Shoe Fetish

”Really and truly you can never have too many pairs; they are all different. You need a pair for every mood – and everyone knows that women have a lot of different moods.” – Anonymous

My small but hopefully, growing collection of flats and sandals!


(Top Row, L-R) Finickee sandals cream, purple and black/brown
(Bottom Row, L-R) POSH Basics Lt. Gray, Janeo Black cap-toe flats, POSH Basics  Lt.Brown

I am slowly approaching the last days of my 7th month of pregnancy. One of the things I have noticed lately aside from the stretchmarks, are my feet! They seem to be getting wider and my finger toes are slightly getting fatter! I don't really have the thin, dainty, lady-like type of toes to begin with. This is why I've always had a hard time finding the right shoes. Over time, I've learned to accept and work around that flaw. 

I discovered that flat shoes are my best friend. They're comfy and they don't make my feet look that wide. I particularly like POSH Pocket shoes, which is a proud Filipino brand of flat, foldable and comfortable women's footwear. The cut, especially that of the POSH Basics, fit my feet very well. They somehow make my wide feet look slimmer, which is what I'm aiming for. 

This brand's owner, a young entrepreneur named Nadine de Guzman, is very nice and professional. She's easy to transact with and is very accommodating, even if I bug her with so many questions (haha!). She even helped me pick the right size the first time I ordered from her. Buying shoes online is not that easy you know, especially if you can't fit the shoes personally. 

On our second transaction, I texted her if I can have the shoes my sister bought for me at one of the Christmas bazaars they joined, exchanged to one size bigger. She responded immediately and gave me instructions. And since the light gray reptile loafers are not available anymore on size 9, she also agreed to have it changed to a different style. I just got the POSH Basics in light gray instead. :-)

I wasn't expecting to receive the replacement before Christmas, since I sent her the shoes I was asking to be exchanged late afternoon of December 19. I also knew that they were busy with their last bazaar for the year, so I was surprised when the shoes arrived two days before Christmas. Yay! 

POSH Brides (Light Pink)

POSH Pointy Bows (Red)

These are just some of the other styles I really like and hoping to purchase soon. I just wish they fit me as well as the Basics...hehehe. :-) If you want to see all of their fabulous flats, visit their website at http://www.poshpocketshoesonline.com or like them on Facebook.

Finickee Cream Flat Sandals from my husband

These flat sandals are my husband's Christmas present. Yeah, I was with him when he bought it. :-) It may not be the same item I posted on My Christmas Wish List, but I like this better! I realized that thong sandals don't really flatter my wide feet...they make 'em look like they're all over the place! Hahaha! 

I'm not a fan of open-toe sandals to begin with, but, I'm thankful to have found this flip-flop style slingbacks. It's seldom I find footwear that look good on my big feet. The best thing about them is that, they're on sale! I love them so much that days later, my husband bought me the other colors, too! I'm one spoiled wife. ^_^ They're the perfect alternative to closed shoes, especially at times when I want to make my preggy feet breathe.

So, now that my pregnancy is almost over, it's not advisable to buy new maternity clothes. But, thank God for shoes! Splurging on these accessories is not a problem because I'm sure they'll still fit me post-pregnancy. My next project though is to find some good nursing bras and tops.

Stay tuned!

The Perfect Gift

Before anything else, 

I want to greet everyone...

It's Christmas eve and while the whole family is waiting for the clock to strike midnight, I took this time to write my Christmas post. I have so many things to be thankful about. :-)

This particular Christmas is a special one for the Estante's. It's because all the members of the family are here. Eejay's dad came home from abroad after years of not being able to spend Christmas with the family.

For Eejay and I, it is even more special because of the perfect gift God has given us - a baby boy who is well on his way in less than 2 months from now. 

Indeed, if not for the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, we won't have the life, grace and blessings that we are enjoying now. Because God loves the world so much, He chose to become like us. He was born as a human child in a manger, and eventually died on the cross for our sins. He became poor so that we might become rich. He became sin for us so that we might become righteous. 

Christmas is not about material gifts, preparing a grand feast, and all commercialized meanings the world has invented to make money out of it. It's about remembering the Father's great LOVE for us through the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and acknowledging that He was born to live and to die, so that we might live and enjoy an abundant life today. 

May you have a meaningful and happy Christmas, 

and a blessed New Year, too! 

God bless us all!

My Christmas Package

Look what arrived today?

The package is from Sarah, my younger sister who lives with our mom in Manila.

So, what's inside the box?

A box full of goodies and treats!

Gray Reptile Loafers from POSH Pocket Shoes that my sister bought at the St. James Bazaar in Alabang. Unfortunately, it doesn't fit me right and there's no bigger size available for the same color. :-( Anyway, I just sent it back to Nadine of POSH and had it replaced with light gray POSH Basics. Nadine was very nice and accommodating of my requests. Thanks again, Nadine!

I've been craving for Chef Tony's Gourmet Popcorn for how many weeks now. Yum!!! Can't wait to eat these! 
I know what you're thinking...haha! 
Don't worry, I'm not going to finish them all by myself! ;-)

Finally! Palmer's Stretch Marks Cream! I just posted last week that red and angry stretchmarks are already starting to show on my belly. I really hope this stuff can still save my skin! My sister even bought me some Palmer's Soothing Oil for my expanding tummy, which gets really itchy at times. :-)

Tommy Tippee baby bottles from my super-mom friend, Rach. 
She said it's the next best thing to Avent bottles because 
it also has an anti-colic feature. I even included this on the
top 12 baby gifts that we want to receive for Euan.

Thanks again, sis! Merry Christmas!

Baby Euan's Wish List (Part 2)

7. Baby Clothes, Shoes and Accessories

Onesies, bodysuits, pants, shirt, bib, cap, mittens, socks and shoes! A baby can never have too many clothes, right?  Just a tip in buying clothes and accessories for newborns - remember that they grow super fast! So, better purchase sets in bigger sizes so that baby can wear them longer. 

8. Crib and Nursery Accessories

Beddings, sheets, mattress pads, pillows, receiving blankets, wall decor, night light...etc.! We want to make our little baby's room comfortable, colorful and simply awesome! 




9. Baby Skincare Products
To keep baby's skin clean, soft and smooth, we need to stock up with daily care essentials such as baby wash and shampoo, lotion, diaper  rash cream, baby oil, baby powder, etc. These products should be gentle and safe to use on a newborn's delicate skin like Aveeno. 

10. Educational Baby Toys, Books and DVDs

Colorful blocks, shapes, rattles, baby gym, picture books and educational DVDs - these are great gifts every baby should have to satisfy their curiosity, stimulate their brains and senses, and encourage them to learn. I, myself can't wait to play with my son with these great toys!

11. TV and DVD Player
So that Euan can watch movies with Mommy and Daddy, listen to music, and enjoy Brainy Baby, Baby Einstein, and Barney DVDs. ;-)

 12. Airconditioner
We live in a tropical country and the climate is usually hot and humid here. We want to keep our baby comfortable as possible. A good quality, energy saving, window-type air-conditioning unit is a good addition to Euan's room to keep him cool during hot days.

Baby Euan's Wish List (Part 1)

Our baby, Euan Jedric, is expected to arrive on Feb. 14, 2012! Eejay and I, are so excited to see him. As first-time parents, we only want the best for our precious one and we would like everything to be prepared for his arrival. 

We won't be having a baby shower, but just in time for the season of giving, I thought of creating a wishlist for our baby boy . So, I'm calling all family, friends and future godparents to take a look at my very own list of top 12 baby gifts that you can give to Euan this Christmas! :-)

1. IKEA Gulliver Crib

My older sister works at Ikea Abu Dhabi and she asked me to browse through the children's section of their website to see what I would want her to get for Euan. (Thanks, sis!) The Gulliver crib caught my attention because of its simplicity and versatility. Its bed base can be adjusted to 2 heights and it can also be converted into a toddler's bed. Euan can definitely grow up with this crib since he'll be able to use it from newborn and until he reaches two years and above.


2. Changing Table 
This modern changing table from Badger Basket comes with three baskets and a hamper. All of which are removable to create open shelves or storage spaces. It's the perfect height to change baby's diapers and is sturdy enough to keep him in place. It also has safety rails on all sides to prevent baby from falling. And, even if Euan becomes too old for nappy changes, I can use this to store some of his things such as socks, clothes and toys.


3. Graco Urbanlite Stroller
We want our little boy to travel in style, of course! But, we don't want a stroller that is too bulky or heavy. From the baby stroller reviews I've read, I learned that the Graco Urbanlite model is the top choice among parents who are looking for a lightweight travel system. It's compact and weighs less than 20 lbs only. It is also easy to assemble and fold according to reviews. Final request is for a unisex color, so we can still use it in the future, just in case we conceive a girl. ;-)

4. Baby Bottle Starter Set
I'm torn between two brands - Philips Avent BPA-free feeding bottles and Tommy Tippee Closer to Nature. Both have anti-colic feature, but have mixed reviews in terms of effectiveness. Avent is the more popular name among "high-end" brands here in the Philippines. Tommy Tippee, on the other hand, is another choice I am considering because a friend from Macau already sent me a 3-bottle set of Tommy Tippee Closer To Nature. Nevertheless, to receive a newborn feeding bottle starter set from any of these brands will surely be appreciated!


5. Philips Avent Bottle Warmer & Sterilizer
These things are designed to make sterilizing and warming bottles quick and hassle-free! In short, it's gonna make my life easier! Haha! They say that taking care of a baby can be very exhausting. These nifty appliances can be a lifesaver when things need to be done fast.

6. Nursery Drawer Chest

This is another nursery essential aside from the crib. It's important to have a separate place to keep baby's clothes, blankets and other baby stuff organized.. This way, it won't get mixed up and buried under our clothes which are way bigger than Euan's. :-)





Click here to continue...

My Christmas Wish List (Part 2)

Hi friends! Here is the second installment of my wish list for this year. If you haven't seen the first part yet, just click here.

So, have you made your own list of gifts that you want to receive this Christmas? If you're an expectant mom like me or a clueless husband or friend who is having a hard time thinking of a present to give your pregnant loved one, read on up to the last item to get some great gift ideas!

Happy browsing!

All I Want For Christmas, Are These...(Part 2)

6. Nursing Bra

Any breastfeeding mother would benefit from a comfortable and hassle-free nursing bra that are easy to unfasten and re-fasten, but still provide the support a breast full of milk requires. After giving birth, the breasts will continue to enlarge as the milk production comes to full operation. So, 1 cup size bigger than the current size should do the trick. No underwires please! Underwire bras, especially those that don't fit well, may block the flow of milk and can even be annoying to wear. 

7. Stretch Mark Cream

One of the most dreaded changes pregnancy brings are stretch marks. They say that it's something that one cannot prevent, but should be a source of pride instead. One of my friends even refer to it as battle scars! Haha! But, a lot of stretch mark creams are available in the market today claiming that they can prevent or improve the appearance of stretch marks. For me, it's worth a try instead of doing nothing about it. At least, even if doesn't work in the end, I won't regret not being able to try it.

8. Jewelry (Heart Earrings and Necklace Set)

Any woman, pregnant or not, will definitely appreciate some sparkly bling as a Christmas gift! It's also one of the best reward a husband can give to his wife for going through the difficulties of pregnancy. I  for one would like to get some dainty white gold jewelry as a present! I'm specifically nuts with  heart-shaped pendants and earrings. A matching bracelet would also be a good addition. ;-)


9. Silver Ladies' Watch

My old silver watch is already broken, so, I badly need a new watch! Haha! I really like the square chain detail of this dress watch from Fossil. It's fun but still lady-like. I can wear this with any outfit! 

10.Nursing Top

I found this nursing tank top from Undercover Mama and I think it's a very useful addition to a breastfeeding mommy's wardrobe. It's actually an undershirt or regular cami to cover your back, sides and tummy while you nurse. It can also be worn in the house as lounge wear or sleep wear. How does it work? Its strapless but has links to attach directly to the outer flaps of a nursing bra. When you unfasten the bra, the Undercover Mama nursing tank opens with it. 

My Christmas Wish List (Part 1)

Holidays are coming and my Christmas wish list is here! Haha! ^_^


Being pregnant during the holiday season has its highs and lows. The most obvious downside are the delicious foods (specially desserts!) that I can't eat. But, the definite high are the gifts, since I can ask for things that I've been dying to have while I'm pregnant or stuff that are going to be very useful after I give birth. This is what my wishlist is all about. I'm sure that many expecting moms out there are secretly wishing for the same gifts this Christmas.


All I Want For Christmas, Are These...(Part 1)

1. Olay Total Effects Daily Moisturizer

I've been using this product for how many years now and it really keeps my face moisturized, clear, glowing, young-looking and protected from harmful UV rays since it contains SPF 15. It's also safe to use during pregnancy. I'm just a little pissed off lately because I can't find it in malls here. So, if someone can give this to me on Christmas, I'll surely appreciate it! :-)



2. Electric Breast Pump

I believe that breastmilk is best for babies. That's why I'm planning to feed my baby exclusively  on his first year. An electric breast pump will surely come in handy when we travel or when I need to rest and let my husband do the feeding. According to most moms, the most efficient way to express milk is to use an electric pump. From the reviews I've read, Avent and Medela breast pumps are the best. 



3. Black Flat Sandals
I'm already on my 7th month and I don't think it's practical to buy more maternity clothes at this point. So, what's a pregnant girl to do if she can't have more clothes? Splurge on accessories  instead, like shoes! My feet are getting wider and it's time I let them breathe by wearing sexy and comfy flat sandals. 



4. Stylish Diaper Bag
A diaper bag is going to be useful when baby arrives, especially when we go out. Thanks to fashion forward people, diaper bags are now made stylish to look like the usual ladies' bags. Gone are the flowers and cartoon designs! I can even use it before I give birth. No one will know that I'm actually sporting a diaper bag without diapers in it. Haha! This is also the perfect accessory to match the new shoes.



5. Breastfeeding Poncho
This is a must-have for every mom who wants to have the freedom and comfort to breastfeed her baby anytime and anywhere, but in a modest and discrete way. This breastfeeding accessory is versatile enough to be worn in many ways such as a shawl, a scarf, turban or a simple cover-up even after baby starts to eat solid food on his own. 


         

See Part 2 of My Christmas Wish List on the next post.