C's A-ko and Special Swim

I've been meaning to find the right kit to scrap C's first swim experience with his Auntie/A-Ko. I'm glad that I found it today...a great year-round essentials kit called Today the collection by Mari Koegelenberg available at SSD, is the perfect kit to show the fun side of what happened just this month for C.

Also something to check out is alphas by Mari Koegelenberg that I was able to use for my layout below called Oh Woodsy No. 1.

Credits: Today the collection by Mari Koegelenberg available at SSD; Orator Standard - font; Oh Woodsy No. 1 - Alphas

Berry Sweet Summer!

It's summer and it's uber hot here...I'm always with a water bottle in my hand. Feeling under the weather so it's even harder to be in good spirits these days. So in order to make me feel better, I scrap to a happy kit! Check out Mari Koegelenberg's Berry Sweet kit newly release at SDD. The kit oozes with berry goodness that would make anyone feel better, even if it's just for a few minutes.

I hardly scrap photos of myself but it's to remember a dear photographer friend of mine who was able to capture my playful side back when I have just finish given birth...so even with sleepless nights, I still looked fresh and pretty. Hahahaha!

Credits: Mari Koegelenberg's Berry Sweet kit available at SSD, Papyrus - font; Garthe Photography - photo credits

Freshly Picked ~ Citi family

It's been about 6 months since I stopped working. I thought I would be bored out of my mind with home life but I haven't felt that yet. I realized that my friend, Ginni, was right - once you take out the work...there is always something else to do that would take as much priority as the work.  I think Colin appreciates that I'm constantly at home and have the energy to play with him more during our evening games...I hope. :P

But on the side, I remember my old co-workers at Citi that has been part of my career development for close to a decade. It's amazing to be working at a company wherein a "team" is meant as something and we all function as a unit than just an individual. There's a lot of cooperation and teamwork that it oozes from all corners of our office. This is the Citi culture that may or may not work for everyone here in MNL but it has with me for all these years.

I can say that each of them are a "cut-above-the rest" and are definitely "Citi Picked".

I could see no better kit to scrap than Mari Koegelenberg's Freshly Picked kit available at SSD.

The papers and elements all exude specially picked/chosen quality...that's the people of Citi.

Horey for the CITI!!!!

Credits: Freshly Picked - Mari Koegelenberg available at SSD, Kartika & Arial - fonts

Top Free Wi-Fi Hot Spots in HKG (via HK Magazine)

Café O 
This café-cum-restaurant in the heart of Sheung Wan has a refreshing and comfortable atmosphere with a chic modern touch. The Wi-Fi is free and unlimited, and the surroundings make it the perfect place to get a quiet bit of work done. Café O also guarantees fresh food cooked from scratch and has a little something for everyone. Try the signature dishes, eggplant and rocket pizza as well as the salami pizza as well as the freshly made smoothies to keep your mind energized.
284-286 Queen's Rd. Central, Sheung Wan, 2851-0890, www.cafeo.hk

Holly Brown 
Settle down and relax while surfing the web on the comfy seats with Holly Brown’s famous waffle dish gelato and a cup of fragrant coffee. There are almost always available seats at this joint but the wi-fi is turned off between noon and 2pm to keep freeloaders away during busy lunch times.
 G/F, 22 Stanley St., Central, 2869-9008, www.hollybrowncoffee.com

At 1968 
Enjoy delicious Indonesian cuisine from beef rendang to nasi goreng while surrounded by other diners wielding laptops.
5F, L Place, 139 Queen’s Rd., Central, 2577-9981, www.ir1968.com 

Java Java Coffee & Tea Lounge 
Situated on a quiet stretch of Hollywood Road, Java Java lounge serves fine coffees, teas, pastries, home made cakes and other scrumptious delights. Java Java’s loungey atmosphere and plush seating is a great place to relax for hours. Open until 11pm during the week and 12am on Fridays and Saturdays.
188 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan, 2549-7739, www.javajavalounge.com 

Oolaa 
Oolaa is a popular dining and drinks destination with an ideal comfy café corner for web browsing and freelancers. Try the freshly baked pastries and have a cup of ground Illy coffee.
G/F, Bridges Street, Centre Stage, Soho, 2803-2083 

Caffé Habitu 
This chic Italian cafe offers handcrafted coffee by some of the most talented baristas in town.
77-79 Gloucester Rd., Wan Chai, 2111-2977, www.caffeehabitu.com 

Initial Café 
This vintage chic café is a great place to escape from the hustle and bustle of Tsim Sha Tsui, also doubling as a clothes store. This is a great place for people watching and serves authentic Italian style coffees. Lounge with your laptop whilst listening to the Parisian music.
48 Cameron Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2311-4223 

The One and New Town Plaza Malls 
Both The One Mall in Tsim Sha Tsui and New Town Plaza in Sha Tin have Wi-Fi throughout the entire shopping centers.
The One, 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, www.the-one.hk
New Town Plaza, Sha Tin Centre Street, Sha Tin, N.T., www.newtownplaza.com.hk

Remembering Colin's First Trip

I love Norah Jones from Day 1 especially when I first heard the song "Come Away With Me" from her 2002 debut album. The lyrics sang to me and tugged my heart strings. The same happened when I saw Mari Koegelenberg and Kristin Cronin-Barrow's Come Away With Me kit available at SSD. I brought myself back down to memory lane with one of my fond memories of my son...this first out-of-town trip.

Credits: Come Away With Me by Kristin Cronin-Barrow & Mari Koegelenberg available at SSD; Font: Fixedsys

Call Me!!!

Mari's got a new kit on SSD and it's really something to share about. Check out Shawna Clingeman and Mari Koegelenberg's Call Me kit available at SSD. The papers are to die for and the word art elements are so diverse, it can work for anything!

Here's our little curious one...doing what he does best ~ talking/answering the everyone's mobile phones. :P

Credits: Call Me by Shawna Clingeman and Mari Koegelenberg available at SSD

HK Kiddie Store Update: Tiny Footprints Hong Kong is now open!!!

Taken from Little Steps Asia posting...that I'm uber excited about.

 The rumours are true! 

There is a gorgeous new store in Central that offers parents international goodies galore from baby basics to fabulous furny. 

Get ready Hong Kong - Tiny Footprints is here!

Founded by pilot and HK mom, Caroline, Tiny Footprints is the result of a truly global buyer sourcing the greatest finds from around the world.  The store not only sells unique gifts, but it also offers basics including hard to find formula brands!

 A few of our favorites:

 *  Boori - Cribs and funry.  Lucky for us, Tiny Footprints has a storage facility for nursery furniture.  No more waiting for weeks to collect your crib!

 *  Hunter Boots & Walnut Shoes - Delicious for those little steppers!

 *  Bonds - Aussies rejoice with this cult favorite of a brand with basics from maternity to baby wear.

*  Phil & Teds - Strollers, highchairs, and other bits from this famous dad-run empire.

 *  Rice - We love this brand and Tiny Footprints has it covered!

 *  Swimsuits - Fall in love with unique and chic swimmers for the summer.  

 *  Toys - No plastic here.  

 *  Bedding - Plenty of options to create the perfectly concocted cacoon for your wee ones.

 *  Gliders - Hong Kong finally has stylish gliders for rockin' those babes!   

All of the products are of top quality, non-toxic and also good to the earth. 
Thank you Tiny Footprints for opening! We promise to visit you often!

Why Little Steps loves Tiny Footprints?
Baby basics, maternity fashion, nursery furniture, skincare, and more wrapped up in a beautiful and friendly store in Central!

Who it's perfect for?
Pregnant mamas, stylish babies, gift giving grandparents, and dads looking for a stress-free baby shopping excursion.

What else?
Bring the kids! They have a cute play area for the little guys complete with a changing/nursing room.

Where to find it?
Tiny Footprints
Address: 10/F, 1 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong
Tel no.: +852 2522 2466
Email: contact@tinyfootprints.com
Website: www.tinyfootprints.com
 Open Monday - Saturday from 10am - 7pm / Closed on Sunday and Public Holidays