18 Weeks

These days I can eat so  much better now. No more puking at all, yey! I still have to rein in the urge to stuff myself because I get heartburn, sigh. Which is kind of good though because I don't eat more than I should. In a way, heartburn is a blessing because when I had it with Berry, I only gained 25 lbs the entire pregnancy. Which was easy to shed off.

I can also feel the Little One moving around in my tummy! I started feeling movements around 16 weeks, but this time it's more evident. I so know when the baby is awake! We are so excited! Berry calls our baby, "my baby". She even talks to the baby, saying she will share her toys! Awww, I think she'll be a good and caring atchi/older sister!

Here's how my belly looks at 18 weeks:

Tunic top from H&M, American Apparel leggings, Simple 85 pumps from Christian Louboutin

(In heels, I know. I was sitting the whole time anyway, and didn't need to walk extensively, so why the heck not, hee)

J. Crew tunic top, Old Navy leggings, ballet flats from French Sole 

The latter outfit is more pregnancy friendly of course. I think as my belly grows, I'll be living in leggings, tunic tops and flats more and more.

Los Angeles 2011 Day 2: Rodeo Drive

The following day after we arrived in LA, we went out to do a bit of shopping. Take note, shopping of the errands sort and not splurge shopping, hehehe. Dada took photos of his girls while we were getting ready to go out:

I think my outfit today will look good with Mommy's ballet flats...

Hmmm, I am liking these patent loafers a lot more...

Berry's top: a dress from Ralph Lauren, Gap skirt from Amah & Angkong, 

Trumpette tights, Repetto Jacksons

tunic top from AllSaints, leggings from American Apparel, H&M scarf, 

leather jacket from Hoss Intropia, Repetto ballet flats

Lighting is nice there, I want an outfit shot there too! - Berry

With my new Duckie - a gift from the hotel front desk, how sweet is that!

Same outfit, this time worn with Trumpette boat shoes from Tita Sarj & Uncle Toni

Soon after, Trina and Jun came by to pick us up so we can go tick off the items in my shopping list - but first, we had to pay a visit to my holy grail of sorts in Rodeo Drive!

Driven around in my stroller in Rodeo Drive, that's how I roll. - Berry

Barneys New York, in case you don't recognize that distinctive awning

We also passed a couple of boutiques I wouldn't dare enter into, because I do not want to fall into temptation. Not that Dada will allow me to, one look, and I know it is time to head out the door. So, why bother. Bitter ba?

Berry also finally got to meet the adorable Tia, and I finally met Belle (my sister's SIL and my online buddy,  now real life buddy) as well. Belle's friend Liza, the Rodeo Drive veteran (and in this case, our photographer) was there to navigate for us. These girls are all super fun to shop with. They just know which stores to take me to.

Rodeo Drive was fun! I loved browsing the shoes at Barneys, Neiman Marcus and Saks. And the bags, O.M.G. Too bad I was not there to shop for big ticket items. Well, window shopping is enough for me these days anyway. Talaga!

Glimpses of an Outfit

Sigh, I never manage to get decent outfit shots these days. I'm always on a rush to go out or do something else. Thought it would be fun though to share bits and pieces of a total outfit, and you can just imagine how everything looked all together, heehee!

Me: Chambray button down shirt from Old Navy, Balenciaga sunnies
Berry: seersucker dress from Ralph Lauren, Saltwater sandals

Black oxfords (London) from Anthology

Tulip "sweatskirt" from American Apparel

Linear Stud Rocker bag from Rebecca Minkoff

Berry: dress from Zara, Baby Gap flipflops

Oh, and must share these photos of Berry! If you're wondering about her outfit change above, you'll see why she had to wear outfit #2 after seeing this series of photos:

By the time she was done playing in the makeshift pond, she was soaked! My friend Pilar, mom of the birthday girl Sophia, was impressed at how Berry had 2 outfit changes in one afternoon, hahaha!

Oh Berry! You are such a star!

Sharing My Outfit Day: Scarf Fun

Tried on some clothes, but good news for Dear Hubby! I walked away without buying anything!

Leggings: American Apparel
Shirt: Old Navy
Tunic: Zara
Pompom Scarf: AllSaints
Clog Booties: No.6 5" Buckle Boot

P.S. Titania Blog Giveaway ongoing! Join --> here!

Our Hudson Valley Tour Part 3: FDR Presidential Library & Museum

The Visitor Center of the FDR Presidential Library and Museum

We also visited the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, NY.

FDR was born in this home, which is modest compared to that of their neighbors, the Vanderbilts. As you can see, they were quite wealthy. After all, his grandfather was one of the founders of the Bank of New York. The Roosevelts were of Dutch descent, and prominent members of New York society. While they also spent the winter in the city, he grew up here in this estate they called Springwood. He lived here until he was 14, when he was sent to Groton, a boarding school in Massachusetts.

The house as seen from the side

When FDR became president, this home served as the family's retreat and at the same time, his political headquarters. He hosted visiting dignitaries here and at some instances, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and even King George VI stayed in this home! Dear Hubby said, he wonders what the king might have thought when he stayed here ("What a quaint cottage?!"), after all, huge as this house is, it is tiny compared to Buckingham and Windsor!

The estate also houses the remains of FDR and his wife Eleanor. Behind us is the memorial where they lay.

Myself, Berry and Cathy

Ok, I just cannot resist pointing these out!

1. Cathy spotted this! If you look closely here, FDR's famous Declaration of War speech should have included the Philippines! But it was edited out. I suppose this is the historically correct version. I ought to do some research.

2. In this statue created by the students of Pratt Institute, how cool is it that Eleanor is wearing oxfords here?!

See?

Address:
FDR Home & Presidential Library
4097 Albany Post Road
Hyde Park, NY 12538

Fees:
$14.00 - includes guided tour of Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt and admission to the FDR Presidential Library and Museum. Ticket valid for 2 days.
Youths 15 years and under free.

Hours of Operation:
The park is open year-round, seven days a week.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.
Buildings are open 9:00am to 5:00pm Eastern Time.
Grounds are free and open from sunrise to sunset.

Army & Navy Club

When I was little, we used to swim at The Army & Navy Club in Roxas Boulevard. I don't think it's there anymore no?

I guess going there and growing up in military camps pretty much my whole life have made military wear a staple in my closet. Especially since my Dad had a lot of those in HIS closet when he was still in active service. I am known to nab his US Army issue fatigue undershirt which was so thin and soft and worn in, it was almost like the burnout tees of today! But of course, I had to surrender it when my Dad looked for it, hahaha!

So yeah, up to now, I have an above average number of fatigues, army greens and khakis, you can pretty much call me the Chief of Stuff (army stuff, hehehe). But I have my favorites at a time. Back in graduate school, it was a pair of fatigue cargo pants. Before the winter of 2009 struck, it was my J.Crew military boyfriend jacket. This spring, I'm bringing out the parka you saw above! I got that for about $30 from Gap months ago (maybe almost a year ago, Berry wasn't born yet then I think)!

As you can see, it's a bit of a challenge to get a full outfit shot because Commander Berry is going through a clingy, separation anxiety phase. It seems I have to be beside her or within her line of sight all the time! (Dear readers, did any of your kids/nephews/nieces ever go through this?)





Here's what I wore under my parka, a tie front shirt dress from Margiela. It was on major clearance at Century 21! Bought for about $15 back in August. No kidding! It is an XL but I figured, I like slouchy clothes, and this would make a great breastfeeding dress. I just need to slide off my arm off the sleeves into the neckline.


Of course, when I checked weather.com, I still needed to layer the dress with a cardigan. It wasn't that warm out as I thought.


Speaking of Navy, that nautical themed denim tote on the lower right is just so me! I think that will look so cute with all my breton striped shirts! And! Surprise surprise! These totes here will only set you back $20, or about $22 with NY tax.


Cheap but really great finds no? That's one thing the Army taught me. Because funds are limited, you need to scout for the best deals, always!