PRINT ON SKIN

 

While a classic little black dress (LBD) is pretty much our usual weapon of choice in any fashion emergency, women have started to embrace style with more hues and curves splashed on fabric. In fact, the latest fashion forecast show a lot of florals, animal prints and geometric shapes in various guises, shades and textures. The advent of new technology such as laser printing has likewise spun new wave of artistic impressions in modern adaptation of classic cuts and forms.

Print and patterns make fashion fun and edgy. However, not every pattern works on every body type. Putting together prints with other clothing elements, more so with other prints, can be very tricky as well. A wise dresser will always tell you to stay true to your body type, to embrace comfort and style any weight you are. Find the pattern that will complement your figure and put emphasis on your assets. 

 

If you are of a more generous physique, you might want to rethink those billowy tunics and floaty smocks as an oversized garment can make the wearer look oversized in shape, much like a stuffed pillowcase. Large images and polka dots give an illusion of a bigger surface area, thus it's best to keep to smaller prints. Dare to show skin instead of wearing printed long sleeves as these will only add more inches to your width. The goal is to create more shape and definition to you body, not to add volume. Get the slimming factor that comes with wearing diagonal stripes.

 

 

Tall, lean ones have it all when it comes to choices in prints. Big and bold patterns in mixed palette of colors make a good ensemble for this lucky brood. 

The "pear" should try to put the focus up on her face by wearing a colorful top. The "pear's" alter ego, those who are full around chest, may opt to keep the wandering eyes or prying onlookers busy with patterns on your trousers or skirt, and maintain a flattering balance with a solid colored top. Remember, print on heavy will only add volume.

 

 

Just like florals, houndstooth never goes out of fashion. It is an alternative for those who don't fancy polka dots for their outfit. Aside from it being hip and edgy, it is a universally flattering form that can give you a slimmer (and smarter) look. 

 

Print on print is quite challenging to pull off. The easy way to do it, without having to look like a walking chaos on the streets, is to find a common shade when matching pieces together. 
 

 

Always remember that balance is the key. If done right, prints can level up the style factor of any ensemble. Enjoy the thrill of mixing patterns and colors and make sure your fashion statement complements your best assets.

 

(photos courtesy of Soul Lifestyle)

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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.

A1, INdulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 7 Issue no. 162, 29 October 2014.

YOGA: AN EXERCISE FOR THE BODY AND SOUL

More and more communities have turned to yoga as a means of getting fit and healthy. Yoga has taken on an essential task as the roles and demands on women, moms included, continue to grow and become more intertwined and complex. Today's multifaceted, successful and dynamic women need good health, mental peace and balance to be able to carry out their duties and goals at home and at work.

A daily practice of yoga brings balance into one's life, which helps in attaining a better perspective throughout the changing needs along each phase in life. 

 

Yoga is an effective way to improve your flexibility and strength. It works every part of the body, bringing forth movement along with stimulation of the organs, muscles and bones. As it strengthens your core, your body also becomes more fit and toned.

To those who take their body for granted just because of the lack of physical and rigorous activities, yoga will change how you perceive your body as it reconnects you to your inner strength and radiance, leading you to discover and accept what your body can do.

 

Maybelle Yu, a mom of 3, is no stranger to the concept of getting fit. After all, the lifestyle trend is now, finally, leaning towards wellness and letting go of excess baggage --- whether fat or unresolved issues. Maybelle is committed to taking care of her well being and her body and disposition are testaments to her dedication and discipline. 

"I have tried different workouts. My siblings and I value our wellness and we strive to keep ourselves fit," shares Maybelle. "I started practicing yoga with one purpose in mind, which was to lose all the extra inches and weight I gained from the third pregnancy."

"I got hooked to yoga after only a few tries. As I went on with the practice, I didn't worry much about losing the weight anymore because I was enjoying my classes and getting better each day became my only focus. I did lose the weight after a year of practice. To some, they probably don't have the patience to wait it out for that long, but yoga made me appreciate my body and the gradual changes that came along as I developed that inner strength. Losing the weight became just an added bonus."

Maybelle maintains that she is not a fan of starving oneself. Instead, she enjoys the simple pleasures of eating and makes sure she keeps fit by sweating out the extra calories. "I still try other forms of exercise but I always go back to yoga because it really changed and enhanced my overall outlook in life. It became my solace with which I can just walk in, be myself, breathe in and work together with my body. It improved my everyday disposition and how I relate to people. I'd say yoga is a practice on and off the mat when you allow yourself to find peace within you, to know your center. In effect, you also get better at handling the everyday demands in life, particularly for a mother. I realized that yoga eventually transcends and becomes your life discipline. You free yourself from the unnecessary. You learn to let go of tensions in the body, which also causes emotional baggage. You are able to attain emotional and physical balance in all aspects of life, including your eating habits, on and off the mat. It's a kind of discipline that you bring with you wherever you go."

With a bit of encouragement from her teachers and classmates, Maybelle pursued a formal training for certification and has been teaching yoga for about 2 years now. She holds classes at North Zen Basic Spaces every Tuesday at 1:30PM, Wednesday at 9:30AM and Saturday at 9:30AM.

"As I began to learn more about Yoga, I discovered that the practice continues to evolve as you get older, become wiser and more intuitive. It meets and supports you at whatever stage you are in your life, even when you're pregnant or in the menopausal phase."

 

"For new students and first time yogis, I encourage them to go easy themselves. Don't judge or compare yourself to others. Just get on the mat and breathe as if you're breathing in life anew. Don't give up right away. Yoga is possibly one of the most effective workouts because it actually renews your body down to the cellular level. After each session, you'll feel like you just came from a body massage as opposed to other sports where in the end you'll be needing one. You'll feel more relaxed. Emotionally, you get to reconnect and stay aligned with  your core values." 

For inquiries on Maybelle's yoga classes, please call North Zen Basic Spaces at 09477662225 or 2953997.
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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.
A1 and A4, Indulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 7 Issue no. 152, 15 October 2014.

IS HOMESCHOOLING RIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY? Here’s a mom’s take on learning at home

 

Homeschooling is a progressive educational approach that is gaining more acceptance and following among several institutions and sectors in society. There are a number of reasons why some parents, nowadays, consider home schooling their offspring. Some opt to personally hone their child’s mind around the norms, values, behavior and social skills that are aligned to their own beliefs and take on life. After all, home is the child’s first temple of learning. It is the foundation where one is first taught the value of relationships, respect and responsibility.

Alex Hao, a professional childbirth educator, has all 4 of her kids under homeschooling, or, as she would call it, ‘unschooling’ program. “To me and my husband, Bion, this alternative way of learning is a way of imparting knowledge to our children which is established on the grounds of their chosen social environment and level of interest in various subjects. Basically, it’s opening our children to a wider range of opportunities to learn from what we call the school of life.”

 

Homeschooling poses a greater demand on parents. Involvement is a significant key to the success of this program, which requires not only parental instincts, but also their skills in teaching and how much learning hours they can commit to their children everyday. It worked that Alex’s childbirth classes are scheduled in the evening and this gave her more time to concentrate on her children --- Amber, Ashley, Allegra and Nicholas.

 

“I don’t have a curriculum or any lesson plan that’s patterned after what they have in regular schools,” explains Alex. “Except for Math, which my husband thinks should be practiced everyday, the rest of the subjects are irregularly paced and are interest-driven. We also put emphasis on learning life skills through actual practical application and experience by using the 5 senses.”

 

“I also have friends whose children are home-schooled. I’ve noticed that, given proper guidance and facilitation, the children eventually develop that initiative to study and practice on their own, even after lessons. In a way, it sparks up their curiosity and interest to discover things their own way, to find meaning and explanation to different aspects of life. They also learn by way of keen observation of animals and humans, who we also refer to as ‘living story books.’”

 

As an answer to the general concern that homeschooled children miss out on daily interaction with peers, Alex says that it’s every family’s responsibility to encourage their kids to socialize whenever in public, however it is possible and fitting to their way of living. “My kids are very sociable and they get along with people they meet in parties and play dates or their peers in catechism. Unlike before, today’s home-schooled children participate in athletic teams, academic competition, bands or art movements. They also have a freedom to learn through experience and real-life interaction like field trips, travelling or immersion in different fields.”

 

“My children are artistically inclined and they have more time to concentrate on honing their skills because of homeschool.” Amber, the eldest, was a scholar for a prestigious dance school and even joined musical concerts staged in malls. Fourteen year old Ashley recently had her first solo violin concert last weekend. “All 4 kids are also into sports and my only boy loves swimming, taekwondo and soccer. The girls are into theater arts, music, dance, visual arts, crafting and baking. One thing I’ve realized while I watch my kids grow is homeschooling not only offers a sense of understanding about the social, cultural, and ethical norms of the family, but has also become a binding force among everyone in the family.”

 

Alex shares a piece of advice to parents who are considering homeschool for their children. “It’s not for everyone. Every family is different. We have different needs and beliefs. I do have high regard for the Academe. It’s just that my husband and I chose to do things differently for our family. Before you decide and put your kid in a homeschool program, you have to start with a goal in mind. You have to know what it is that your child needs and assess how you can play a part in his path to learning, whether in school or at home. Whatever it is you choose you must trust your child’s learning capacity.”

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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.

A1, Indulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 7 Issue no. 147, 8 October 2014.

 

ACTIVE PARENTING

 

What’s your parenting style? Are you the indulgent type or an authoritarian?

 

Parenting is one of the most crucial influences in a child’s development. It is just one of the many aspects that factors in one’s holistic growth into a happy adult. Its effects during each stage in childhood can extend as far as adulthood. Just as parents and children have differences of their own, the manner and approach with which couples rear their young ones also vary for every family. What fits for one parent or child may not necessarily be suitable for another.

There are some who inculcate their offspring with a love for arts, channeling their creative side as part of personality development. To some couples, sports play an important role in establishing discipline and enhancing social skills among kids. The ultimate goal of making sports a part of their lifestyle should be to promote lifelong physical activity, recreation and healthy competition, which can come in handy later on in their lives. 

Jaypee and Anna Pacheco

Taken from one mom's point of view, it's highly suggested that parents pay close attention to their child's interests, identify their needs, and provide motivation and guidance. "The goal must not be skewed toward what parents expect to see or gain out of engaging their child in a particular activity, hobby or sport. Everything should be focused on your child's well-being, to teach him to realize his own goals and get a deeper understanding of how he can maximize his potentials in order to achieve," shares Anna Borlongan-Pacheco, a mom of two.

Jaypee with son, Miggy

"My husband, Jaypee, and I just want our kids to enjoy their childhood. They are very much in touch with what they want in life as of now. We don't put any pressure on them, be it in academics or in other activities. We make our presence and love felt by guiding them through their million questions on different subject matters in school, attending all their events, cheering them on, providing their needs and supporting their hobbies and interests. Because of these things, our kids have a better grasp of the meaning of family and what it takes to make a home happy and healthy."

 

 

Sporting around

Anna's kids, Miggy and Isabel, are different in some ways. Migs is the reserved and conservative type, spending his "alone" time in between reading books, biking and planting. Isabel is sociable and very expressive. She enjoys arts and crafts as much as she loves dancing and singing. Anna points out, "Sports and the great outdoors are their only common ground."

Miggy and Isabel remind me so much of the old Milo TVC's which featured little champions in the making. Like most of them, Anna's kids have evidently grown into bonafide young athletes, always in anticipation of a new sport or competition. 



 

"My kids enjoy a good sweat and they are very active. Both have already participated and placed in several triathlons and have maintained their standing as members of the swimming varsity for 2 years now. Aside from taking karate lessons, Migs also plays soccer, basketball, badminton and chess. Isabel, on the other hand, has just discovered a new love in synchronized swimming. Recently, she has been competing in dance sports events," shares the proud mom.

"This love of sports just came naturally to them. We didn't have to force them into trying out each activity. I guess they just found it interesting since my husband and I are also into sports. I guess children really learn by example. In a way, this is our kind of family bonding."

 

Personality development

Any form of physical activity and exercise promotes a holistic growth and benefits the child in different ways. Aside from keeping one strong and healthy, sports can help boost self-esteem and confidence, improve concentration and balance, and develop flexibility and social skills.

Isabel Pacheco

 

"In the case of Miggy and Isabel, they learned to respect each other's capabilities and value patience, teamwork and self-discipline. They have become responsible in a way that they take charge of their own time --- using it wisely for learning and fun," explains Anna.

Nurture the gift

Anna shares her parenting experience to all mothers. "Being parents, we are our child's main support system. But we also discipline ourselves by keeping to our children's own goals. We don't pressure them into winning all their competitions. We let them know that we believe in their talent and, whatever the outcome may be, we trust they'd always give it their best."

 

"Any parent whose children are into these competitive activities should let their kids follow their own pace and allow them to enjoy the experience to the best of their abilities. Parents can set good example by reinforcing acceptance and respect of different shapes and ability levels. Another way of extending moral support is by  promoting talent, strength and an open mind in coping with different environments and situations."

 

"It's just natural that parents hope our little ones will achieve success throughout their life, but we have to let them find their own place in this world and not push them to follow unrealistic dreams. Keep in mind the difference between conditioning our children to do what we love versus loving what they do. We have to let them grow into the person they want to be. Our role is to prepare them for a world outside their hobby and outside our home."

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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.
A1, INdulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 7 Issue no. 142, 01 October 2014.