I think by now you know I’m interested in home decor and architecture. I probably got this from my architect dad. Becoming Martha is a challenge but it’s easier in this day and age. What with the Internet making it easier for anyone to learn and share whatever, we have no excuse to run out of ideas.
A simple Google Image search will show you photos of that item or idea you are looking for. There are thousands of interior design blogs, some of which, have been published as books. Local and international magazines can easily be bought in bookstores and newsstands. Continue reading True Value Philippines: A Homemaker’s Happy Place→
I think most of the women in my circle would agree that the best and most effective therapy is Retail Therapy. I said I’m trying to be smarter when it comes to shopping but there are those times when a new dress, bag, or a new pair of shoes would be enough to make you smile, at least, for a few hours.
Back in June, while I was dreading the departure of my mommy, I managed to cheer myself up by going to the mall. It was June, which meant July, my birthday month, was coming up. It was okay to do a “little shopping”. Bad idea. Wrong justification as I ended up with a dozen of new dresses that weekend–good enough to last me the rest of the year. What is ironic is that I work from home. There is no need to dress up so I felt really guilty after that. Husband didn’t know about that craziness. (Did he have to?) But I think he had an idea when I started trying on the new clothes lined up by the window. Certainly, those weren’t the laundry.
To this day, I’ve only worn four. Another reason for that shopping was that I slimmed down a bit and most of my clothes were too loose already. I needed some new clothes to prove that I’ve been successful with the weight-loss challenge. I think Josh would be happy to know that I deserved those dresses. Haha!
Most of my loot were from Plains & Prints. It was the first time I bought from the store and loved it! I bought 3 dresses the first time, two when I went to the Greenhills branch, and another one from SM Centerpoint Sta. Mesa. Hindi ko po sinadya, napadaan lang sakto naman may sale at may kasya.
The first dress I wore from my loot. Wore this on a Sunday.
My husband Josh has no problems with me buying bags. He said he learned this from his dad: One thing you should know about women is that they can never have too many bags. Thank you very much, Dad! I was actually there when he said it.
He only bought me a bag once for my birthday 3 years ago but didn’t like it. I didn’t know the brand but it was expensive. Not LV or Prada expensive but the cost was something he wouldn’t usually spare on something that wasn’t really a necessity. Since then, he never bought me a bag and just let me buy whatever I want. He learned his lesson. I still have the bag though and I still use it. Maganda naman pala. :p
Oftentimes, I would thank him for his “surprise” and he’d always give me a puzzled look. I would show him my purchase and thank him. He already knows what that means. He never asks me how much but I always tell him. No secrets daw eh. (Eeeep!) Continue reading That Hated Satchel→
Having a son is a delight but it can be very exhausting. I didn’t expect Noah would be this active. More often than not, I’d give up playing only after five minutes or just turn him over to his daddy. Ang brusko lang talaga!
What I super enjoy though is shopping for him as proven here. That’s expected from a shopaholic mom, right? Believe it or not, I don’t really fuss much about his outfit. Minsan lang. Even if there are a lot of cool, fashionable clothes for toddler boys, I am keeping myself from dressing him up.
But when I do have a daughter someday, expect me to dress her up and treat her as my living doll. When I shop for Noah, I am always drawn to the little girls’ section. When I was pregnant, I almost bought matching dresses for the little baby and me as I thought we were having a girl.
So when I’m really tempted to buy girly stuff, I sometimes buy and give them to my nieces or my friends’ daughters. There are so many cute clothes and accessories online! I always imagine my future daughter wearing this or that and I’d go crazy window-shopping. Right now, I have a baby girl I can call “my own”– Ava, my sister’s new baby. I can now shop for this baby girl without any guilt. Hehe.
My husband wants to have a baby girl too but not anytime soon. I think he’s not yet ready for a Mini Reah. He said he’s not ready to spend for two ladies. Hahaha!
One of my favorite online shops is “The Little Bugger“. I know its owner, Shiela, from high school. She’s got her own pretty baby girl and she’s one trendy hot momma so her online boutique came so naturally. The store opened only March of this year but it has gained a lot of support from equally fashionable moms and celebrities too! TheLittleBugger is all over Instagram! I’m not surprised when mom celebrities I follow post photos of their daughters wearing stuff from The Little Bugger.
Here are just some of the local celebrities that featured The Little Bugger:
Paolo Contis’ daughter wearing The Little BuggerThe Little Bugger loot for Sherilyn Reyes Tan’s daughter EiaSunshine Cruz and Cesar Montano’s youngest daughter loving her fluffy skirt from The Little Bugger
I first learned about googooandgaga when I went to a Mommy Bazaar at the Rockwell Tent after I gave birth more than two years ago. The shirts and onesies caught my attention. They weren’t the usual, cutesy T-shirts for babies. Back then, I was into major shopping-for-the-baby mode buying from online stores left and right. I’ve stopped shopping for myself and transferred the energy into shopping for my son which was more dangerous, I tell you.
On my first time to buy from Audrey Dimarucot, one-half of the husband-and-wife team behind googoo&gaga, I bought 3 items which cost me a little over 2,000 pesos. I was with my best friend at the time and when she asked me how much, she was shocked with my answer. I know! But those were the only stuff I bought that day and the shirts were too cool.
These were my first purchase:
Noah wearing Tattoo Heart Onesie on Christmas Day 2009–His First Christmas!Noah in Emo Boy T-shirt. This photo was used for his 1st Birthday Party’s Save the Date.
And this one:
Baby and Daddy wearing the always-sold-out Rockstar T-shirts
They have an adult version of the T-shirts. They call it for Big Kids and I got the Rockstar for Joshua a few months later. I planned to have them wear the T-shirts on Noah’s Rockstar Party (his 1st birthday) but I forgot on the day itself! Sheeesh.
I bought the Rock Guitars shirt for the daddy together with Noah’s Rockstar shirt but it was only recently that he got to wear it:
Noah wearing Rock Guitars T-shirt
From time to time, googooandgaga would send a newsletter containing special offers or information on pre-orders for the next collection. For the 2011 Holiday Collection, they released the Artist Collaboration Series 2. I ordered these two:
Noah wearing the Albatross Underwater Escape at a party. That’s him with cousin Matteo and Lola Vaisy.Noah wearing Dan Matutina’s Major Ursa design
I specifically chose the Major Ursa not just because it’s the cutest among the new collection but because my churchmate Claud knows Dan Matutina.
There were several designs I’ve been wanting to buy but were always sold out. Fortunately, Mothering Earthlings had them: the Eagle Eye and the Wind Up Robot.
Noah wearing Eagle Eye for his first day of (play)school. Hoping to become a future Eagle, eh?
My favorite Wind Up Robot T-shirt but it’s missing. =(
Googooandgaga had a Valentine treat earlier this year with 20 percent OFF the price. Of course, I didn’t let it pass without me ordering. Since the items were limited, I ordered the Rising Sun and Color Geometry in bigger sizes for Girls! I have to wait before Noah could wear them but I think I already did kahit pang-girl. It wasn’t too obvious though.
And then only after two weeks, Googooandgaga sent another newsletter reminding me about the Spring/Summer Collection. I had to control myself. I wanted to get all design but settled on two–the Rock City and the City Skate.
City Skate Design- Noah with my brother and my husbandrock city googooandgaga
And I ordered this for my niece Ava who was still inside her mommy’s tummy then:
Sunflower Power for Ava
I can’t wait to see 3-month old Ava wearing this one.
I want to get more but I’m controlling myself. Really. Next on my list are the Astronaut and Moon Landing shirts. Maybe for Christmas.
And what am I going to do with all these shirts? Save them for the next baby.
Googooandagaga is one company I’ve seen become more successful every time a collection is released. The artist AJ Dimarucot, is an award-winning graphic artist who has designed for Threadless, Nike, ESPN, and Bratpack among others. Audrey, is the one I’ve been communicating with for orders. I met her twice already and she’s very friendly and pretty too. They’re parents to three kids: one teenage son and two super cute daughters Gia and Georgia whom I always see on Instagram.
The brand has gone international too being sold in Singapore, France, US, and Canada. It’s obvious that I find the designs creative that’s why I’m supporting them. I recently made this pact to support more local companies and Googooandgaga is one of them.
Baby and toddler clothing need not to be too cutesy. They just need to be ‘Quirky for the Kooky Kids’. 😀
Almost 3 years too late but it’s only now that I’m sharing a full documentation of how I planned for this party. If you happen to visit this blog searching for a Noah’s Ark Party, then this is especially for you. 😀
This wasn’t the first party I’ve helped planned but the first I did on my own. I’ve had this them in mind even before Noah was born. The Noah’s Ark Theme was an obvious choice. Most baby showers, baptisms, and dedications have such theme so Noah’s Ark it is.
Even before we finally decided we’d have a big party, I already bought the party favors from an online Multiply store called Loot Bugs. I think Noah was only a month old when I started buying from the store, not knowing what I’d really do with them. I had ideas but I wasn’t sure if I’d actually do them because husband had not said ‘yes’ to a party yet.
When he finally did, I started researching for ideas. Thank God for Google for helping me. I was looking for that one Noah’s Ark image where I will base everything from. I decided on this:
I bought the centerpiece, confetti, mobile, candles, mini treat boxes, keychains, table cover, table napkins, dessert plates, and paper cups from the website. Total cost was $79.
I then prepared a Noah’s Ark Save the Date announcement which I sent to guests via e-mail:
For the party invitation, I asked my bestfriend’s husband, Patrick Tan of Design 911, to design it. I asked to simple base it on the Whimsical Ark image. He also did our wedding invitation. As expected, it turned out really great. Very cute!
I also asked Kuya Jeric, Patrick’s bro-in-law, to make a caricature of Noah with the animals. I planned on using this as a backdrop or flash this on a screen.
I designed the map myself. Thanks to Google Maps.
Notice the caricature on right? That’s Joshua, Noah, and I. It’s the 3rd version already of this caricature.
I had the invites printed from Digiprint, bought different colored envelopes from National Bookstore, and used the animal sponge stickers I bought from Pioneer Center. The stickers were a random find and each set was only 20 pesos. I bought ten because they’re too cute. Cost of each invitation was less than P10. The result was this:
Little Noah handing his Lolo Tem the invitation
For the godparents, we gave Noah’s Ark Keychains placed inside the Noah’s Ark Treat Boxes. I put a note inside that said, “Remember to pray for Noah when you see this keychain” or something like that. I forgot.
Party Favors for the GodparentsNoah’s Ark Keychain for the Ninongs and the Ninangs
For the grandparents, Joshua’s parents and mine, we gave them this:
For the guests, we gave away the wooden animal pencils I earlier bought. I printed small Thank You tags and tied them on the pencils. I remember preparing colorful and animal-themed notepads, small wooden magnets, and erasers too. Like I said, I went overboard! I also remember buying Noah’s Ark Magnets as gifts to our Principal Sponsors during our wedding. I just can’t find a photo right now but they’re the ones wrapped behind the pencil party favors below.
The party was held in a big function room inside the village. We used to live in Bel-Air so we had 50 percent discount. I remember paying P2,500 for the venue. We were thinking of having the party inside the house because it was big and there was a spacious garden but we were afraid of cleaning and the guests being a delight to the mosquitoes. Hehe.
For the party decor, I didn’t want to spend a lot so most of them were made by yours truly. I ordered a Rainbow Ark set and Hanging Balloons from Theresemer. I asked for this…
…but ended up with a smaller one. This cost me P1,500. Still cute.
Hanging balloons. I ordered 8 sets. Now I wish I ordered more. One set cost P100 only.
I made the balloon centerpiece myself, bought colored cartolinas, and crayons to put in each table. My idea was to have the guests write or draw something for Noah. I also remember printing the Noah’s Ark story for the guests to read on each table.
I printed copies of the Whimsical Noah’s Ark Image on a sticker paper and placed them on each balloon
Who made this? 😀
I ordered the tables and chairs from Gem’s Balloons. Unfortunately, they delivered the items in the morning while we weren’t there. We had to set them up ourselves. Who set up the tables and chairs? Me and my mom-in-law’s maid Lor. As in, ako ha! Lesson learned: decide on a delivery time and hire people. I forgot where Joshua was but obviously, he was only doing my many requests.
We ordered the food from a caterer our churchmate, Noah’s Ninang Wendy, recommended. I remember we had carbonara, chicken, shanghai, sandwich, lechon as a gift from Tita Merci, and chocolate fountain prepared lovingly by my mom.
I can’t find photos of the food but here’s Lola Vishi and her famous chocolate fountain:
My mom Vaisy, Lola Vishi to her grandkids, prepared a Chocolate Fondue that everybody enjoyedNeed I say more?
I bought the colored plates, cups, spoons, and forks from the grocery. The food we served ourselves which I think was a mistake. Lesson learned: hire waiters.
I prepared cupcakes too. I did not bake them but I prepared them with icing to be as cute and complement the Whimsical Noah’s Ark centerpiece I got. The cake stand I borrowed from Nio. I got too excited preparing the cupcakes that I prepared about a hundred: 60 boxed and the rest displayed on the stand.
I printed animals pairs to serve as cupcake toppers and the centerpiece I got I placed on top…
That’s me, (30 lbs ago!) Noah, and my husband Joshua and the Noah’s Ark Cupcake TowerCupcake boxes from Sweet Craft for the guestsI also bought Noah’s Ark chocolate mold from the US and had them delivered together with the other Noah’s Ark loot. My mom made the Noah’s Ark Chocolate Lollipop.
The event started with a video prepared by our churchmate Claudine Rodriguez. I simply sent her photos and the songs I wanted and didn’t even bother watching it before the party. As expected, it was awesome! The video almost made me cry but I had to control myself. Di pa nga nag-uumpisa ang party!
Here is the video:
Pastor Jerry, our church’s former Senior Pastor officiated the dedication ceremony. It was a very special event for us. Joshua and I wanted to bring glory to God and show the guests that we are raising Noah in the fear of the Lord, praying that he will be an obedient and loving child of God.
This was during the dedication proper. Noah was well-behaved and was even laughing at one part. Sorry, but I can’t find a clearer photo.
And just because I wanted to, I rented an animal standee from Bebe’s Balloons.
My niece Unique and nephew NeickyCute! Ninang Karen, Sarj, and her nephewICS Youth – our church’s youth group
Noah was almost 6 months here
We ended up with 140 guests! We spent more or less P40,000 for this party. It would’ve been less if not for the unnecessary kaartehan. (Seriously!) I went overboard with the favors. As in OA! It was fun though! I know everybody had fun. Noah may not understand what was happening then but someday, we’ll show him these photos and know that mommy went overboard. Lol!
I decided to look at September differently and it’s been good. This has got to be the busiest month for my kid attending birthday parties left and right. On the first weekend of September alone, we attended 3 parties already. We’ll be attending more before the month ends. I love attending parties especially those I know the parents’ really went all out preparing for. I understand the parents’…moms’ excitement especially…because I, myself, always get overboard went it comes to party planning.
Two months from now, Noah will be celebrating his 3rd birthday. Earlier this year, husband an I decided to spend it at either McDonald’s, Jollibee, or KFC. We realized this will be the first time that Noah will really understand and enjoy that the party is for him.
But we’re no longer having a big one this year as we’re going out of town on my boys’ birthday week. I’m still thinking of having a small one at home though simply because I have a theme in mind. I just don’t know if I’ll still have the energy by then. We’ll see.
I love planning for events! If I’m not a stay-at-home mom or have a full-time work, I’d probably be organizing events. It can be stressful I know but always fun!
I’ll be posting past parties I’ve planned for Noah. As much as possible, I try to work within a given budget but I always overspend. (Who doesn’t?)
I don’t claim to be an expert. I’m not a pro. I’m just a wife, a mommy, and a sister. I’m just a girl who has many ideas and who wants to make her loved ones happy. 🙂
I’m on Facebook fasting and I’m trying to lessen my time on Twitter because some posts break my heart. I’m trying to leave away from those two so I’ve been spending more time blogging, reading, and on Instagram.
Instagram is one revolutionary photo sharing app available in iOS devices. Revolutionary for me because it stirred many other apps and services like the Webstagram, Honeygram, InstaPrint, Copygram, Tweegram, and some copycats like the PENpic iPhone app. (All these apps I wrote about for work HERE.)
It’s been very addicting. Using fun filters turns shots into more creative and lomo-like photos for sharing. I don’t remember when I started using the app but to date, I have uploaded 153 photos, have 48 followers, and am following 87 IG users.
My first photo was taken and uploaded 27 weeks ago:
Browsing through my IG photos, I noticed that mostly are photos of food that I just cooked, things I love, and Noah. The baby is my number one subject obviously.
I like the fact that it’s public but not too public. Not too public in the sense that not everyone can comment unlike in Facebook or Twitter when you can get unsolicited, sometimes foul remarks and comments which I hate. I like to share stuff but I really don’t need to know people’s reactions so IG is okay for me. At least right now when I only have a few followers and the photo sharing network is not yet populated with Internet addicts.
I’m not a snob, okay. It’s just that Instagram has a different kind of crowd. I’d like to say the Apple kind of crowd but that’s not it. I just want to say umm, the cooler crowd. Haha. 😀
Anyway, here are some of my favorite Instagram posts:
You may view my Instagram photos on Web.stagram. For the Android users, you can download the Honeygram from the Android Market. Or you may join the craze by getting an iPhone, iPod touch, or an iPad and dowloading the Instagram app. 😀
Yehey! Digory will be meeting his cousin over the weekend. I still don’t know if “IT” is a girl or a boy. Yey! Now “Neneng” the iPod Video has a sibling. Haha! :p
