The Woman in the Mirror is Me

Have you seen yourself in the mirror lately? I did. And I didn't like what I saw. Dark spots, fine lines, and gray hairs! I'm old. I'm really getting old. =(

A few years back, I've been told that I look young at my age but that was before I got married and gave birth. Now at 31 years, I can't help but ask myself if I would still pass as a women in her 20s. Hmmm... I guess not specially from all those sleepless night that comes with taking care of a baby. Quino turned 6 months last week by the way.

So now, the big question. Should I just let it pass since aging is inevitable anyway. Or should I do something about it? Hell yeah! I got to do something about it! ASAP! New Year is just around the corner which means I'll turn a year older in a few months!! Arrggh!!

First, I need to change my eating habits. I'll try to eat healthy. That means lessen all the fried stuff and add veggies to my daily meal. I guess I also have to lessen my junk food cravings. Exercise? Hmmmm... I've better start again soon. I actually liked the fact that I wasn't able to shed the extra 12 pounds since giving birth. I'm now at 115 lbs and I think it suits me well. It made me loom healthy than my previous 103 lbs, 5'4, sickly frame.

My make up kit (everyday essentials) consists of MAC studio fix powder foundation NC30, Avon smooth mineral blush in blushed, Maybelline Lash Discovery Mascara, VMV Hypoallergenics Armada Lipbalm, Maybelline Lipstick in buff, and Revlon lipstick in true red. Those are the only makeup I use. I have some eyeshadows from Clinique and Lancome but I seldom use it anyway so it doesn't count. As for my daily regimen, I use Dove soap, Pantene shampoo and conditioner, Nivea lotion, Body Shop scrub, Ponds facial wash, and Nivea sparkling white cream.

Calling the beauty junkies and experts out there! Can someone recommend some of their favorite makeups and beauty products? I'm leaning on changing my blusher and lipstick. I heard about Nars orgasm and super orgasm. Any feedbacks? I'm also looking for the best anti aging and whitening products in the market. I've read about good feedback on VMV cleansers and Olay total effects. Are these good?

I'll get myself new products this year. I'll add these in my new year's resolution. My goodness, my son is so cute so I need to cope up with his looks. I don't want to be mistaken as my son's yaya!

young woman or an old lady?

Movers Connection

I've been sooo busy the last few weeks that I haven't been updating my blog. You see, I've been busy with the latest chapter in my married life. We finally moved out and living on our own. Just the three of us - husband, wife, and baby. Ok, make it four including our helper.

We've been thinking of moving out once I give birth but my in laws wanted to take care of the baby. I guess it was better in a way since we'll be able to save more for the renovation of our house. Yes, it's not a brand new house. My parents gave/lend it to us so we could start on our own. Shameless, I know but I was really in desperate need to move out. A castle cannot have 2 kings and queens afterall.

I pretty much left everything to them since my husband knows how I would prefer our house to be. I've been saving pics on my dream kitchen, bedroom, livingroom, bathroom, etc. He liked most of it anyway so I was confident my husband knows exactly what we wanted. These are some of our inspirations. Our theme is red, black, white, and gray.

It was a nightmare for me though, in terms of budgeting. I know it could be costly but I didn't realize that it would be THAT COSTLY! Aside from the cost of rebuilding the house, we had to buy appliances and furniture. We were lucky enough to have a few appliances and some basic household stuff which we got as wedding gifts. Nonetheless, we are officially rich in dept.

Moving out was easy as well since we've brought a few of our stuff over on a weekly basis since last month. As for the furniture, well, almost everything was new so it was delivered straight to our home.

I really want to share and blog about a lot of things since this housewife stuff is just new and exciting to me. Like me starting to learn how to cook, plan meals, budget, helper issue, etc, but I just have so little time. I guess those are what I'll be blogging about in the next few months!

A better way to end this story is to give you a peek of our modest home. It still feels empty since we still have lots of spaces and walls to decorate and it's not as big as I would have wanted but like how one eraserheads song goes, "bahay namin maliit lamang, pero pero pero malinis to pati sa kusina." ;D

Bookworm

I just bought 3 books last weekend. I was on sky high! I realize that I've been a zombie spending my day in front of the telly and laptop for the last few months (that is, when I'm not taking care of my baby boy) and frankly, I feel that my brain is getting skinny as my arse. I've been itching to buy books for weeks so when the release of my much anticipated book for this year, "Son Of Neptune" finally came, I'm glad I was able to find other good reads to feed my starving brain and imagination.

I love books! I guess my 550-graded eyeglasses can attest to that. I read everything from classic, horror, fantasy, inspirational, religious, adventure, even comics and sometimes those old boring philosophical ones. Except love stories. Nope. I don't read purely romantic books. I don't know but it just bores me. Right now, my favorites are those for young adults.

I started reading and collecting pocketbooks when I was in third grade. I can still remember my first three books: 1 Sweet Valley Kids and 2 Sweet Valley Twins. I was hooked! I was lucky enough to have a father who was more than willing to buy books for his spoiled daughter.

In high school, I was told not to spend too much time reading since my astigmatism is getting higher - from 50, it went up to 225 in two years. As a result, my papa decided to refrain from buying too many books. But hey, ever heard of the library? Almost every other day, I borrowed books from our library and spent my time at home curled up in my room with books on my right hand and food on my left.

Sometimes I'd miss those day.. those lazy days when I can finish a book for a day. Now, its already a luxury if I can finish five chapters uninterrupted. And of course I can't bring my books to anywhere I want to. I don't like to see crumpled books with folded pages. I always make sure I take care of my books properly so I don't open them too widely when I'm reading.

A friend also suggested that I get a kindle or an iPad with ebook reader. That would look so neat, in a techie geeky kind of way. I really would if I could but I can't so I shan't. Remember my astigmatism? I don't want to be legally blind in a few years! 550 is already freaking high! Anyway, traditional books or ebooks, I don't care, I just hope I'll be able to finish my recent stash before October ends. I'm craving for more and I intend on adding a few good titles on my booklist.

On Cloth Diapers: Babies Are Expensive!

A friend told me once that they're not in a hurry to have a baby since they are simply too costly, that they're not financially and emotionally ready to have one. You know what, they're oh so right!

My goodness, we allot about Php5,000 just for baby Quino's daily need like milk, diaper, and distilled water. Monthly vaccines and other baby stuff not included, which may fall between Php5,000-Php10,000. Of this total, we're spending Php1,000 monthly for disposable diapers. That's a lot of money if you'll think of the yearly cost from birth until your baby is potty trained.

This is why I decided to use cloth diapers instead. Although a piece is expensive at Php1,000 (atleast the brand that I'm using)but if you'll think about it, is it actually cheaper in the long run, it's also good for the environment. These are actually a modern kind of cloth diapers and not the traditional lampin that our mothers used when we were little (but according to my mom, she used disposable diapers when I was a baby). I tried using the traditional lampin on my baby but I can't figure out how to fold it. Hehehe. Sorry, newbie mommy here.

A few friends discouraged me from using one mainly because its too much of a hassle and modern cloth diapers are not exactly cheaper like a pack of disposable ones. Yeah, I know it's too tedious but I'm really after the long tern goal.

I also found out that using cloth diaper will make potty training easier for babies. And since I plan on having another child (in a couple of years), our next baby can even wear the same diapers my baby Quino is now using.

The best thing I like about cloth diapers is that in my own little way, I'll be able to help save Mother Earth. I'm not really sure if disposable diapers are non biodegradable, but I know that by using one, I won't be adding to the overflowing landfills in metro manila.

These are some of the reasons I choose to use cloth diapers. It's like a road less traveled specially here in the Philippines - something that not every mother would prefer.

Sweet Dreams Are Made Of These

For the last few weeks, my officemates and I have been discussing on how to have an extra income. From tutorial to paid by clicks online, name it we've talked about it. Why do we need it when we have stable jobs? Of course, to have more money! We can never have too many money. Don't get me wrong, I love the simple things in life like waking up every morning, a kiss and hug from my loved ones, and a simple smile from anybody I know. But money will also give me the stuffs that I've been dreaming about.

One of those officemates, Jodet of The Kitchen Apron created her dreamboard - the things she wanted to have as a result of her hard earned money. That's why I decided to make mine. I actually had this list since I graduated from college. It's the things I wanted to have for myself before I reach 50 years old. I don't really need a long list since most of the time, I'm contented with my life or with what I have. You can say that these are just some stuff that will make me say that I'm really really contented and fulfilled.

1. Egypt, 2. Cambodia, and 3. Italy. These are the three countries I badly want to visit. Sure, traveling to other places will make me happy but these three are my ultimate dream destinations. The Pyramids of Egypt, The Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and Rome, Italy. I guess I'm just a history buff and have always been fascinated in the ancient civilization.

4. Emerald ring and earrings. Just because my favorite color is green and emerald is my birth stone.

5. Own house and lot. I know I'll inherit a few from my parents but nothing beats the pride and satisfaction to say that I bought my own house and lot from my own money.

6. Baby. One of the things I fear the most is not being able to produce an offspring. I'm glad I did and I want 2 more if possible. That's one dream fulfilled!

7. Car. Just like number 5, I want to get one for myself. How can I be a soccer mom if I don't have my own car? But first I need to learn how to drive. Hahaha!

8. Partner in life. Number 6 will not be possible without the number 7 on my list. I thought I would never find another man after the trauma I've experienced from my first boyfriend. I'm glad I found the one. That's a big check on my list!

2 out of 8 is not so bad huh. Anyway, I still have two decades to achieve these things. Are these possible? Or do think it'll remain a dream? You betcha it is! I believe in the power of perseverance and positive thinking. ;)