The New Forest in the Fog

I was finishing off a night shift when I noticed how foggy it was outside. I have been wanting to capture the New Forest when it is swathed in a blanket of fog and the time has finally come. Whoop whoop! I love how fog can give an amazingly moody, classic look and atmospheric feel to a composition.

With no sleep at all (I was a walking zombie!), my boys and I drove down to the New Forest to chase the fog.

That Snowy Day in New Forest

We woke up to snow! Yeyyy!! Forget World Book Day - time to go sledding! We don't get snow around here in Southampton, but it did come this winter. Twice! Believe me, to us Sotonians, this is already a treat! The sight of it filled the air with excitement, as we seized the opportunity to go sledding with our furry friend and for walks. 

Happiness is...

Happiness is

.

.

.

Nutrient Wise Soothing Eye Gel Review!

When I saw this eye serum on Amazon, I mmmmed and errrrrred at first as I was not completely sure it would work. My eye area is becoming a problem because of working long nights, three times in a week at least. So I had been searching for that perfect cream, that perfect gel, then I found this - Nutrient Wise Soothing Eye Gel.

It arrived quickly in the post, well-packed. I tried it a few times this week and I am amazed at the results! Bye, bye, tired eyes! Puffy, baggy eyes reduced. You only need to apply a tiny bit around the eye area and it dries fast, not sticky at all. It feels cool and fresh, really hydrating and softening the skin. It is fragrance free, which is very good.

This is also perfect for those mornings where you wake up looking less than bright-eyed. It will instantly awaken the eye area, depuff and get rid of dark circles as it hydrates. I can see results, even my husband noticed! This is an absolute must-buy!

First Day of Preschool

I sent my only boy off to preschool. Suddenly I felt a complex mix of emotions. I am excited by what lies ahead for him and the whole new world he is going to love. Sad because I know it is a time for letting go.. I have savoured all the days when it was just the two of us together during the week, the middle-of-the-day-snuggles and how he would think of me as his only playmate. Now he is off to a wilder world where he will meet new people, create friendships, discover and learn something brand new. Soon I will not be his sole playmate anymore. Soon he will find another best friend. I will miss being needed so much.

I did not worry about how he will feel toward school as unlike other kids, he cried because he did not want to leave his school! It went on like that for four days. Then he came to understand that he will be going back and that school is now part of his life - he now comes home with us gladly. 

As for me, it feels like a new start. Aside from missing him, I kept asking myself, "what to do?", "what to do?".. What to do first when I get home? Shall I go for that movie I have been wanting to see? Should I take a nap?  Shall I go for coffee? But as you know, a mother's job is never done. As soon as I got home, I realised there were so many things to do. Sure the house is tidier now, but I'd rather it be messy; I'd rather he is not out of my sight and out of my care. What can I do? He is definitely growing up!

Feather Boa Christmas Tree

Christmas is here, everyone!

Beep, beep! Ioan is 3!

My little boy loves cars. He talks about them 24/7, takes them to bed, lines them up perfectly, reads books about them.. He knows exactly which cars he already has and which ones he doesn't. He even takes a few of them to the shower for a 'car wash'. When he learned how to draw, the first thing he drew was a car, followed by more cars! When he prays at night, he would thank God for his red car, blue car, black car, green car, yellow car.. He can tell you the make and model of some of them. In fact, I did not know what a Bugatti is until he identified it while we were in the toy shop! What is it about boys and their fascination of cars, eh?

No-Sew Memory Cushion Cover

Being a hoarder Mum, I have been wanting to save this shirt that my little man wore from a couple of years back. I managed to sneak in a bit of time today to upcycle his old top using a cushion cover that once belonged to my Mum. It was an easy, no-sew project and is now sitting proudly in our living room.

Ioan * The King of All Wild Things is 2!

We had been out of town celebrating mine and my little chap's birthdays, just the four of us (hubby, baby, myself and the dog). My sweet husband always takes me to beautiful and new places on my birthdays. It sort of became a tradition and since my boy's birthday is only four days away from mine, he got a taster of this so-called tradition.

St. Aldhelm's Chapel on the cliffs of St. Alban's Head

Photo by Charisse Joy Photography

Bluebells

Photo by Charisse Joy Photography

A Beautiful Journey

I love you...

passed the moon and the stars,

the planets,

and the sun

wrapped around everything

times

fifty million, bajillion

times

infinity!

That's how much I heart you!

|Photographs by Charisse Joy Photography|

[Week 7]

First Published Book: God Smiles in Flowers

Our Little Man is 1!

The swiftest hours, as they flew! It feels like it was only yesterday that he and I were alone in the hospital room. I held him in my arms - he was so tiny and fragile that I couldn't take my eyes off him - and he was only a day old. I have to pinch myself, he is now one year old!

Withered

Photo by Charisse Joy Photography

My Favourite Love Letter

T'was love at first sight.

diy (no-bake!) Birthday Cake

So it was the ex-boyfriend's 3*th birthday the other day. ;) This was his birthday cake or rather... his birthday donut cake!

Yashica Mat-124 G

My first attempt at film photography.

This is actually a surprise pressie from my ex-boyfriend (who is always feeding my curiousity) when he came home from work one day.

Enough to keep me excited and even more curious!

diy Message-on-the-Bottle Painted Vases

In the Philippines, the 1st of November is when we honour the saints and the 2nd of November we remember all those who have passed away. Families visit the graves of their loved ones with baskets of flowers and Masses are offered in churches.  When Mama (1956-2013) was still alive, we used to buy flowers on Halloween and arrange them into vases using recycled materials. This year, I was on my own.

For this project, I used some old jars and empty wine bottles (my Papa is a bottle hoarder!). I found his can of spray paint in the garage and Mama's craft bits and pieces. This diy is easy as pie.

Just spray the bottles with paint, allow at least 5 minutes before adding another coat, let dry, and glue on the trinkets! Easyyy!!! Since the vases were for the feast of souls, I decided putting a sticker quote onto the bottle to give it a sentimental touch. 

Papa's bottles and spray paint.

Mama's craft bits.

First Book Cover!

To see my photograph on a cover of a book is a childhood dream come true. :)

My work used in Voz de la Nostalgia and Versos en Matices. Both books by author and poet Maria Alabi, available on Amazon.

Happy days!!! :) :) :)