Ribbons and Bows For My Girls In a Row!

Ever since I had girls, I've held myself in tight rein over going absolutely nuts about dressing them up in frou-frou, frilly frocks and flowery ensembles. Their Dad absolutely adores his little girls and only a quick discussion over the price tags would keep us from running to the check out counter laden with armfuls of all things girly for our princesses. Really, if we won something like a mall-wide shopping spree, we'd clean out the shelves at the kids' clothing department in 15 minutes!

To satisfy myself, I'd promised myself that I'd DIY when I had the time and the kids are a little bigger not to be a hazard to themselves and my crafts area! However, since all of them are still at the insatiably curious stage, I'd have to be content with surfing around the web for great ideas for dresses and tutus! Oh, and bloomers! The frilly leg-bottomed, cool cotton children's bloomers like the vintage ones kids used to wear...I want those to protect the girls from mosquito bites, scrapes and gashes. Long jammies, stockings and pants are either awkward to wear for dresses or too hot and scratchy. However, the old-school classics are really light, cool on the skin and practical! And for our little Eva, pretty little baby bloomers !

Of course, we can't just have the pretty dresses! We have to have the hair accessories to go with their long, never-been-cut-since-birth hair! Hats, ribbons, bows, barrettes and baby headbands! Braids, french twists, pigtails, pony tails! Heck, I'd even spring for feathers and beads, tiaras and lace! I'm sure hubby would be so happy to see his princesses look so good but not suffer for it (cotton! hypoallergenics only!) :D

Now, I should just have to figure out closet space for all their pretty things when I get started buying and making these things!

Oona's Birthweek

Quite recently, Oona celebrated her birthweek with yes, a week-long series of little celebrations of doing things she loved and going places she found interesting. Of course, that also meant relaxing the usual rules (within reason!), like an extended bedtime, letting her eat some foods that are normally off-limits (unless it's a special occasion, which this week was) and letting her have a “watching week” where every day was a “watching day”.   

"Watching day" usually means cartoons and age-appropriate movies on the computer or at her Grandma’s house. But this week, we let her pick out all her favorites and she watched them all at home. We set up the small couch in front of the computer, got pillows and blankets and curled up  together watching Disney movies with the air conditioner on until way past bedtime. 

What would have probably made it perfect would be sodas and popcorn as we are ALL suckers for popcorn in all its flavors and colors. No grocery shopping trip would be complete without buying the staple snack! I always make sure we have packs stashed at the ready especially when we’re about to go for car trips. Hungry kids and long rides do not make anyone happy! Besides, it’s healthy and it’s fiber! As long as you don’t pig out on the sweetened, heavily salted ones of course. (Maybe just occasionally!) 

Anyhoo, we would probably all be happy with our own popcorn making machine, if we could have one! Just like the ones here at epopcorn. Check it out! I had no idea there were so many kinds of popcorn makers and that we really could have our own charming model, like the old-fashioned ones. (Of course, we would have to get a real home theater to match!) These guys feature a whole myriad of poppers, from personal serving types to large-scale ones! They also have really cool fun machines like cotton candy makers, snow cone makers...Wouldn't it be fun to have all of it in your own home? Ah well..for now, we’d have to be happy with the store-bought goodies or microwaveable popcorn. For now!

Well, even without the popcorn while Oona was watching her favorite movies snuggled up to her Dad and little sister, I could tell she was still having a blast. Kids are really so easy to please, their joys and pleasures so simple. She may have turned a little older last week, but I hope my girl’s heart remains child-like, even through her next coming birthdays, in that she may always find happiness and joy in even the smallest, simplest things. Don’t they grow up so fast? Just a Mom’s nostalgic meanderings here :)

BURT’S BEES BABY Launches! And A Raffle! A Raffle! :D

Nurture Naturally!

 A suuuuuper favorite, lush organic brand of ours is branching out to include baby stuff! WHY NOW WHEN THE GIRLS ARE PAST INFANCY?! *weep*Nevertheless, I am *so* EXCITED to announce the launch of BURT’S BEES BABY from the Burt’s Bees brand.  TAH-DAH!!!

Burt’s Bees Baby's aim is to be the #1 organic baby brand in the world and debuts with a collection of newborn essentials, including apparel, accessories, bath linens and gift sets. Soon, they will expand to include baby, home, and lifestyle – all exclusively earth-friendly, using 100% organic products and practices and at accessible prices. It's really going to be easier for everyone to indulge in the all-natural goodness that organic products offer through Burt's Bees! Just check out a few things from the Fall 2012 Look Book! 

ARE THEY NOT ADORABLE?! I so totally *heart* the saying with the butterfly: "A thousand firsts and it's only Tuesday"... It's so BABY!


The Burt’s Bees Baby gift sets and indulgence tins are equally as adorable! Looky...  

Good lawd. Makes me wish the girls would be babies a little longer so I can dress them up and let them roll around in those soft things, smelling so Burt's Bees lovely! 

*Sigh*

Anyhoo, for all you lovelies out there, Burt’s Bees Baby is now available in-store and online at Target.com! And other places to indulge yourself will be at www.BabiesRus.com and www.buybuybaby.com starting on August 1st, 2012 and at www.burtsbeesbaby.com by October 2012.

BUT WAIT, THAT'S NOT ALL! To celebrate this Bee-licious occasion, Burt’s Bees Baby is raffling off a luscious Wash Time Tin to one lucky reader from anywhere in the US!

This could be yours! Or, your baby's :)

Just use the form below to enter! This giveaway is open to US addresses only. Must be 18+ to enter. Giveaway closes on August 8 at 11:59pm est. Only one person per household/IP address may enter.

Good luck! Yay Burt's Bees Baby! :) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Celebrate Your Power of Choice: COULEURS LA FEMME

I believe we were given the right to choose. I believe that an informed choice is empowerment. I believe that empowerment gives life, happiness and contentment.

That being said, I am happy that more and more women are empowering themselves through education about their options in life. Coleurs La Femme encourages the rise of this new Filipina and supports her growing desire to define herself and express her choices over her life, her body and her health.

Couleurs La Femme set the stage for a night
celebrating “femme power” at One Esplanade 

July 10 was an unforgettable night of color and creative expression as Couleurs La Femme, its healthcare  partners  and  media  friends came together to celebrate a product line that offers Filipino  women the ability to make choices to have not only the life, but the lifestyle they deserve. 

Stylishly curated “lifestyle hubs” showcasing 
Couleurs La Femme's celebration of the Filipina's 
Beauty, Balance, Vitality, and Freedom 

Set amid the backdrop of One Esplanade’s chic, contemporary interiors and a breathtaking view of the Manila Bay sunset, Couleurs La Femme made a bold statement that a new Filipina is truly on the rise!

L-R: Designer Emy Cruz (second from left) poses with friends;
fabulous creations defining the Couleurs La Femme woman.

Bright splashes of color and movement from a fabulous fashion show featuring designer Emy Cruz's creations awed guests as gravity-defying performances by Airdance punctuated each segment of the event. The  Bloom  Brothers kept spirits high with music from the 60s to the 80s as guests were  treated to a sumptuous cocktail spread, free-flowing drinks, and a raffle of luxury fragrances and jewelry.

Lady In Fuschia, Ms. Ludy Geraldes,
Marketing Executive for Couleurs La Femme 

According to Ms. Ludy Geraldez, Marketing Representative for Couleurs La Femme, “We created Couleurs La Femme with the modern Filipina in mind, knowing that more Filipinas these days want to savor the very best that life can offer while balancing the demands of their families and careers. Couleurs La Femme is for the woman who doesn’t just have a life, but has a lifestyle”

Airdance defining
the gravity-defying Couleurs La Femme lifestyle!

Distributed  by  Cynosure,  an  all-Filipino  pharmaceutical  company  that  focuses  on  women’s  health  and wellness, Couleurs La Femme is a line of oral contraceptive pills that is specially formulated to help women achieve beauty, balance, vitality, and freedom.

Geraldez adds, “What we are celebrating is more than just options for women today, we are celebrating the rise  of  the  new  Filipina—a  woman  who  can  take  on  the  world  with  equal  amounts  of  determination, vivaciousness, and joie de vivre.”

Geraldez concludes, “Tonight is all about celebrating beauty, balance, vitality, and freedom—about raising our glass to the Filipina who wants to have it all, simply because she can.”

Whether you are a mother, a career woman, a girl just stepping out into a bright world of possibilities, the choice is yours to make. 

Be informed. Be empowered.

Couleurs  La Femme  is  available  in  Mercury Drug  and  Watsons  branches and  selected  drugstores.  It  is recommended that women see their gynecologist or healthcare provider for more information.