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jacqueline dress

Everyone seemed to love this Maeve dress, having gotten high ratings, but I think it’s because it flatters every type of female.  Charming enough, I could see its simplicity, but to be honest, I don’t think I would have bought it if the contrasting colors were different (unless maybe it was an aquamarine and melon).

The material is this very thin cotton linen so there’s some movement in the skirt.  The top is also a bit thin and simple, with pintuck pleats and lace panel.  The belt is literally a ribbon, like one you’d find in a craft store, just cut to length.

If definitely is a dress meant for the masses, with some gathering in the back with elastic, for easy fitting. And then there’s a side zipper, for shape.

It’s cute…but that’s all. I’m surprised this was the dress of spring/summer, so popular that it completely sold out. 

Nevertheless, size down if you ever find it still on the racks. I was initially drawn to it because it’s something I could picture my mom wearing when she was younger.

source: –
retail: i forgot
status: own, on sale

to my daughter

you stare at me
like you’re trying to learn

i stare at you
like i’m in unbelief

you’re starting to know who i am
and i’m starting to know how to teach you
by loving you

and by loving you
you become more and more each day
who you are meant to be

without agenda
just response
to every day

and every day, you learn
while every day, I’m in unbelief

that every day, you are learning to love me

Sitting Pretty, Zi…

Zi sits up a lot now @ 5 months.  Pictured, she’s wearing her Lola Nene’s gift that was passed down from Ate Emma.  She was very happy this morning, so I decided to take some pictures before she turns 18. hahah.  It goes by soooo fast …

Darn FREE 8×10 !!!

OK. So this week, I went in to see the pictures taken professionally at J&J of Zi and Zem.  Now, the only reason I complied was because they gave out a free 8×10 portrait with my purchase.  Normally, I don’t believe in paying for professional photos done in a store.  I would GLADLY have one of my awesomely talented family members or friends take their pictures, or have myself do it and retouch it myself. 

The reason why I am usually against these store photos is because it’s cliche;  the poses, the overrated contrived shapes, props, background, lighting, etc.  I’m not saying that these professional stores can’t guarantee a nice shot, but I don’t want to pay a kidney for something that can be duplicated with my own makeshift white background and camera, and have them explain to me the wonders of their touch-up skills, as if it were magic.  I just didn’t want to tell them that I can make someone have 13 fingers in photoshop.

I’m more amazed with a select few of my family & friends who have, not just a talent for the camera, but an eye for the beautifully obscure, and creativity to create a unique tone using photoshop.  I’m also one for creating different shapes in the poses, without it looking too contrived and cheesy, but natural and quiet, not forced.  I also appreciate the quirky.

Anyway, a couple of days ago, I went in for my choosing the free photo, ready to say no to all the other offers, when I sat down to favorite my top photo, out of around 100 shots.  I was beside myself, going through columns of  smiles of my two beloved girls.  So this is how they get you. 

I just could not make my heart choose which smile I loved more.

How do you dare ask any mother that?  Evil, evil schemers. Bravo!  *sigh* So, channeling some indifference, I chose my top six.  And out of six, I almost heartbrokenly chose four.  I fought myself to choose THE ONE, and I couldn’t.  I couldn’t let the other choices be mercilessly deleted from this indifferent photographer’s Mac.  So, I folded and called Perze, who melts when it comes to his daughters.  It was definitely a Waterloo moment.  I tried to bluff with my cards, but eventually folded and lost more chips than I had intended.

Darn you Free 8×10!! Darn you to heck.

But this is definitely the last time. Next time, I’ll do it myself.

(PS. I’ll post the pictures when I get them.)

This is Emma, right after the photo session:

sienna ka yan

With all the busyness of last weekend, I didn’t get to post an exceptionally important event in our extended family- the birth of my niece, Sienna Ka Yan.

Sienna, not even a day old.

We just want to welcome you to the world little one.  We’ve waited nine months for your introductions and can’t wait to see who you become, hear your laughter, think on your spoken thoughts, and smile at your tender moments.  God bless you and your Mama, Papa, Kuya Hong and Kuya Baby Seph.  They are very blessed to have you.

www.samuanie.net

Glimpses of Home

Happy Birthday Nanay!

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