WOWZAH... I'M FEATURED!

Check out this cool feature of me on the AWESOME site, Mom Inc. Daily.

http://www.momincdaily.com/featured-designing-moms-2/tina-tan-of-nanay-chic/

BOOM, SHELLAC LAC, BOOM!

If there's one thing I love to have done to make me feel like a chic nanay-- it's getting a mani, well, and a pedi too. I went to visit my girl, Tracy, at Art Nails a couple weeks back and she introduced me to this new nail polish called Shellac nail polish. Basically, it's a hybrid of a nail polish and a gel.

Here's why I like it:
*My nails are completely dry before leaving the salon. I don't have to worry about messing up my nails while attempting to grab my car keys.
*The polish doesn't chip and it maintains the same fresh "just got my nails did" shine the entire time I'm wearing it (usually up to three weeks).
*Nails look manicured for up to three weeks. (More than three weeks is when one REALLY sees the nail growth and, in my opinion, not so chic anymore.)
*I'm a mom and the convenience factor of not having to redo my nail polish every week is FABULOUS. Actually, I typically avoided polishing my nails because I didn't like the "chipped" look that usually followed my fresh polish (with regular nail polish). But now, I don't have to worry about that!

Photo above: Mani with Shellac nail polish after two weeks.

SMALL SPACE, VARIOUS FUNCTIONS

Here's a peak of an area in my home that has various functions: dinning area, office space, and sewing lab. Truth be told, I'd love to have a separate space for each function but that just ain't happening anytime soon. With that said, I really love the way this small area has worked for us. The leaning book shelves, with a nook for my laptop, are such great decorative and functional pieces. The table, which serves as our dining and crafts table, can be extended for more seating or work space. I do have the task of setting up and breaking down my 'sewing lab' whenever the time calls for me to do so. This typically entails setting up my sewing and surger machines on the table and laying out my tools. It's really not so bad once I've done it and it burns some calories... Always a plus!

I'm quite content with my small space and in my opinion, I think it's considerably chic.

SOMETHING NEW

I thought I'd make a pullover sweatshirt for Amelia to use for the summer nights. It was a fun project but when it was time for Amelia to try it on, I discovered the sleeves of the pullover were too tight! My solution: shorten them. It's still as cute and functional even though the sleeves aren't as long as I originally planned them to be.

BEAR'S BATH = FARMER'S MARKET

One of my favorite moments spending time with my family is on Saturday mornings sitting together for breakfast before starting the day-- BEST feeling. I don't get to do this on the daily so I REALLY look forward to those days when I get to.

Today, after we had our Saturday morning breakfast, we headed downtown to take Bear to his monthly bath and checked out the nearby Farmer's Market while we waited for him. This is my favorite FM in the city-- yummy fresh foods, locals selling one-of-a-kind goods, and lots of friendly people in the crowds.

GET INSPIRED BY MOM INC DAILY!

It’s been a while, a LONG while, since I’ve posted anything on my blog. A major reason as to why I just stopped blogging was because I felt like I wasn’t posting enough entries to keep people interested or coming back, assuming anyone actually read my blog. Ha! So, I decided to start utilizing Tumblr to post random thoughts, conversations, music, photos, etc… because these posts were quick. Thanks to the inspiring and oh so nanay chic blog called Mom Inc Daily, I’ve recently decided to start up my blog again to express my creative side. I also recognize that this is MY blog and I have the freedom to post when and what I'd like. Long live NanayChic!

A little information about the website that inspired me... Taken directly from Mom Inc Daily: “Mom Inc Daily (formerly “Designing Moms”) is a creative and business sanctuary for moms. Cat and her community of “Designing Moms” share their daily posts about their love for motherhood, design and the intricacies of running a creative business. Balancing both worlds is their M-O!” For those of you who are chic moms (or not, it’s all bueno) and desire the inspiration to get your creative juices flowing, check out www.momincdaily.com... It really is a Home of Designing Moms.

Check out my Tumblr at http://nanaychic.tumblr.com/.

COBBLER TO THE RESCUE

Before

After


What do you do with a pair of gorgeous shoes that don't fit just right? You take it to your local cobbler, otherwise known as, a shoe repair person.

I bought these sublime pumps online. They were raved about in reviews. Problem, when I initially got them I discovered they ran a half-size too big so I had to exchange them for a smaller size. Thankfully, a half-size smaller was available. Painfully, I had to go through the whole returning and waiting for the new size to come fiasco. When I received the new size I was unpleasantly surprised that they were STILL slightly big. The back heels would slip off when I walked in them. I thought perhaps that it was just a matter of "breaking in" the shoes and eventually they would conform to my foot shape. No. Wrong. I even tried adding cushions, heel pads, and tissue inside the shoes. Nope, still slipped off. Dreading the reality that I wasted my money on shoes I wasn't able to wear, I came up with an idea... take it to my cobbler! Solution, add-on straps that help keep the shoes on. The straps were even dyed to match the shoe color. I tell ya, these pumps are now one of my favs. Woo Hoo.

If you ever have an issue with your shoes, take it to your local shoe repair shop to see if you can do anything to fix them before giving them up. The costs are usually reasonable, too.

POWER PLAY DATES

Not even walking yet.
Wondering "are you capturing this moment in a photo?!"
Good times, WOW... enjoying some yummy "mashup" treats.
"Let me know if you have any questions. I'm happy to help you!"... were words from a colleague (now a dear friend) when I started my current job. Molly sincerely meant what she said to me during my first couple of weeks at work. I would have never thought that to this day I would be meeting up with her for power walks and power play dates. Every time we meet-up I'm always so happy to have hung out with her AND it amazes me each time we meet up just how much the kids have grown since the last time we saw one another. Amelia is a lucky gal to be one of Will's buddies. These days they're sharing their treats with each another and running around the playgrounds together. Amelia recognizes her buddy, Will, and often says his name when I show her a photo of them playing together. It's a wonderful feeling to have a good friend who relates to my current situation as a new mom and who ALWAYS gives positive advice. It's even more wonderful to see our children playing together. I'm so grateful for having such a thoughtful, optimistic, witty, and classy fellow nanay chic girlfriend. Good times, WOW.

THANKFUL TIME

I constantly want more, who doesn't? Let's be honest, WHO DOESN'T???!! Yet some unexpected turn of events usually happens during this time of the year that always reminds me I should be thankful for all that I have regardless of my damn wants and... I am. This is my second Thanksgiving being a mom. We're having TG brunch with my side of the family at our home for the first time. I'm excited to start some new traditions for Amelia like making delish dishes that my family will look forward to annually. I've been finding recipes for great dishes online. Why bother purchasing cookbooks when you have the internet or awesome friends to hook up recipes?! BACON BRUSSELS SPROUTS!! Total party in my tummy... so yummy, so yummy...


bacon brussels sprouts: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/bacon-brussels-sprouts-recipe/index.html

NI'NONG CHIC

GTW with AMC

Great minds think alike. Ni'nong Marc and Mimi with the same Halloween costume!


This post is dedicated to my dear old (old meaning the length of our friendship and not his actual age-- I dare not mean that!) friend, Marcomedes. Oh how I LOVE that name and him! Marc is one of my best friends. We were college roommates. We were actually high school journalism classmates who worked together on that fabulous Cardinal Tribune newspaper before being Aztec roommates. Ha ha... I laugh. Inside thoughts. Anyhesobetterbelaughingatthatlastsentence... I admire him for many things-- some of which are his confidence, intelligence, creativity, and his style. He's a sassy one who pushes my buttons and makes me a better person every time he does so. Oh, and he's a great person to get fashion advice from, which I do... mmkoy. I credit a bit of my nanay chic-ness to him. We were supposed to move to NYC together after graduating college. He made the move, and I didn't. I often wonder what my life would be like had I made the move. I wouldn't change anything as I'm thankful that we're still good friends regardless of the fact that we live on the opposite sides of the country. And, OF COURSE he's also Amelia's ni'nong (that's godfather in Tagalog). Yeah, I know. She's a lucky lil' gal to have him as her gdaddy.

CUSHY PURPLE PILLOW CASE

Sewing the zipper on...
all done.

The other weekend we were at the fabric store and Jason came across some textiles that were exactly the same (well, varying in colors) as what Amelia's favorite crib bumper is made from. When she was a baby she would cuddle that bumper and gently pet it with her tiny hands. We assumed she did that because its just an extremely soft and comfy textile. To this day, she slides her hands under the bumper and hugs it or she'll pull the bumper under her face to lay on. So, Jason suggested we buy a small pillow and that I make a pillow case out of the cushy fabric so that Amelia would have her very own special pillow. Inexpensive, easy to do, and made with love just for Mimi... I thought that was a brilliant idea! And, that's what we did.

**More photos under "projects"

FASHION DISTRICT

Fashion District crosswalk

Just a few reels of fabrics

Wanting to bring this dress form back with me



I'm a full-time working mom. There are pros and cons to that. Con- I don't get to be with my daughter as much as I'd love to be. Pro- I get to go on some fun trips to various places including several trips to La La Land's fashion district. This past trip my colleagues and I had the chance to walk about the district and spotted a few of the gazzillion textile shops. I'd have loved to spend hours checking out the myriad reels of textiles but there just wasn't enough time. Next time na'lang.

LIKE MAMA, LIKE MIMI.

I was elated when I was at Target (or said with your best bougie accent, "Tarjay") to find the last pair of toddler boots that look exactly like my UGG boots. I wanted to buy Mimi (what Amelia calls herself) a pair of authentic UGG boots but just couldn't bring myself to spend that much money on a pair of boots that would last her a season. Thankfully, my favorite one-stop shop sold boots just as good, if not better, than a pair of UGGs. Here's why they're better-- at least for me-- there is zipper in the inner side of the boot making it effortless to put them on. UGG boots, not so effortless. Mimi LOVES to wear them, which is great considering it's the beginning of the rainy season. Ah yeah.

FUN DRESS

Prepping the pieces

Sewing it up

All done
I made another piece of clothing for Amelia this past weekend. I absolutely love the way it turned out. The choice of fabric really went well with the tunic style. These days I'm a fan of botanical prints. It's also super comfy for Amelia to run around in. Right now it fits her like a cute lil' "fun dress" but as she grows it can be worn as a top paired with her black leggings or jeggings.

**For more photos and what Amelia looks like wearing the "fun dress" check out the "Projects" page.

MY CHIC NANAY

me and mom // circa late 1970's

mom // circa early 1970's

I visited my mom and dad this past weekend and snagged some old photos from them. I've always thought my mom wore the coolest clothes back in the 70's and early 80's. I recall when I was in high school my mom would make comments about the fashion trends of that time. She would say, “I used to have clothes like that when I was younger. Now they are wearing those clothes, again?!” I’d look at her and think she was foolish. Of course I now know that fashion history repeats itself and that she really did "have clothes like that." I heart her comfy outfit of high waisted black bell-bottom pants and cap sleeve striped cotton top (pictured above)… such a classic outfit. She was, and still is, nanay chic.

BLOGGING or lack thereof

summer 2010

It's been a while since I've posted anything... about two and a half months. I'd like to say I'd been uber busy with this project and that project but the truth of the matter is that I just haven't posted anything because I've been neglecting my blog. After a long day at work, when I get home all I want to do is spend time with my family before Amelia heads to sleep. Then, my only desire is to relax whether it be by watching one of my favorites television shows, flipping through a magazine, having some late night snacks, or by laying around on the couch thinking about how I should probably be working on my blog-- or some other project on my list of a million projects I'd like to get done-- until it's bedtime. I'd like to think I've been a "funk" phase for the past 60-80 days perhaps due to summertime. Now that summer season is over, I'm hoping the tina-funk is turning back into tina-fab.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Getting started...
Bottom Pleated Gauze Pants...
First fitting...

I FINALLY finished a project! It took me a good long month but at least I did it. In my defense I’d like to say that the reason it took me so long to complete this project is mainly due to being SUPER tired (and laaaazy, I ain’t gonna lie) at the end of my work days. By the time Amelia goes down for the night, I’ve got about an hour and half or so to straighten up the house (amen for Jason doing most of this), prep for the next day, get myself ready for bed, and relax and spend time with Jason. Mix in a sewing project and I probably have .05 seconds to myself. Mind you, it takes me about 5-10 minutes to set up my “work station” and another 5-10 minutes to break it down. I really only get to work on any projects for about 30 minutes, that includes interruptions. Forget working on projects on the weekends right now. I’d much rather spend my time with my family doing anything but that. I know I’d be more productive if I managed my time better but we all have things to improve upon. Moral of the story: It doesn't matter how long it takes to finish a project as long as it gets done. Although, that might only apply to projects not funded by other people. Regardless, I’m all done and ready for another project. I'm uber happy to have made chic lounge pants for Amelia.

WHERE'S BLABLA?!

Amelia & "bwaahbwaah"

Amelia just can't brush her teeth without the help of her blabla doll, Prudence the Owl, or as Amelia calls her, "bwaahbwaah." I actually can't thank Prudence enough. She's made brushing Amelia's teeth so much easier night after night! Right before bed we ask her, "Where's blabla?" and Amelia jumps on her feet, points to her bedroom and replies, "bwaahbwaah?!" That question is her cue to find "bwaahbwaah"-- who happens to still be "sleeping" in her crib-- and brush their teeth. She just LOVES taking turns brushing her teeth with Prudence. Before we introduced the blabla doll to Amelia it was such a challenge trying to get her to brush those little pearly whites of hers. And to think, poor little Prudence the Owl sat around in Amelia's playpen for over three months collecting dust before we realized this soft and cuddly doll needs to befriend our daughter! Now, "bwaahbwaah" sleeps with Amelia after they brush their teeth. Of course, "bwaahbwaah" doesn't have any teeth but as for now, what she doesn't know...


**The blabla doll was a gift from Amelia's hip Auntie Lily. We can't thank her enough for giving Prudence the Owl to Amelia. If you're interested in owning a blabla doll, check out their website at: www.blablakids.com.

MY MOUTH WATERS FOR FINE FOOD

Waters Fine Food To Go

Mmm... Waters Fine Foods. This company actually specializes in catering yet, thankfully, has a "To Go" spot just outside of their catering location. A friend of mine at work, Lisa, asked me to go to lunch one day with her to this place. I did, and WOW. They have the most delectable sandwiches, roasted veggies, tossed salads, scrumptious baked goodies and much more. The food is all freshly made the day of and while they have a set menu, they have daily specials as well. If that isn't enough, they "support local farmers, fishermen and artisans wherever possible, and encourage sustainability, organic foods and hand-crafted techniques." Good food, good people, and GOOD JOB Waters Catering! For me, what sets them apart from other places is that the food is so tasty. No really, it's T.A.S.T.Y.! So far, everything I’ve had from this joint burst with flavor with each bite! I actually will start to crave the Tuna Salad Sandwich with Fresh Albacore, Wild Arugula, Tapenade, Lemon Aïoli, on Waters’ Focaccia bread if I start thinking about it...Um, like right now. My mouth is water-ing (no pun intended, well, maybe a little) as I type this. I just might have to get this tomorrow for lunch. Fortunately for me, this place is a mere 10 minutes away from work. OH. YES.

By the way, for mommies out there who are watching the calorie intake like I am, Waters Fine Foods To Go portions are small and everything is reasonably priced as well. Your taste buds, tummy, figure, and wallet will all be pleased.

http://www.waterscatering.com/

MOMMY & HOBBY?!

Singer Featherweight 221 Sewing Machine


These are some photos of my Singer Featherweight 221 sewing machine. It's a totally old school sewing machine and I L.O.V.E. it. It replaced my cheap ass Costco sewing machine from long ago (no offense to Costco sewing machine purchases). An instructor of mine recommended I purchase this machine and THANK GAWD she did because it's one of THE BEST purchases. Jason actually won it off of eBay for me for Christmas. He's the bestest friend and husband EVER but that's beside the point. The sewing machine is pretty old but it's damn sturdy and quiet compared to the sewing machines sold these days. That's my hobby-- SEWING. I'm dedicating a posting to my sewing machine in hopes to light a fire under my bum to get these damn sewing projects underway. No really, I sew. I swear I sew. I've made dresses for myself and cute garments for others. I've made sewing projects for Xmas gifts. I honestly thought I would be Martha Stewart once I had children. You know, making homemade meals and doing arts and crafts. Things didn't turn out the way I'd planned it in my head right before Amelia was born. That's okay. I'm guessing many mommies can relate that being a mommy and having a hobby isn't as easy as Ms. Stewart makes it out to be. One day I'll make Amelia something, one day...

I have a "Projects" category on my blog site. I'm planning to post photos of my sewing projects once I actually get to them, and now that I've posted this, I know myself and I know I'll have something done within a few weeks to share with you. Keep an eye, or two, out.