ESSIE For Me

The first person who introduced me to a beauty salon was my grandmother ( my mom's mom).  Around 9 or 10 years old, I spend summer at my lola's ( grandmother) house. Aside from cooking and making beautiful things in the kitchen, my lola would take me with her at a nearby salon. 

There, she'll have some "me time", from having her hair dyed and permed to cleaning and painting her nails. One afternoon, while having her nails done, she told me: "Chie (my nickname), when you grow up and become a lady, it is important to have "at least" your nails done". "Take it as something that you can reward yourself with "pampering". "Every woman needs to look good, presentable and confident".

I took her words for it. My lola who is 89 years old now, still goes to a salon and have the usual pampering, only, she's accompanied by my younger cousins because she couldn't walk well anymore.  I look up to her... a lot.  As I grew up from being a teenager to a full adult, I "at least" have my nails done. If I can't go to a salon, I do it myself. It feels good to have nice looking nails. I mean, everyday, we interact with people, in any given circumstance, it's best to have clean hands and nails, same goes all the way down to our toes.

With that,  my post today is going to be about my #1 choice when it comes to nail polish. It has been 2 years since I shifted to imported nail enamel. If I'm to have my nails painted most of the time, it's best to apply non- harmful polishes. Here in the Philippines, local brands hasn't improved yet, I mean, from the moment you open the bottle you'll immediately smell the chemicals.

Essie is considered to be a non- toxic nail polish brand. Web MD Is your nail polish toxic? 

Not only it will keep my nails healthy, but Essie has the cutest shades I've ever seen. My sister-in-law was the one who introduced me to Essie. I've tried other imported brands like Orly, Revlon, Wet n Wild etc. but so far, for me, Essie has the most adorable line to offer. I often see their collection from Lucky magazine. Recently, my sister-in-law sent me a couple of pictures while shopping for some nail polish. Just great, I really love every bit of it, if I can only have it all.

This was my first set of Essie. I don't wear pink nail polish but when I tried these, it's beautiful.

The spring and winter collection offers the colors I'm very fond of. It's a good set to have. A base coat was bought separately. I do a lot of cooking and baking so I live with short nails. But long or short, Essie can make my nails and hand look girly and more feminine even after working on loads of detergent and cleaning liquids in the house.

See Essie Nail Care

Essie Flowerista

Spring Collection

Essie Cashmere Matte: Comfy in Cashmere

Essie Cashmere Matte: All Eyes on Nudes

My interest with anything matte started by seeing some clips and images on Instagram. Matte brings a sort of "cool option" when it comes to lipsticks and nail polishes. It's a must- have. My younger sister was pretty ahead of me when she got a matte top coat. If not a matte nail polish, we use the matte top coat on any nail polish we like and it's fantastic.

This is not a paid post.

A Little of Everything Bag

Now I can say that I've officially graduated from carrying a "mommy bag" as my everyday bag.  As a mom, there are times when I need to bring 2 bags: 1 for the baby/ kid and of course 1 for myself. As the child grows, we lessen the things we tote around (so far based on my experience). If you have kids maybe you can understand where I'm coming from. For the past 8 years, all I invested on are tote bags that can work as my personal, travel and an all- around bag.

It's just recently when I was able to fully utilize my purses. My youngest is such an adorable kid and wants to bring his own little backpack. So for quite sometime now I'm enjoying holding a small bag/ purse. Since I'm used to having my hands free, I go for at least a body bag or a messenger.

My so- called purse contains a little of everything I need: Pressed powder with a thin casing, chubby stick, a small hand sanitizer, a small "all- over" color stick and a tiny bottle of my favorite perfume. 

This is my "everyday bag".

If you can still recall, I even posted about my Vanity Kit  and why I like mine totesbig. There, you will see the things I used to bring in my everyday bag. From an iPad, sunglasses, a separate wallet and a coin purse, wipes and even a bottle of baby cologne. Compare it now,  yes there's a huge difference. With this new transition, I've excluded the iPad and my iPod Touch since the iPhone, I have a zippy wallet for all bills, coins and card, my son carries his own wipes and baby cologne in his sweet backpack, and I've replaced my vanity kit with "a little of everything" I need.

It's a big load off my shoulders and I believe that the simpler it is, the more we can maximize our energy and time. Over- all, whatever bag you choose to carry, it is most important that you are comfortable, happy and confident. 

Sky Gazing

I named this entry Sky Gazing because one of my past times is spent in our balcony gazing at the sky and I get to take snapshots of anything amazing.

 Dusk

 Double Rainbow

 Sunset

An upcoming Thunder Storm

Sky Gazing is one of the things I do to unwind. I take a cuppa with me and just stare at the clouds or just plainly appreciate the things around and of course, city life. This kind of opportunity is truly I'm grateful for. Right outside my balcony, I see such beauty, breathtaking view of mother nature. Never in my life I have seen and experienced this kind of privilege to appreciate the sky right outside my very doorstep.

And just recently, Fireworks!

Fulfilled Dream 2015

How's everybody? and yes I'm back. 2015 has been a year of surprises and our focus went around our new home.

Early last year, my family and I welcomed 2015 with some good news, an early move- in at the new 2 bedroom condo we just bought. The official turn over was expected late in 2015, but God works wonders and we got our condo almost a year ahead of the original time. Throughout the year, my husband and I worked on the interior. Every 3 months since the final build- out, we add something new. And we're so proud that we  met our deadline on time. Exactly 2 weeks before 2015 ended, we were able to finish everything. 

During the 3rd quarter of 2015, our new home was featured in a write- up by Rappler. Yes, they went to our condo interviewed my husband and took photos of our humble home. A few weeks after, another group came and did a photo shoot with the whole family, interviewed us and of course took images of our condo, again. I will not mention names behind this production, but definitely our page is in one of AyalaLand's magazines--- which was Ayala's early Christmas gift to the family.

Early? because a week before Christmas, we were handed copies of the said magazine. Our family and our home was first to be featured. This I have to say, the spread gave great emphasis on how we gave our new home a personal touch. We are very happy with the write up. It's quite different from the rest, especially the story and reason behind this move we made on getting our own home and why we chose AyalaLand. It's a fulfilled dream because we designed the interior. The cut of our unit is exactly what we wanted. Location wise, it's in the middle of everything, it's a "prime property" at the heart of Quezon City. Everything we wanted for our dream home, we were able to achieve.

Family, Faith, Set Priorities, Dreams, Hard Work and Sacrifice are the key words. At this time of crisis our country is undergoing, most of us think that acquiring such property will only remain a dream. I thought of that too, because there's just my husband working for the family. As parents and as partners, we'll have to put our foot down at some point and say, let's do this! Those key words, are the things we hold on to even up to now. Nothing is impossible, it's up to you or it's up to us when and how to make these dreams and goals happen.

Thankful. 2015 started and ended right. As we enter a new year, we're set to have new goals and life improvements. Change will always be there and we need to embrace it and let ourselves explore what life has to offer. Take risks, always be good to others and fear will not haunt you and prevent you from fulfilling your dreams.

The Xtraordinarymom is going to be back January 2016.

Hope everyone is having an amazing time this Holiday Season.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas & Have a Blessed New Year!!!

-image source- 

Color Child

Aside from cooking and baking, one of my past times is some fun time with coloring books. Coloring has always been there since I was a kid. My mom loves to color and it's one of the things I shared with her and inspired me to join Art Club in school. Through the years, both me and my mom has been buying coloring books even if its more for kids.

So when the adult coloring books came out, we got really excited. I mean, this time, the drawings are more for our age. I like floral patterns more than anything else, but I still opted to get the coloring book which has all the patterns. I saw several themed adult coloring books, but the drawings didn't really catch my attention. If not too small, there was just too much going on.

There are several adult coloring books being sold in almost every bookstore and gift shop. Most of them costs from 350- 500php. But when I went to the SM Store, I found a bunch for just 150php each. Let's see... same patterns, the size is just right, not too big, not too small. A book contains several drawings from florals, mandalas, animals and random patterns... why not, feels like I hit the jackpot!

Whatever coloring book you're using, the important thing in this whole experience is to meet the purpose. Coloring has become a therapeutic thing for me. It relaxes and gives me a chance to become a kid again even by heart. I found a coloring material fit for my age, but it doesn't mean I'll let go of the old- fashioned kid's coloring book.

This is my 5th floral pattern: I call it the "flower child with a rock n' roll soul"--- I got the caption online, which also inspired the title for this post. My husband told me that it reminds him of a Jimi Hendrix concert.

24 Maped Color'Peps 185php

It's A Shorts Thing

I'm a woman of shorts. I wear shorts almost everyday and anywhere I go. In some countries, we see jackets, sweaters and jeans as staple items. Here in the Philippines we have shorts. It's a tropical country, so we wear light clothing most of the time and with style.

When it comes to choices, I always go for the basic. Black, white, beige and denim. It's a must to have at least 1 pair for each, but I want to add navy in my line for a change. Just yesterday, I was browsing online for designs and styles. Zalora has a wide selection of casual wear that's also super stylish. A good pair can make the simplest design and style the most fashionable. I can mix and match shorts with almost anything.

On a personal note, I always wear shorts because I can move around with my kids in tow. I mean, having 2 boys around requires so much running, walking and jumping. I really feel easy and relaxed when wearing shorts more than anything else especially when traveling. My family loves going on road trips and quick getaways. Not only that a good pair of shorts is the most comfortable to wear, but it's also one of the lightest things to pack. I often pair it with flats, sandals, sneakers and even a Brogue inspired leather shoes.

My birth month is near, it's that time when I go shopping for new clothes, shoes and accessories. One of the things I look forward to is a new batch of shorts that I can use for the next summer and for the rest of the year.