Out Of The House

Fact: I’m not very good at paper crafts.

I remember receiving a paper doll when I was little. She had nice dresses, hats, bags, and even shoes. Super cute. All I had to do was tear the doll and the clothes out of a sheet of board, and I could start playing.

It was supposed to be easy, after all it was a kid’s toy. It had those tear-away sides, the ones that are punched with little holes so you can easily pull the pieces apart.

I ended up tearing off a few tabs on a few pieces, so some accessories couldn’t be secured properly onto the doll. I think I also ripped one of the bag handles. Scotch tape to the rescue!

Years later, my mom tried to get my brother and I interested in origami. While Boyong was making paper cranes in no time, all I ever made was a paper wallet and half a box. Half lang because it took me forever to finish just that. Lol!

So, there, paper isn’t really my friend. So truthfully, I wasn’t all that interested in decoupage at the beginning when my partner in Crafternooning, Michelle, first asked if I wanted to try it out.

Then I figured I should give it a shot. I did my research and eventually got excited about it. It’s a good thing that I did because I actually made something nice during our intimate session with Ingrid of Heisl Paper Napkin Creations.

 

Would you believe me if I told you that I made this? It’s a decoupage passport holder. Diba so nice??? @Heislnut taught a private class for a few good friends and I yesterday. Super fun. We’re offering decoupage for #crafternoons real soon!!! Who wants to come?

A photo posted by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan (@mrspcuyugan) on Jun 30, 2015 at 8:32pm PDT

Isn’t it so pretty? It’s the perfect going away gift, too, for my sister who is off to NYC in just a few days. I gave this to her a few days after the class, and she loved it!

There are three fantastic things I learned about decoupage from my experience that day. 

First, decoupage is so relaxing. There were several moments during our afternoon session when the room became completely quiet. It was completely serene. I think that the rhythmic brush movements and seeing the project come together under my fingertips was what did it for me.

Second, with decoupage, there’s room for mistakes. Thank goodness for that. First step pa lang, I made a mistake already. I cut my napkin wrong! Told you I’m no good with paper. Fortunately, Ingrid showed me how I could still save my napkin, and my project. The finish product will tell you that it was a success.

Third, it’s hard not to make something pretty with decoupage. Really. This means that it’s good for the crafting-challenged, like me! The possibilities are endless. I’ve even seen some advanced decoupage projects on Pinterest where people make collages out of the paper that they use. So nice!

The nice thing about working with Ingrid is that she has these amazing napkin designs, so you have so much to choose from for your project. It actually took us quite a while to decide on our final napkin designs before getting started.

Mish and I enjoyed the class and working with her so much that we’ve decided to put together another class. This time it will be open to anyone who wants to join us. 

Our next Decoupage Crafternoon with Heisl is scheduled on August 26, 11AM at Draft in Molito, Alabang. Fill out to form below to sign up, and then wait for us to email you the payment instructions so you can secure your slot. Workshop fee is PHP2,000, and includes a workshop kit and lunch.

Hope I see you guys there!

Oh, and if you would like to stay updated on the different classes we are putting together for Crafternoons, please like us on Facebook and follow on Instagram!

Check out the Heisl Facebook and the Heisl Instagram pages, too, while you’re at it! 

Fact: When we were house hunting, the very first thing that I would look at was the kitchen space. I knew that, because I am the one in charge of feeding my family, this would most likely be the room I would spend the most time in at home. So far, I’ve been right.

Truth is, though, that when we first looked at the house we ended up choosing, I was skeptical about the kitchen. I already knew what I wanted – ample space to move around, adequate storage and pantry space, and lots of natural light.

The kitchen that I have now is small, with only a few cupboards, but lots of natural light. I didn’t think I would at first, but I did end up loving it as soon as we started to fill it up with the furnishings and pieces that we had.

This kitchen has taught me that perfect spaces aren’t actually ones that you would come across. Rather, these are spaces that you create. And, with just the right pieces, you can totally get what you want out of something you never thought would be enough.

 

Hello, hello from my little kitchen (that needs to be mopped.) Don’t you just love all the sunlight that comes in through my window? I do, for sure. So excited about all the yummy, made with love dishes that we will be preparing in this place. Super blessed coz we didn’t need to buy anything major to complete our kitchen arsenal, just a microwave. That gas range came from my mom’s house, and is the same one I’ve been practicing on over the last decade. Our refrigerator came from my sister in law’s old condo. Pots and pans are all from mom, along with my trusty chef’s knife, and our toaster oven. Cooking utensils arrived via balikbayan box from my in-laws, together with MrC’s Aeropress coffee gadget. Sobrang swerte. Thank you family. We love you guys! ❤❤❤ #lipatbahaychronicles #NoFilter #makeitblissful

A photo posted by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan (@mrspcuyugan) on Jul 4, 2015 at 6:35pm PDT

So, for a week now I have been hanging out in my bright little kitchen, with its tiny sink and sparse storage and counter space. Oh the fun I’ve been having in there! There are still a few things missing that I feel would make the space better and more functional, but these are really wants more than needs.

Mine are useful wants, though, so I think they can be justified? And I’m sure (as in SURE) that they are handy and useful because I’ve seen them in action.

(More than) a few weeks ago, Michelle and I had the pleasure of putting together an event for Colombo Merchant Philippines, the company responsible for bringing trusted German brands, Braun and Severin, to the Philippine market. Our little #Afternoonbites was brought together a few good blogger friends, a celebrity chef, and the Colombo team headed by their Managing Partner, Beverly Campos.

It’s always nice getting together over food, and for this event, our guest chef, Chef Redg Baron, demonstrated how he prepared and assembled some of the snacks served using Braun and Severin appliances. That afternoon, I realized precisely what I wanted to add to my own kitchen.

First, I want a Severin Multi-Sandwich Toaster with Grill Plates. We have something similar in my mom’s house, but I wasn’t allowed to take it to my own kitchen, so there. I need one for myself. I love grilled sandwiches, and am obsessed with sandwich makers!

While I know I would enjoy having a simple Panini press, I like the idea that this one gadget from Severin can be used in several different ways – as a sandwich maker, a grill and a waffle machine. It is definitely something that would suit my kitchen, given my lack of counter space.

Next on my list is the Braun TributeCollection Food Processor. Again, my mom would never let me take her trusty food processor, so I need to go and find one for myself. I love how having a food processor can make mincing, shredding, slicing and grinding so much easier.

Chef Redg actually said that this could be your best friend in the kitchen, and I so agree. I definitely need this for my burong mangga, embotido, and even to make tiny carrot bits to hide in sauces, soups and macaroni salad. Yum!

Last on my list is the Braun Multiquick 3 hand blender. My husband loves soup, and I love the idea of making creamy pumpkin or tomato soup for him for dinner using this blender. I can make salsa, too, another of his favorites. Judging by what it can help me make, I have a feeling this is my one wish list item that MrC is most likely to say yes to. Lol.

Those are my top three, but I would just as happily take home a raclette grill, a mixer, a bread maker, or even a juicer from Braun and Severin. Such great brands with such amazing products!

For now, I guess I just have to dream on and make do with what I already have. Which is a lot. Definitely more than enough. We’ve really been so blessed.

Curious question: Are there any kitchen appliances that you absolutely cannot live without?

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Find out more about Colombo Merchant Philippines, and the Braun and Severin products that they carry here:

http://www.colombophils.com.ph/

#/Colombophils

https://www.instagram.com/colombophils/

Fact: I left my day job because I refused to miss out on any more momazing moments. 

I always feel a little pinch of regret when I think about potty training, breastfeeding and weaning, adventures in solid food, and even baby’s favorite toys and activities, books and TV shows. Truth be told, I hardly have any memories involving these things with Little MrC because I wasn’t around much when they were taking place. It was my own mom who had the chance to experience all of these with my son because I had to work.

Fast forward to several years later, when I finally took the leap to working from home. This was during the kiddo’s first year at big school. I just never wanted to have to miss anything else. The rest is history. Now I’m literally here for everything – homework, haircuts, happy days, sick days, dirty laundry and everything in between.

This is the story about why I choose to do what I do. It isn’t easy, but I love it. What I get out of it is that momazing feeling –  a sense of fulfillment in knowing that I am doing what I am meant to do as a mom, and that I am able to make every day count. 

These momazing moments are exactly what the Scott’s Vitamin C #Momazing campaign is all about. I was so happy to have been given the chance to be a part of its launch event together with some of my mommy blogger friends. So happy, indeed, that we drove to SM Megamall on Mother’s Day weekend just to be there! If you know me, you’ll know how big of a deal it is for me to leave the south. 

The program was hosted by two remarkable moms, Daphne Oseña Paez and Dimples Romana. Three guest moms were asked to share their stories of everyday momazing events with the audience.

First was Mommy Fleur, a working mom (she’s an engineer, wow!) who is the apple of her daughter, Anika’s eye. Next was Michelle aka My Mom Friday, who talked about being a stay at home mom, its perks and challenges. And finally, Mish, who spoke about being mom to a special needs child. Remember Gelli?

The sharing that morning was so heartwarming that listening to each of these mommas speak literally brought tears to our eyes! Check out this quick video to see for yourself. It felt like we all got to share an intimate momazing moment with each other that day.

While I enjoyed the super meaningful program, my little boy had the best time at the different booths around the event area. There was face painting, balloon twisting, and flip books. He and I also did the video booth, where we were both made to answer questions about me as a mother. Separately. To this day he won’t tell me what they asked him and what he said!

All in all it was a super fun morning for us, and totally worth the drive across EDSA. I went home with more momazing memories to add to my already overflowing treasure chest, plus packs of Scott’s Vitamin C Pastilles for the kid. These are great because it isn’t at all difficult getting the little ones to take them. They are so yummy! 

Note to self, I’ve also got to get a bottle of Scott’s Emulsion for Little MrC to try. This variant contains Calcium, and Vitamins A and D. Perfect for the coming back-to-school and rainy season, as it helps to boost growth, development and immunity. Bonus: Scott’s Vitamins are produced by a brand that I really turn to and have really grown to trust over the years, GlaxoSmithKline. Yay!

To learn more about #Momazing moments, Scott’s or GlaxoSmithKline, visit Facebook.com/ScottsPH and www.gsk.com.