Today naman, after breakfast, I'll go to the salon of Eddie Bruan for my hair and make up. I'll be having a photoshoot with Pineda later at a boutique hotel =) Eddie Bruan was the one who did my wedding hair and make up. I'm soooo excited!!! =)

I'll tell you all about it soon!!!

This Kid Is It! --- Rock and Roll Star Jasper

2013-05-18T09:00:00.000+08:00

Today's featured kid is the brother of Kriska, the lady behind the blog, Sweet Nothings.

Shirt: SM Department Store

Pants: Guess Kids

Shoes: Tom and Jerry Shoes

This Kid Is It! --- Mafi and Nicos

2013-05-17T09:00:00.000+08:00

Margarita Fidel "MaFi" Balina, 3 years

Top: Brand Smart

White Dress: Disney Tinkerbell

Shoes not shown: crocs tinkerbell design

Nicolo Simon "Nicos" Balina, 5 years (Turning 6 yrs April 13)

Top: Cotton On

Shorts: SM Kids

Shoes: Crocs-CArs 2 design

This Kid Is It! --- Tori Lilah

2013-05-16T09:00:00.000+08:00

Top: Lizzie (@SM Department Store)

Shorts: Peppermint

Shoes: Dora

Hair accessories: Gift lang :)

Positive Vibes Thursday

2013-05-16T07:39:00.000+08:00

The troll just wouldn't stop. She has now progressed to calling me names. So funny. Where kaya she gets her energy to bash other people like that?

Just curious.

Imagine if I have that kind to of energy to exercise, ang sexy sexy ko na siguro ngayon. Dapat ma-channel yang energy niya to something more productive. Sayang naman.

Magcross-stitch ka kaya teh tapos ibenta mo para makapagshopping ka din. Kulang ka lang sa shopping.

Anyways, yesterday was really busy and stressful but I'm not complaining. Ang happy ko eh. And besides ang sarap ng feeling ng busy. Ramdam na ramdam ko na buhay pa ako. Lol!

Since stressed nga ako last night, I asked Alvin if we can go out. We met at Bar 360 at Resorts World. Okay dun mga ateng. If you go there before 9pm, there's no cover charge. You can watch the shows dun sa elevated round stage in the middle. You'll be seated on plush seats. And you can order their delicious frozen strawberry margarita. Yummy!

Alvin had a nice time because the show that we watched was parang a Beatles Band. As in they look like the Beatles din, Pinoy style. Alvin's a Beatles fan. As in he knows all the songs! So ayun when I was looking around, tuwang tuwa din ang mga thunders na customers dun. Actually, Alvin and I were the youngest customers there.

ME: Babe, hindi na ata cool yung mga gimik natin ngayon. Tingnan mo o. Puros matatanda na ang kasama natin. Sabi ko sayo dapat nag19 East na lang tayo. At least nandun sina Gloc9 and Kamikazee. Mga ganung age group pa naman tayo eh.

Hahahaha!

After a while we paid for our bill and prepared to go home. Biglang tinopak si Sombrero. He forced me to play Blackjack.

ME: Babe, you don't even know how to play Blackjack! Sayang pera.

ALVIN: Pero di ba ikaw marunong? Nanalo ka nga ng 3k eh.

ME: Dati yun. Buntis ako kay Anika that time. Eh ngayon di naman ako buntis eh!

ALVIN: Sige na please? Gusto ko maglaro.

With a sigh, I followed him to an empty Blackjack table. 300 pesos yung minimum na taya. After 10 minutes of playing, 1,600 na pera ni Alvin.

ME: Babe uwi na tayo dali!!! Dami na nating pera!

ALVIN: Wait lang last na.

Yung kaka-last niya, naging 1,000 pesos na lang yung chips niya. Ayun nag-aya na din siya umuwi.

ALVIN: Miss okay na. May pambili na kami ng gatas.

Lol!

In fairness! From 300 pesos naging 1,000 ang pera niya. Talk about beginners' luck!

Tuwang tuwa kaming mag-asawa =)

When we got home, I was super happy because I saw these:

Ice cream party anyone?! =)

ANG DAMING ICE CREAM SA BAHAY!!! I love it!!!

This Mother's Day sure feels like Christmas!

I'd also like to thank...

Avon Philippines

Bobble, which I will tell you about soon!

King Sue

Told ya it feels like Christmas! =)

So no negative vibes anymore. Let's always be happy kasi it attracts good vibes. Have you ever read the The Secret? You attract what you think so think about happy things all the time. Stay positive!

source

Have a nice day guys!!!

Mwah!!!

2013-05-16T06:59:00.002+08:00

This Kid Is It! --- Handsome Erwin Matthew

2013-05-15T09:00:00.000+08:00

Top: Snoopy

Shorts: Moose Gear

Shoes: Stride Rite

Wednesday Haka Haka

2013-05-15T08:00:00.000+08:00

I'm eating AND sleeping a lot these past few days. Alam niyo ba nung Mother's Day, I was asleep for half a day! Kaloka. Feeling ko I was just making bawi of all the puyat that I did in the last two weeks. I'm eating a lot because I have been dieting also since December. Bumabawi hahaha!

Either yan ang mga reasons or I'm pregnant.

Hep. Hep. Relax guys, di pa sure ha? Baka FB lang daw ako. Feeling Buntis. Lol.

I just feel weird all the time. I feel so lazy. I just want to eat lagi. And when I was talking with my bestfriend yesterday, nabanggit ko na gusto ko ng ripe mango. Yung makinis na makinis and mabango. Baka nga daw buntis ako. But I said di yan ang batayan. If I suddenly craved for pineapple, ayan close to confirmed na siguro na buntis ako.

It's just that the symptoms of a girl who's gonna have menstruation and a preggy woman are the same. Di ba girls? So let's just wait. I'm not that delayed pa naman eh.

For the meantime, here's what I'm wearing today:

Top from Forever 21, Divisoria pants and Payless shoes

I went for a comfy top today kasi I gained weight. 3 lbs din yun ha. Sana it's just bloated-ness. I seriously have to start exercising again. Phew.

Anyways, lemme take this opportunity to thank Dove Philippines for sending me their Mother's Day gift!

I love them!!! Thank you so much! Dove surely knows how to make mommies feel really beautiful! =)

Last night, I was browsing Pinterest while waiting to be sleepy. I saw this beautiful wedding dress

Isn't it gorgeous? I'm so in love with it.

If I would marry Alvin again, eto na talaga ang wedding dress that I want. Simple but elegant kasi yung peg ng gown ko nung kasal namin ni Alvin eh. Pero this dress, eto yung akong ako!

Pagawa kaya ako ng ganito, ipangsisimba ko lang.

Pak!

How about you muthers? How did your wedding gowns look like? =)

This Kid Is It! --- Little Miss Red Riding Hood

2013-05-14T09:00:00.000+08:00

HEADPIECE: LoveZhen (http://facebook.com/lovezhen812)

TUTU: From her Ninang Mama Anne

PHOTO BY: The Stork Studio

Ceelin's Pamana Ni Nanay

2013-05-14T07:00:00.000+08:00

Advertorial

To tell you honestly, when I found out that I was pregnant with Anika, 3 years ago, I was terrified.

First, I am the unhealthiest person in the entire world. I don't eat on time. I don't eat vegetables. And milk grosses the hell out of me. There was a living thing growing inside my tummy. Kailangan ko siyang buhayin and make sure healthy siya.

Second, I had no idea how to take care of a baby. In the first three months of Anika's life, I was scared na baka masira ko siya. She was so tiny that I was afraid I might break her or something. I kept on staring at her tummy while she sleeps because I wanted to make sure that she was still breathing. Konting iyak lang natataranta ako. How can you feed her eh she doesn't talk naman?!

Third, I also had no idea how to raise a human being. I want her to grow up to be a good person. But how will I do that eh si Havi nga hindi ko ma-train train?!

I could not have gone through the first few months without the help of Wowa, LT and Mama Lydia (my MIL). Masisiraan ako ng bait if they weren't there. They taught me how to feed her, bathe her and put her to sleep. Wowa told me to freaking relax. And of course, Alvin was there to talk sense out of me when I went through the post partum depression stage.

Being a first time mom wasn't easy but the experience was worth it. I have felt a wonderful feeling that I have never felt before. Masarap pala din yung feeling to have someone depend on you on their every need. Ang sarap makarinig ng I love you and thank you Nanay from Anika.

Best. Words. Ever.

I just hope that when Anika grows up, she'll realize that she can count on me on anything. I would drop anything and everything for her. I am willing to lose sleep just so I can rock her to sleep when she's sick. I'm willing to work my ass off with Alvin just to provide her with the best education we can afford. I'm willing to keep an open mind para lang I can understand her should she come to me with the most bizarre and out of this world concern. I am willing to put her well being and happiness first before mine. I would do those things in a heartbeat.

Eh ganyan naman talaga kasi ang maging Nanay eh.

I remember Wowa, she kept on telling me dati, pagnaging nanay ka na daw, isusubo mo na lang, ibibigay mo pa sa anak mo. I thought back then she was just being dramatic pero now when I had Anika, it's true pala talaga. All the mommies out there can attest to that.

Speaking of Wowa, ngayon ko lang siya na-gets. I was so annoyed at her when I was growing up. Lahat na lang kinontra.

I didn't understand why I had to be home by 6pm on a summer night while everyone else was out there watching basketball in our village court. Nahihirapan tuloy ako tumakas. It turned out that she was just protecting how other people will look at me. Pangit nga naman na gabi na, nasa kalsada pa ang babae.

I didn't understand why I only can talk to my boyfriends on the phone at 8:30-9pm on a school night. Pagpatak ng 9pm, talo pa niyan ang alarm clock sa kakaremind to put down the phone na. It turned out that she was just instilling discipline in me. Studies comes first even if she allowed me to have a boyfriend in high school already.

I didn't understand why I was having high grades na but it seems that she never got contented. Top 3 na ako sa class pero bakit daw hindi Top 1. It turned out that she believed that I can do more. She was pushing me because she knows I can do better and she was right.

And I cannot forget how mad she was when she saw me crying whenever I fight with my friends or boyfriend. Iritableng iritable siya sa akin. She kept on telling me to be strong. She was the one who taught me that people come and go sa buhay natin. It's constant and we just have to learn to accept that. She also taught me that I have to respect myself first so that men will respect me too. She also taught me not to worry too much. Tingnan ko daw siya, tawa lang ng tawa, keber sa ibang tao. Looking at her youthful face now, tama naman siya. She likes to laugh all the time so look, ganda pa din ng mudra ko. Peg ko na siya talaga.

I told her through Facebook that if I become half the woman she is now, happy na talaga ako. Then she commented on the same photo.

It read: I was half the woman you are now when I was your age. Am so proud you are a better mom than me.

Kung hindi ka naman talaga ma-touch niyan ng bongga di ba?

Last Saturday, I watched The Big Wedding at Greenbelt 5 with Alvin. Ceelin invited us to this event. Alam niyo sa totoo lang, that event was the nicest event I have ever been to.

Ceelin chose 5 people to give their messages for their mom. Ceelin recorded them on video and had it shown before the movie started. The catch there was the moms of these 5 people were also there thinking that they were just there to watch the movie. Nagulat talaga sila when they saw their kids giving them Mother's Day messages on the movie screen! It was so touching, naiyak ako!

Here's the video:

How about you guys? What are your mothers' pamana for you? =)

Happy Mother's Day!!!

I Love The Mother's Day Weekend

2013-05-13T23:32:00.003+08:00

What a long weekend!

My weekend started very early last Saturday. I brought the husband with me to watch The Big Wedding at Greenbelt.

Thanks to Ceelin, nakapagdate na kami ulit mag-jowa. The movie's nice. Feel good movie siya. You don't need to use a lot of your brain cells which for me was perfect given the stress and the busy-ness that I went through these past few weeks.

Outfit of that day:

Uniqlo top, Penshoppe shorts, cover up from a bazaar, CLN wedges and Mango bag

I saw Jasmine Curtis-Smith in person. She really looks very sweet. I also like her mom.

That afternoon, we went to Laguna to attend naman the 60th birthday of the wife of Alvin's officemate.

Anika's outfit of that day:

Zara kids dress, Saltwater sandals and Celestina & Co hair clip

My outfit of that day:

Mango polo, Wrangler denim skirt and Charles and Keith wedges

The next day, Mother's Day, we were in Greenbelt for the Ayala Malls event for mothers.

I wanna thank Alvin for being with us that day. We didn't bring a yaya anymore and I love that Alvin was a real sport following us around. Alvin almost never goes with me to my blogger events. Nababato kasi ang lolo niyo. Kung siya lang ang masusunod, he'd spend his free day at home just watching TV. So effort na effort talaga for him that he came with us. Mother's Day kasi =)

Here are some of the photos from the event. Ang ganda lang nung swing. Parang gusto ko nito sa backyard ko.

After the event, we passed by the Tory Burch store. I swear I didn't do it deliberately. We went inside and pinilit ako ni Alvin to choose a bag for his Mother's Day gift for me.

ALVIN: Bilhin mo na yan Babe.

Eh inatake ako bigla ng hiya.

ME: Teka I'm still thinking if I'm gonna let you buy it for me.

WOWA: Bilhin mo na yan. Gow. Pakipot ka pa eh.

ALVIN: Sige na bago magbago isip ko, sige ka.

WOWA: Kunin mo na yan. Arte mo pa.

Fine.

Hahahaha!

WOWA: Manggigilaiti na naman yung nagcocomment sa blog mo na galit na galit sayo. Hahaha!

Keber sa kanya. I have a new Tory Burch bag. Pak!

It felt like Christmas yesterday! I love it!

Nestle Philippines sent two boxes of Kimy PlayStix ice cream packs. Thank you so much Nestle Philippines!

Kiehl's Manila gave us this body care products. I can't wait to use them!

Lacome Philippines gifted us also with Tresor Midnight Rose products. Ang donya lang!

Lastly, thanks to Ayala Malls for the Pashmina scarf and other cute stuff! Ka-swerte ko talaga kahapon. Told you it felt like Christmas! Iba ang Ayala Malls magpa-event, in fairness. Enjoy na enjoy ang mga mommies!

On our way out pala the Tory Burch store, hinabol kami nung saleslady. She gave us this Tory Burch cookie. It was way too pretty to eat =)

Hay. I wish everyday's Mother's Day! Hihihi!

That night naman, Pineda and Arnaiz went to my house to discuss Arnaiz's upcoming wedding. She'll be getting married to her childhood sweetheart on June 12. Yes, June 12 of this year. That's less than a month away.

Kaya ba namin?

Yiz. For sure.

She has an ex-wedding coordinator and a fantastic wedding photographer for her bestfriends. It's impossible that we couldn't pull this off.

If you think the bride's stressed, imagine how I feel!!! Hahahahaha! Estimated 200 guests, less than 30 days, the groom has yet to arrive from the US, pwede na ako ma-heart attack!

But seeing Arnaiz so happy with her upcoming wedding (plus her very, very OC wedding folder), it calmed me. However this wedding will turnout, wala sigurong pakialam yang lola niyo. In-love na in love eh.

Speaking of Arnaiz, thanks Ninang for your belated birthday gift for Anika!

Yung tubig mare, wala pa.

Hahahahaha!

To those who are asking, here's the bag that Alvin got me.

I love that it's huge and roomy!!! Perfect kasi dala ko buong bahay ko everyday. Don't be surprised if makuba ako pagtanda ko. Lol!

That's it pancit!

How about you mothers? How was your Mother's Day? I hope you got spoiled like me!

Good night!

Spending Mother's Day at Ayala Malls

2013-05-13T20:44:00.003+08:00

Thanks to Ayala Malls, I was able to spend Mother's Day in a very bonggang way with my fellow SoMoms. Towing Alvin, Anika and Wowa with me, we met up with them at the second floor of Greenbelt 5.

The dessert buffet of Bizu was just fabulous! The desserts were too pretty to eat!! =) I love Bizu talaga.

Outfit of the day was this salmon dress from Topshop and my current favorite wedges from Charles and Keith.

Anika and I wore matching clothes. Anika wore a dress from Gingersnaps, her favorite store =)

We took photos while waiting for the event to start. The SoMoms were gorgeous in their dresses bought from the various stores of Ayala Malls.

Pero siyempre dahil lahat kami ay mga ina, japorms or not, ubusan pa din ng glamor because we had our kids to attend to. We just did it in a fashyon way, whatever that means! Lol!

After a while, we were introduced to Menchu from Ayala Malls. She's also a mother already of two. Hinding hindi halata with her very fit and toned body. Okay. Siya na ang peg ko =D

We were told that after we have our dessert, we will be going to the butterfly area. After that, we will be visiting some stores who had surprises for us.

I was soooo excited!!

First stop was the butterfly section nga.

Anika and the SoKids were amazed by the butterflies.

Tuwang tuwa ang bagets.

While we were looking at the butterflies, Wowa told me to introduce her to Jenny of Chronicles of a Nursing Mom.

WOWA: Anak, pakilala mo ako kay Jenny. Sasabihin ko sa kanya na naglagay ako ng breastfeeding room sa department ko.

Faney ang peg ng mudra ko =) So cute that she's really supportive of me being a blogger and my blogger friends!

Next stop was Gingersnaps. Most of you who have been reading my blog since the start can attest that suki talaga ako ng Gingersnaps. Almost 50% of Anika's clothes, I buy from here =)

Here's Anika with D, son of Neva and B, son of Eli. Don't they look adorable with their matching outfits? =)

Here are the SoKids having their photos taken. Almost all of them were wearing clothes from Gingersnaps =) You should have seen the SoMoms behind the camera. Stage mothers na stage mothers ang peg! =)

Here are the pretty SoMoms for the Gingersnaps store souvenir shot.

L to R: Neva, Patty, Eli, Jenny, Jenny, Tin, Jackie, Cai, Me and Kris

Our next stop was Lacome.

Do you know ano ang pinagkakaguluhan ng mga mudrakels?

The Absolue L' Extrait of Lacome.

"Each jar of Absolue L’Extrait contains up to 2 million of these precious native cells. Absolue L’Extrait helps reveal firmer, more elastic, more radiant skin for fascinating beauty."

Kabog di ba? =) I want one! Mapagipunan nga itech!

After our "tour" of the store, Lacome gave us our Mother's Day gifts! No, sorry. Hindi siya yugn Absolue L' Extrait! Hahaha! #asa

Souvenir shot of the SoMoms with the SoKids in front of the store.

Our last stop was Kiehl's .

Obvious ba Anika and I had super fun? =)

After the store visit, we went back to the event place to have our photos taken by Tammy David =)

Thank you so much Ayala Malls for this wonderful experience! This is my favorite Mother's Day so far! =D

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Europe Trip 2012: Notre Dame Church + Night Wandering at Paris

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And so after 10,000 years, here I am again continuing my blog posts about our Europe Trip last year. I swear hindi ko ito titigilan until matapos ko lahat. Lol!

While Papa and our other road trip companions were in Euro Disney, Alvin and I decided to go around Paris. Yup. Nagcommute kami. It's very easy with their maps. I know I said it already but I love commuting in Paris. Feel na feel ko yung subways nila. It's cold and dirty pero very, very them talaga.

If I'm not commuting naman, I like walking around Paris. Very scenic eh. Parang kada-kanto ang sarap maga-picture. That's what Alvin and I did.

From Louvre Museum, we walked all the way to the Notre Dame church. I remember it kasi to be near lang. I was wrong pala. Ang layo niya!!! Bagets na bagets lang talaga pala kami ni Sher back then so keri na keri to walk very far.

We walked for 45 minutes siguro and at last, we saw the church.

Always, whenever I go see the Notre Dame church, lagi na lang may ginagawa. True enough, last year, ginagawa naman yung courtyard nila.

Ganda this church. I wish maraming ganitong church here.

It was very solemn inside. Ang bongga siguro magpakasal dito. Pero mga 20 years before you reach your groom when you do the bridal walk. Ang haba ng aisle eh. I love it!

There was an ongoing confession in various languages.

Tourists weren't allowed to loiter in the middle. There was an ongoing mass din kasi.

Candles were for 2 euros each for your prayers.

Seryosong tomb ata ito.

It was already dark by the time we went outside. I can never get tired of this view of the Seine River. Tumambay muna kami diyan for 15 minutes.

We met up with Papa and the rest of the gang at Champ Elysee. We rode with them back to the Louvre Museum to check out the view at night. It was majestic.

Do you know why naka-ngudngod yung fez ko diyan sa limestone na yan (limestone nga ba yan?)? Everytime kasi we travel then I see the photos after, parang I can't believe that I have actually been there in that place. So to remember that very moment, me with Alvin actually in Paris, talagang I touched my cheek dun sa structure. The stone felt rough and cold against my skin. Tingnan niyo, until now, I can't forget how that felt. Realistic na realistic tuloy when I go back and reminisce about that trip.

Try niyo din. Wag lang na kayo mag-isa. Baka pagkamalan kayong may topak. Hihihi.

We waited for Papa, Noel and my cousin and her family at Champ Elysee. Buti na lang Pagoda Cold Wave Lotion na ang peg ko that time. I wasn't able to shop that much anymore. I just got Anika a few toys and stuff from the Disney store.

I also checked out the Louis Vuitton store. Hindi pa ganyan hitsura niyan the last time I was there. It's been a while na din kasi.

They were so tagal so nagdate muna kami ni Alvin in one of the restaurants. Soshal di ba? Two dates in Paris in one day! Sinulit na eh. We're not sure when we can go back again.

I just had tea and variety of desserts. Keribels lang. Nothing fantastic naman.

That's it folks!

I'll sleep na muna, 1am na eh. I have a very busy day ahead of me tomorrow =)

Good night!

To All The Ladies Out There

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This Is Me.

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Funny Person.

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I promised my bestfriend that I wouldn't make patol anymore. Kaso I'm PMS-ing so I promised I'd do it as highly as I can na lang. Lol.

It's so funny kasi.

I got this comment today from an Anonymous reader.

"No wonder why your husband complains about your being magastos and no sense of value for money. well mental illness is a ground for annulment, and so is not having time for your husband and kid, and for sure Mr. Sombrero can afford it. one day he will give that option to you. wait for it. did you know that he is pro-divorce in the Phils? Ask him. Ciao! on My Weekend =) "

Funny talaga.

May isang tao lang who can't get na Alvin says those things just to make fun of me. Kaya ka nga nag-asawa di ba? So you can pick one adorable person who you can annoy for the rest of your life. Alvin and I are like that. We have been like that for 20 years now. I don't think I'll tell the whole wide world pa kung ganyan nga ang tingin sa akin ng asawa ko. FYI, we BOTH have savings. More than enough, salamat sa Diyos. I earn from this blog and yan ang pinang-luluho namin ni Anika. Thank you very much for that comment, pinapadami mo ang hits ko. Kumikita ako more. Hahaha.

For the record, I don't have a mental illness. I'm an alumni of one of the top schools in the country. I have MBA units. I have people who love me. Ano pa bang pagbubuhat ng bangko do I need to do to convince you that I'm normal?

Oh I forgot.

Wala pala akong pakialam sayo.

So, ano pa itong pinaguusapan natin now?

Wala na.

Ktnxbye.

P.S.

I'm the pro-divorce person hindi ang jowa ko. Please get your facts straight first before you make an effort to comment.

Peace loves. Positive vibes lang tayo here =)

Me On Motherhood

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If you would have asked me 5 to 10 years ago if I wanted to be a mom, I would have probably have said no.

Back then, I was so magulo and fickle-minded. Lovelife ko nga hindi ko ma-ayos ayos, bubuhay pa ako ng ibang tao? Go with the flow ang drama ko nung dalaga ako. I did things on impulse basta it made me happy. Keber sa mga tao sa paligid ko. I decide on things on the spot because I had nothing to worry about except for myself. Mapahamak man ako, I'm pretty sure I could bail myself out of it. I took everyday, one day at a time. I had no particular thoughts on tomorrow. Everything was very spontaneous. Walang kasiguraduhan ang pang-araw araw ko pero I was happy. I loved the thrill of being free and doing all the things that I wanted to do whenever I wanted it.

And then this adorable person happened to me.

Bumaliktad ang mundo ko.

This tiny creature controls my every being now. Everything can be put to hold basta sinabi niya. If she needs my time, keber if I have so many blog post deadlines... keber if I need to present the year end report to the owners of this company... keber if I am in the middle of an important meeting... keber if I am going somewhere that I have been looking forward to for weeks... keber if Alvin and I are in the middle of making love... WALA. I have to come to her.

Nawala din ang aking spontaneous life. Now, I have to plan everything when it comes to Anika. Where she'll attend school this year, next year, high school, college... We need to be prepared because we want to give her best that we can. Hindi na din pwede ang padalos dalos na desisyon. All decisions pertaining Anika must be well thought of. It's really like that because we are making decisions for her now. There are important decisions that could greatly affect what she will become in the future.

My patience have also miraculously expanded. God. You should hear Anika when we converse.

ANIKA: Nanay, why are there kids on the street?

ME: Because they are asking for money.

ANIKA: Why?

ME: Because they don't have money.

ANIKA: Why?

ME: Because they didn't study well in school. (Sorry yan ang laging sagot sa akin ni Wowa dati)

ANIKA: Why?

ME: Because they just played and played.

ANIKA: Why?

ME: Because they weren't good girls and boys.

ANIKA: Why?

ME: Because they didn't listen to their Nanay and Tatay before.

ANIKA: Why?

My nose was already bleeding by this time.

ANIKA: Nanay, why?!

ME: Lekat Tatay! Magsalita ka naman diyan!

Hehehe.

I am not complaining though. I need Anika just as much as she needs me. I need to be a mother to her because I love her very much. I want her to feel that she's the most important person in my life. I want to be there whenever she needs me para she won't turn to other people anymore.

I can say that being a mom changed me -- in a crazy good way. I have been telling my first time preggy friends about this. When they give birth, they have to be prepared for a big change. A change na kahit sila hindi nila ma-eexpect. They don't have to worry about not liking it because being a mom comes naturally especially after holding your baby for the first time. And even if you will change, there will be no regrets. You will be busy loving motherhood. Of course magkaka-topak ka every now and then but everything will be worth it. You have to be prepared to fall in love in a way that you have never fallen in love before =)

I love being a mom =)

Advanced Happy Mother's Day to all mothers out there!!!

Today's Such A Happy Day!

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Last night, Alvin bought me this mega yummy ice cream cake from Dairy Queen. Naglalabing ang lolo niyo. Sinungitan kasi niya ako ng wagas the other day when Anika was sick eh. Papaandarin ko pa sana ang pride ko pero, this ice cream cake is the most delicious cake ever for me.

Wapakels na ang pride pride na yan!

The only problem is that I'm watching what I eat. Due to my very busy schedule (I'm freaking tired all the time), I have not exercised for two weeks already. I'm so lagot, I swear! Biglang lobo ito.

So around 10 minutes ago, here I was trying to forget that there's ice cream cake in my fridge.

Hindi ko kinaya.

Eto na ako ngayon, eating a humongous slice of it. Ang baba talaga ng EQ ko. Hahaha.

Di bale na. Mahal naman ako ng mga taong mahal ko. Keber kung tumaba ulit.

Pak! =)

Anyways, I was at Greenbelt 5 a while ago after work. I was shopping. Hay. I wish everyday's like this! =) I'll tell you more about why I was shopping soon.

While going around, I passed by the Tory Burch store. I swear I heard a background music...

"Pangarap ka na lang ba... O magiging katotohanan pa..."

I saw this being displayed at the store's window. Hindi ako nakatiis. I Instagrammed it and tagged Alvin.

CAPTION: "Kung tatanuning lang ako ni @atsombrero ano gusto ko for Mother's Day, hindi na ako magpapakipot pa =)"

I felt the bags were calling me inside so I went in.

CAPTION: "@atsombrero Babe, wag mo na ako ibili nito for Mother's Day. Hihihi!"

Eto ang winner na Instagram sa tatlo:

CAPTION: "Kahit ito Babe wag na din.. Nakakahiya naman sayo. Hahaha! @atsombrero"

Loka loka lang talaga ang peg ko.

Kanina when we were hanging out sa living room namin:

ME: Babe, I just want to remind you again, Mother's Day on Sunday. Let's plan something for lunch. 2pm pa naman ang event ko.

ALVIN: Okay. Let's do whatever you like. Ano nga pala ang gusto mo? Flowers? 5k worth ng shopping money?

Silence.

ME: Babe, alin ba dun sa mga Instagrams ko for you ang hindi mo na-intindihan?!

ALVIN (yawning): Tulog na tayo Babe. Late na o.

Yan na nga ba sinasabi ko eh.

Moving forward, since it's Thursday, lemme share with you my #throwbackthursday photo of the day:

Boom.

Okay brothers and sister, you can kill me now! Hahahaha!

I love you guys!