Family – Page 2 – Chasing Dreams

Our Spinkie Story

October 28, 2019November 10, 2019 RhizaLeave a comment

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Many would have discovered Spinkie through their magical and inspiring Instagram presence. But for us, discovering Spinkie was more, shall I say, random (or fate!)

It was the year 2012. I was a new mom, on a quest to find our first Christmas gifts for our then barely 2-month old twin babies when I happened upon Spinkie’s stuffed bunnies in a little baby shop along E. Rodriguez Avenue.

I remember wanting to give our babies something they would love to carry around wherever we go, and something that would grow with them through the years.

We thought of getting them soft dolls, and I know this sounds strange but we were specific about finding stuffed bunnies. Nope, not teddy bears, not baby dolls, and not any kind of stuffed animals. We wanted to find bunnies.

And that was a challenge because, while there were plenty of plush bunnies everywhere, we needed something that’s safe for newborns.

So back to that day in 2012, on a random shelf at some unexpected shop in the middle of nowhere, we found the perfect stuffed bunnies for our babies. They’re called “Bitbit the Rabbit“, and they’re just the right size and style we were looking for.

Spinkie’s Bitbit the Rabbit

Quickly looking it up online, I found that these plush bunnies are—

made with non-allergenic and dustmite-proof materials,
with soft dot minky texture that’s safe for biting and snuggling,
designed for sensory development, teething, and sleep assistance,
and triple-stitched for utmost durability and baby safety

I also learned that, although the brand was initially established in Singapore, it’s proudly Filipino-made and created by our very own Mutya Laxa-Buensuceso. These details, and the fact that the bunnies are obviously so adorable, won me for life.

And that’s the story of how these Bitbit the Rabbit toys ended up under the tree on our daughters’ first Christmas, and ultimately how Spinkie became a part of our life.

Perhaps the twins won’t remember that first Christmas morning the way we would but just as we hoped for, Dawn and Rain literally grew up with these Spinkie dolls like they’re part of the family.

If you browse through our old photographs, you’d spot these bunnies here and there—each one attached to a memory, big and small.

For the first 3 years of their life, we looooved the classic Bitbit the Rabbit in Flamingo Pink. This color may be phased out already though, but this light pink one is very close.

They love the bunnies so much that, at one point, I had to quietly replace their old worn-out Bitbits—poor overworked little playthings, lol—without them knowing. And another time I had to repurchase the same Bitbit to replace one we happened to lose on a trip.

The girls had these bunnies tagging along literally everywhere. From bedtime to playtime, from cuddles to trips.

So when they turned 3 years old, we got them Bitbits again for Christmas. The bigger ones, this time.

I mean, it worked so well the first time, might as well do it again, right? ;)

From here on out, their collection of Spinkie dolls just keeps growing and growing.

Needless to say, I naturally gravitate to Spinkie whenever I’m looking for special gifts to buy the girls! (To be honest, it feels like buying gifts for myself too!)

And I love that I never have to second-guess if they will love them or not.

In many milestones of our life as a family, there’s a little Spinkie story somewhere.

So much that, as we watch our daughters grow, it feels like watching Spinkie grow as a brand too.

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Today Spinkie has added more bunnies in their Bitbit the Rabbit line (the Princess Bunnies are Dawn and Rain’s current favorites), plus more whimsical toys to choose from.

Mutya, being a mother herself, knows just how important it is to create tasteful and timeless pieces that parents and children alike will love, no matter the age.

They’ve since introduced decors that make for magical spaces, and naturally, we also have this Sheer Canopy (Mist) draped on top of the twin’s bed.

And recently, as Spinkie celebrated its 9th year, they also introduced their very own clothing line, Spinkiewear, as well as more additions to their collection of decors and toys. Which I’ll talk more about in the next post.

I can gush about Spinkie for days!

Not only because I genuinely love their products (for our daughters and for myself haha), but also because the story behind this much loved, globally known, and humbly Filipino-made brand is just truly inspiring!

Behind every piece of thoughtfully created decor and toy is a group of moms who work hard with their hearts on their sleeves, and have their own children’s best interests in mind. As a result, we get to support, benefit from, and enjoy their labor of love too. So much magic and goodness from all sides!

Congratulations, Mutya and Team, for a great run so far! I’m excited to see what’s more in store for you guys, and for all of us Spinkie lovers around the world.

Shop Dawn & Rain’s Current Spinkie Doll Collection

Spinkie Doll Princess Bunny in Pale Rose

Just click the images and it will take you to their corresponding product pages.

Shop More Spinkie Decors and Toys Here

About Spinkie

Over the past 3 years, Spinkie has built a homegrown brand that was able to resonate with a global audience.

Most people online think of Spinkie as an Australian or British brand but they are, in fact, a global brand that has its roots in the Philippines. Spinkie is proud to support a growing community of Filipino Moms who lovingly sew its products and an international community of Moms who sell their products in their own countries, each one of them caring for their children the way they desire as they build their own careers at the same time.

Today, Spinkie is in 21 counties with over 65 stockists globally, upholding its vision to make magical spaces that aim to create more meaningful memories for both parents and kids.

Get Daily Dose of Spinkie Inspiration

Instagram | Facebook | Website

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Part 2

Magical Spaces with Spinkie

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Part 3

Dawn and Rain Turns 7

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Full disclosure: This series of essays is written for Spinkie. We’ve been happy Spinkie customers since 2012 and therefore personally purchased and collected many Spinkie products through the years. All opinions are my own and most photos in this blog, unless otherwise stated, are also ours. :)

Unique Finds at Lazada Home Living

August 7, 2019August 6, 2022 RhizaLeave a comment

Isn’t it mind-blowing how this digital age has made everything so much easier? Paying bills, running errands, booking transportation, planning trips, shopping for groceries even! And even though the Philippines lagged behind a little bit in the online shopping department, we’re now actually catching up. For so long I wished for an Amazon or Walmart-like online shop in our country, one which has everything you’d ever need for your home in its inventory—including ones you didn’t think you needed. ;)

Enter Lazada Home and online shopping for home essentials and novelty items alike in the Philippines is never the same. No need to drive through crazy traffic, line up for mall parking, or get lost in the department store finding what you need. Shopping online, you save yourself both time and money, and sometimes, find unique stuff you wouldn’t have found otherwise!

Plus points that Lazada offers Cash on Delivery, so if you’re wary of online shopping and typing out your credit card details on a website, rest assured that with Lazada, you won’t have to pay for anything until the items are right by your doorstep!

Here are some unique finds from Lazada Home & Living Red Tag Sale!

Take note: sale lasts until 08/08/2019 only but the products will be available with regular price tags ’til supplies last. ;)

Disclosure: This post has Lazada affiliate links, which means, at no extra cost to you, I may get a commission from purchases made through these links. Thank you for supporting ChasingDreams.net and our affiliate partner, Lazada PH. Read my full disclosure policy here.

1. Stojo Collapsible Cup

Stojo is a New York-based company founded by 3 busy dads who desired to contribute to the environment by lessening the use of disposable cups. Since then, they pride themselves for being the creators of the world’s first ultra-portable, leak-proof reusable cup.

Read about their story here. Always good to hear the story behind the products we buy right? ;) Happy to see that Lazada carries the Stojo Collapsible Cup collection, and even happier that they sent me one! Now you can buy one for yourself, and perhaps for your coffee-loving friends too!

Shop Stojo Collapsible Cup Here

2. Kilner Drinks Bottle Set Giftboxed

Kilner (est. 1842) has long been known for its glass jars and bottles and their distinct pressure seal and vintage design.

This Kilner Drinks Bottle set comes with two 250ml square clip top bottles that are very uniquely Kilner, plus two reusable straws, 8 bottle tags (perfect for gift giving), and a recipe booklet with a number of infused drinks and concoctions.

Comes in a pretty package, all ready to gift!

Shop Kilner Bottle Set Here

3. InterDesign Clear Interlocking Drawer Organizers

You think you don’t need another drawer organizer but YOU DO. Especially if you just KonMari’d your kitchen or home office and you want to keep things organized, yes, you do. And these drawer organizers by InterDesign may just be what you’re looking for.

These clear interlocking organizers can be arranged to work with whatever your drawers’ dimensions are. Made with durable plastic, each section comes with hooks for a secured fit. Great for kitchen utensils, baking tools, as well as cosmetics, office supplies, art tools, and crafts.

Shop InterDesign Drawer Organizers Here

4. Eko Artistic Step Pedal Trash Bin

Just because it holds trash inside doesn’t mean your trash bin has to look like trash too, right? We love this one made by Eko, a US-based manufacturing company dedicated to bringing forth beauty and functionality in everyday products.

The Artistic Step Pedal Trash Bin has a sleek and cylindrical design and a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish. The best part? It comes with a soft-close technology which means, the lid slowly closes and doesn’t slam shut with a loud noise. Perfect for teaching little kids to dispose of trash properly.

Shop Eko Trash Bin Here

5. Nemuri Hotel-Quality Feather Pillow

I never really bothered to check the difference between a regular pillow and a feather pillow, but I’m fully aware that hotel pillows are different from the ones I have on our bed! Lol. Major difference.

That said, you can carry on per usual without these feather pillows and still live a full life, true, but if they’re on sale then why not? This Nemuri Feather Pillow is currently 50% off at Lazada Home so if you’re thinking of getting yourself one (or two!), go ahead and take advantage of this massive price slash today. ;)

Shop Your Feather Pillow Here

And while you’re online shopping, why not get something for the kids too! ;)

6. Faber Castell Connector Pens

Dawn and Rain had their eyes on this set of felt-tip pens for a while now so we were all happy to see it on our #LazadaHomeRedTagSale stash.

Unlike regular colored pens, these Connector Pens come with twistable connecting clips designed for multi-purpose imaginative play.

The twins have a ball connecting the pens when they’re done, hooray for their parents who have one less picking up pens and cleaning up to do. ;)

Shop Faber Castell Pens Here

#LAZADAHOMEREDTAGSALE

Get up to 50% discount if you shop today, August 8, from Lazada Home & Living Red Tag Sale! Happy shopping, and hope you find something unique and useful. ;)

These products were sent to us by Lazada Ph in connection to the Red Tag Sale happening today. All opinions are my own. Read my disclosure policy here. Thank you for supporting ChasingDreams.net :)

Seda Vertis North Staycation with Kids

July 31, 2019August 6, 2022 RhizaLeave a comment

When it comes to staycation places, I personally like being within the comforts of the familiar. Preferably somewhere near, with a supermarket close by (because I don’t know what to do if we suddenly ran out of.. snacks), and in a city we know like the back of our hands. Seda Vertis North definitely falls within my “comfort zone criteria” so we’re happy to finally—finally—have this opportunity to experience what it has to offer.

#WETHENORTH

(See what I did there. No? Ok.) Living in the north side of the metro my whole life, I consider Quezon City my turf. This is where I went to college, settled down as a young professional, and spent the precious first years of our marriage and family life. Trinoma and SM North were like an extension of our home, and the Tomas Morato / Kamuning / E. Rodriguez neighborhoods were basically where our life revolved.

It wasn’t until about 2 years ago when we decided to pack up and move (back) to my family’s ancestral home in Caloocan. Still in the north, but worlds away from the “city life” that we knew. While living in Caloocan comes with its own familiar charm and uniqueness, we do miss the hustle and bustle of our QC life. And so we’re happy to be back, even for just a weekend. :)

A luxury staycation place in the north side of town

Seda Vertis North and Ayala Vertis Mall are the new kids on the block. Specifically that block along North EDSA that’s becoming the fastest-growing hub in Quezon City.

We always wanted to book a weekend at Seda (any Seda Hotel, really!) so when we were planning for one last summer hurrah—slash belated birthday retreat slash mother’s day + father’s day celebrations slash basically any excuse to splurge on a staycation—we know we didn’t have to go too far.

Trivia: Did you know that Seda Vertis is a 5-Star Hotel?

I wasn’t aware of it until I was researching for this post. :)

But it was definitely a 5-star hotel experience for us so I was not surprised to confirm that Seda Vertis is indeed recognized as a 5-star hotel.

The largest Seda Hotel branch in the country, Seda Vertis North boasts of 438 rooms and modern facilities thoughtfully designed for local and international guests, businessmen, families, and staycationers alike.

I’ve always appreciated the way Ayala Land develops its properties, whether it’s a shopping center, a resort, a condominium, a hotel. You can expect each one to be thoughtfully designed with a touch of cozy, style, and Filipino vibe that’s distinctly Ayala Land. So much that you can easily identify an Ayala Land project when you see one.

Seda Hotel branches are no different. You immediately feel the unique Seda vibe the moment you step inside and soak in the details of the place.

Disclosure: This post may have affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.

Seda Vertis Lobby & Elounge. Photos grabbed from Sedahotels.com.

The cozy vibe of the lobby immediately makes you feel welcome; there’s an iMac station to while away time; the interiors are designed with both modern and traditional Filipino elements.

Once checked-in, you find that

Seda Vertis North is truly a staycation heaven!

It’s impossible to not compare Seda to more established 5-stars like Sofitel, Shangri-la, or The Peninsula. Seda definitely feels more modern and hip, kinda like being the youngest, more stylish, millennial sibling in the 5-star family. And unlike its 5-star counterparts, you’ll also find Seda Vertis rates more friendly and affordable. Not to mention, very proudly Filipino.

Book your Seda Vertis Staycation via Agoda

Seda Vertis Rooms

We stayed in one of the Club Rooms, perfect for our family of four. Naturally, a photo session was the first order of business. These kids grow so fast and we want to remember these little years forever! (Look at how small they were in this Sofitel staycation!)

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There’s so much to do at Seda Vertis—from recreation and relaxation to good food and nightlife, all within its massive 24-storey complex. But none of these amenities matter to our daughters who only had their eyes set on the swimming pool.

We were checked-in on the 5th floor just 2 floors above the sun deck area. Our room had a nice view of the pool, and you bet, the whole time we were taking these photos, all we could hear the girls say was,

“Are we done here? Can we swim now?”

Book your Seda Vertis Staycation via Agoda

The Sun Deck and Swimming Pool

Seda Vertis roof deck pool and food park. Photos grabbed from Sedahotels.com.

The 3rd level sun deck is the ultimate bonding place for the whole family. There’s an adult pool and a kiddie pool, a playground, and a pool bar. Recently they also added a mini food park that I believe only opens on weekends. They started serving food at around 5 PM when we were there. You can order from a variety of street food and fast food, from squid balls and nachos, to burgers and pasta.

But the highlight of it all, according to Dawn and Rain: Pool time!

I don’t mind sharing this guy with the little women but, excuse me girls, gotta have some QT for myself too! >.<

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Swim-friendly earrings from Signetura and swimsuit from Kats Clothing. Thank you! #supportlocal

Book your Seda Vertis Staycation via Agoda

The other side of the pool bar is where the playground and food park are. There was so much space to run around and play! With picnic tables within sight of the play area, parents can take a breather and relax while the kids freely enjoy themselves.

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As the sun sets, the deck transforms into a completely different place, almost magical with all the string lights lit up. We initially thought of checking out Straight Up, the more formal roof deck bar at the top floor, maybe when the kids had fallen asleep or something.

Alas, we were too tired to get out of the room (story of our life). And so this quick takas-moment by the pool bar, while my brother and nephew, who were visiting, watched over the twins—was all the “Seda nightlife” we got. Parental life, what can I say.

Then again, I’d take any moment with this one!

This picture though. See the two kids watching from the window, two floors up? Yep, that’s Dawn and Rain right there. :)

Overall, considering that we even managed to capture some token couple-photos while enjoying 45 minutes of quiet—and one round of drinks, thank you—all to ourselves, guys, we shall consider this an absolute win.

Seda Vertis Booking Tips

Check-in early. Take note that Seda Vertis has 438 rooms, which means, LOTS of guests. Checking in early is welcome and leaving your bags with the concierge is a breeze. With Ayala Vertis Mall just right next door, you can while away time, maybe even have lunch, until the standard 2 pm check-in.
Stay on a weekday. Although the hotel staff is well-trained to accommodate hundreds of guests at a time, it’s safe to assume that Seda Vertis gets crowded on weekends. Book on a weekday for a quieter experience if you can, although, to be honest, the weekend crowd was not bad at all too! (We enjoyed our family-oriented crowd when we were there. The twins made a handful of friends while in the pool.)
Best rates. You can wait for periodical promos through their website Sedahotels.com or get the best rates via Agoda. If you’re a regular Agoda user, definitely book through Agoda to collect those points! ;)

Lastly, although we didn’t take photos anymore after the first day, here are a few more thoughts to add:

The breakfast buffet was a feast. Aside from brekky food, there was also a variety of Filipino, Asian, American, Continental spread to choose from. In classic pinoy fashion, we intentionally waited for the last hour to have our breakfast so we can eat enough to cover lunch. :D
Try booking at Seda without kids too. We wish we tried the spa (only Php 1000 per hour) and the Straight Up bar. They also have a business lounge that looks like a good place to get some work and writing done. Which is why we look forward to possibly going back without the kids—but they don’t have to know that ok?
Scout’s Honor. There’s a great cookie place across the Seda vicinity called Scout’s Honor. If you’re still full from eating too much brekky food, go take out some Scout’s Honor cookies before you go home. I always drop by Scout’s Honor whenever we’re in Vertis because, well, cookie is life.

FINAL VERDICT: Seda Vertis is officially our favorite hotel in all of Quezon City, and maybe all of the north. And now with this lovely experience and all the new memories we gained within its walls, I would not hesitate booking Seda again, not only the one in QC but also if we ever find ourselves in any of its locations.

Highly recommended! ♥

About Seda Hotels

Seda is the Filipino word for silk. It is the symbol of our commitment to weave together seamless service, exceptional value, and exciting destination, for a remarkable hospitality experience. Seda Hotels provide comfort and convenience blended with Filipino talent and creativity — all uniquely Seda.

Seda Vertis is the largest hotel in the north. A 5-star hotel located in the economic hub of Quezon City, the 438-room hotel offers stylish accommodations, exquisite flavors, and grand banquet and meeting venues. It is a few steps to Vertis North and Trinoma Malls with their range of international fashion brands and home-grown dining outlets.

Contact and Location details

Seda Vertis North

Astra cor. Lux Drives, Vertis North, Quezon City, 1105 Philippines
+632 739 8888 | +632 739 8891 | vertis@sedahotels.com
Instagram | Facebook

Book your Seda Vertis Staycation Today

Disclosure: This post comes with Agoda referral links, which means I may get points or commission if you ever book through these links, at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting ChasingDreams.net by using my affiliate links to purchase. :) Read my full disclosure policy here.

Club Balai Isabel Weekend with the Whole Family

June 5, 2019August 6, 2022 RhizaLeave a comment

This Club Balai Isabel review is based on our experience in April 2019.

It was a last minute trip, just like Baguio. Two days before Holy Week, we still didn’t have anything planned. In retrospect, we didn’t really mind just being within Metro Manila because have you experienced Manila traffic during Holy Week?? (It’s nonexistent.) Sometimes you’d really rather stay within the city when everyone else is out there!

Just the same, in between Viber messages with my brother, I aimlessly browsed my Agoda and AirBnb apps to see if there’s anything worth snagging without really expecting anything. Everywhere else was booked, naturally, so what were the chances that I’d find a room big enough for a family of 10, in a place such as Club Balai Isabel, at a discount, during the busiest time of the summer? Slim!

To think Balai Isabel is booked out months ahead, let’s just call this impromptu trip meant to be.

Let’s call it #familytravelhacks too. Because I was definitely surprised to know that there are Club Balai Isabel loft rooms at AirBnb. And now you know it too. You’re welcome. ;)

Anyway, photos!

Lunch & coffee stopover

I don’t know about you but this family enjoys the road trip (and the stopovers) as much as the destination.

Disclosure: This post may have affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.

Stopping for a quick lunch at an SLEX stopover and some coffee to go, we made it to Balai Isabel in Talisay, Batangas in less than 2 hours. No traffic, hooray for us!

Usually, when you’ve booked through Airbnb, you have to deal with meeting up with your host to get the room keys and to check in. Seems not the case at Balai Isabel. I only had to show up at the lobby with my ID and was checked in quite easily.

Exploring the place

The entire club was booked out but thankfully, our loft was located in the less crowded and the farthest area of the club, with a nice view of the Taal Lake and the Aqua Park.

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Events Place

Our loft had a really nice view of this new event place they’re opening soon. It’s sooo pretty and overlooking the Taal lake, we just had to take a lot of photos in front of it. I’d get married here again in a heartbeat!

Aqua Park

We were also very close to the Aqua Park and although it looks very tempting, I don’t think the facility is very inviting to younger kids. The kids were more than happy to just lounge in the pool.

Swimming Pools

There are 3 swimming pools at Balai Isabel. We were able to use two of them. Although we enjoyed the big pool, it was also very crowded at the time. We mostly stayed in the smaller pool, the one that’s a bit hidden behind the trees (cozy!!), which we pretty much had to ourselves.

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The highlight of the trip, according to the kids

They can literally swim all day.

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How do kids grow so fast again?

Crew

6 adults, 3 kids, all comfy in this loft type room, thanks to our kind AirBnb host.

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I can’t believe we almost spent the entire Holy Week at home flicking through Netflix. What a better way to spend a holiday for sure. This one’s for the books!

Club Balai Isabel, Talisay Batangas

For years, Tagaytay has been made famous by its view of Taal Lake and its volcano. However, the lakeside towns never became tourist destinations due to the lack of resort facilities, until Club Balai Isabel was developed. Today Balai Isabel’s amenities and facilities make it an excellent choice for holidays, corporate events, and special occasions. With lots of water activities such as kayaking, sailing, banana boat ride, and a tour to get a closer look at Taal Volcano’s crater on horseback or on foot.

Website: www.balaiisabel.com

Get P2,200 off your first AirBnb

This is the exact room we stayed in. If you enjoyed this post and you haven’t tried Airbnb yet, you might want to use this link to get 2,200 Php discount on your first Airbnb booking. :)

Save $40 on your first AirBnb Stay

Finding the Right Lifestyle Photographer for Your Family

May 29, 2019August 6, 2022 RhizaLeave a comment

I’m fully convinced that some of the best investments we can give our children are great memories.. and photographs to remember them by! And I speak for myself, too. I know my childhood was filled with so many good things but most of the actual memories I still remember to this day are ones that were properly documented in the family albums. (Thanks, mom, for taking time.)

To think our parents didn’t have smartphones and digital cameras back in the day, which means every roll of film and every photograph had to be carefully budgeted and planned out!

Today we have an abundance of these gadgets, which makes memory keeping super easy. So easy, in fact, that it’s also easy to take it for granted.

If you’re like us who take too many photographs and footages of our children every single day, you probably have thousands of them unsorted in your phone, in your hard drive, and in the cloud too. And if you’re like us, you probably planned to deal with those files one of these days but now, 5 years later haha, you still weren’t able to find the time! (By the way, don’t wait too long or you might lose those digital files forever!)

So maybe I’m not the best person to talk about how to have an organized memory-keeping process with kids 7 years old and below (working on it!), but I’m one to highly recommend scheduling a family portrait session every once in a while.

Because.. look at these photos!

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If it isn’t too obvious, I’m the type of person who likes holding the camera more than being in front of it.

As a blogger, my comfort zone has always been behind the screen although I do step into photo shoots once in a while when needed.

As a mother, my smartphone is brimming with photos and videos of the girls, but not so much of myself with them.

Is this a mommy thing too? Is this why moms are usually not in the pictures?

I’m working on getting myself in the frame more, to be honest. I’d love for our children (and myself!) to remember “good ol’ mom” in her youth! And a lifestyle photo session with a photographer friend is just what I need these days.

What is lifestyle photography?

Lifestyle photography is a kind of photography that aims to capture people in real life situations, special events, or everyday moments, in an artistic manner. Lifestyle photo sessions happen in everyday locations, unlike classic portraits which are usually taken in studios with controlled lighting and environment.

Without towering spotlights and camera equipment in sight, I find that lifestyle photography is the best way to take photos of children in their element. You can invite a lifestyle photographer to your home to capture your everyday routine. Or you can take the whole family outdoors, maybe go to a nice restaurant or to the park just like we did, with a lifestyle photographer tagging along.

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Details: Dawn and Rain are wearing jumpers from Laila and Lyra.
Get FREE Shipping when you buy anything from Laila & Lyra using this link.

I would most definitely welcome a photographer clicking away while we do our normal family things, no pressure. This is why lifestyle photography sessions are my favorite. It doesn’t even feel like a photo shoot at all. This day, for instance, was simply a “field trip” in Dawn and Rain’s eyes—a day at the park, running around in their favorite jumpers with “Teacher Jamie” (that’s what they call her)—and I’m sure they will remember these “park days” like we sure will.

Finding the best family lifestyle photographer

We’re at an advantage here to have friends who also happen to be amazing photographers. In this case, we literally just scheduled to have lunch with Jamie to catch up, and to take a “few” shots. We picked this new restaurant in BGC with lovely interiors, had lunch, and then went to a nearby park to let the kids play. All while catching up on each other’s lives.

Plus points that Jamie’s a natural with kids, and that Dawn and Rain are already comfortable with her. (Too comfortable, actually. Lol.) With children as subjects, you’d want someone who knows how to engage with the little humans, who can handle tantrums just in case haha, and who has a few proven tricks up her sleeves.

If you’re looking for a photographer to capture family photos, here are some tips:

1. Find a family lifestyle photographer, not just any photographer.

Lifestyle photographers are different in a sense that, they’re trained to capture everyday moments within the short timeframe you have with them. It’s almost like photojournalism with little intervention, where the photographer helps you “stage” these moments in beautiful and artistic ways. The resulting photos, then, are subtly staged but still candid and organic. Just like how you would normally interact with your children in real life.

2. Take time to check their portfolio and experience.

Naturally, you want to see previous work before engaging with a photographer. See if his/her aesthetic fits yours, and read reviews when you can too. You’d definitely want to find someone who, like Jamie, is a natural with children and knows how to handle them. Do look out for smiling little humans in their portfolio for sure!

3. Establish a relationship with your lifestyle photographer.

Alright, not everyone has a lifestyle photographer friend as we do but I highly recommend you find one that you like and build an ongoing professional and personal relationship with him/her. I’ve worked with a handful of photographers before but I find myself going back to the ones I’ve built a relationship with.

Now this is important because (1) you find that you’re more comfortable when you trust the one behind the camera, which means you can be yourself and not be too conscious, (2) it makes children easily warm up with someone they’re already familiar with. ;)

Give yourself and your family the gift of photographs and memories

Check out Jamie Mapagu Photography to book a family portrait session! Check out also her #MyMomisMyHero series which is filled with beautiful imagery and stories of moms and their little ones. Highly recommended, and Oyos twins seal of approval. ;)

Jamie Mapagu Photography

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Thank you again, Jamie! Til next!

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Motherhood in the Time of Digital

May 27, 2019August 6, 2022 RhizaLeave a comment

Photos by Little Heartbeat Photography

This digital age has made motherhood a lot easier and a lot harder at the same time, don’t you think? There are so much content and opinion about how motherhood should be done and what it takes to be a good mom. And while I love how technology has opened up new ways for us to make more informed choices for our kids, it can also make us easily fall into the pit of comparison and doubt any given day—

Am I doing it right? Am I doing enough? Should I have done it that way? Should I have done more?

For more than a decade Dove has invested so much into campaigns that empower women around the world to embrace their uniqueness, stop chasing perfect, and start being real. And recently they extended this same message to mothers through Baby Dove.

Real talk: As if “mommy guilt” is not enough, no one experiences more judgment for their choices than us mothers. There’s pressure to be perfect everywhere we turn, to do this and that, or you’ll be labeled as this and that, or judged for your choices like you didn’t pour your heart and soul and tears over making those choices enough. And this happens both online and offline—from relatives to church friends to college acquaintances to random internet strangers.

As a side note, this is one of the reasons why, for a long time, I quit blogging about motherhood. I find topics surrounding motherhood feel like politics. There are too many schools of thought and I came to a point where I didn’t have the energy anymore to explain the choices we make for our kids.

As a mother myself, I often find myself wishing that advertising would lessen the blow and not add to the struggle anymore. More so, I wish that mothers would not add to the struggle anymore too. After all, we’re the ones who should truly understand each other more than anyone, right? :)

And so when I was given the opportunity to take part in the Baby Dove campaign, knowing what the brand stands for, I just had to say yes.

There was truly something empowering about mothers united in their differences and collectively making a positive impact on the world.

Baby Dove’s #RealMoms Campaign

Since 2017 when Baby Dove first launched the #RealMoms campaign, moms from everywhere showed how a new generation of women are learning to tune out the noise and trust what they believe is best for their kids, while also cheering on other moms in their own journey.

I’ve always quietly cheered on Dove for choosing to spend their advertising money on campaigns that aim to empower and unite women (remember this?), and I truly believe we need more brands to choose better.

Behind the scenes

As a side story, although it was a no-brainer for me to say yes to this Baby Dove campaign, I was a little nervous coming to the shoot, worried whether or not the girls would cooperate.

I’m still laughing at the irony of the thought. After all, this is exactly what the campaign was about. The real-ness of motherhood. The “family photos will have one kid (or two) not in the mood to take a photo” kind of real.

The above photos were taken by Baby Dove’s official photographers but here are some behind-the-scenes captured with our own camera.

A shoutout to my daughters for keeping it real, haha. And to my husband who’s been my ever-supportive and ever loving partner in this journey of motherhood.

Lastly, thank you Baby Dove team and Little Heartbeat Photography for capturing these special Mother’s Day moments for me and our kids, and for empowering moms like me to get out of our comfort zone and make an impact beyond the four corners of our home. Thank you.

Full Disclosure: This is an account of our experience taking part in the Baby Dove #RealMoms campaign. All opinions are my own. Read my full disclosure policy here.