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watercolor artist

Vanessa Ann Patiño - Ong

Published Works Stories

Faith Over Fear

April 25th, 2022 ⁄ Comments Off on Faith Over Fear

ART ON THE POT Amidst a growing interest in orname

ART ON THE POT
Amidst a growing interest in ornamental plants and urban greening, friends Kia Marquez, Keisha Pulido and Francis Escuadro saw an opportunity to turn their passion to profit and launched a hobby business called Potheads. They painted on pots, drawing inspiration from pop culture, music and story books, as well as the works of Klimt, Van Gogh, Banksy and other notable artists. Their works got a lot of attention and business grew by the week, with more orders for custom illustrations and personalized designs.

Find out more about this creative collaboration and read the full story now up on the blog. Link in bio.

Story also published on my Metro Mom column in Edge Davao newspaper. Flip through the news pages > https://issuu.com/edgedavao/docs/211/6

#potheadsdavao #custompots #crazyplantlady #plantitas #gardening #plantsmakepeoplehappy #pottedplants @potheads_dvo

JUMP YOUR WAY TO FITNESS The pandemic pushed us to

So much feels for 2020, but seeing this face is en

So much feels for 2020, but seeing this face is enough to make our family smile and look forward to better and brighter days ahead. 🙏🏻

Current fave! Our 3-year-old tot is quite amused a

Current fave! Our 3-year-old tot is quite amused and fascinated with the Expression Puzzle Building Blocks. The set has about 50 funny and recognizable patterns which stir up conversation and laughter, particularly when we analyze and imitate the facial expressions in the game. Best thing about this is it helps improve a child’s memory, three-dimensional imagination, logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to identify and understand feelings.

#educationaltoys #puzzlesforkids #familyfun #familygame #smarttoys #motherhood #mommydiaries #momlife #homeschool

Usually, by this time of the year, we would be out

Usually, by this time of the year, we would be out attending parties and reunions and catching every festive attraction and show around the metro.

The season of goodwill, love and joy is generally an emotional one at the best of times, but Christmas in the time of a pandemic brings with it a whole new wave of feelings.

This holiday season is unlike any other. Extraordinary in its own way, we are reminded every single day of the things that truly matter. As we spend time with the people we value most, let us not forget to show gratitude by making this Christmas a very meaningful one.

This year, many of us are staying #HomeForChristmas, and we can make it truly special by making new traditions we can share and enjoy with loved ones—even at a distance—to keep the spirit alive.

With everything that we have been through as a country this 2020, let us all look forward with hope to a light-filled New Year.

#ModernParentingXRustans
@rustansph
@modernparentingph

•This week, on my blog and column in #EdgeDavao

•This week, on my blog and column in #EdgeDavao newspaper•
Take a peek into this picturesque space in Davao City — @the.curious.h General Store. This is where you’ll find a range of well-curated goods from homewares, draperies, foliage, paper stock, basketry, decors and more. There’s definitely something in store for you, whether you’re into product photography, tablescapes, set designing, gifting, or simply nurturing — or enabling — a newfound hobby (hello, “plantitas” and “platetitas”).

“This little shop of things is designed to spark your creativity, add life to your place, or simply let you see the beauty in the ordinary,” says the owner, @helensco.

“We have merchandise suitable for prop styling for any kind of space or photography project. There are props for rent, in case someone wants to shoot and style their products inside the shop. There is also an area for rent for photo shoots, using my current setup.”

Swipe left for more images or click the link on my bio to read the full story.

metromom.net
#MetroMom #trylocalph #supportlocalbusiness #lovelocal

I am big fan of the Bear family ever since I was a

I am big fan of the Bear family ever since I was a kid, and I’ve come to love and appreciate their stories even more now that I am mom. The @berenstainbears is a gem in every children’s library and I’m glad I am able to pass on my own collection to my daughters. Easy reads like this teach kids moral values and safety-related lessons in the course of each story.

When our toddler developed a habit of biting her nails, and we tried to get her out of it by resorting to age-old remedies and quick fixes. We even tried putting cute and colorful band aid and stickers on her fingertips, hoping they would do the trick. All were failed attempts. The only thing that stopped the nail biting was reading her this Berenstain Bears book.

Now, whenever we catch her staring strangely at her nails, we need only to ask what she learned from the story we read and she’d say, “Don’t bite your nails. It’s a bad habit and it’s not healthy.”

#raisingreaders #childrensbooks #parenting

It was quite a journey to get into a natural rhyth

It was quite a journey to get into a natural rhythm of going about life and work at home. I struggled to strike a good balance between mothering and shifting to home-based work. I went through a roller coaster of emotions, feeling inadequate in my personal role. Despite being cooped up at home, I wasn’t 100% present, because, like everyone in these unprecedented times, I’ve been engulfed in the hustle to secure a living and a future.

During the first few weeks in lockdown, I felt everything was caving in on me. It was like being pulled in a million directions, every millisecond of each day. My toddler and teen have different needs and it frustrated me that I couldn’t be the perfect mom who, I believe, they deserve. I wished I could give them more of my patience and time. Mom guilt has never been more real. It crept in any moment of the day, more so when stress got the better of me.

In an effort to cease the meltdowns, I created new routines to make work and motherhood co-exist harmoniously at home. Boredom made kids clingy and needy, so I identified activities they can do independently while I kept busy with my tasks. Not only did these changes paved the way to a happier home, it also taught my daughters important life skills. Now, I have less interruptions as I go about work, which afforded more “unhurried” quality time with kids by the end of the business day. We’re able to make the most out of our moments together, appreciate the simple things, and celebrate the small wins.

What a crazy ride 2020 has been. But, the challenges and changes opened opportunities for us grow, reinvent and realize what truly matters in the long run. It also taught me more about myself and that we, mothers, matter too. We cannot give what we do not have. We need to feel good, inside out. Do what makes you healthy, happy and confident—be it working out, eating healthy, wearing your favorite earring, or virtual meets with peers.

When we get past this crisis, I hope my kids will remember #OurJourneyReimagined, and, like keepsake jewelries, they will hold our story close to heart and share their wealth of knowledge and experience with generations to come.
@kathyandkathybespoke

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