Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Headboard Story

I've been wanting to do a story on headboards for a long time now. Headboards are interesting. There's so many things you can do about it should you decide to have one, of course.

Here are some that tickled my fancy.
Upholstered in pretty patterns.
Keep it interesting with curtain-like and refurbished old doors.
Chevron print fabric stiffened with Stiffen Stuff(I need this!).
Letters and decal. The letters remind me of our alphabet wall project which we have yet to tackle!
Wooden planks. They go so well with a gray wall and stark white bed linens. Just my kind of urbane organic. (All images above are from pinterest.)
And here's how our headboard is looking nowadays. Nowhere near those fabulous headboards I fancied but I like how an Ikea-bought fabric can give a room, personality. It's just one of those last yards they usually put on sale that I had mounted on a wooden frame. The patterned pillows are from Bungalow 300 bought from Dimensione while the elephant themed one is from Jim Thompson

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Happy Long Weekend

There's nothing more exciting than unpacking new stocks. The downside is, I want to keep most if not all to myself. Ooops. Baubles, purses, even quirky chopstick trainers up soon in Chicify.

What are your plans for the weekend? Ours is extra long but we've decided on a little staycation and just enjoy the city at its quiet state. 

Have a good one lovelies.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Guest Blogger Series {Natalie of From Corporate to Domestic}



When Mikka asked me to guest post, I was super excited! Not only does she have an awesome blog, but she does everything with style. I'll try to do her justice with my post, but that's some big shoes to fill.

My life has drastically changed in the last year. I went for working full-time professional in the finance industry to now a domestic goddess. Well let's just say I haven't earned that title yet, but I can always get an A for effort, right? My change in positon was due to welcoming my first son, Nolan last October. So now instead of managing adults, I manage a bouncing baby boy. Or maybe it's the other way around and now I'm the one taking the orders.

Transitioning from the workforce to being a SAHM has not been all sunshine and rainbows. I don't fit the "domestic" mold. I'm not extremely crafty or an awesome chef. Granted I cook and the food is edible, and I don't serve the same thing every night but I'm one that always has to follow a recipe. However I love the mothering part of staying home with my little guy. If only the other attributes came that easily...I guess a girl can only dream. So with that background, I'm going to give you my 7 tips to surviving motherhood.
In the summer you can find me drinking a frappuccino, in the fall a pumpkin spice latte, and in the winter a peppermint mocha latte. This extra caffeine helps me make it through the "witching hour." You know the time when your kid has been up and is tired but if he naps he won't go to bed? Yeah you know. So Starbucks understands and will help through this trying time. Now if I don't feel like spending the cash you will find me at home with my coffeemaker. He is equally as important as Starbucks.
It was technically given to him for a Christmas present from his parents, but these days I'm the user of this glorious piece of technology. It's easy to hold if I am breastfeeding or pumping, so I don't have to worry about losing my place or repositioning to read the page. Not to mention the fact that I can read faster on it...and time is precious after you have a kid.
This is a must for any stressed out mom. If it's been a tough week, you should always indulge those little toes in some TLC.
I just started this year, and I am amazed at the friendships I have made. The mommy blogger community is such a supportive and accepting group that I'm proud to have joined. Nothing better than having your fears, thoughts, or experiences validated.
My mother-in-law watches my son almost once every week so that my husband and I can have date night. I think it's so important to work on your marriage, but it's hard to when you've got little ones that need your attention every second of the day. Oh and let's not forget my husband. I'm fortunate to have a very involved husband that loves playing with his little man.
No I'm not a workout nazi, but I do try to keep active. I joined a local mom group called Stroller Strides where you workout with your baby being there. I thought it would just be taking a "stroll." Boy was I wrong! It will kick your butt which is always a good thing. No pain, no gain. I'm also just starting to go walking with my friend once a week and also with the stroller. It's nice to be able to get out but to also have your baby and have adult conversation. I say that's a win/win.
I'm not the best scrapbooker nor do I take the best photos. But I love them! I have completed quite a few photobooks, scrapbooks, and then of course when I am lazy just putting them in a cute photo album. I probably should take a photography class to learn some new things, but I'm not sure if I want to be more than a point and click kind of girl.

Well there's my survival list that's helped me through the past 10 months. I'm sure I'll have to double the list when I have more kids just to survive.
Natalie and her lovely little family.

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Thank you Natalie for sharing your recipe. It's always a pleasure reading other mothers' unique concoction of little things that help them survive the big things. 

Follow Natalie's journey into the mother "force" at her blog, From Corporate to Domestic.

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All images by Natalie.
Art Work by Mikka.


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Three Reasons

I've three lame reasons why I want to live stateside. Target. J Crew. Anthropologie. Not much to say really, except that my yearning magnifies nearing Missoni x Target's release. Sigh.

P.S. Mischmash Ipanema giveaway is still on!

Get Ready for SM Kids' Warehouse Sale!

Have no plans yet for the long weekend? Good, because something huge is happening I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss. SM is holding a warehouse sale of up to 70%(gasp!) off some selections. You know SM, when they SALE, they really mean it. 

When you become a mother, you just happen to love SM even more, isn't it? No trip to SM goes wasted. There's always something good to have especially at the kid's department. So much so that sometimes I have to stay away. So for those mums who have asked me before, where I get Mischka's clothes, I'm letting you in a little secret, most of them are from SM! 

Here are important bits of information to remember:

WHAT: SM Kid's Warehouse Sale
WHEN: 26-29 AUG 10am-9pm
WHERE: Megatrade Hall 2

P.S. Gingersnaps and Boboli are personal faves, check on those brands first as soon as you step foot! 

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

I Love Lucy

A few months back I stumbled upon a blog during one of those midnight blog-hopping guilty pleasures of mine. I remember going through her posts and loving each and every bit of it. Bad news is, I forgot to bookmark her site! 

Months passed of me thinking of and scouring for that girl with the beautifully beat up Bayswater in oak whose daily sartorial takes I adored. 

Then one night, while browsing Pinterest, I found her-- again!

Meet Lucy Laucht
I follow a lot of fashion blogs, but Lucy's style is the most I can relate to. Love her blog. Love her mix and match sensibility. Love her tan colored handbags. I love Lucy.

All images from Lucy's blog.

Oh and the Ipanema for Little Feet giveaway is still on going. Click here to join.


Monday, August 22, 2011

Weekend Tidbits

I don't have much to share with you today as my weekend was practically a working one. Not that I'm complaining. I had loads of fun styling 2 shoots. Here are a few bits I took behind the scenes. 

The tiring yet fulfilling weekend that was. How was yours?

Friday, August 19, 2011

Mischmash Giveaway {Ipanema for Little Feet}

This is Mischka's second pair of Ipanemas. It's one of her beach staples and is the comfiest pair of slippers ever. The toe ring style doesn't seem to bother her at all. No complaints whatsoever from a very verbal 2 y.o. It MUST be really comfortable. 

The moment she started walking, she was in her Ipanemas which she then outgrew fast. Now, she  couldn't get enough of her orange pair. 

And since we only like to give away stuff we absolutely love... 

Mischka (yes, this is her giveaway!) together with our cool sponsors, Ipanema Philippines and Mulberry & Child is giving away 2 pairs to 2 lucky readers! One especially for Bacolod City readers and one for national/international. 
5 pretty styles for you to choose from with 1, 3, and 4 coming in several yummy colors. Sizes available are from age 4-8.

In Bacolod, the kid's range is available in Mulberry & Child, a one-stop shop for all things pretty for the tiny! 
If you happen to be a mum and reside in laid back Bacolod, lucky you, as now the city is even chicer and cooler with Mulberry & Child. Pop in and bring your little ones over at 2L Balay Quince, Lacson St. Bacolod City.

Here are simple steps for your chance to win.

  1. Follow Ipanema Philippines and Mulberry & Child in Facebook.
  2. Follow A Mischmashed Life on Google Friend Connect.
  3. Follow @mischmashmikka on Twitter.
  4. Leave a comment on this post on which style and size you'd like to come your way should you be the lucky reader! Please state where you're from too.

Winners will be announced on 26 August. Have fun! 

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Fantasy Closet {The Dropback}

I've entertained thoughts of the dropback skirt one too many times of late. Is it too trendy for a runaround mum like me? I'm definitely the skirt kind-of-gal but is it too ladylike for my style? Just some of the musings I have running on my mind whenever I come across one. 

I am certainly digging the sheer possibilities Fall fashion has to offer but will I succumb to the dropback? We shall see. And in the event I would, I'd style it in a mummy-friendly way as such.

The Elements:
  1. Miss Selfridge Green Dropback
  2. 3.1 Phillip Lim Silk Muscle Tee
  3. Madewell City Storyteller Scarf
  4. Givenchy Nightingale 
  5. H&M Flats
  6. Isabel Marant Leather Belt
  7. Butter in Minger

dissection of an ensemble {obis and kimonos}

I didn't intend this to be an outfit post, really. It's just that Mischka's authentic Japanese kimono was too cute to pass up on. Remember the Japanese couple I was telling you about at the Legazpi Sunday Market? I got the kimono from them. Looks like in a matter of weeks, it will be outgrown. So she had to wear it-- to school! I bet her classmates were wondering why she was wearing a tie-side jammie to class.

As for me, I just pulled the first dress I had in sight and cinched it with a vintage obi fresh from Bangkok

Hope your Wednesday is off to a great start!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Mischmash Works {Smart Parenting Party Special}

Sharing with you a recent styling project which is a special favorite of mine. Smart Parenting is out with its August Party Issue and it's chock full of pretty things and birthday party ideas. You know me and birthday parties. My heart skips a little when I think of all things children's party. So when Smart Parenting approached me to do their fashion editorial for August, I had no hesitations whatsoever. 

Not until I learned that I also had to prepare the props! Dressing up kids all under the age of 5 is no easy feat but making sure that the set is pretty too, is another thing. 

And so as the story of my party planning life goes, creative relatives save the day. Thank goodness for my cousin Marinez, who practically did all the props here. 

And to my daughter, who at the tender age of 2, is hard at work (and play too), whenever Mama has a styling gig. 

Monday, August 15, 2011

Weekend Tidbits

We had a pretty much laid back weekend most of it spent down South. Hence the quick trip to this store my friend Sarah has been raving about. Funky Plum Vintage is a treasure trove of good finds. Just a little over a minute in the store, I chanced upon a beautiful, almost sheer, vintage pleated dress that instantly caught my fancy. Even Le Misch was giddy with all the fab finds (at equally fabulous prices)! We walked away happy and pleased with the little miss clutching a brown paper bag wrapping the newest addition to my vintage loot.  

The easy yet well-spent weekend that was. How was yours?

P.S. Click on the Funky Plum Vintage link for store details. 

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Happy Weekend!

These ladies are getting shipped out to Singapore over the weekend. The yellow croc, distressed tan, and pony hair number took my breath away. I just had to keep one for myself. Bliss in small packages sure makes my weekend.

Have a fabulous one, lovelies.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Who Isn't a Johnson's Baby?

If there's one thing that me, my mom, and my grandma have in common, it's that we all used Johnson's products on our children, one way or another. I have vivid memories of my childhood with Johnson's as our skin care from head to toe as it is not only the most trusted, it's also the most economical. I can say this because even up to now, I still happily slather on Johnson's baby lotion before I hit the bed. 

A few weeks back, I was invited to a private luncheon hosted by J&J to introduce their newest brand ambassador. I was intrigued and so I went, amidst heavy rains and all. 
Listening to award-winning actress Judy Ann passionately talk about motherhood and how life has changed since then, was inspiring. Not only was she funny and engaging, she was above all, very real

No pretentions whatsoever. She's just like any other ordinary mom trying to juggle life, motherhood, and everything else in between. There's no denying that she is indeed the best person to represent the brand's baby milk bath which she uses on her two children and on herself!
We were serenaded by the very talented singer and harpist Noelle Cassandra, a Johnson's baby herself.
Lovely Angel Jacob, who doesn't seem to age, hosted the event and is (you guessed right) a Johnson's baby too! So is her 17y.o. (gasp!) daughter!
My date, Sarah, came 5 minutes after the event! But I'm glad she did as we had a little shopping expedition after. And I couldn't help but get an outfit shot of Angel. As chic as ever toting a gorgeous  tan (gasp! again) Celine luggage. Angel was my favorite customer when my sister and I had our caftan line ages ago. I was surprised she even remembered me!

So there you have it. My little Johnson's tĂȘte-a-tĂȘte where I met a lot of Johnson's babies who happily remain as such even up to their adult lives. 

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Bangkok Fix

Bangkok is one of my favorite cities to visit. If most people can hardly get enough of Hong Kong, I, can never get enough of Bangkok. The heady mix of culture, design, fashion, food and the altogether impact the city brings each time I set foot, gives me a certain high no other Asian city can. Lest we forget the kindness and good-naturedness of the Thais. 
Chatuchak Weekend Market, check.
Jim Thompson, check.
Vintage finds, check.
Phadthai, check.
Refreshing fruits, check.
Thai local design, check.
Needless to say, I got my Bangkok fix and then some. Cap that off with the best foot massage in town and to say that we had a productive business trip is a huge understatement. Yes, it was a business trip that sure doesn't look like one. Only in Bangkok, lovelies.