Bebeng's Kitchen's First Bazaar. Ever.

Whew. One major event done for this start-up mompreneur. Like what I orated on Facebook, my virtual food shop was one of the many sponsors of the very successful Mommy Bloggers Philippines' Halloween party held at Fun Ranch Ortigas yesterday. I got a few thumbs up from those who got to taste Bebeng's Kitchen's tasty treats! So fulfilling. The passionate pagpupuyat was worth it. Hihi. I'll tell you all about what Pia and I had experienced there on a separate post, maybe next week. In the meantime, you can check my fellow MBP members' posts on Instagram by using the hashtag #mommybloggersph. 

Segue lang — I actually owe you a lot of kwento pa pala ano? I think one of those is my little cupcake's 6th birthday party at school. I'll do that as soon as I can, after all my kabusyhan, don't worry. I'm sure you'll like the free printables that I found on the net when I was planning the party. 

Anywaaaaaay. Ta-daaaa!

Bake, Make, Cook and Sell

I was super busy lately. I haven't blogged and it made me sad but I don't regret it.

16 days ago, I finally got the courage, drive and will to bake and sell. I baked my first banana loaf and asked my SiL to sell if for me at her office. It was well-received (devoured?) by her colleagues and gradually, humbly, continually got orders from them. There were negative-bordering-to-discouraging comments made by some people close to me but I did not let it affect me. I am so into this that no one can stop me; not even the Typhoon Glenda. OK, she won as I am using an electric oven so no electricity means no baking.

Nanaygosyante 2013: October

My daughter's birthday will not be as fab as it was if not for the colorful intricately designed birthday tutu outfit that she wore during her party at school. I was the happiest mom to see my birthday girl having a blast with her classmates and teachers. 

Nanaygosyante of 2013: September

I posted about how threatening SIDS is and why safe sleep is important, which you can read here, all because this month's Nanaygosyante was really good in her advocacy. I met her one sunshiny Saturday in Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City for a sparty she organized for her bloggy guests. She discussed how Halo® SleepSack® could help give your baby the safest sleep she deserves. 

Ivy Lim-Esteban is the mompreneur behind Halo® SleepSack® Philippines, which she started May of this year. The drive to start this business actually came up when she realized there's no one selling the product here, which she and her husband found out about when their first baby was born. She wanted to educate more Filipino parents about the threats of SIDS and that hopefully, through Halo® SleepSack® Philippines, more Filipino babies will have safe sleep. How passionate and caring is she, right? Read on and let's all find out how she is a woman, wife and mom.

Nanaygosyante of 2013: August

What I like most about being a SAHM is that I get to have extra time to create and re-create. What do I mean by that? Uhm, to make butingting. My mom used to scold me when I was in grade school 'cause I have soooo many kalat on the bed. Yup, I sleep with my "crafts" --- dissected floppy discs turned into greeting cards, origami stars in a mayonnaise jar, photo collage as a bookmark, etc. I'm not a Martha Stewart or something like those listed in Apartment Therapy's 10 Crafty Blogs in 2010, but I have a crafty side. I actually have Channeling Martha as one of my Royal Features. It is basically composed of my DIYs; just simple and little things that I could do with my not-so-skilled and artistic hands. Something that would not require my fine motor skills to be exercised too much. Hehe. Unlike this goddess of a crafter that I have for Nanaygosyante for August. Woot!

Nanaygosyante of 2013: July

I know everyone's been dying (or have already died lol) to go to Boracay and I won't be a hypocrite to say I am not one of those. However, my husband and I have mutually agreed on this: Palawan first before Boracay. Well, not unless if we don't need to spend at least a cent for that Boracay trip no. Why Palawan? 1) It's a separate island if you will base it on the map, so it's like being isolated from the rest of the Filipinos, hehe. 2) All I thought it's in Visayas, but it's actually in Luzon (yes I'm dumb blonde like that hihi). 3) Judging from the photos I've seen from friends who have been there, it's so calm and peaceful there. Yeah, unlike in Boracay that most of the photos I've seen over the net are party photos of almost naked bikini-clad sexxxxxxy women. Hmm. I'm now a family woman with a daughter who would eventually be a dalaga. So we need to veer her away , as much as possible, from the bad stuff this world could offer. Palawan is also where this month's Nanaygosyante will take us.

Nanaygosyante of 2013: June

Let me end this month with my June issue of Nanaygosyante of 2013. Whoa, I can't believe I'm nailing the challenge I gave myself 6 months ago. #feelingvictorious 

Anyway, when I featured Lhoydz of Xai Baby Shoppe on March 17, one of her loyal customers messaged me about a blog collaboration. I did not think twice about it when I checked her Facebook page. Her hairbow designs are lovely and she also has good ideas that made our partnership a light experience. I'm just so happy that I've been blessed to reach out to a lot of mompreneurs wanting to expand their business by being featured on a mommy blog, like mine. 

Nanaygosyante of 2013: May

We're almost half way done with 2013 and I felt like telling you something trivial about myself. 

I met Candy Magazine because of this month's Nanaygosyante. She brought a copy in school (we were gradeschool and HS classmates) and I borrowed it for a day. Since then, I became a Summit Media magazines fan --- Candy to Seventeen to Cosmopolitan then a little Marie Claire and Preview; but now GH-lovin' and fabulously parenting with Smart Parenting. 

So what does it have to do with this post? Well, it only meant that she can influence someone. I hope that my fellow SAHMs, who want to venture into business eventually will take Misella Badua-Tagorda as one of your momspirations. 

Advice, Please #1

Like what I said in my contact page, I'm not a snob. Chos. But yes, I welcome your questions about motherhood, marriage or anything under the sun (or moon), if you have. I don't claim to be an expert on these things but I will do my best to answer it.

So there's one momma who messaged me on Facebook today, asking for some advice. Itago na lang natin siya sa pangalang "Mommy Ganda". Her message was edited for brevity and clarity.

Nanaygosyante of 2013: March

Mothers are obviously commendable. What, morning sickness for 3 months (or the whole duration of pregnancy)? I don't think men can do that! Men curse they won't drink a single drop of brandy or beer after puking out in the gutter of the street on their way home. But preggo moms can't swear to not bear a child anymore. We can abstain but we can never make it sound as if we don't like the angel inside our tummy. 

To all the good fathers who might be rolling your eyes now in disbelief, please don't read after the crown if you won't understand my point. Yuhh, including you, Rhambo! ;)

~ ♔ ~

The Little Bugger: Where Little Divas Belong

Yo, all the mommas with little girls, put your hands up!

When I knew I was pregnant with LB, I actually felt since day 1 that it's going to be a girl. And it thrilled my inner senses that I would have like a real life-sized doll that I can prep up for any occasion. My guts didn't fail me. On my 5th month of infanticipation, an ultrasound confirmed my baby's gender. I started to hoard pretty things for her --- Hello Kitty, pink stuff and everything for my little diva. I never thought that my diva treatment to her will make her such though. Haha! Now, let us not be mistaken that I am totally raising a spoiled brat here. Say, diva in a 19th century definition but with a modern twist. Something like a princess of the new millennium. Alright?

Something like Shiela Baluyot aimed to have when she opened The Little Bugger.

Nanaygosyante of 2013: February

Somebody asked me why I feature entrepreneurs and online stores in this blog as much as I share my life as a mom. Simple: to inspire. I believe that in order for you to be the person you want to be, you have to surround yourself with positive influence. And what's more positive than featuring them here, right? I do not have entrepreneur-friends so nobody could nudge me into going and taking a risk to open up my own biz. Yes momma, one of my many goals is to be a full-fledged mompreneur. I want to manage my own time so I could still be a wife and mom; but also earn money for our small family. My husband's salary could be enough, but it's always better to have extra. I would really be so happy to be the woman mentioned in Proverbs 31:16.

Nanaygosyante of 2013: January

2013 has started beautifully in our family as we had our first family trip of the year in Baguio City, riding in our newly-acquired pre-loved car then going home to a rented 2-storey, 2-bedroom apartment that we can at least call our own. So this blog would love to share its beautiful changes, too. One of the many beautiful happenings is the new section, meant for all mompreneurs in the country, called Nanaygosyante of the Month. Nanaygosyante is pun for two Filipino words --- nanay & negosyante; basically the Filipino translation of mompreneur. I admire women, most especially mothers, who decided to be their own boss and run a business; while managing home and family. I am also a big supporter of online shops, which I have showed through featuring them here for the past months and hosting a giveaway; that I hope had helped them promote their business. 

My pilot Nanaygosyante issue features an acquaintance back in Highschool, whom I've been with during our dalaga days --- having a drinking spree with our ex-boyfriends. Well, I married my ex-boyfriend and hers had a different ending. Nevertheless, she is a picture of a happy family woman in calm and bliss. Ladies, meet Mona, the mom behind Kaelyn’s Closet.

What Hat Should I Wear Next?

Well, aside from wearing hats of being a wife, mom and blogger, I am at an urge to wear another one. No, I don't want to feel like I'm Wonder Woman (single pa siya and wala naman atang anak) and all, but I want moooore. A new hobby? For extra income? Self-worth? To secure my daughter's future? I'm still deeply thinking about it.

Photo courtesy of Pink Hat Sport

I was with my mommy bestfriend, ME, at the Mommy Mundo Bazaar earlier and while looking at all the booths, we noticed that most of the bazaaristas are pretty. So I was like "nakikita mo na ba tayo diyan, Bez?" And we giggled. We had this daydream one time we were texting (or was it FB chat?) that it's should've been a lot better if we live next door. Or at least live in the same city. We could've open our own business. She could've quit her job in Smart Communications, Inc. to focus on her baby Raine (who will be turning one on January 2013!) and just be a full-time mom like me. But things aren't as simple as that. She lives in Laguna and I'm from Marikina. That's one BIG challenge. But I won't take that as a hindrance. I pinned a note on my mental cork board that I have to schedule a sit-down meeting with her to talk about this vision. We got to brainstorm. 

Well, this meeting of some sort doesn't necessarily mean that it's a hundred percent concrete plan. I'm sure there'll be few bumps on the road, and I bet our friendship would be tested, but I'm very positive about it. So, is a mompreneur hat really the next that I'll be wearing? Oh, let's all pray for that! How about you, what hat do you want to wear next? :)

Baby Carnival Bazaar: The Aftermath

I am very grateful that the event organizer, Ms. Jade Ceres-Dolor, sent me an e-mail few days back telling me about the Baby Carnival Bazaar that was held at the Filipinas Heritage Library yesterday. I was thrilled by the idea that someone really took notice of my blog & invited me. High five! So I came. I tagged along my daughter who will be so kawawa if I leave her at home. And since I know she will be a handful & I'm basically invalid to do super strenuous activities, such as walking around Makati with a hyper kid (to my OB & husband's dismay for sure), I told Ate Maritess to join us.

This Laptop is a Blessing

Closed eyes and with a grateful heart, I uttered "Thank You, Lord for this life". I never thought I will be this happy and contented despite giving up my job as a Sales Training Specialist. I thought that I will get depressed and will feel emotional being stuck at home. Actually, I feel more fulfilled being at home now than when I was at the office. Right at this very moment, I just told the helper to prepare all the ingredients, but I'll be the one cooking for dinner. Later, I'll teach my daughter her own pre-bedtime beauty regimen and will lull her to sleep with some Lenka music. Bliss, isn't it? But we are not living in a land of milk and honey. I still have to do something that could help my husband with regard to our financial needs. Sadly, my preschooler can't appreciate this yet. All she wants is for me to stay at home and do everything with her.

A close family member asked me if I'm earning from this blog, I said no. Some bloggers do. Uhm, I'm taking baby steps. Slowly but surely. ♥