Last April 15, I launched the re-branded and new look of Mommy Practicality.  I actually wanted this to happen since last year, after Mommy Practicality turned one.  But due to lack of extra time and abundance in home and work demands, it took a back seat.

Until sometime in January, one of my listed blog goals was put into reality when I finally contacted Martine De Luna, a friend first and foremost, and a well-known professional blog coach who helps a woman-blogger become the editor-in-chief of her online platform, to write meaningfully and get the blog's voice heard through the posts, and to write intentionally for targeted readers and audience of the blog.

This was taken during our first ever meeting in January 31.  I was so engrossed with our discussion I forgot to take a picture of us together.  Martine gave me her post-Christmas gift. :)

If you are just starting, she can help you conceptualize your blog's direction.  If you're a tenured blogger but unsure of which direction you want your blog to go or already know what you want and where you want to go but need help in putting it all together, she can also give you a blog critique and guide you through your blog's makeover.

Before I took the blog revamp and blog coaching plunge, I've attended several of Martine's workshops.  These blog workshops were valuable to me because it inspired me to make a Life Mission statement and to find my real Purpose in Blogging.  I also got some branding and writing tips too!   My exposure in her workshops made me understand some more how important branding is to one's blog.   It's not just the new look that I wanted to revamp but I also wish to focus on the message or tone that I want to convey in my posts and features.  I arrived at the mood board, which became the blog revamp's inspiration, in one of the workshops I attended.

THE BLOG COACHING PROCESS
Having Martine as a blog coach didn't mean I left all the thinking or conceptualizing to her.   I see it as a partnership.  While she helped me find my blog's focus, heart and soul by providing me a well-thought and comprehensive branding worksheets, I exerted a lot of effort in completing these.  Apart from sweat and tears (of joy), research and planning were put into it.  The two to three-week work plan turned into more than a month.  Adding the web design timelines until my blog's re-launch resulted to two and a half months blog brewing.  All I can say is, IT'S ALL WORTH IT!

Second meeting with Martine took place at La Creperie, New Manila, QC. Please excuse Marco Lobregat for joining us in this picture loves! (hihihi!)

The meeting (more of chika than anything!) was enjoyed over our lovely and delicious crepes.

I wouldn't say it's worth it if I was not satisfied with the result.  I was blushing with pride (I still am actually!) when it was launched.  I received a number of raves from my friends and blog network.  Seeing it live that day was momentous and a milestone that's truly special to me.  You know the feeling of relief coming home to a well-kept and comfortable place after a hard day's work?  That's how I am feeling whenever I manage my blog.  I am HAPPY! :)

THANK YOU!
To my blog designer, Patricia Alix-Villa of Fancy Girl Design Studio, thank you for being patient with me.  I (and a lot other more!) LOVE your design!  You captured every detail of how I envisioned it to look like.  You were very efficient and comfortable to work with!

To my friend and blog coach, Martine, thank you also for being patient with me!  I appreciate it when you checked on how I was doing with my assignments.  Thanks for the time you spent meeting me, coaching me and guiding me all throughout the process.  I hope I was a good student to you! :)
By the way loves, Martine is organizing a Life-Bliss Weekend (A Creative Living Retreat for Women) a retreat designed to inspire and grow both your soul and creative ventures, whether in business, blogging or in your workplace.  If you're interested to join, register and signify your attendance HERE.

Let me ask you loves, how important is internet for you and your family?  In this digital era, can you live without internet?  Can you last days or weeks without checking on and updating your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts?  Some may say yes and others no.  Personally speaking, we could probably last few days without it, but with totally no internet connection at all, that’s a big NO.

As a working or stay-at-home mom, don't we always find ourselves stressing at being the super woman that we wish to be in order to meet the demands at work, at home and from our kids?  Exhaustion often couples with stress resulting to dull skin, dry skin, haggardo versoza faces and worst (at least for me) acne breakouts!   That's why proper skin care is important for us moms.  Taking time each day to cleanse, tone and moisturize does wonders for our facial skins.

I had an opportunity to take this skincare to a different level.  A few weeks ago, I was offered to try different facial services (I call it major pleasant pampering) at Skinlux Aesthetic Center at the 3 Level of Promenade, Greenhills, San Juan, MM.   Special thanks to Martine De Luna for introducing me to SkinLux! :)

Every year, we observe Holy Week Catholic activities beginning Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday and also Maundy Thursday Visita Iglesia.  I even wrote about our Visita Iglesia route in Quezon City last year.  This year, hubby and I decided to do it in Manila, WALKING.   I doubted myself at first if I could survive the walking to and from one church to another.  But I said, as part of our penitence this Holy Week, I will do it, I can do it.   Lo and behold, here's our Visita Iglesia route in Manila.

San Beda Church (Our Lady of Montserrat) 
One of our family's favorite churches is this quiet church along Mendiola Street near Malacañang Palace.  Attending mass here on Sundays has always been very solemn and peaceful, away from the busyness of the city.

Summer is one of the best times for our children who are on school vacation to get busy with arts and crafts.  I have two boys who are very active and couldn't stay put in one position or activity.  But when it comes to food, paper or stickers, they're game!

Speaking of super cute craft materials, Crafty Hattie helped in making our summer activities more exciting and optically delightful to my visual kids.

PAPER CUPS:
One time, we decorated plain mamons to make it look yummier.  We had all sorts of toppings from spreads, candies, to chocolates and more!  Crafty Hattie paper cups were used to contain all those sweet toppings!  Not only it was useful, they were all pretty! :)  Who says you could only use these paper cups in baking or as cupcake holders?  You can actually do so much more!

Hello loves!  I would like to WELCOME everyone to my new blog look!   This is what I fondly call, Mommy Practicality Version 2.0!

I have written in one of my posts last January about “Investing In What You Love”.  This is what I was talking about loves, the NEW and IMPROVED Mommy Practicality.

It saddens me though to say GOODBYE to HER:

Last March 29, my family, together with the families of other food and lifestyle bloggers, had an opportunity to experience a relaxing and tummy-filled weekend staycation at F1 Hotel Manila located at Bonifacio Global City.  We were invited to try out their Lenten Dishes, the LuzViMinda Buffet and of course the comfortable and relaxing suites.

Dandre is already ten years old, turning 11 this year.  Before the school year ended, he admitted to me that he has a crush.  I was VERY COOL about it, in front of him.  But when I excused myself to go to the bathroom, I cried a little.  Exaggerated I know noh?