birthday souvenir rocks

I have less than a week to complete my boy's 3rd birthday giveaways. So far, so good. I have completed most of the goodies: tiny toy cars, glow-in-the dark numbers and letters, and the doodled souvenir rocks. Thanks to the super ninang Tingbats and her daughter, who joyfully picked up the rocks for us from their Owa's garden. You guys rock! (haha.)

The sticker didn't come out well so I had to redo the design. Here's the final one. I took out Zaiid's photo because he looked too pale and you can't really read the words. See old design here. 

I am now down to a smaller checklist. I need to order the cake within this week. I found a nice little cake shop in Parkmall that sells small cakes at 100 each with an edible letter planted as a topping. I plan to order Z-A-I-I-D and another extra for the number 3 with 3candle sticks beside it. I think he will love it.

i love the way we are.

Nothing huge has changed. Really. We still laugh at our own jokes, get annoyed by our old habits, make faces, get messy, talk about our big dreams, make eachother cry sometimes. 

The biggest change I could think of is him being the father of my sweet boys. He has transformed into a real grownup, responsible, and a very playful father that he is. With that, I realize that I am more than blessed to have known him in college, played in a band with him, loved and married him.

 

I love you hon. Happy Father's Day :)

ah. the satisfaction.

I almost forgot how it felt like to finally make a little javascript work in your own sweat. After a lot of research and google-ing and experimenting and tweaking - it is now working according to my direction. And I am so so satisfied I had to tell you - that is without telling you what project I am actually working on.

I'm not a genius at coding or decoding scripts, but I try to get all the help I can get online. There are answers out there that can help you or give you examples, all you have to do is make a one sample from scratch and then experiment it according to what you want.

Am I boring you or making you want to make a website? I am just too happy to tell you that the satisfaction of a working mother has come again. Aaah. Like tiny happy fireflies going on in your brain... now I can peacefully snuggle to my snoring babylove to bed.

(Actually, it was just a simple dropdown menu *blush.)

little grown up

little grownup by govinda on Polyvore.com

Thundering with coolness. I can imagine my almost-3-years-old boy putting on in this outfit - crayon swirling, holding a teddy and an iPod. Last sunday, I head out to shop for a beanie for my two boys but couldn't really find one. Some are too big or I didn't like the print. But this Gap beanie is what I'm looking for. Love it!

sea of shoes

I found Jane Aldrige's blog through my good friend/wind faerie, bevlee, who happens to be a hyper chatterbox. (That is a good thing.) We were chatting on how I am becoming really addicted to Polyvore and so she gives me the sea of shoes and thought on how cool this 17yo shoe lover is, how I think she had to be an old soul, a very fine vintage baby - and I'm definitely loving her fashion sense. 

I'm not a shoe person really. Just your average flip flop kind of girl. The reasons, for one - I can't get my shoe size *too small and two - I don't know how to walk on high heels.  

It's amazing how creative you become when you've found your true passion. And I think it works overtime and with ease when you know what you want, and how you want to share it to the world.

happy little 9months old

Today our Akii turned 9months old. But it's a sad thing when he got his fever from me. I'm not feeling well since yesterday and now, my little baby's got it. I'm sorry babylove. You will be fine soon, I promise.

newest trick: wants to be out of his walker and wants a help on his own real walks. 

travel with the sun

travel with the sun by govinda featuring Miss Selfridge

the giveaway plan

This is the plan for the giveaway: A little paper bag full of Zaiid's favorite things. That means we're giving away tiny toy cars, some characters of his recent favorite movies, a bunch of numbers and letters, cookies and biscuits, a chuckie chocolate drink, and definitely a rock.

Each paper bag will be sealed with an adorable sticker that says "The stuff i Love! - 07•04•09 family park, cebu • open this bag and you'll find the stuff i love! • 3 years of awesomeness" I think I will have to doodle something out on the paper bag so it would look a bit of a fun-mess.

So what do you guys think of this idea? Any more I can add? Let me know. Thanks!

I shouldn't be blogging about this, should I? I would take out the surprise touch on the big day. Oh well, I don't think my little boy's guests read my blog hehe.

my bestfriend's wedding

I think this set is adorable. Gleaming in pure happiness and sweet real love. And so I am waiting for my best friend to approve it for her "no-date-yet" wedding. Although I don't think I can wear those shoes, haha!

my bestfriend's wedding by govinda featuring Dorothy Perkins accessories

what's in a resume

"...People don't talk about the soul very much anymore. It's so much easier to write a resume than to craft a spirit. But a resume is cold comfort on a winter's night, or when you're sad, or broke, or lonely, or when you've received your test results and they're not so good.

Here is my resume: I am a good mother to three children. I have tried never to let my work stand in the way of being a good parent. I no longer consider myself the centre of the universe. I show up. I listen. I try to laugh. I am a good friend to my husband. I have tried to make marriage vows mean what they say. I am a good friend to my friends and they to me. Without them, there would be nothing to say to you today, because I would be a cardboard cut out. But I call them on the phone, and I meet them for lunch. I would be rotten, at best mediocre at my job if those other things were not true.

You cannot be really first rate at your work if your work is all you are. So here's what I wanted to tell you today: Get a life. A real life, not a manic pursuit of the next promotion, the bigger pay cheque, the larger house. Do you think you'd care so very much about those things if you blew an aneurysm one afternoon, or found a lump in your breast?..."

Anna Quindlen is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and bestselling author. I haven't read any of her books but I am moved by this particular part of her speech she made at a graduation ceremony. 

True, the best resumes in the world contains something about offering yourself to others unconditionally. I hope I can build a spirit resume that I can show off to my Maker at the end of my journey on earth.

a pretty normal thing.

Am I a bad mother when I lose my temper? Am I a bad mother when at a split second I am about explode in fiery annoyance and then just ignore an endless whining and wailing altogether? Am I not doing a good job if my preschooler skips a meal, only wants hotdogs and yogurt? Am I not entitled to a perfect poise and grace and possess the longest patience? Sometimes I wish I can scream.

Some say these are just part of being a typical mother. I am just being a normal mother then. I am having a pretty normal young motherhood phase.

even if it's not the easier life

This little baby is going to spend his first birthday and another 10 months more in Dubai. I remember how easy it was for his kuya to adjust on the new place. Maybe because he was just a baby, just about his younger brother's age, and really didn't mind the environment change. And maybe he thought it was something normal.

I still worry a bit on how he's going to cope with just a plain studio flat kind of home, no amusing surroundings in the neighborhood, and the unfriendly sun.

But I know family love can do awesome magic. Being together and doing things on our own for the first time - I think staying in dubai and not have any help is a very big dare for us to take especially for me and the babies, but sometimes you only have to do what you have to do. Even if it's not the most comfortable or easier life, it is still the most beautiful life so you all can grow together as a family.

We're going to make new pudding adventures for us to keep forever.

X Out Cervical Cancer!

I got my second dose of HPV vaccine today. My left arm is nagging in soreness and the need to spread the word on the importance of this vaccine is nagging equally. Every woman deserves a chance against cervical cancer so get protected now. Love your life.

Find out more on how to Help X Out Cervical Caner.

hanging out

It's time to hang out with yourself because you deserve a moment to think and take things easy. A colorful hint for your top and a clean crisp of whiteness on your feet would do the trick! It's absolutely a day in paradise.

hanging out by govinda featuring Forever21 accessories

And thanks to Polyvore, they featured one of my sets "summer love". Check it out! 

Mijn Schatje copied Totoro!

I thought the rabbit felt very Hayao Miyazaki. It had to be. I am a fan of his animated films as Spirited Away is one of my ultimate favourite movie. I've also known My Neighbor Totoro by heart and I knew that cute little creature on that illustration is Totoro.

How can this Mijn Schatje thought of getting away with stealing other's works while making money all on her own? I can't believe how she imagined that people wouldn't recognize other artists works. I'm sorry but I have to say that this is truly a pathetic cry for desperation - couldn't create my own, might as well do some short cut. 

Related links:

an illustrator's downfall

radiotrash.org

the full story

Plagiarism

D' Family Park it is!

We want to celebrate Zaiid's 3rd birthday under the sun since it will be his first time to celebrate it outdoors. So we head out to hunt for that perfect venue. First on the list is D' Family Park located in Talamban. First look at the area and we all fell inlove. This is going to be perfect for a children's party.

The park offers a nature-friendly experience for everyone. Lying nearby is a one-hectare lagoon, two separate swimming pools for kids and grownups, a mini zoo (which made my little boy jump up and down to see monkeys for real!), a huge open field,  and a children's playground with slides, swings and tykes playstations. Awesomeness!

Thanks to Manona, she paid for the Pavilion hall where we can exclusively hold our party. Whoot! 4th of July here we come!

Related links:

cake hunting

last day of summer school

He managed to go to school everyday for 4weeks. I am so proud of my little preschooler. A lot has changed in him since he had gone to school. The biggest of them all is his independence - knowing that it's ok to be away from Mama for a little while... bringing his backpack on his own... putting away his toys... and saying goodmorning and goodbye with delight. He was loving school, the teachers, the playground, his castle, the freedom he's got.

Today was extra special because it was the last day of summer school. They all went out ten minutes earlier to play outside. Other kids were running around with their kites, while others, like Zaiid, had fun on the slides and ropes.

"Ma, please. Put away the camera. It's milk time."

Related links:

The cleanest hand painting

happy to come home

his school castle

My Preschooler: that first project

My Preschooler: Day 4

My Preschooler: Day 3

My Preschooler: Day 2

My Preschooler: Day 1

summer school

an illustrator's downfall.

I knew about her works from my Illustration Now Volume 2 book. Seeing her vectors, I thought there was something very familiar about it. Maybe because they looked like dolls. I thought it was an interesting new approach. The fine threads of the doll's hair were amazing and the eyes were boldly spaced out in their own world. But today, I was saddened and disgusted at how she does it so easily, hurting the humble makers and photographers of D.I.M Dolls.

 

A repost from radiotrash.org: 

Mijn Schatje, real name Marie Blanco Hendrickx, is a successful artist who makes a living based off the images she creates. Prints of her work retail for over a thousand dollars, she's made deals with Sony Playstation and Fornarina Clothing, and large-scale statues have been created based on her pictures. Unfortunately, she is not as original as she claims. The faces of Mijn Schatje's works, as well as other components, are taken directly from photographs made by other artists without credit and, in many cases, without any form of permission. This site chronicles her primary source: photos of asian ball-jointed dolls, commonly known as BJDs.

Here are some shocking comparisons:

More comparisons here.

Know the full story here.

It is or It is not (plagiarism)

There is a big difference between taking somebody else's photograph/object as your "reference for inspiration" and "tracing (or whatever technique) it and hopefully create a new artwork and make money out of it". Of course, the latter never works. Artists should respect each other's style and value each other's creation. Tsk. Tsk.

summer love

Summer love is almost over, but to me it can never end. You can wear this set to the beach or a walk in the park, or even an early evening get together. Hang out comfortably, in smart sweetness and show off some skin without doing much. 

summer love by govinda featuring Gucci bags

the most impossible love

"Motherhood is the most impossible love. You tell me when it ends, you tell me when it stops." - Because I Said So.

I don't think I will ever stop loving my boys, stop thinking about them, stop my heart from bursting into bits when I see them smile to me - even for that shortest moment. I am their mother forever.

happy hour

I found Polyvore and fell inlove with the website's function, simplicity, and shopping experience. It's like playing dress up while pretending you own a bohemian closet or a beach closet paradise. You can create your own outfit, layout your pieces together, and share! Actually, this is not bad for an idle designer that needed some exercise. Hey, maybe I can even do sets everyday as a short me-time therapy!

These are some of my favourite sets while searching for "bohemian".

Presenting to you my first creation. View items' details here. 

imagination running wild

My 2.10yo is having weird thoughts about our ceiling lately. And they only occur when it's time to say goodnight. He no longer sleeps in his room, or if he would, he would sleep on the floor where he would bury his face with his pillow. Other times, he would request to sleep in my parents' room where he would first do a ceiling checkup.

It was crazy, seeing him cry like there was really something going on up there. He would tremble and scream while I can only assure him there's nothing to worry about and that I would never leave him and while I'm around, nothing will harm him. But I don't think he hears me. Even if I think it was all nonesense, I can't let him see that I'm taking his fears lightly and at the same time, I must be firm that his imagination is no biggie.

One night, I said hi to whatever-that's-up-there. He couldn't believe what I just did. And I declared that I am now their friend. He continued checking up the ceiling and then decided that they left. I hope I scared them away.

the cleanest hand painting

Other kids came out with their full blast yellow-and-blue artworks. They were all bright and I saw tiny hand imprints on them. I was really excited to see my 2.10's artwork! I imagined a messier, heavy-coated paint... 

But look at that. It's the cleanest hand painting I've seen and it's only got blue.

He was proudly showing it to me, saying "Zazis!" That's how he says his name. He was happy to show me his photograph. And I said, "Wow Zaiid, nice work! Pero sure ka langga anak kag mga fine arts?" 

I was laughing at myself. My little boy is never a fan of dirty things, including watercolour. And I bet when his teacher asked him to do hand painting, he'd only let her use the tip of his fingers. There's no way I'm going to let my hands get soaked up in color! Haha! I wonder if that'll ever change.

Related link:

My Preschooler: that first project