Peace Earrings

     Sometimes when things seem to be too Perfect... something's definitely WRONG!!!

Enjoy your Wednesday!

Hello 2012

     Can't believe it's already the 5th day of year 2012. With so much going on a daily basis, I find it quite challenging to cope with our fast running friend Time. So, how's your New Year's Resolution coming along?  Me?  Well, this year, I decided NOT to have any.  Yes, I am like most who keeps on having the same resolutions each year and barely achieve any by the end of the year.  Anyway, this year instead of having my resolutions, I decided on setting some specific goals and have a plan of action. A personal business plan for me. 

     To be able to come up with the best possible solutions, I have to look back on 2011.  I've noticed that the past year, I've been crazy about looking for the "Right" way to do things. I have read countless blogs, articles, magazines and even books only to realized that the year just passed by. Call it information overload which ended up in paralysis.  A big and costly experiment! 

       Taking for instance, the concept of "chopping" tasks to fit specific amount of time each day. Some swear that it is the best way to do more in a day. Goodness I tried so hard to fit in my lifestyle.  Instead of accomplishing more, I ended up with tons of half done tasks that caused more commotion and stress.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not competing with these experts.  It's just that it doesn't work with my lifestyle.  With 3 kids in 2 different schools, a toddler staying home with me while I work as a licensed Real Estate Agent and running my eco bags and accessories business, each day is full of unexpected things and there's not a single day wherein I have to edit and change my To Do list.  

Photo courtesy of WeeBindery

      While it's nice to learn from others' processes on how they do things, one cannot completely rely on another person's method.  Each of us has a unique situation.  What seems to be easy for some becomes a nightmare to others.  Deep inside, we already have an idea on what works for us.  It is only a matter of bringing those ideas into action plans.  That's when a business plan becomes handy. 

       As with any business plan, everything has to be in writing and there has to be a group of "mentors", "cheerleaders" "companions" "travel buddies" and "critics" to guide you along the way.  Now that I am starting to write, would you be kind enough to be travel with me as we journey 2012?      

Friday Flower Finds - Purple

Purple and sparkly --- I absolutely adore this.  How about you?  What is your favorite color?



by PattiCakeBowtique

Friday "Flower" Finds - Felted Flower Bouquets

It's Friday!  I hope these beautiful and eco-friendly bouquets by QaraQul will bring you some smile.  TGIF!

Purple Passion Eco Earrings in a Treasury

       Yes, I'm a purple gal!  There's something mysterious, regal and uniqueness about this color.  Here's an awesome find from Etsy.  Can you guess why I love it so much?  Hope you'll enjoy this collection as much as I do.

Pink Orchids Eco Earrings -Friday "Flower" Finds

       I fell in love with these floral print square deco beads, the minute I saw them.  "Deco" by the way, is a shortened word I use for "decoupage".  These beautiful beads are actually paper prints glued on to a wood bead and later finished by lacquer for shine and durability. 

      Exclusively made by a livelihood project of fishermen's wives in a small island in the Philippines,  I've incorporated these beads in my designs not just for it's uniqueness but as a means to help these wonderful women who are trying their best to provide for their families.

      Enjoy these beautiful and meaningful flowers today.  Happy Friday!

From EcoStyle by Jaydemia on Etsy

A flower to brighten your day

I found this today and would love to share it to you.

Origami Lotus Flower by fishandlotus

Biggest thing I learned in 2010

       YOU CAN'T GIVE WHAT YOU DON'T HAVE

        Like any busy mom, it's always easy to simply neglect oneself to make the kids the priority.  It's how funny how my life started to revolve around my children once they arrived.  It has been 7 years since I had my first born.  Four kids later, I realized that I'm slowly losing my "own unique identity".   I'm just somebody's mom.  Don't get me wrong, I always love being a Mom.  But as my kids grow and try to find out their own identities,  having my own "Me" is of great significance. 

       Am I just defined by the chores that I have to do?  Am I really happy just settling on what's available? Am I confident enough to do what I like?  Do I take care of myself?  Am I in control or overwhelmed?  Do I have time for friends? Do I have dreams and work my way towards achieving them?  Am I grateful and hopeful?  Do I read?  Have I accepted and celebrated my own individuality?  How do I show love?

        I can bombard my calendar with my kids' special classes, lessons and afterschool activities with hopes of them learning to be confident, hardworking, patient, and basically better persons.  But at the end of the day, it's what they see at home that matters the most. 

       
thanks Inkandiron for the photo :D

Mommy Guilt

It's only 8:00 am and my heart is already half broken.  What more can I say?  I'm just being a mom.  It's a rainy Thursday morning and I know all of us are asking for at least an extra 10 mins in bed.  But at 6, all of us has to be up.  The girls' shower while I prepared pancakes and their lunches for school. Hubby takes care of the little guys since they are already running around and even crying for attention.  

Everything has to be in sync to be able for the girls and dad to be out of the house before 7:35.  Here comes the drama.  Eldest tries to play with the baby and takes about 25 mins to finish one pancake.  Then she stays in the bathroom to brush her teeth for another 20 (is she having her teeth professionally cleaned?)  With only 10 mins to go, she argues that she likes to wear that neon green headband which is totally not allowed in school.  My little "diva" then gives the "face",  goes to the bedroom and starts choosing a book for her school reading as if today's a holiday. 

Time check 7:38 am.  Just 12 minutes before the school bell rings. Did I mention that my second daughter is already screaming because she'll be late.  Yes, that's my kindergartener who seems to be the only one aside from me who has a sense of time.  So what's a mom gotta do? "ARE YOU GOING TO SCHOOL OR NOT!" while holding her sneakers and giving a signal for her to sit down.  Then, I  tied her shoes in record time and literally, carried her out of the door. 

Now, that's she's out, I'm so miserable.  I feel like such a "mean" mom.  In an ideal world, chid rearing books say that mornings should be calm so that students will be calm in school.  Don't want to be sarcastic but "yeah right".  If I try to work at my 7 yr old "diva"'s pace, she'll start her day at 4 am just to be ready by 7:30. 

Sometimes, tough love is necessary.  I know my daughter's feelings may have been hurt but she'll never know whose feelings were hurt the most.

I love you my "little monkey"