Friday dreaming

Since it's lunchtime and it's the last day of the work week, I'm allowing my mind to wander - today, I'm dreaming about beautiful and cozy backyard lounges. I'm making it my future project, to prettify our backyard, which is currently just a rectangular patch of Bermuda grass. My goal is to have it pretty and ready for Zia's future birthday parties - since I plan to throw her birthday shindigs at home (with the exceptions of her 1st, 7th, 12th/13th and 18th birthdays). Here are some inspirations from the Internet to get things started.

Outdoor dinner party, anyone?

Photo credit: www.interiordesignphotos.co.uk

Just like in the Hamptons!

Photo credit: www.myhomeideas.com

I love this! So mod!

Photo credit: www.myhomeideas.com

Photo credit: www.fromsingletomarried.com

Photo credit: www.austinlivesoutdoors.com

Thank God it's Friday! Weekend, here I come! =)

My current fashion statement: Button down

My closet has always had a wide variety of clothes in it. But most of my ensembles have been in hiatus since Zia came along. Because I'm still breastfeeding her, it's been all about button-down tops or dresses. Although I wasn't much of a button-down polo wearing girl, I had fun looking for nice ones which I can wear to work (since I express milk at the office) and for days out with Zia. Yes, I have found another excuse to pile up my ever-growing closet - but for a good cause and reason. I'm pretty sure these button down tops used as nursing wear would still be useful in mixing and matching outfits long after Zia has weaned from breastfeeding.

The shopaholic mom strikes again (as always!)

My mini me with all the pretty stuff mommy bought from Baby Gap and Peppermint!

As you may well know, I'm a shopaholic since birth. Well, that's an exaggeration, but you get my drift. And when I was pregnant, my shopaholic self doubled - I shopped for myself and for the coming baby. And now, with Zia with us already who is becoming more and more of a delight at 5 months, the shopping seems to be more exciting. Simply put, I just can't stop myself from buying - so many cute stuff!!! So last Sunday, Rich & I set out for Megamall and mommy went crazy clothes shopping for the baby girl. If I had more money in my wallet, I probably wouldn't have stopped. It was a happy shopping day for our family - aside from Zia's clothes, I got some stuff for me too and Rich bought himself headphones too!

Don't you just love shopping? =) I think I'm loving shopping even more now that I'm a mom!

New year, new shoes!

Our little family celebrated new year's day at the mall. It was Zia's first mass and mall day out and the little one seemed to enjoy every bit of it. But that's a separate story. This post will be about why I enjoyed every bit of our mall day that 1st day of 2012. Remember how I said in one of my older posts how I'm a shoe girl and that I haven't bought any new pairs since I got pregnant. Well, I broke that shoe dry spell and shoe shopped to my heart's content and my wallet's dismay. Credit also goes to Mhel, the friendly sales personnel who entertained me, whose current pregnant state added to her convincing power. Allow me to tell you the tale of my new shoes. It started out with me egging the husband to buy me a new pair of shoes for the new year. With my insistence, we, Rich, me and Zia in tow, trooped to my go-to shoe store, VNC. I found a pair I liked but I ended up buying 4 - Thanks to VNCs promo - Buy 3 pairs and get the 4th one for free! It wasn't really hard to convince me. I was one happy shopper plus Zia seemed to enjoy being around pretty shoes while mommy tried on shoe after shoe. Check out my new sole loves. =)

Isn't shoe shopping to kick off the year simply divine?

Kicking off 2012!

It's my first post of the year and to kick off 2012, as in all things I do, I shall start with a prayer.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for your gift of another new year. Thank you for your constant presence in my life. As I begin the new year, grant me your grace to help me become a better version of me in all things I do - as zei the daughter, the sister, the friend, the professional, the wife and now; most especially as zei, the mom. With YOU on my side, I look forward to all things that 2012 will bring! As in all the years that have gone, I will forever put my trust in YOU.

Forever Blessed,
ZEI

Thank you Lord for 2011!

My last post for 2011 will be short and sweet. Here's a photo collage of my 2011. It was a year filled with family, friends, love, happiness, positive changes, learning and of course, blessings. Here's a photo collage I made in thanksgiving for year that was. =)

P.S. 2011 was EPIC because we welcomed our darling daughter Zia. =) Thank you 2011! =)

2012, we'll welcome you with open hearts and optimistic minds!

Go the Multi-way

Since it's the season of endless partying and lots of merrymaking, I found it fitting to blog about fashion today. So I've had my 2 multi-way dresses since 2009, but I haven't worn them ever since, not that I can't find use for them, but it's more because I find it very revealing every time I try to wear it to a formal occasion. I finally got to wear one of them just last week for a wedding and realized how much I wasn't able to maximize it - it is a multi-way dress after all. Since I couldn't stand going the bare back route for a wedding, I used it as a skirt, and it turned out every bit pretty (for me and for my husband). So here it is, after 2 years of not being worn, I finally got to wear my multi-way dress as a skirt and I think it's gonna be the start of a great many-things for this fashion find, albeit a bit late. =p

Oh, and speaking of multi-way, I'm also wearing clip-on extensions from Tokyo Posh (the brainchild of a good friend of mine from High School, Denise). I love how I can go to weddings or special events without spending a penny on my hair. It's an investment that's worth taking for those who are undecided whether they like their hair or not or for any girl, who'd like to don a different look for those special occasions. Check out the other hairstyle available in http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Tokyo-Posh-Hair-Extensions/13956716490 You might find the style perfect for you.

Style thrift tip #3: Buy yourself a multi-way dress, it could be your go-to dress for weddings, parties and other special events. Just make sure you're with a different set of friends when you wear it again. Hehe.

Style thrift tip #4: Invest on clip-on hair extensions, it could take you from unruly to uber girly. You can style your extensions anyway you want too!