LEGOing

LEGO now has become a collectible. For some, mostly within my age bracket, prefers collecting LEGO bag tags, key chains, stationery sets and other LEGO merchandise. For me and my husband, we want to relive our childhood with our own kids that's why we are more into spending for a box of LEGO bricks and pieces as it also caters to the imagination. But don't get me wrong, we also like to get those nice collectibles, it's just that when you put the prices of those small things together, it's worth buying a LEGO Creator set.

Other than cars, my eldest son likes to build houses and cities. I on the other hand, have my own. With random LEGO pieces, I enjoy creating farm houses. I even thought of building a mini version of Smallville. Buy a Superman LEGO set as an additional display to my small town.

I so love the apple tree I created and the flowers made up of single, small LEGO bricks. The cow and the dog in my small LEGO farm was fun to make.  With more bricks, a horse would come in handy. The tractor is part of the booklet that came in with the Build and Rebuild set.

At the moment, my husband has his own project mixing LEGO sets in order to build his own LEGO model. Almost every weekend he goes mall hopping searching every toy store for LEGO sets that will aid with his creation. He plans to join a LEGO contest online where one should create a character using LEGO bricks and if the creation gets a certain no. of likes on Facebook, (not really sure of the details) LEGO will turn it into a real set. How cool is that?! There are hundreds of participants, but the whole process and the challenge of assembling "your own" toy is already fun and unforgettable.

Playing with LEGO has been a form of therapy for me and my husband. When the kids are already sleeping, my husband will pop a relaxing music, then on with our own worlds with LEGO.

and just a follow up... My younger brother Nino, to my surprise, knows the story and the history of LEGO. Apparently, it's one important part of his childhood that he kept because when he was a kid, he loved and enjoyed playing LEGO.

Playing Dress Up

So I stay at home almost 24/7 right? Well, it doesn't mean that I can't play dress up and plan an outfit for future use. One of the things that I'm very fond of is browsing online for nice dresses and shoes. I look into several websites, then I put up whatever I can find appealing together and eventually create a wardrobe.

Last year, I enjoyed shopping online with my sister-in-law who lives in America. She'll give a list of websites to go through, find a dress, shoes and a bag I like that will go well as a whole ensemble. It was fun. It's exciting browsing and planning an attire for future use. Sometimes, it doesn't require an occasion to buy nice dresses and besides, it's best to be up to date with the latest trends. With a quick look online, you'll find adorable dresses fit for all occasions.

An event took place also last year, I was a Sponsor to a wedding representing my mother-in-law. It was my moment to look glamorous after the longest time. I dressed up with a one shoulder, flowy gown. My in- laws bought my gown online. I really like it because it reminded me of my wedding gown too. From the length of the garment, the color and the lightness of the gown itself. Same as this mini chiffon dress I found at dressfirst.

My wedding gown is a long version of this short dress. This is a perfect choice for homecoming events.  It's included in the list of homecoming dresses 2013. This kind of dress can also be a closet staple for both formal and semi- formal events. It's easy to wear, accessorizing won't be a challenge as well just by looking at the model above. Chiffon is a garment that I like because it's soft, beautiful and it elegantly flows.

Inspirations: Guide To A Loving Life

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Cheers to a productive week! Have a happy one!

For Carperts or Not?

I have been busy for the past weeks, pardon my absence from posting on this blog. My husband and I were on the look for new furniture, home decor including carpets and rugs. In our previous homes, we had carpets for the living room and the master bedroom. Though it made the rooms look cozy, maintenance has always been a challenge. Then, when we moved to a new place, we finally decided to get rid of it. In a few months or within a year, we will be moving to a new place again, this time, it's permanent. The condo is new, we thought that everything that has got to be brought in must also be new.

So one of the things that we're thinking about are carpets. It's going to be easy if we have something like ABC Rug and Carpet Care here in our country, which offers a state of the art rug cleaning Manhattan factory to ensure that your rug is cleaned free of dust, stains and odors and will be handled by rug cleaning experts who know the best way to clean your valuable area rug.

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On my last phone conversation with my aunt who lives and works in New York, I asked for some details on how she handle such carpet and rug dilemma. My aunt has her practical ways, but since she's working full time, she greatly recommends not to get a carpet at all if maintenance is going to be a burden or easy,  ask for assistance from rug and carpet care experts .

Public Issues

First off, let me share how proud and happy I am every time I hear news about our fellow Filipinos making noise with their achievements in various fields both here and abroad.

The public issues that's going to be tackled in this post are the recent changes the government has made. It's good news for me, it may be bad for some, especially those directly affected. Topics that's been circulating not only in social networking sites but in local newspapers and television as well. I thought it would be proper to post my opinion on this blog more than make a random shout out on Facebook like everyone else, which clearly and most of the time, people find it in general, offensive.

On Public Transportation:

We all know that the City of Manila with Joseph Estrada as Mayor has regulated the entry of buses coming from neighboring cities without terminals in Manila. Personally, and I honestly think that it was a good move on easing out traffic flow within Metro Manila. I understand that at this point, it has become a nuisance in way, for commuters. If we're to talk about progress, we can't always be comfortable without a little sacrifice in return. Not only the people of Manila will benefit from it, but other cities who'll look up to this stand the government of Manila has implemented. We can walk in malls and parks for hours, why can't we do it on an ordinary street. Or for a change, like what the Vice Mayor of Manila said: " Make walking a habit". Same goes with the bus terminal system that MMDA just recently opened. It's acceptable that there will always be a certain period for adjustments. Sometimes, it will take a month or more for us to smoothly abide, see the result and to finally appreciate the outcome.

On Flaunting Unnecessary Riches:

Let me share an article that triggered me to post about this issue.

Before flaunting your Ferrari or Birkin on Facebook, read this. 

Sometimes boasting is blinding.  A person has the tendency to lose wisdom that helps each one of us in making decisions even with the tiny reason why we post pictures online. Eventually, that gets most into trouble. It's such a shame because one doesn't have to go all out.  But since that person wanted to show- off so much and flaunt everything, that person has got to pay the price, suffer the consequences.

On Informal Settlers:

I never thought that the relocation of informal settlers is going to be this huge and for the very first time, functioning. My heart goes to those who will lose their homes and jobs "temporarily". In moving from place to another, I greatly understand the feeling because my family has been into it for the past 4-5 years and I say it's not fun and it's tiring. But with some adjustments and sacrifices, my husband and I worked hard for the #1 goal we've been praying for, and yes, we're moving forward to achieving that dream soon. Thinking of the whole family's future, that's enough motivation to keep moving forward for a better living. The relocation sites the government has allotted is far from the city, but it doesn't mean that the area is not family friendly. Meaning, the essential resources such as education, food and work is also available within the vicinity if one will work hard. I am happy that those who embraced this blessing are also sharing the good experiences they had and still having to those who are having second thoughts.

Change is good, it aims for growth and development more than imbalance. New beginnings are opportunities given to start all over, clean our mess, grab the chances we didn't take before and be at our best with whatever life's going to throw at us.

A Mother's Prayer

The past weeks' been pretty hectic for me. Most of the time, it involves activities for my 2 little boys. As I was going through some inspiring work on Pinterest this afternoon, I came across a prayer for us moms. 

The prayer describes the work we do on a daily basis and with our trust and gift of patience from The One above, it shows how amazing it is to see that we get through all the fumbles and jumbles multitasking brings us everyday.

It's heartwarming, it's moving, it's relieving, it's rejuvenating, inspiring, motivational, an eye- opener and realistic.

Everyday starting tonight, I will recite this prayer in thanksgiving for the life I have as a stay at home mom. Motherhood has shown me the colorful side of life. Motherhood showed me how to make it extraordinarily beautiful and meaningful.