Stylish Maternity Dresses

The last time I was pregnant, I sort of promised myself I would take me shopping for some pretty spring maternity dresses I saw at boutiques in the mall. That didn't quite happen as I was caught up with life. Plus, I couldn't bear to buy new dresses I would wear for just a few months. Also, I have ordinary clothes that I could use while sporting a big belly. I would like to think that only my belly got big, and not my whole body. My mom got me a couple of maternity wear from China that I got to wear for less than 10 times.

And then, I suddenly wanted an outdoor maternity shoot before my scheduled C-section. I realized that I had no flowery maternity dress. I searched my closet and found a summer dress I bought not too long ago. Praying that it will fit, I slipped on the dress. And...

ta-da! the result!

If I had planned earlier that I would have my photos taken before I gave birth, I would have chosen dresses like these from www.momobaby.com:

It's so great that stylish maternity dresses are available already. They would certainly enhance a pregnant woman's already blooming countenance.

What is better is that after giving birth, these dresses could still be utilized and would look flattering on any body shape. And, even better is when they are breastfeeding-friendly!

I also love these ones below:

What To Do When Bored?

Play pretend!

This was at the Medela House. The Camera Diary set up a background with props for the photoshoot of moms who bought the Swing Maxi breast pump. I brought Elle with me and she had fun doing pretend play with the props.

For pictures of the details of the studio-type set-up, please click this link.

The Camera Diary at The Breastfeeding Club's Meeting

Last December 2, a handful of eager parents, some with their precious bundles, trooped to Medela House for The Breastfeeding Club’s final meeting for the year 2012.

The parents had their fill of helpful knowledge about breastfeeding from Ms. Abbie Venida-Yabot, Leader of La Leche League Manila, especially now that the Christmas holiday is fast approaching. Then they connected with each other and with their inner maternal and paternal sparks with the help of Ms. Anna Escay-Cortez, Chief Spark of My Masterpiece Movement. The attendees were ready to face the challenges of parenting with renewed confidence.

What better way to treat these parents who were there than to bring home a wonderful souvenir portrait? The Breastfeeding Club partnered with The Camera Diary to provide the pictorial services complete with an elegant studio-type set-up delivering quality photos as a keepsake. The Camera Diary offered their top-notch expertise in portraiture with on-the-spot editing of pictures so they’d be perfect to frame and display. This is a lovely way to capture the smiles of moms, dads and even children who were happy to discover more ways to love their family and were satisfied with their learning from the event.

Below are a couple of the souvenir photos taken at the said event. The Camera Diary did a studio-type photobooth for the speakers and the participants.

Ms. Abbie and family

Ms. Maricel and family

Please visit The Camera Diary's Facebook page for more pictures from the portfolio and the rates. 

How To Be A Fairy

A fairy is a magical character that is close to my little girl's heart, alongside a princess and a mermaid. I thought she had a blast dressing up as one during an "enchanted" photo-shoot. She is one happy and beautiful fairy!

My charming fairy!

What characteristics describe a fairy? Based on the countless times we have watched Barbie in Fairytopia, Mariposa and A Fairy Secret and the Tinkerbell movies:

• A fairy loves and guards nature. In fact, her powers are derived from nature.
• A fairy is curious, especially about humans and their things. It's like how some people are curious about them.
• There is a little bit of mischief in a fairy. 
• A fairy likes to sing, dance and celebrate.
• A fairy has skills and talents that she needs to harness and make good use of.
• A fairy has to have faith, hope and pixie dust!

Moms with daughters who like fairies could dress up as one and have their delightful moment captured, too! Just shoot me a message at cymplified[at]gmail[dot]com.

Weekend Fun Must-haves!

Who doesn't love the weekends? It's when we could take a break from work and enjoy more of the lovely blessings we have in our lives. For some, it is enjoying the fruits of their labor by going shopping or dining out, with friends or family or without. For some, it is a relaxing time to go on a pampering spree or on a road trip to Tagaytay to escape the city heat. For me and my hubby, it is spending quality time with our children. If we are not home playing with them, we are out for lunch or dinner at a kid-friendly restaurant or we are getting fresh air at some grassy, tree-filled place near the city. We would also do a fun photo-shoot like this:

You and your family could have your photo taken like this! Or in any theme you fancy! Just drop me a message here or email me at cymplified[at]gmail[dot]com.

So, when we go have some family fun like this, I would need a really good weekender bag where the children's things could also fit. I believe that a mom's bag cannot have too many pockets and dividers. I'd love a roomy bag that's multi-functional with lots of compartments, like these ones from ZALORA:

A practical dark purple color
https://www.zalora.com.ph/CARRY-ALL-WEEKENDER-33380.html

A pretty pink color
https://www.zalora.com.ph/CARRY-ALL-WEEKENDER-33382.html

What shall I put inside the bag? As a breastfeeding mom carrying/wearing my baby and running after my small children, water is an important  item in the bag. This glass bottle with silicone sleeve I found in ZALORA makes a statement.

Looks clean and pure!
https://www.zalora.com.ph/Lifefactory-22-oz-glass-bottle-w%2F-sleeve%2F-pearl-white-59072.html

I get super sweaty so I would need a small towel like this one from ZALORA aside from a handkerchief that I always have in my pocket.

I love purple!
https://www.zalora.com.ph/MICROFIBER-YOGA-HAND-TOWEL-64167.html

And a change of shirt (or dress), too! Of course, I want something comfortable, and has breastfeeding access.

I like the overlap detail!
https://www.zalora.com.ph/KANDICE-TUNIC%2FHOODIE-63009.html

A dress with buttons in front
https://www.zalora.com.ph/KYLEE-DRESS-67412.html

Shop at ZALORA and get 5% off when you use this voucher code CymCazza123G upon checkout.

I wonder what our next photo-shoot theme will be? It's fun and a great family bonding moment!

Excited For The Photo Book!

Taking advantage of online deals could prove to be good for our wallets, provided that the products or services are well worth it. It also helps that the companies that peruse this type of marketing are popular like purchasing a Bath and Body Works coupon, or having a buffet lunch at Cafe d'Asie, The Bellevue Manila, which had many patrons when we went there twice. And then we availed of five coupons from Chooks-To-Go, a roasted chicken delivery service, which were life-savers when I couldn't come up with anything for dinner due to time constraint, mostly. I also bought two coupons to a steak dinner at Alfredo's as a gift for my parents. I hope they enjoyed them. 

I also featured a US-based online deal-buying site called Mamapedia, now it's Mamasource, I think.

We had pictures of the "maternity shoot" of my 2nd pregnancy, the newborn shoot of baby Caleb, his dedication and first birthday that we would like to compile into an album. Thankfully, I saw a deal for photobookphilippines.com where there's a software I could download, then I just upload the pictures to the software then drag & drop them to my desired page layout. I have the option to add scrapbook elements, masking, backgrounds, frames, drop shadows, vignettes, texts, and borders. I also love that I could rearrange the pages easily. I purchased this at the price of 1000Php for a 4000Php worth of photo book. 

the interface

After I have finished uploading and designing the album, I would need to click the order button. I just wonder how the pictures are going to be transferred to them. That would remain a mystery until I am through with this "project".  Then, the album would be shipped to me. It's just unfortunate that the voucher amount cannot be used for shipping costs. I am excited to see the finished product! If it looks really nice and worth it, I think I'm going to get another album for the third baby. :-)

My Trip To 101 Hawker Food House

Last Saturday, my kids and I tagged along with my hubby Rix and his friend as they went to shoot food products of 101 Hawker Food House. This is located at Unit 102 Campos Rueda Bldg., 101 Urban Ave., Makati City. Check out its Facebook profile to know more. Just around four months into the business, 101 Hawker Food House is fast becoming a popular go-to place of the people in the area for their lunch and snack fixes. I was so full, partaking in the consumption of the dishes that were photographed. He he he! I only got to take a picture of its Kaya toasts. The Kaya spread was made by Chef Rex himself. It was yummy! I also liked the Roti, which was also prepared by him. I dipped it in a drop or two of curry sauce because I am averse to very spicy or hot food. There were many customers, but Chef Rex said Saturdays are slower days because the place is filled to the brim on weekdays due to the workplaces in the vicinity. Other dishes I tried were Char Kway Teow (Stir fried flat noodles with chinese sausage, shrimps, and bean sprouts in sweet sauce and sambal, kind of like Hofan), Thai Bagoong Set (Fried rice flavored with authentic Thai bagoong served with sweet pork and strips of green mango), Roast Chicken Rice, and Cereal Prawns (8pcs Tiger Prawns coated with cereals and tossed with peppers, garlic, and basil). I even tried two kinds of drinks: the cold Teh Tarik (frothy tea) and cold Milo Dinosaur, Milo drink with Milo powder on top. Now you see why I was full. I didn't even get to try the others yet. In my opinion, many people like dining there because the food are authentic and delicious plus they are reasonably priced. The place is clean and it's got a friendly chef.

A Doze of Sun, Sand and Sea

What is summer in the Philippines without a visit to one of its beaches?

My hubby, my daughter and I had our first summer swimming (dipping, actually) at Club Punta Fuego in Batangas last Black Friday until Easter Sunday. It really wasn't my idea of cooling down, I even got sun-burned! But it was fun nonetheless. Little Elle knows how to use a float ring now, she even knows that to go in a direction she desires, she needs to paddle her hands and kick her legs. Thanks to my mom for giving her one. Rix and I bought her a little bucket with sand shovels, a sand scraper and two animal molds. She used them to play, while sitting on the sandy shore, with the waves lightly crashing on her outspread legs. We also got to stay at the kiddie swimming pools where she never let go of her float ring. I think Elle enjoyed both the beach and the pools.

Below are some pictures I took, they are just few for most of the time I was accompanying Elle in the water.

The sea water in both beaches was clean unlike that of Subic where we went last time. The beach we dipped in the first day had coarser sand with more rocks, corals and shells. It was also more crowded. The second one, the one farther from where we stayed had finer and purer sand.

I wonder where our next swimming location will be?

Of Love And Laughter

Wouldn't it be nice?
If the world's full of laughter,
Laughter from the heart.

Laughing with loved ones
My heart bursts with love and joy
My world's lovelier

This picture of my daughter and me was taken by my hubby when we went to La Mesa Ecopark last Sunday. Don't you love the background? It's so green!

It's a DAM fine day!

It was a special non-working holiday in commemoration of the death anniversary of Ninoy Aquino, who was assassinated and was considered a hero by some because he opposed Martial Law. Then his widow Cory Aquino became president after the EDSA Revolution that kicked out Marcos and his Martial rule, and was the first woman president of the Philippines. Unfortunately, she is battling cancer at present.

Rix's friends planned a day out to La Mesa Ecopark where the La Mesa dam is located. I was expecting an ordinary park, a flat park like Rizal Park but is overlooking a big water reservoir. I was wrong! Where we parked our vehicle was far from the actual site and we had to hike, not just walk, to get there. I was not prepared for the upward trail, I should have worn sneakers and brought a hat and a pair of shades. Oh, my poor slip-ons! Anyway, it's a jungle out there, kinda, that surrounds the trails. There were many, many people milling about: family groups, school groups, pre-nuptial groups that were playing with their children, conducting field trips with games, posing and taking pictures, respectively. We went as a family - I brought my Elhaym along, plus a nice camera to capture moments and nature.

We chose a spot in the stair-like clearings and laid our blankets and food and sat down. The earth where the grass is on was soft and dirt stuck to the sides of my footwear. Oh, my poor slip-ons! The grass was wet, so my pants became moist as water seeped through the blankets that were not water proof. And then there were ants - black ones, red ones, tiny ones, big ones. I was so afraid they would take a bite out of Elhaym. That is the picnic enemy number one! After filling our tummies, we rested for a while then proceeded to burn the calories with a leisurely stroll around the park albeit laden with heavy things on our shoulders. We went around once, climbed the steep staircase to the first landing and to the side where bed of flowers were, rested and took some pictures. Then we climbed again to the next landing and took some pictures again.

Soon, it's time to head home because there were so many dragonflies, and they said that those are a sign that it's going to rain. So we went down and hiked, again, to the parking area. Oh, my poor slip-ons! It was a nice experience over all, although there were downsides of being outdoors, like the ants and being burnt a bit by the sun, I forgot my and Elhaym's sunscreens. Oh, well!

Here are some photos that I took of nature.

Something for the soon-to-weds

One of my close friends is getting married this coming November. She might be quite busy now at her planning stage, as I have gone through that also before I got married to my wonderful husband. At first I didn't know where to start, I just went online and got every website offering photography, wedding gowns, etc. I asked around for referrals to couturiers and photographers. It indeed is no easy feat, and help on this matter is welcome. What's nice about it is that it's a project for my fiance and me, it's a premarital task where the two of us got to decide together, debate and share ideas, discover more about each other's tastes - much like what a husband and a wife does. I have drawn bridesmaids' gowns designs for my friend, I'll show her the next time we meet. I like designing dresses. When I was little, I wanted to be a fashion designer. Anyway, here is a checklist that can be helpful for those who are about to get married, for those who want their photographers to get great shots, and not just to snap away at random.

Wedding Photography Checklist
A List of "Must Take" Wedding Photography Shots By Nina Callaway, About.com
On your wedding day, you'll want to make sure your photographer captures those essential details you worked so hard on. To help him or her out, provide a list of "must-take" wedding photography shots. Check off your essentials below, and add any of your own creative ones. But don't check off too many – you'll want the photographer to have some time for creative license.

Wedding Photography Shots Before the Ceremony
___ Wedding dress lying over a chair
___ Zipping up or buttoning the wedding dress
___ Mother of the bride fastening the bride's necklace
___ The bride's garter
___ The bride's veil
___ A close up of the bride's shoes peeking out from under the dress
___ Bride looking into a mirror
___ Bride looking out window
___ Bride and bridesmaids putting on makeup
___ Bride pinning corsage/boutonniere on mother/father
___ Bride hugging parents
___ Bride touching up
___ Bride and parents leaving for ceremony
___ Groom tying tie
___ Groom looking into mirror
___ Groom looking out window
___ Groom pinning corsage/boutonniere on mother/father
___ Groom hugging parents
___ Groom and parents leaving for ceremony

Wedding Photography Shots At the Ceremony
___ Outside of ceremony site
___ Guests walking into ceremony site
___ Bride and father entering ceremony site
___ Parents being seated
___ Grandparents being seated
___ Maid of honor walking down the aisle
___ Bridesmaids walking down the aisle
___ Flower girl and ring bearer walking down aisle
___ Groom waiting for bride
___ Ceremony musicians
___ Officiant
___ Altar or canopy during ceremony
___ Close up of bride, just before she makes her entrance
___ Bride and father walking down aisle
___ Groom seeing bride for first time
___ The back of bride and father walking down the aisle – with the groom waiting in the distance
___ Bride's father and Bride hugging at end of aisle
___ Shot of the audience from the bride and groom's point of view
___ The unity ceremony
___ Close up of bride and groom saying the vows
___ Wide shot of bride and groom saying the vows
___ Exchanging the rings
___ Close up of hands
___ The kiss
___ Bride & Groom walking up the aisle
___ Receiving line
___ Bride & Groom outside on steps
___ Guests throwing confetti/rose petals/birdseed
___ Bride & Groom hugging guests, laughing, getting congratulations
___ Bride & Groom getting in car
___ Bride & Groom in back seat

Post Wedding Photography Before the Reception (These can also be taken before the ceremony) ___ Bride alone (full length)
___ Bride with Maid of Honor
___ Bride with bridesmaids
___ Groom with bridesmaids
___ Bride with parents
___ Bride & Groom together
___ Bride & Groom with parents
___ Bride & Groom with families
___ Bride & Groom with entire wedding party
___ Bride & Groom with flower girl and ringbearer
___ Groom with parents
___ Groom with best man
___ Groom with groomsmen
___ Bride with groomsmen

During the Reception (to help your photographer, you may wish to list these shots in the order they will happen at your reception)
___ Outside of reception site
___ Bride & Groom arriving
___ Bride & Groom greeting guests
___ Table centerpieces
___ Table setting
___ Bride & Groom's table (head table)
___ Musicians or DJ
___ Guest book
___ Place card table
___ Closeup of bride and groom's place card
___ Wedding cake
___ Gift table
___ Decorations (specify which _________________________)
___ A shot of bride & groom with guests at each table
___ Bride with college alums
___ Groom with college alums
___ The buffet or, if having table service, a dinner serving
___ Bride & Groom's first dance
___ Bride & Father dancing
___ Groom & Mother dancing
___ Guests dancing
___ Bride & Groom cutting the cake
___ Bride & Groom feeding each other cake
___ Toasts (specify who is giving them: ____________________)
___ Bride & Groom drinking champagne
___ Signing the marriage license
___ Bride throwing bouquet
___ Groom retrieving garter
___ Groom tossing garter
___ Garter/Bouquet dance
___ The getaway car
___ Bride & Groom leaving party
___ Bride & Groom driving away
Guests the photographer shouldn't miss: (provide your photographer with a seating chart so that he can easily identify them)
_________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________