Human Heart Nature Antipolo: An Addition to My Favorite Places

I just found out that a Human Heart Nature branch just opened in Antipolo, inside the grounds of Wensha Spa and Cafe Lupe Antipolo. I just visited the branch yesterday at around 530 pm (they’re open until 7pm) and I immediately fell in love with it. The people were very accommodating even the guard outside. The branch is not as big as Commonwealth’s of course but the ambiance is similar. The cashier is located right at the entrance and one needs to go down to the main part where to shop. It has a brewing station and kids’ corner (with toys and books) as well. It’s a place where I could enjoy my retail therapy of organic products that I’ve been using for almost 4 years. Whenever I purcase HHN products, I usually do it online. But now that there’s a nice branch near Marikina, I can say that I’d rather pay this branch a visit than ordering online. It’s also an excuse for me to go out and enjoy the Antipolo View from time to time. For my next visit, I’ll also bring along Lucas for him to enjoy the kids’ corner while I shop 🙂

NITA on Me

From my previous post about our very first family photo session, I sort of had a hard time choosing on the clothes that I’ll bring.  The photographer and stylist required me to bring the ones that will define my body.  Oh well good luck to moi!

I’m just so glad that one of my closest friends in high school owns NITA (which I’ve blogged about before).  I got great stuff from their store and brought my favorites during the shoot.

My good friend Roc, who is also a stylist, mixed and matched the clothes I brought (I’d say she’s a really talented stylist to be able to do that the fact she doesn’t have a lot of options).  With a little bit of accessories and attitude…oh yeah! I rocked it! (Sorry but I really worked hard during the shoot so I guess I’ll have to commend myself for that..hahahaha!  And it wouldn’t turn out that way if it weren’t for my friends’ talent and creativity.)

I would say that NITA clothing isn’t just for the fashionistas, the teenagers, women with model-type bodies but also for average women out there who is more like me – a nanay, not at all a fashionista and kikay and a pre-school teacher who’s wearing a polo shirt, black jogging pants and rubber shoes to work almost everyday.  It’s not so difficult to match their tops with jeans or shorts.  Just add a little bit of accessories and you’re good to go.  From this I realized that fashion need not be glamorous all the time.  One just needs confidence and creativity to make what you’re wearing look good on you.

When you see my photos, you might say that it’s all glamorous.  Look at it again because you’ll notice that it was just the hair and make up plus the poses made it glamorous.  The bottoms are mine, not at all designer.  You can wear the same thing even when you’re at the mall.  Don’t you think?

top by NITA

dress by NITA

ysai’s top by NITA

Before I forget, I just can’t remember the names of the tops I wore.  You may always inquire Shop Nita or visit their store in Greenhills.

All photos by:  Heidi Aquende

Family Photo Session

Last January 28 of 2013, my family experienced our very first photo shoot.  It wasn’t just an ordinary photo shoot, it was customized and planned.

This shoot was made possible by a close friend from college, Roc, who sent us a Christmas Voucher for a family photo shoot with one of the best photographers in the Metro.  The voucher was inclusive of the pre-shoot consultation, make-over and the photo session (which was worth P2,200 during that time) plus a P1,500 for the products or prints.  We’re so glad that Roc chose us to have the voucher.  I owe this whole experience to her.

We were quite busy during the Holidays so we decided that we’ll make use of the voucher by January of 2013.  I exchanged text messages with the photographer until we decided on the date to meet up for the pre-shoot consultation.

January 18, we finally met Heidi Aquende (a Lasallian) together with her husband Melvene at Starbucks SM Marikina.  We easily got comfortable with her and discussed about the themes that we could probably work on during the shoot.  We decided to let my friend Roc, who by the way is also a stylist, to come and join us so she could also put our clothes together and make us look…you know good in front of the camera.  We’re given about 2 weeks to prepare for it.  I started gathering our clothes that would go with the theme.  Heidi also suggested that I bring a dress (oh no!) and clothes that would define my body (bigger oh no!).

For two weeks, I started brainstorming on the clothes that we’ll bring for the shoot.  Lucas’ was the easiest, he’s got more clothes than I do.  I had a difficulty with Brio too, because he’s not the fashionista type as well.  He’s all shirt, jeans and rubber shoes.  I actually ended up buying some clothes for him.  Mine’s the hardest.  I got lots of tops more on t-shirts less on blouses.  Good thing I previously bought great stuff from a friend who makes a really nice clothing line (NITA).

I communicated our theme and clothes we have to my friend Roc who agreed to style us on the day of the shoot.  Thanks again to her great talent, she got these “dream come true” ideas for us.  The night before the shoot, Heidi sent me a text message and gave me some reminders of what I need to bring.

The photo session day came.  I decided to go to the studio earlier than Brio and Lucas because the little boy is still asleep (he’ll get really grumpy if he doesn’t get the right amount of his sleep and we don’t want that for the shoot).  When I arrived at the studio, Roc came in next and she’s with the make-up artist.  There I met Cai De Leon (who is also a Lasallian…yey! An Animo shoot day!..haha!).  Then Heidi and Melvene followed.

Roc started browsing through the clothes and shoes I brought then Cai started with my make-over.  We had chit chats in between and I would say the session started right.  Then Brio and Lucas came in and I’m so glad that the little one was in the mood.  While I was still being made-up, Heidi started taking photos of him as topless (as I requested).

believe it or not that’s me

Then when I was done, Heidi asked me to change into one of my “body defining” clothes because she wanted to take some solo photos of me.  I was really nervous because it is my first time to do a “glamourous” photo shoot (and I’m so glad I did it as it is an item in my bucket list).  Roc made me wear her 6-inch size 9 black pumps which made it even more challenging.  Heidi gave me tips on how to look 10 pounds thinner in front of the camera without photo editing.  Haha!

Then in between my wardrobe change, Heidi took shots of Brio and Lucas as they play around the studio.

We finally got into the “Rock Star” theme wherein we wore band shirts or band artist shirts.  I wore a Rolling Stones Magazine cover white shirt with Madonna on it.  Brio wore a John Lennon shirt while Lucas’ was an ACDC shirt.  This theme actually depicted my love for music and my appreciation of the different genre of the artists we wore created.

Then one of our most favorite was the “Mickey Mouse” theme.  Brio and Lucas wore Mickey Mouse shirts and I wore a Minnie Mouse shirt plus a Minnie Mouse ear head band provided by Heidi.  It was so much fun since Lucas is a Mickey fanatic (a character that really makes him smile…even laugh).

Then while waiting for our lunch (care of Jollibee), we continued with the “Haciendero/Haciendera” outdoor theme (we had it in the garden right below the studio).  It was really sunny and hot but we pulled off some great photos.

When our delivery came, Lucas gained back some of his energy again.  So while he has it, Heidi continued to take photos of us even when we’re having our break.

Lastly, we’ll do our another outdoor shoot together with Brio’s black 1968 Volkswagen Beetle that we also used during our pre-nuptial shoot 4 years ago.  We thought of this theme because my husband’s car has so much sentimental value.  This is also his passion and depicts our appreciation for vintage.  Our favorite color black also came in to the scene.  To make this theme work, we drove to one of UP Diliman’s grounds.  I really loved the rusty steel sheets in our background.

Lucas was really getting tired at this time.  He started to whine and be a normal 2-year old who’s feeling the heat as well.  Good thing Heidi still captured great photos.

Then, it was a wrap.

We really had a great time doing this photo shoot.  It’s really important that you’re comfortable with the people you are working with.  I can’t thank enough the people who made this possible.  It’s an experience that we will cherish for a lifetime.

Please check out Portraits by Heidi Aquende if you want to experience this kind of photo session we had and also her blog – Camera Mom.

If you liked my hair and make-up check out Cai de Leon Hair and Make Up Artistry.

And of course, if you need a good stylist I highly recommend my friend Rochelle Rafon.

Girl Bonding at Nail Files

It’s been a while since I had a foot spa and I can’t even remember the last time. Haha! For those who knows me well I’m not really the “kikay” type of nanay and for me going to nail spas takes so much of my time and I’d rather spend the money for Lucas’ vaccine, diaper, milk and etc. But today, after I had breakfast with my girlfriends, we decided to have a nail spa bonding. I told myself why not. It’s officially our summer vacation and I’m sure that it’ll take me months to do this again.

We checked out Nail Files Marikina Branch and we saw their Piso Promo for Mani-Pedi services valid on weekdays from 11am to 2pm. This promo is on top of their P300 indulgence foot spa service (I just can’t remember the exact name of the service). This service includes foot scrub and massage. We also get to choose the massage oil.

I was satisfied with their service. However, one of my friends waited for a very long time because they were only 4 and there were 5 of us. As for the place, it is nice, comfortable (they have a lot of throw pillows) with pup,e, pink and apple green color scheme. A free wi-fi is also a plus.

My Top 5 Preggy Mom’s Must-Haves

In my previous entry, I listed down the natural baby products that I’m using for Lucas.  I thought maybe I should also make a list of products or things I used (others I’m still using) when I was pregnant.

Here’s my TOP 5 Must-Haves when I was pregnant:

1.  What to Expect When You’re Expecting Book

One of my students mom, gave me her copy of this book.  She has two kids:  one girl and one boy.  Unfortunately, she told me that she can not have another baby anymore because of health reasons that’s why she decided to share the book with me when I was pregnant because surely it’ll be very much helpful.  She’s right.  The book was really helpful especially on how to take care of yourself when you’re pregnant.  Most of my questions were answered (I’m sure the new editions will answer more concerns) and learned a lot from it.

There was just a downside when I read this book.  Since it has all the descriptions per week, per trimester as how the baby develops and grows, I became too excited and a little bit impatient to give birth.  🙂 Because I read the topics in advance :P.  Well, that was just me.  But generally, it was a good read for expecting moms :).

2.  Fit Flops and Oka b. Slippers

I found these foot wears really essential when I was pregnant.  You can read through my previous entry how I journeyed with these brand of foot wears when I was pregnant with Lucas. 🙂

3.  Human Heart Nature’s Sunflower Beauty Oil and Unscented Body Butter

These two products worked wonderfully!  And yes if you’re a very conscious mom who doesn’t want to have stretch marks, these are the solutions.

I just can’t get enough of the Sunflower Beauty Oil.  I’ve been using this ever since because of its benefits.  You can read through the 20 miracles it can do…and yes they’re true.  Initially, when I got pregnant, I had stretch marks in my inner thighs.  I just religiously massaged the oil to my thighs and belly day and night.  Sometimes, I alternate this routine with their Unscented Body Butter.  It’s great that they have the unscented one because most pregnant women have very sensitive sense of smell and gets nauseous when there’s a strong smell of something.  And yeah, they are very affordable compared to other brands who promises to prevent appearance of stretch marks.

Surprisingly, I didn’t have stretch marks on my belly! 🙂  The ones in my inner thighs are there but they lightened quickly 🙂

4.  Human Heart Nature’s Natural Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner

I’ve been using this shampoo and conditioner even when I’m not yet pregnant so I guess that’s one reason why it was effective for me.  These products are must-haves for me because I know that some pregnant women tend to have falling hair problems.  My continuous use of the shampoo and conditioner prevented me from experiencing that hair problem.  So this worked for me and maybe it could work for others too :).  You’ve got nothing to lose if you try this because it’s all natural and there aren’t harmful chemicals in it.  But I suggest, for those who have longer locks to get the pair of the shampoo and conditioner.  Because since it is natural, there is a tendency for the hair to get stiff when you’re just using the shampoo that’s why there’s a need to use the conditioner as well.  But as for me, having a short hair, I didn’t feel the stiffness even if I just use the shampoo alone.

5.  Belly Belt

I wore a lot of jeans when I was pregnant but I didn’t want to buy those jeans with garters on them.  I found them expensive.  But I bought the Belly Belt which abled me to use my jeans even when my tummy’s getting bigger each month.  It came with 2 elasticized Belly Belts, 2 slide Belly Belts and 3 colored panels to mix and match denim, white and black.  I bought my kit in Big and Small Co.

For more info about the Belly Belt you may check this link out 🙂

So there you have it.  MY Top 5 Preggy Mom’s Must-Haves.  I hope you found this list useful :).  Moms and Preggy Moms out there, you might want to share your own Top 5 Must-Haves as well 🙂

Must Haves: Natural Baby Products

As a first time mom, I really didn’t know what products should I use for my baby unless of course it was recommended by the pedia. However, some products prescribed by doctors are way too expensive and ineffective.  I’ve been using natural products (shampoo, conditioner, soap, make-up, etc.) for myself even before I got pregnant so I decided to try these for my baby to see what products would really work for him.

I have tried several natural products for his sensitive skin and I’ll share my list of the products that I personally tried and tested on myself and on Lucas.  Until now, he is still using these products and I find them really essential.

1. Ilog Maria’s Bee Propolis Ointment.  

Lucas is prone to insect bites. 😦  His bites usually turn red and leaves a dark mark on his skin. So by checking out parenting forums, I’ve read a lot of positive reviews about this product and decided to try one. I haven’t been to Ilog Maria Honey Bee Farm in Tagaytay, but I’m glad there’s an online store in Manila who resells Ilog Maria products. Whenever Lucas has unwanted insect bites, I apply the ointment on the affected area as needed (except near the eyes and fingers). Usually when he’s asleep so the ointment won’t just go to the sheets. True enough, his insect bites don’t get inflamed and leave dark marks anymore :).

2. By Nature Handmade Soap’s Premium Bar – Olive Beauty.  

I really love this soap. When Lucas was still an infant, he had extra sensitive skin. He would have red rashes on his knees and legs. The pedia prescribed a brand of liquid soap (an expensive one), we tried it but didn’t help at all. A friend told me about the Olive Beauty variant of By Nature Handmade Soaps. I myself uses one of their variants (Golden Honey Oats)for my skin asthma and it’s really effective. So I decided to try Olive Beauty for Lucas because it’s safe for infants as well. I used the soap all over his body. Just a little on the face when he had rashes. Surprisingly, in 2 bath times, his rashes disappeared like magic :).

3. Human Heart Nature’s Chamomile Baby Wash.  

I’ve been using Human Heart Nature dealer for almost 3 years and I personally use most of their products. When the baby care line came out last year, I immediately tried it on Lucas. I use this new baby wash for Lucas’ hair and face. It’s very mild, gentle to the eyes and has a fresh scent.

4. Human Heart Nature’s Baby Oil.  

Another product from Human Heart Nature that I love. I use this to massage Lucas’ legs and arms after bath to moisturize his skin. I also use this to clean his outer ear and belly button.

5. Human Heart Nature’s Pocket Hand Soap.  

This one is a diaper bag must-have for me. I use a tiny drop of this to wash his bottom when he poops. This comes really handy when we’re not in the house.

6. Human Heart Nature’s Citrus Burst Spray Sanitizer.  

Another product that I always have in Lucas’ diaper bag and toiletries at home. I don’t only use this on MY hands, but also to sanitize changing tables or mats. I don’t use this on Lucas’ hands though.

7. Giga Baby Insect Repellant Spray.  

This product is as good as Lucas’ cologne because it doesn’t have a strong smell. I only spray this on his clothes, not on his skin. It does repel mosquitoes but unfortunately

not ants (most of the time they’re the culprit of his insect bite marks). However, I still spray some on his sheets and clothes. It somehow does its job and doesn’t leave stains on fabric.

There are already a lot of kiosk of Giga products in the malls. You may check their website to see other products.

So there you have it. My list of Natural Products Must-Haves for Lucas. I hope this somehow helped moms and even dads out there who are still searching for the right products for their babies. I would say, based on experience, natural is better than chemical-based products. Not only it’s safer but also worth your money. 🙂

*This list is just a suggestion. I’ve tried and tested all of these, and so far I got positive results. Some of you may disagree with me or didn’t get or won’t get the same results. These are NOT prescribed by Lucas’ pedia or any other doctor. I took the risk to try these on him. I didn’t try them all at the same time, I tried them one by one so in case he gets a negative reaction, I can easily eliminate and stop using it. Baby’s skin sensitivity may vary especially on how they react with the ingredients (i.e. bee products, pollen, citrus, etc.) of some of these products. Not all natural products will react positively on your baby’s skin. So it’s still best to consult with your child’s pediatrician.

*photos are taken from each brands’ official website.

Moms Know Best: Style and Comfort for Pregnant Moms and Not

When I was younger, I used to splurge on shoes.  Whenever I buy, I just look at the design and don’t even think if they are comfortable.  I wore them once, twice and then I’ll forget about them.  Ironically, when I started working, I had more control in buying shoes or other sorts of foot wear.  I’d always go for comfort and quality.

As I mentioned in my previous blog entry, I’m not a fashionista (so for my friends who would like to give me a make-over, you’re all welcome to help me with this ..haha!) but I try my best to look, you know, all right and presentable even I’m not too lazy :|.  Same goes for buying shoes now.

My mom influenced me a lot when buying comfortable foot wears.  When I got pregnant, my mom kept telling me to get comfortable slippers or shoes (non-slip soles especially).  It’ll be for my safety and of course when my tummy gets bigger I’ll need a one that’ll support my lower back because it’s really gonna get heavy.  I told her that my existing slippers are still ok and serving its purpose and since I’m pregnant, I’m gonna need to save and I can’t splurge on stuff anymore because I know comfortable slippers are pricey.  She would just often shake her head and would still insist that I NEED to buy comfy foot wear.

My mom loves flip flops.  She doesn’t wear shoes unless she really needs to.  She got tons of slippers or step-ins.  When she tried on Fit Flop‘s Electra for the first time, she immediately fell in love with it and got herself the bronze one.  When she got it, she told me that Fit Flops are perfect for me and are really comfortable.  I was still skeptical because of the price until she somehow gave up on me and said that she’ll buy me a pair! (Actually, that was all I’m waiting for..haha! Kidding. :P).  She asked me to choose a design and that time I loved the black Pietra.  True enough, it was really comfortable and my legs and lower back didn’t hurt even when I spent a lot of time walking or standing up when I was pregnant.  I don’t remember wearing any other pair of sandals since, even at work during Fridays when it’s our wash day or club day.  One of my co-teachers even noticed that I always wear my pair of Pietra and asked me if it’s worth it to get a pair of Fit Flops and of course I said definitely it is worth it :).  Until now, it’s been almost 2 years since my mom got me that pair, I still use them often.  An aunt also gave me a pair of sandals, that was trying to compete with the Fit Flop brand, but the comfort is really different.

I still choose to wear my Pietra.  Now that I’m no longer pregnant, I still find my pair essential because it still gives me the benefit of not having back pains whenever I carry Lucas (who is now 10 kilos) especially when he get tired riding his stroller when we are at the mall walking around the mall.  I actually tried wearing a different foot wear when we’re at the mall with Lucas, there was really a big difference when I’m wearing my Fit Flops.  I had a lower back pain and my legs really hurt after.

You might think it’s all worn out now but unbelievably, it is still in good condition (but I’d rather not post a photo of it 🙂 ).  I admit, they’re pricey for me (especially now, I’d rather splurge more for my Lucas than myself) that’s why I haven’t got another pair.  I’d love to, but every time I’m about to get one, I’d think of Lucas.

My mom got herself another pair (Luna).  Now she’s planning to get another one (Rokkit Supernavy).  Again, she’s convincing me to get another pair, that I need to give my old Pietra some rest.  I told her that I will (maybe if I delay it some more, she would get me another pair.. 😀 ..kidding).

There is another brand of flip flops my mom recommended me to wear when I was pregnant, it was the OKA b. (www.oka-b.com) thongs.  She actually got me pair (again she shouldered this for me..I’m such a mommy’s girl :P) of the pink Elle thongs.

She told me to wear this at home because the sole is non-slip.  She’s really confident with this because she got, I don’t know, 4 or 5 pairs of these in different styles.  She started buying these thongs after she had an accident in the house, where she slipped on the wet floor and fell on her back while wearing an ordinary thong.  After that incident, she decided to try on OKA b. thongs.  It has a non-slip sole and it is sturdy (worth it for its price, mine gave up after more than 2 years of daily usage in the house ..one of the strap is starting to tear).

To conclude this entry, I would say that my mom really knows best when it comes to foot wears especially with the comfortable ones :).

I would highly recommend these foot wears to pregnant mothers and of course even to those who are not.  They’re really comfortable and stylish.  Especially now they have released various designs.

I’ll surely treat myself really soon, to get a new pair of each brand 🙂