Mom-Finds: Mad About Stripes

Last Friday of the month:  Fashion / Shopping

Stripes will never go out of style.  A striped tee is a wardrobe staple, a very versatile piece that can be dressed up or down.  That goes for kids wear too. 

After Christmas, my girl and I went malling and I was thrilled to discover these classic breton shirts from Uniqlo - for kids! Naturally, I bought one for the girl, and then she received another top as a birthday gift.  We love 'em!

I like how soft and smooth the material is - still comfortable and cool to wear with our warm climate even if it comes in long sleeves.  Presko pa rin.  It's reasonably priced at PhP500+ and comes in different colors.  My girl just turned 7 and can still fit in size 120, and comfortable with ample allowance in a 130.

We also picked up this pretty gartered blouse with our Pois Belly and Kids christmas gift cards.  It has a unique shoulder detail, with a bunny patch design on dark pink stripes.  Click on the photo to see how she wore it after new year.

This button-down bubble dress is also from Pois Belly and Kids.  She wore this during her birthday lunch celebration with the whole family.  It's so chic with the thin yellow belt.

I wrote about my fave breton shirt here from Zara.  This black and white striped tee below is another style from their organic cotton collection, at PhP995.  Again, very light and comfy.  This is as basic as you can get.

I'm excited about the new arrivals from Elin - I am eyeing the blue and white stripes on the left. The front pockets make for interesting details.  Check out the Madeline collection here.

You can't go wrong with these stripes!
Happy shopping! =)


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Mom-Friday OOTD: Shrug It!

Introducing... my first ever "outfit of the day", a.k.a. OOTD, post in the blog, not counting the Mom-Style features.  I'm not good at this.  I mean, to begin with, this is not a fashion blog despite having a few style posts here and there.  I don't know how to pose, I don't even have a covetable wardrobe! =)  For the new year, I counted only two #momfridayOOTD posts on my Instagram.  See them below.


This is a completely random post, but I'm feeling it today.  So, here's something new and unexpected for you, but please excuse the awkward pose... and the cropped head... and the un-styled shot.  =)

January 28, 2014 :  I wore my (really old) white tee and black pants with flats when I brought my kid to school.  I then changed to pointy pumps and thew over this long, billowy green printed shrug to dress up the whole look for a luncheon event.

The shrug did it. Got lucky with this piece brought in from Bali by my friend. Can't find one locally that's as nice as this one.

Scoop neck tee:  U2

Pants:  Paige Denim

Suede heels:  Calvin Klein

Pom-pom trimmed cotton shrug: I Shine 365

Two weeks ago :  Here's my first #momfridayOOTD IG post, after I had my new year spa-pedi session I shared here.  I'm in a blue ELIN Bernice dress, tied with a Zara heather gray cardigan.

That's it.  How do I look? heehee...
Check the hashtag #momfridayOOTD on Instagram to see my other OOTD posts.  But don't expect too much! =)  No fuss, easy dressing, and don't expect designer labels here either. =)

'Til the next one!

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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My Mom-Friday Slum Book: Getting to Know YOU

Freestyle Friday:  Blog / Readers / Random

January 2014 has five Fridays, which means I get to post all my Friday categories this first month of the year, yehey!!! Today is the fourth Friday (the "last Friday" Mom-Finds will be for next week), so it's Freestyle Friday - anything goes, no assigned topic.

Since it's the start of the year, I'd really want to take this chance to know more about my readers for a change. My blog is turning 5 this coming May, and in all those years, I can't recall dedicating a post just to ask questions about you. This time, please indulge me with this Q&A to get to know YOU, to help me make this blog better and more interesting for you this year and in the years to come.

On the sidebar, you'll see my most popular posts - a nice mix of food, parenting, and recreation features.  I like knowing what topics people search for and enjoy reading here.  So, what else did you like from the blog?

If you grew up in my generation, the slum book / slam book is the coolest way to know more about our friends and classmates, even teachers!  It's like a bio, trivia, scrapbook, all in one cute compact notebook or journal.  

Now, it's your turn. 

Tell me as little or as many info as you like.  Feel free to add or subtract from the list of questions below.  Ask me questions too, if you like. =)

My Mom-Friday Readers' Slum Book

1. Who are you? (Nickname, or social media handle/profile name)
2. Where are you from? (city, country)
3. What age group do you belong to?  (20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s?)
4. What do you do? Occupation?
5. Single? Married? With Kids? Complicated? =)
6. Hobbies, special interests?
7. What's your motto? =)
8. What do you usually search for or like reading online?
9. What are your favorite blog posts or topics here? 
10. What other expectations do you have from me or from my blog? Likes and Dislikes about this blog?
11. What have you tried/bought/made from any of the products/services/ideas featured here?
12. Do you follow @mymomfriday on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook?  If not, follow me now for instant posts and updates! =)

Follow my daily musings and discoveries here:

My Mom-Friday on Facebook

@mymomfriday on Twitter and Instagram

Follow this blog via Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin', or Subscribe Via Email

I really hope you can share something about yourselves in the comment box. 

I'm looking forward to reading our "slum book"! (",)  If you have friends who read my blog, please share this with them too, so I can get to know them.

If you want to learn some unknown facts about me, you can revisit 25-random-things-about-mom-friday. And of course, there's my WHO page.

I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
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New Year Pedi from Nail It! Salon - S&R Shaw

Before the holiday season, I was already planning on having some pampering session for myself and J.  We've been wanting to have a massage to de-stress and ease our body pains. Too bad for us, it never happened.  For my part, my feet were screaming for a pedicure since November.  I ended up doing it myself.  After new year, I was finally able to book a decent foot spa and pedi from the newly opened Nail It! Salon S&R branch along Shaw.

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Fun Friday: What to Prepare for a "Frozen"-inspired Birthday Play Date

Third Friday of the month:  Event / Celebration / Party

Remember I was just planning a Frozen-themed birthday party for the girl?  That was last week. It did not turn out to be as "Frozen" as she wanted... it was not even meant to be a party, heeheehee! So, what did happen?

As promised, here's the 7th birthday play date of M with her classmates (note: no boys allowed), and how I almost pulled off a Frozen-inspired "party" at home.

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Watch The Way You Want with SKYcable + RAFFLE

I don't know anyone without cable TV these days.  All homes I know have at least 1 cable subscription.  With our household hooked on TV- and movie-watching, having one is a must. Before I got married, my family used to be with another cable TV service provider, which was eventually bought by SKYcable.  We've now been with SKYcable for more than a decade.

"Only SKYcable gives you a world of limitless possibilities with its widest selection of channels and different ways to enjoy it."  It has the most varied and relevant cable TV programs with great value-added services for your family’s viewing enjoyment, #TheWayYouWantIt.

Currently, our SKYcable subscription is under Dual Def Bronze 499, plus NBA Premium HD. Their after-sale service is quite efficient, and anything we need can be called in.  Of course, we also experienced minor technical issues in the past but were quickly resolved with a visit by their technicians.  Overall, we are very happy and satisfied customers.  SKYcable even assigned a personal concierge to attend to our cable TV service needs! Bongga! =)

Before we go to our instant blog raffle courtesy of SKYcable, let me share some of their innovative features and services, which made our subscription package more flexible, making SKYcable the leading cable TV service provider.

Did you know....

SKYcable has the most number of standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) channels

• Over 180 channels for the entire family - genres include Movies, Sports, Kids, Learning, Music, News, Lifestyle, and more
• Most number of high definition (HD) channels - this is one of the features we love most, with 42 HD channels to choose from - the most in the country!

Subscribers have ability to add channels and packs to your basic plan

• Choose and add channels and packs to your basic subscription plan to suit the family’s viewing preferences - we avail of this flexible add-on service especially during NBA season =)
• Some Select Packs include:  
• FOX Pack (P299/month); HBO Pack (both SD and HD at P350/month); Movie Pack (P550/month); Sports Pack (P550/month); Kids Pack (P249/month); Korean Pack 1 or 2 (P199 or 900/month); HD 40 Pack (P1999/month) which airs Cartoon Network, Cinemax, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, E!, Food Network, Fox channels, HBO channels, History Channel, Nat Geo channels, Adventure HD, Nat Geo channels, NBA Premium, Star World, and many more!

SKYcable enables you to take control of your TV viewing with iRecord

• iRecord allows you to pause, record, and rewind live TV - now you can't miss your favorite shows
• First and only Personal Video Recorder (PVR) feature in the country

Subscribers get access to special shows and events through SKYcable Pay-Per-View and Free View

• Get FREE access to special shows and programs - like last year’s boxing event between Mayweather and Canelo Alvares
• Get access to the widest variety of live entertainment with  Pay-Per-View - from sporting matches, blockbuster movies to live coverage of special events and concerts.

This 60-sec. video sums it up:

Are you a SKYcable subscriber?  How's your experience?

Now let's have a little fun with my first blog raffle of the year!

SKYcable is giving away these cool premium items to one (1) lucky My Mom-Friday blog reader!

WIN this PRIZE PACKAGE:

SKYcable iPad sleeve

Warner TV notebook

Warner TV tissue holder

Lifetime fortune cookie

Breaking Bad stress ball

E! Tumbler

Discovery Kids notebook

Madagascar HBO notebook

It's so easy to join.  Just follow the simple Rafflecopter steps for instant entries!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

• A confirmation email will be sent to the winner with instructions to claim the prize.
• This raffle is open to all blog readers, as long as you can claim the SKYcable prize package at:  Unit 2E03 & 2E05, Building 5, Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City.
• Blog raffle runs until January 24, midnight.

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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Family Friday: Beat the Holiday Bug and Hangover

Second Friday of the month:  Health / Home

I think my title should have been - "failed to beat" the holiday bug and hangover. Christmas is over, and it's been over a week since we ushered in 2014.  But something tagged along with us as we started the year, and it's not what we wanted welcoming us into the new year! One weekend after another, starting before Christmas until last weekend, family members took turns catching what I call the holiday bug.  It was a combination of flu-like symptoms, coughs and colds combo, and a case of sore throat.

First it was J, then the boy, and just last weekend, it was my turn.  The girl was fortunately spared, but still experienced mild dry coughs sporadically during this period.  I've learned that many of my friends have caught the bug too, during the holidays, some even in worse cases. I believe there's a virus going around.  It was really a bummer to be sick during this festive season. 

The holidays can be suuuper stressful and exhausting, especially for us homemakers. I guess I was trying to stretch and postpone this "sick" feeling I had since Christmas.  There were still so many things to do, several gatherings to attend, taking the kids out to have fun, and it's just not fair to miss out on the revelry if I allowed myself to get sick during those times.  It's only once a year that we get to do this, and yes, it may be tiring and can suck the life out of me, but I choose to celebrate the season with my family.  I know if I get sick, the home will not "operate" and the kids will be stuck at home too.  And for selfish reasons, I don't want to miss out on the food and the treats that come with the holidays! =)  As my girl kept on saying, "Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year!"  Now, where did she get that? =)

After all that's happened over the past few weeks, I survived the holidays.  Grateful, blessed, happy.

It did not help that we were still experiencing the annual holiday hangover, and would just rather sleep until noon and lay in bed watching missed shows, or in the kids' case, playing with their gadgets.  I'm sure we're not the only ones feeling this, right?

Last weekend, my body finally gave in, just when the kids are getting ready to go back to school. At least tapos na ang mga celebration! It was just minor discomfort, so we were still able to have our Sunday family lunch at my parents' house.  I guess my usual home remedies worked - I took Biogesic for the body aches and headache, Bactidol to gargle with 2-3 times a day, and a daily pot of soothing lemon-ginger tea with honey, aside from downing lots of water in between.

I felt much better last Monday.  Back-to-school blues and stressing over the girl's birthday preparations and celebration last Wednesday may have overworked my system.  Now here I am again, sore throat and all.  The worst part? I lost my voice when I woke up Thursday morning, and J is having gastro-intestinal problems!  As I write this, I feel I'm slowly on my way to getting my groove back.  My voice is still hoarse and itchy.  J is feeling some relief.  I know we'll be fully adjusted in the coming week.  After all that's happened, I'm taking it as a cue to start a health regimen of some sorts.  I still don't know how yet, but I want this year to be a more health-conscious year for the whole family.

How's your health this new year?

Here's to good health... and wealth na rin! =)

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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Planning a "Frozen" Birthday Party with the Girl

While I have a gazillion things to do after the holiday break, I am rush-planning the girl's "Frozen"-themed 7th birthday on Wednesday, her exact birthday.  She's been bugging me for months to have a play date with her classmates at home and I kept on delaying, mainly because it's not as easy as it sounds.

During the holidays, she asked for us to schedule again and I told her, if she's good, maybe we can have it on her birthday.  But I was still hoping she won't push for it.  Aside from her usual simple celebration in class, we only plan a family lunch with the grannies and cousins to celebrate.  For weeks now, she's been counting down to her big day, even asking me how many more days 'til January 8!  She's stressing me out!

After her 6th birthday last year, I wrote how to plan a simple school party here.  I am now reading back to check what I need to prepare this year, and maybe do less! =)

It was only on new year's eve that I finally said yes to her request. Daddy approved as well. Last weekend, I sat down with her to finalize all the details, and she even wrote a checklist of things we need to buy for her play date / party.  I also rushed to make an invitation she wants to send out (see top photo).

Invitation, check.
Cake, check.
Cupcakes, check.
Lunch for class, check.
Snacks for play date - check.

She knows it's impossible for us to get Disney's "Frozen" items at this time, so she settled for DIY invitations and snowflake-decorated cake and cupcakes.  Well, technically, this is not a "Frozen"-themed birthday, but just inspired by the movie.  And it's not really a party, but mainly a play date with her classmates as part of her wish for her birthday.

Here are my pegs for the cakes I ordered.  We also bought Disney Infinity video game with the Elsa and Anna characters, to be used as cake toppers.

This was how our conversation went in the kitchen last Saturday, while making our list:

M:   So, we're inviting all 10 classmates na?
Me: Yes.
M:   Yey! Did you print the invitation? I want to print, I want to surprise them!
Me: Not yet, I'll just send an email to the parents and will text first to ask them.
M:   Ok, ask them if they will allow.  
       Only girl classmates, okay? 10 girls. 
       Did you print the activities already?  
Me: I will.  Let me finish this list first.  Do you know if they like corn dogs, pasta? How about fruits, popcorn? What juice to they like?
M:   I don't know what they like, I don't see what they eat... you also need a box for the cupcakes... (long pause) it's not easy to plan a play date?
Me: It's not.
I think she saw how worked up I was dealing with the small details to her "simple" party, hahahaha...

Whatever happens, I know she'll have a fun time just being with her friends on her long-requested play date.  That will make her really happy on her birthday.  I will share with you a post-birthday feature here soon!

Part 2 in planning our Frozen-theme playdate party:

http://www.mymomfriday.com/2014/01/fun-friday-what-to-prepare-for-frozen.html

Image sources:

Elsa and Anna - http://www.rotoscopers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/disney-frozen-anna-elsa-new-design.png

Olaf - http://media.tumblr.com/fc54c943fc1d678b797f67cbbbf298cd/tumblr_inline_ms9198bJ4C1qz4rgp.png

Snowflakes wallpaper - http://frozenwallpaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Anna-Frozen-Wallpaper.jpg

Snowflake cupcake - http://www.glorioustreats.com/2010/12/snowflake-cupcakes.html

Blue fondant cake - http://demo.codingstaff.org/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29856

Icy blue snowflake cupcake - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/332140541238179391/

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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Foodie Friday: Homemade Longganisa, Cheese Pimiento, and Chocolate Spoons

First Friday of the month:  Food Finds

The holiday season is over, but I still can't get over the taste and flavors of the assortment of food I consumed over the past weeks.  I'm thankful for all the goodies we were showered with last month.  There were the usual cakes and pastries, hams and sweets and local delicacies.  For this first foodie post of 2014, I am sharing a few standouts from the yummy treats we received, mainly because they're different and homemade, making them more memorable. =)

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Humour, Wisdom, Inspiration for the New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!

I've shared some round-up posts from 2013, and so, I was thinking that for the first day of 2014, I'd share some funny, enlightening, and inspiring quotes about home and family that I came across in the year that was.  Hopefully, these can serve as inspiration as we begin the new year, and also as a personal reminder that I can overcome day to day challenges if I prioritize and stay positive.

Click on photo to see my thoughts on each one.
Feel fee to like and share this post if you agree with any of the quotes and funnies. :)

On home life:

Procrastination, one thing I badly need to get out of my system, now.

On parenthood:

On daily challenges:

A big welcome, 2014! Bring it on!

Sources:  Pinterest, Instragram, SomeEcards

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
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