Boho chic

I used to think that I’d be frustrated about having a son when it comes to fashion. When you think of dressing up, you think about girls and dresses, tights, ribbons, petticoats, tiaras, pretty shoes, and other items to create a sweet ensemble.

It seems though that these days, fashion for little boys can’t be found lacking. Statement shirts are a favorite in my family, and the husband was the one who spotted Matthew’ latest pair of footwear which was old school reminiscent.

I also realized that having a little boy also means that I have a male doll to dress up… because God knows I should try to insist my sometimes zany sense of style to Armand. That’s asking him to not just stretch out of his comfort zone, but to make a leap into a different universe altogether.

So I was thrilled that Kaz unveiled her pasalubong for Matthew from her recent trip to Bangkok: little fisherman’s pants! How cool is that.

Thank you, Tita Kaz!

I must mention, however, that there is a little resistance in wearing the pants these days… the tie got loose one time and the pants fell. The boy knows embarrassment, I’m sorry to say. (hehe)

Time to move

After several unsuccessful househunting trips, my husband and I found the place we are to call home soon.  It all happened very quickly.  I received a text message from the broker, who had suddenly remembered about a house for rent, and we scheduled a viewing.

I knew the moment the gate opened that the house was the one.  We were greeted by a long driveway, with a little yard on the side, and led to (what could be) a lanai.  Inside, we were greeted by space — the one thing I’ve been longing for a long time.

We expressed our interest that day, and by the next week, met to sign the lease.  We are thrilled to move.  I had a list of requirements, almost like a wishlist, while we were looking and I’m glad I did.  First, I wanted enough room for Matthew to have his own place, for my home office, for my husband to have his own space for his music and work, and for us to entertain friends and family.  Second, I wanted something that wasn’t just concrete; I wanted some plants and nature to surround us.  Third, I wanted security in the form of a gated village.  Fourth, I wanted to be near family still.  And I got a bonus — there are several preschools in the area, so one of the first things we’ll be doing is visiting and checking them out.

The only thing I didn’t ask for was that it be in perfect, ready-to-move in condition. We’re arranging for some painting and fixing up in the next weeks, which is totally fine.  It makes me feel good to know that we were able to spot the potential, and feel lucky that no one beat us to it.

So here we are, beginning not just a new chapter, but a whole new book of our lives.  The move excites us not just because of the thrill of a new place, but because of the opportunities we are opening ourselves to.  Space, oh glorious space, should free us up to do more things that had always restricted us in the past.  Now, we are creating a home to enjoy, instead of one we escape, every day.

Starting early

This morning, I created and sent an info kit for a prospective medical advisor, I revised a script for an AVP client, and I finished a load of laundry.

Last night, I fell asleep earlier than I had hoped, so reluctantly, as I wanted to do a lot more things.

This morning, I woke up earlier than I expected, beating my alarm.  I’m refreshed and ready to tackle my day.  I should just do it this way, right?

I guess I’ve been like a kid who just wants to push the end of the day back as far as possible.  And I just would end up being tired and unproductive.  And now… well, I’m off to get breakfast ready for my sleeping boys.

Crossing my fingers that I can keep this up!

Bubbly boys

Seeing well-loved friends and having your kids truly enjoy each other’s company make for a perfect way to cap a Sunday.

Now, this is a picture of happiness.

Matthew and Sancho chasing bubbles.

*photo nicked from Cookie

A face for inspiration

My sister-in-law, Candy, a gifted writer and illustrator, recently blogged about a comic workshop, at which she attempted to create expressions for her latest character, Evil Baby.

Her efforts revealed that he looked a bit like Matthew.

She took that shot last December during the Christmas holidays. Matthew had just turned two and had just discovered how to make the “angry face.”

Well, I think I should let Candy know…

…that there’s more where that came from.

And perhaps, it would be wise to throw in a couple extra expressions for good measure:

Happy drawing!

Designing for a retreat

As much as I love my boys, I am secretly hankering for a place all of my own. I realize that the option is more plausible than I though… when we move, I shall have a little home office. While, of course, its practical purpose would be to have the space for me to effectively get some work done, privately and peacefully, it will also serve as the one room that I would not have to share.

Growing up, I had a different way of addressing all matters girly. I liked being soft and feminine, with skirts and slacks, let’s say, but I would balk at the frilly items, like ruffles. The same went for interiors. I never ever wanted a pink or lavender or pastel room, but I did find a warm rose pink attractive enough for window dressing.

Later on, I started leaning towards the more modern and edgy aesthetics. In fact, looking at the photo pegs I’ve accumulated for design inspiration, it’s hard not to miss the trend.

You can tell that I like things very urban, with very clean lines, stark palette, and uncluttered. It’s an aesthetic that translates well for both genders, almost asexual, if you think about it. Its a good canvass for putting an identity on display, something as a couple or as a family you build together.

Now, strangely enough, a few stray images have been making their way to my little file folder. Floral prints. Paisley. Even some pastel. But before anyone thinks I’ve gone on to the other end, into the realm of Shabby Chic, know that it’s more of finding my own little happy medium.

I seem to be reverting back to a taste that is more eclectic. I have always found a strange sense of harmony in balancing mismatched items. This personal style still sometimes comes out in my own fashion sense, but I have not had the chance to explore it in my own home.

So for starters, in creating a space all my own, I’ll let my instinct lead the way, into color, texture, freshness. Maybe a mix of vintage, Euro chic, sophisticated suburban, and summer-inspired style.

I am looking forward to seeing where this self-exploration will lead, and how eventually it will come together to be unapologetically, uniquely mine.

Mini financing

I have been wanting to get Matthew a little coin bank, for quite some time. A piggy bank, would be classic. But I need something sturdy and fun, because we’re talking about an active toddler, and something quite pretty and elegant, because it has to be in my house.

This idea for a kiddie bank occurred to me when I started finding coins in the shoe drawers. In the closet drawers. Under the couch cushions. Anywhere a coin can fit. I’m not sure what the boy thinks coins are for, but he knows that they can fit into slits.

I also think it’s never too late to begin teaching him about money. He doesn’t ask for us to buy him toys (generally, he just wants to stay for hours on end in a toy store, but is perfectly fine leaving without a purchase), but he does ask us to buy certain things when I tell him that we’ve run out of them. Like milk. Or Chuckie (chocolate milk). Or juice. Or bread. Or cheese.

Sometimes I give in to little white lies, when I am lazy or when I actually have a legitimate reason like not wanting him to ruin his appetite. So I tell him that we’ve run out of his current request. And then he’d tell me to go buy in the store. Should I tell him that there’s no car, he’d tell me to take a tricycle. If I tell him that it’s too late or too early, he’d tell me to walk — he knows that there are at last two convenience stores down the road.

Recently, I told him I didn’t have money. And asked him for some. It left him stumped. Then I realized that it was the perfect opportunity for him to actually learn the concept of saving. He learned about the spending concept way too early, and certainly has the means for some logic.

Now if I can only get my hands on a good kind of coin bank. It would be interesting to see what he would do with his “own” money.

Waiting to exhale

It’s a little hard, for me, to maintain a blog, to write regularly when my job is to write.

It’s even harder when I feel like writing about certain things will, well, be like jumping the gun.

You see, I was hoping that by this time, I’d be working out of my new home office, in my new home. But as it is, we can barely squeeze time for househunting.

Needless to say, I’ve been stressing myself out like crazy to get everything done. And like my friend Cybil stated, it’s like I need more than 24 hours in a day. I believe I’ve said that more than once myself.

Until I realized that the problem was that I keep on making plans that won’t fit in a regular, sane person’s day. Why the rush? There’s this sense of impatience, this itch to be somewhere else already. I think it comes with the feeling of knowing where you want to be. Waiting is so tiresome, sometimes.

But waiting can be such a luxury, especially when gratitude comes into play. Because, really, there is much to be thankful for.

At the very least, a little gamble had paid off. I found my perfect working setup: a job that recognizes my editorial career, that finds use in my freelancer ways, and that places a value in my role as a mother. It allows me to work from home, to take care of my son, and to work on something that I deem to be important. All this came at a point when I agreed to slow it down and to stop aggressively fielding for projects, to focus on my family, and to support my husband’s choices for his career.

The proverbial cherry-topper is that my husband is on his way to molding his own career. While I think we make a good team, stressful circumstances withstanding, we also are very good on our own — and we do have separate roads to explore.

Ultimately, by sticking to our convictions, we are providing Matthew with two strong, happy, fulfilled parents. It’s hard a lot of times, but it’s never, ever fruitless.

And yes, we’re still waiting for our efforts to come to fruition, and while we hold our breaths, we just (must) continue to forge ahead.