Pom-pom Pretty

It's been a while since I last did an interiors post! Sharing with you these pom-pom throw pillow covers I recently got. I wasn't actively seeking out new pillow covers, but I chanced upon one of the posts of the seller on Instagram and thought I'd check out the account. Saw these designs and thought they were just too cute. These throw pillow covers are P320 each from The Nifty Decorator.

Is it just me? Or is the minimal style on its way out? Or maybe I'm growing out of of my minimalist phase and slowly embracing color. Our living room is where we usually spend most of our time. I've slowly veered away from white, gray, and brown (Oh and black-- Kevin's PS4 Pro and Xbox) and incorporated little elements to spruce up the area. Our huge couch is gray and our walls white so I thought the contrast of these two colorful pom-pom throw pillow covers serve a nice little contrast.  

While I like to keep our bedroom white, clean, and bright (I think Kevin thinks so too because he rarely stays in the bedroom even though we have a TV there. Once I've made the bed he'll prefer lounging around in the living room)--I'd like our living room to look cozy and inviting, and adding pops of color looks like it certainly helps. 

What do you think of the new addition? 

Just Begin

It feels weird to be writing about this topic. A few posts ago, I wrote about what's been keeping me busy lately (apart from my day job, of course). 

In 2014, after having just finished a commissioned wedding invitation suite, I revisited the idea of making my own social stationery and paper goods. Obviously I did not act on that idea right away. I have a strong tendency to overthink, I can also be a big worrier. From that point on, until around October or November of last year, the idea of making my own stationery would pop up. I'd think on it--but the things that I would have to consider just overwhelmed me-- and so the plan of setting up a stationery business would be shelved. 

At the last minute in December 2017 however, I thought, I'd take a chance-- come up with some designs and see if anyone would patronize the designs I worked on. AND OH BOY WAS I SURPRISED. Not only did I get orders from friends, but also from complete strangers! So now, looking back, I'd like to share some of my realizations on working on a new venture / taking a leap / or whatever it is you'd like to start on.

01. The Right Mindset. I am all about planning and not just rushing into things. But, I wouldn't recommend planning so hard as I did that it was detrimental to me just starting on my stationery venture. December of last year was when I told myself "No time like the present". What do I have to lose? Well, a significant amount of money, but... I didn't want that stationery business idea to remain just that. I wanted to see for myself if it would do well. 

02. List them down. It helps to do your research. List down all the things you need to learn or find out about, then slowly work your way through that. Making a list of what I had to do or have beforehand made the jump a bit easier. Having all these thoughts in my head made the task so daunting--but listing them down (in pretty stationery, of course) made them easier to tackle. 

03. Be Passionate. It's easier to keep pushing if you are passionate about what you are doing. If you just started because everyone's doing it too and it seems easy enough, then that might not be a good push for you. Chances are, after you've mustered up the courage to take a leap-- there will be several hurdles still down the line. Your passionate for your venture or project will fuel if you'd still go through the hurdles or just give up. 

I'm a firm believer that milestones--big or small, should be celebrated. Having a tendency to overthink and worry, just taking a  leap with social stationery means a lot to me. I'd like to know about what hurdle you've recently gone through or if you've had the same experience about starting on a new venture!

What's Been Keeping Me Extra Busy Lately

When I was much, much smaller-- and well, younger-- I was extremely fascinated with pretty paper and writing. I collected and swapped scented stationery and metallic pens (these were all the rage in fourth grade) with my friends and classmates. Aside from the pens, I never used the stationery. I just loved looking at them. I would reserve them for more importance use and for extra special recipients. That would happen once a year for the annual school recollection/retreat. 

The love for stationery went on until I was in high school, this time, colored post-its were part of my fascination, and with better motor skills (I guess), doodles had filled out my notebooks and the notes and letters I would give to friends. 

Having gone to a non-sectarian University, there were no recollections or retreats to save and use stationery for anymore. Doodling persisted and a collection for pretty notebooks ensued. 

When I started working, notebooks were replaced by notepads. I collected, no hoarded, pretty notebooks that I did not use until I decided to get into calligraphy. My doodles graduated into beautiful letter forms! 

My calligraphy projects turned into commissioned works for weddings (our own included!), but I felt limited. So late last year, very close to Christmas, I thought I'd venture into designing my own notepads and other personalized merchandise. Luckily, I had supportive friends and colleagues who trusted me to make for them (and for their friends and family!). 

So now, apart from working as a researcher, I'm inching my way towards setting up a stationery business. And this has been making me blissfully extra busy, and happy, lately xxx

Sharing some of my works below xxx And if you're looking to buy bespoke notepads, ribbons, or thinking of someone to help you with branding, hit me up on Facebook. xxx

 (Photo by Daniel Talavera)

 (Photo by Daniel Talavera)

 (Photo by Daniel Talavera)

 (Photo by Anne Naig Photography)

  (Photo by Anne Naig Photography)

  (Photo by Anne Naig Photography)

  (Photo by Anne Naig Photography)

 (Photo by Anne Naig Photography)

 (Photo by Mediarama Creatives)

 (Photo by Mediarama Creatives)

Plant Lady

My plant care journey has been pretty long and challenging. I tried with succulents first-- I thought those were easy to care for-- they're not. I tried loving succulents five (5) times actually-- failed at all attempts. 

And then this year-- because I really wanted to have plants in our condo-- I took care of air plants. I read maaaaaany articles saying that air plants can withstand neglect and are easy to care for-- THEY'RE NOT. You have to figure out how much light and water they need-- where to hang them and how long to soak them, etc. In the end I realized, it's such a needy plant it's not for someone who's busy. 

My Mom has a green thumb and growing up I thought I'd inherit that-- I obviously didn't-- until she persuaded me to get these ivy plants; I clearly don't have a green thumb because I don't even know the exact names of these two. But I love them because they are so easy to take care of. I just spritz them with water every morning and place them by the window with the curtains down. I don't want to risk burning them/drying them out like I did my air plants...

If you're considering having plants in your home, and not too happy spending too much, do give these a try. I bought these two for just P35 each and it's such a worthy purchase. They're both growing and the one in the pot is ready for cutting and eventually repotting. 

Finally a plant lady!

August Favorites

Turning over a new leaf by incorporating a healthier snack into my life. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE CUP NOODLES AND I LOST MY SHIT WHEN WE WERE IN TOKYO BECAUSE OH MY GOODNESS CUP NOODLES GALORE. THEY HAVE A SOFT TOFU STEW CUP NOODLE (but without noodles, just soup, so cup soup?) THAT I STILL THINK ABOUT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. Anyway, I needed to curb my cup noodles cravings because we all know that it's not advisable to keep having that on a regular basis so I thought I'd switch to these.

{Muesli and 3 Cows Yogurt in the Honey Variant}

I got the Muesli from Healthy Options. I got this small bag just to see if I will like it (I thought Muesli will be just glorified oatmeal. I HATE oatmeal), but it turns out to be pretty good! How is different from granola? Muesli is just loose, uncooked cereal while granola is baked cereal where the ingredients (grains, nuts, seeds, dried fruit) are combined using a sweetener or oil. 

The 3Cows Yogurt is readily available in most supermarkets. If you are fond of frozen yogurt Llao Llao, you will love this. It's on the sour side but it's really yummy. I always get the honey variant. 

{Anello Bag}

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I've raved about my purchase of this bag. When we were in Tokyo early this year, Anello bags were everywhere. Kevin told me to buy since it's going to be much cheaper than when I buy here in Manila, but the only ones we saw where made of cloth.

Many months after, while Kevin and I were at Uptown Mall in BGC to have dinner, I saw the Anello Store and got this one on a whim! I got this one for P2,650. I love it. I love it so much that I have been using it as an everyday bag since I got it. And no scratches or whatever yet! I really like that it has a wide opening so I get to see all its contents in one look. With other bags (especially those with dark lining) I get little heart attacks when for some reason the bag seemed to have swallowed my phone or my keys. I love that it's a handbag, but it comes with a strap so it can also be a shoulder bag. 

The only thing I don't like about this is that it's pretty heavy. Even without a lot of stuff inside. 

{Tony Moly Eyetone Matte}

It has been four years since I last bought eyeshadow. Since I have close to monolid eyes, I find that extra effort is needed to show the world that I actually have eyeshadow on my lids. I've been getting hooked on beauty vloggers lately and to cut the very long story short, I thought I'd get a neutral eyeshadow for everyday. I got this Tony Moley Eyetone Matte in Shade 248 and I really like it. It blends well on my skin; it's a shade of brown that brightens up my eyes.

I haven't tried it with primer on, but it lasts six hours on my lids. And then after that my very oily lids pushes the product to settle on the crease of my eyelids. 

It comes in a very light and compact packaging so I don't mind keeping it in my makeup bag all the time. The product is really matte, though Tony Moly has a shimmer variant for this. But if you are in the market for a light brown eyeshadow that will just brighten up your eyes, and you're not really feeling the smokey eye look, you might want to give this a try. 

If you have any questions on any of the products I've posted do let me know in the Comments Section!

Bedside Table Inspiration

It has been six months since we moved into our rented condo, and I still don't have a bedside table. Normally I'd put my phone on Kevin's side since he has one. I'd really like my own now since I've gotten sick of rolling over to his side to put/get my phone on his bedside table. Also, I'd really like to get a lamp so I could get some reading in before I sleep.

What I have in mind is something a bit light, won't take up too much space, will have ample surface for a lamp, my phone, and several (stacked) books. Our bedroom walls are white and we have parquet wood flooring so I guess/hope that it won't be too hard to find something that will match those.

I haven't started on a real hunt yet, but here are some of my inspirations.

1. Wooden with an Industrial Touch

Our condo is heavy on wood so something like this would definitely match. If I had my way though, I'd like to incorporate industrial elements to break the heavy wood aesthetic.

2. Geometric with lots of storage

I have a soft spot for geometric accents so if I find one like this I'd probably buy it on the spot. I really like the shape and storage, but maybe in white since lighter wood could clash with the heavy wood elements in our bedroom. 

3. Cart

I'd love to find a cart similar to this! It's industrial, there's so much storage, AND it would make cleaning the area SO MUCH EASIER as opposed to having a chunky, heavy one which is so hard to move whenever I'm sweeping the floor.

4. Stool 

I have a strong feeling that I will end up buying this for my bedside table. There are soooo many options and it's functional for reaching stuff stored in high areas HEHEHE. Maybe I should consider getting a step ladder for a bedside table? HEHE. 

Once I've found something I'll make sure to post the before and after on the blog. Wish me luck on my hunt!

Image Sources

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Dining Prints Picking

Prior to getting married, Kevin and I decided we would rent a condo unit first before finally deciding on where or which city we would settle in. Since we are just renting, we have limited say on how we want our unit to look. Since we are the second tenants of the condo, we have inherited some decor that clash with our (or maybe just mine.....) taste. Like the current print/painting/fabric hanging in our dining area. Since Kevin agreed that we could put something else since there might be a chance that we'll be staying in the condo for another year, I am now on the hunt for a good print.

As of the moment, I've removed the current print so now there's a huge gaping space in our dining that is begging for a display. Here are some of my etsy finds:

1. Joey Tribbiani Print. I'm sure Kevin (a huuuuuuuuge Friends fan) will love this.
2. The Fruit of the Spirit Pineapple Wall Art. Partial to this pineapple print because my Pug Porkchop loves pineapples.
3. Pepper Print. Love this print since we love spicy food and it will give a nice pop of color in the unit.
4. Cutlery Patent. I have an unexplained attraction for this type of prints.
5. Bon Appetit Dining Room Wall Art. I threw this into the mix because a. I love marble; b. I love geometric accents; and c. i love rose gold.

If you know other places where I can get prints, do let me know in the Comments Section!