[Zei on Fashion] Golden Girl

My random post for the day was inspired by this morning's beautiful sunrise. Don't you just love waking up on Sundays, especially when the sun is shining brightly? I do. :) So anyway, with the sun's reflection etched on our bedroom door, and the husband and baby daughter sleeping soundly side-by-side, I decided to do an early morning post about my growing fondness for all things gold. I've actually worn gold everyday for the past 8 years since my husband (then my boyfriend) gave me a gold necklace with a small gold cross pendant, but that's just about it. But now, I think I could take on more gold than that, and these are the things on top of my list.

Tory Burch Tote in gold faux leather from Neiman Marcus

Old-school gold watch from Casio grabbed from www.pessimiss.wordpress.com

Vintage black belt with gold buckle from EtsyGold cuff by the Hammerman Brothers from www.bltfinejewellery.com

Aren't they all so bright and happy? Just the perfect accessories to make any look just as bright and happy plus an added hint of sexy.

Have bright Sunday everyone! Happy April Fools! And a blessed palm Sunday too!

[Zei the MOM] My new boss!

Yesterday was my last day at work. Yup, as of today, I am unemployed, but maybe not a bum, because I've switched the stay-at-home-mom mode on. So everyone, I'd like you to meet my new boss...

ZIA

Yup, you got that right, my new boss (for the time-being) is none other than Zia. My remuneration, well, there's too much to mention but just to name a few, at the top of my list are - her sweet smiles, cute giggles, little hugs, funny voices and antics, quality time and my peace of mind that somehow, this added time with my little girl will contribute to giving her the best love and care I could offer. And all the stuff I mentioned, if you must know, are indeed priceless.

[Zei on Home Deco & Design] Lil' house in the City

I love watching HGTV Design Star on Lifestyle network. Last night's episode of season 6 was cute in all levels. The last three designers took on the tiny house challenge. The task was to design a tiny house, just 86 sq. meters complete with a bedroom, living room, bathroom, kitchen and dining area. Just thinking of how the contestants would take it on made me giddy. Imagine, fitting all the required amenities in such a tiny tiny space. Here's a photo of the tiny house to give you an idea,

Photo from www.tinyhousetalk.com

Photo from www.tinyhousedesign.com

It's really tiny, don't you think? Anyway, to make things more stressful, they were just given 30 minutes to plan and just 2 days to finish everything. I guess that's why they were the last three standing. I just love how the three designers made such quaint and functional living spaces out of the 86 sq meter rectangular box they were given to work wit. It just goes to show that the possibilities are endless when it comes to designing your home, no matter how small or big the obstacles are.

Here's Karl's tiny house from www.charmingdecor.blogspot.com

Here's Mark's take on the tiny house from www.redoitdesigns.wordpress.com

And here's Meg's real life little house on the prairie from www.condo-blues.com

Watching shows like Design Star makes me really want to take my interior decorating (even if it's just for our home for now) to a higher level.

[Zei on Career & Passion] I'm every woman

Before Women's month ends, I take it as my responsibility to write about being a woman. I've always liked being a girl and now that I'm a wife and a mom, I find it even more fascinating and challenging. Growing up, I've admired many women - because of their passion, love, faith, talent, wisdom, beauty, grace, style and so much more.

My long list includes Women in my life - my mom, grandmothers, aunts; Authors - JK Rowling, Lauren Weisberger; Hollywood celebrities - Sarah Jessica Parker, Victoria Beckham, Meryl Streep, Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Aniston; Women in a class of their own - Oprah and Mother Teresa; Music Icons - Janet Jackson and Vanessa Mae; Fictional Characters - Carrie Bradshaw and Dr. Addison Montgomery; Athletes - Kim Yuna; Designers - Monique Luhillier and Veluz Reyes; Kitchen Muses - Ina Garten and Giada di Laurentis and of course, Filipinas - Lea Salonga and Daphne Osena-Paez. It's quite an exhaustive list but I'm pretty sure I still left out a couple.

Just last week, because of one sleepless night, I added yet another amazing woman to my list while watching 'The Blind Side' - yep, I wanna be like Leigh Anne Tuohy. Why? Simple, she lives the good life, but she gave back without being asked and just out of the kindness of her heart -she took in a stranger - a kid she didn't know anything about and showed compassion to as if he was her own. She could've been just like any other well-off mom, wining, shopping and dining and raising her own flesh and blood, but she decided to take another route, the route that changed a life for the better (even if it was just for one youth with an unfortunate background). She's got everything and even more, a lovely house, a lovely family, she was even her daughter's cheer leading coach, a doting and hands-on mom, a loving wife, a designer. She's a multitasker and she looks good while doing everything.

Someday I want to be like her, never mind the being rich part. Just like her I want to be a great mom to my kid, have a husband who adores me even after we've been married for awhile and have enough heart and courage to be able to change a life.

How about you, who are the women you admire? Now's the perfect time to share it since it's Women's month, and what better way to describe a woman than by her heart and her passion.

Happy Women's Month!

[Zei the charmed one] Loving life!

I love my life and I plan to do so each and everyday! Happy Sunday everyone!

[Shopaholic Zei] Of loopholes and happiness

Rich and I have banned ourselves from shopping until April 8 as our Lenten sacrifice, but in most restrictions, there are loopholes. In our case, shopping for ourselves may be a no-no, but shopping for Zia and our house is a definite yes. So yesterday, since we were in the Shaw area, I had a valid excuse to go to Shangri-La (Read: Zara) and go shopping happy for the baby girl. I love it when it's spring/summer season, since the clothes are carefree, colorful and cheery - just perfect for Zia. I ended up getting her 4 dresses, 3 of which are of the same style but with different colors and 2 pairs of leggings. If I had it my way, I would've bought some sneakers too, but the more disciplined husband of mine stopped me.

Oh, and to add to our shopping loot for Zia, I asked Richmond to buy her the doll I've been wanting for her, this Lamaze Princess Sophie doll, which Zia would love for sure because her whole skirt crinkles (Zia's fascinated with the sound). She squeaks too and the loop she's holding could be used as a teether too. ;) So there, no shopping for us, but yay, still, for Zia.

[Zei on Home Deco & Design] Outdoor dining set almost complete

I've said in my old post that I've been looking for a cheap outdoor set to give a bit of character to our bare front porch/lanai and I've finally made it happen. I bought a cheap aluminum table from National bookstore (yep, they have tables there too, albeit small ones) and matched it with our colorful plastic chairs bought by my mom. Here it is in its unfinished glory. Unfinished since I'm still on the lookout for a reasonably priced outdoor hang umbrella, for that al fresco dining feel. Thanks to my VL and SL conversion, I have extra money to complete my outdoor dining project.

How about you guys, what's your latest home project?