Review/Feedback: Risaroo Wovens The Boy Who Lived Sunshine Wrap

FACTS:

• Baby: 1 year and 3 months / 8.3kgs
• Wearer: 5'4'' / 75 kgs / Big Built
• Brand: Risaroo Wovens
• Pattern: The Boy Who Lived - Sunshine
• Size: 6
• Edition: Limited Edition
• Mode of production: Machine woven
• Contains: cotton 55%, tencel 45%
• Color: Yellow
• Release: 08 05 2016
• Website: www.risaroo.com
• Instagram: risaroobabycarriers
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/RisarooBabyCarriers/

I have a confession to make... I am not a wrap person, well I guess most of you already know that. I may have an eye for really colorful and beautiful wraps for our IMA wrap conversions, but when it comes to actually wearing the wrap, I fail on that part. The learning curve is very hard to follow for me, but just may be because I have not taken it seriously nor allotted enough time to actually learn and pull it off like a pro. So by all means, feel free to give your comments on this entry. :)

Honestly, I have never tried nor heard of Risaroo before this, that is why I am so interested to take hold of it, add that to the fact that the design was made for POTTERHEADS like me and released in Limited Edition last year (2016), which means my chances of personally owning one is very low! 
According to my research about this wrap,  "The Boy Who Lived- SUNSHINE" is an addition to its wrap siblings, INK and SPELLBOUND, which are by the way amazing in black and burgundy colors respectively.  "The Boy Who Lived" has all the details that embody Harry Potter -- Griffindor House, Quidditch, Hedwig, and the Deathly Hallows Symbol. SUNSHINE represents the color of the Golden Snitch, Yellow in the closest state to being almost light gold. 

This wrap visited us during our vacation in the Philippines. It is not during the cool months in our country, hence wrapping was not the greatest idea, especially for my baby who is not used to being wrapped. But gladly, we were able to try it out a few times within the travel period, during our morning walks, when she's till in the mood and ain't fussy yet.

Upon opening the package, my eyes glistened! I was impressed by the wrap bag, and knew at that moment that this is special and it's gonna be beautiful... It did not fail me! The wrap is really gorgeous, and has a hint of elegance because of it's subtle color. The Harry Potter symbols are very obvious, not a dull part on this wrap. Everything is in its perfect placement. If only I knew more than just FWCC... hahaha! I could have given this more justice! :)

Being a non-pro wrapper, I am using my cheat sheet to be able to share with you the qualities of this wrap in the babywearing wrap language.

1. Grippy ✅ or Glidey ❎.
Definitely this wrap is Grippy. It stays in place, even if my wrapping power is nowhere near perfection. My baby kept on moving or trying to put her arms out or pushing me sometimes when I wear her, but was still confident that my wrap and tie would hold.

2. Saggy ❎ or Supportive ✅.
It is very supportive. The blend and being machine woven I think contributes to this quality. This beauty can definitely support even heavier babies.

3. Stretchy ❎ or Not Stretchy ✅
Definitely, it is not stretchy.  I did not notice any stretch on the fibers on either directions.

4. Diggy ❎ or Cushy ✅
It was not hard on my shoulders at all, perhaps because my baby isn't a heavy baby. It actually felt like marshmallowy and pillowy to me. 😊

5. Moldable ❎✅ or Stiff ✅
I would like to take it as a tad bit stiff, but almost moldable (hence the double rating). I don't know if I am being sensible here. But I was the first tester for this wrap, and it was just with me for two weeks and used sparringly, so I would take it that it has not been fully broken in, but it felt really soft, despite it being on the thick side. 

6. Floppy ✅
Floppy for sure. As I have mentioned it is very soft to touch despite being think.

7. Thick ✅ or Thin ❎
It is on the heavy side, hence it was a struggle to wear it longer during the hot days in the Philippines.

8. Soft ✅
YES! Obviously as I have mentioned that like the most.

9. Dense ✅ or Airy ❎
It is on the dense side, but not that Dense-Dense, just a lil bit over the bar. The thickness of the wrap definitely contributes for it to be leaning on the dense side.

10. Textured ✅ or Smooth ❎
How can these qualities which sound so easy, be the difficult ones to attest. hahaha! It is actually a bit textured but not tapestry textured, nor feel papery. But it is not silky smooth like buttery to the hands. So I would take it as leaning on the textured side.

So there, I hope I was able to somehow give you a useful feedback on this wrap. (In the best way I can.) Would I recommend this wrap? Yes most definitely! Well, but that is if you can still find one in the market. The Potterheads must be holding on tight to their wraps for sure. Permastash for most, believe me! I will be definitely on the look out for more Risaroo wraps in the future, if not to be used as wraps, maybe a wrap con for my brand, as I am really impressed with the quality of this wrap.

Here are my action shots with my Yumi. Enjoy!

XX
  

Madame Googoo Nautical Mesh SSC Review

Title of Review: “Madame Googoo Nautical Mesh”
Baby: 1 year and 3 months old (8.2 kg)Wearer: 5’4, Big Built (75kg)
Type of Carrier: Soft- Structured CarrierSize: Standard Suitable for Babies and ToddlerType of carrry: Front and Back Carry (facing the wearer)Website: https://www.facebook.com/madamegoogoobabycarriers/

Madame Googoo is a Polish manufacturer of babycarriers. This brand carries different types of babycarriers, like Mei Tai, Onbuhimo, SSC, Ringslings, from rich colorful prints, absolutely gorgeous fabrics and wrap conversions. They also accept customizations and personalization of designs. Madame Googoo is a brand that I really look up to, and admire for their craft and creativity. I personally have Madame Googoo Babycarriers, but are full paneled. That is why I am so excited to be a part of the testers list for their mesh SSC. Finally, I can try it on my baby, and experience it first hand.

I used this babycarrier for a short time while we were on vacation in the Philippines. And our country having a tropical climate is just an apt environment for this mesh type of carrier. 

Upon receiving it, I saw my Mom's eyes looking from the side, coz she thought I bought another carrier despite already having a ton of babycarriers. So I had to explain to her that it is just a tester product that I had the privilege to try and review. Immediately, she came to me and scrutinized the babycarrier, and she was happy! Happy to see another Madame Googoo product and at the same time felt pride of her own work at IMA. She said, she's ready to get in the same line with MGG! hahaha! Please give it to my mom! hahaha!
We love the print as it is a very neutral, though not the usual MGG Carriers that I have, coz what I have are the really rich and colorful ones.  This one is very tame, just a simple nautical print, something that my husband would not have second thoughts of wearing.

I was the fourth in the list of testers, and so the carrier already has signs of usage, the fabric is not in its pristine condition anymore. Some lints and fadings are already showing on the nautical fabric and the plain gray twill, but the padding are still full and supportive.

The most noticeable difference from the MGG Carriers I already own, apart from the mesh panel is that the Mesh SSC has overly wide and thick shoulder straps especially the part that sits on top of your shoulders and front upper chest. I prefer their usual straps. These thick ones add discomfort and heat, though I suppose what they are after is the additional support on the weight being carried. The mesh may be cool for the baby, but the straps add some heat on the wearer. Perhaps if I will order my own mesh SSC from MGG, I will have mine a bit slimmer than that of the tester's.

The carrier gives the same support as the other SSCs I have tried. The mesh panel is really presko for our Philippine weather. I also like the mesh hood, it provides ventilation and circulation when wearing a sleeping baby. My baby sweats a lot, so that's a plus for us!

I carried my baby wearing long pants during the testing, and totally forgot to wear her while sporting shorter pants. And I regret that! Coz I am really wondering how the effect of the mesh is at the back of my baby's knees when worn for longer time. I wonder if it's gonna be irritating or otherwise, coz the back part of the leg pads is actually made of mesh as well. I have never owned one with the same feature. So, I hope one of my fellow testers could try that out, and will update this once I see a review that features that.

 

Anyway, generally we enjoyed MGG's stay with us, even hubby got the chance to try it too with my daughter. He even volunteered to wear my daughter while in the mall, upon seeing that we brought a neutral looking carrier. He's a fan of MGG as well. He admires their creativity, and he had worn my Winged-SSC from MGG before.

We enjoyed this MGG Mesh and will definitely recommending it not only to our babywearing friends back in the Philippines, but also to our Saudi-based babywearing buddies here.

Thanks to Madame Googoo and Camille for this opportunity to try this wonderful carrier.

XX

WOVEN WRAP REVIEW: Surya Epic WW 6 by Oscha Slings

FACTS:
Baby: 21 months old, 11.0 kgs
Wearer: Height - 5’4”/ Weight 72 kgs / Large Body build
Type of Carrier: Surya Epic Woven Wrap
Brand: Oscha Slings
Size: 6 
Weave: Jacquard
Website: https://www.oschaslings.com/
Instagram: @oschaslings
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Oscha.Slings/ 
Fabric Content: 72% Organic Cotton, 28% Ice Cotton
Fit for newborns and toddlers
Machine Washable

Background:
Since I had my second child, I have been very passionate about babywearing. Babywearing made motherhood comfortable and easy, especially for a Stay-At-Home parent like me, with no helper and with a husband who's assigned at site. Basically, the whole week, it's just me and my girls (6Y, 21M, & 4M). Frankly, I am new to woven wraps, and being part of the traveling Surya Epic by Oscha Slings made me giddy and nervous at the same time. I was more of an SSC wearer. But I cannot resist trying out this Ice Cotton Blended wrap. I have so many things and places in mind that I want to go and take a photo with this beauty. But unfortunately, this came when my babies were all sick from the changing weather in our country, yet I would say, still fortunate, because the more they wanted to be close to me and always carried in my arms. So this beauty was very useful to us during its visit to our family.

Impression on Surya:
The gradient colors of greenish and bluish hues definitely got me because I am personally a fan of those colors. It is very relaxing to stare at, plus the design is a plus for me, because it really shouts Tropical Sun, which is very appropriate for the Philippines. I was just the fifth tester visited by this beauty, and yet the wrap already seems to be very broken-in, a plus for a beginner like me. I have had tried a few wraps and breaking them in takes longer than I expected. The Surya felt like mine for a long time already. It looked and definitely felt so fresh and airy. If only I can keep it...

Review and Recommendations:
Beauty of the Surya definitely got me, but wearing it for serious several hours with a very clingy sick baby without feeling uncomfortably hot, nor digging on my shoulders really amazed me. The wrap tightens pretty well and holds for a long time while wearing my baby. It was very easy to wear considering I am a beginner because of its lightweight. I love thin wraps, as my babies are still light to wear, plus living in the tropics and the middle east definitely sway me to this option. The Surya actually  felt gauze-like due to it's thin finish, but wraps like a dream and very supportive on my baby despite the density, that you can almost see through it. Surya is surely created for those who live in the tropics, and places with warm weather. This blend is definitely the answer to those with babies who sweat so much because of its breathable character. This is also best for younger babies, especially newborns, just enough warmth from their mothers.

I was very sad to part with this beauty, a week time ain't enough. I wanted to try it as well with my 4M baby, but my second child needed more of my hugs when Surya visited us. I hope to come across Surya again in the future when my babies are heavier tots, so I can experience this wrap once more on our next phase of babywearing.

Thank you Oscha for sharing this amazing wrap with us, and to Mommy Camille for letting me experience a dream wrap!

Spamming you with our photos while wearing by baby Yunnah in Surya Epic.

xoxo,
Jaki

Breastfeeding: personal commitment to my baby

I have been on my breastfeeding journey for more than five months now. It was a personal choice to do this. My husband has always been asking me when I was still pregnant if I was sure about it. He said we can afford to feed our Baby Princessita with formula, so there's no need to stress about breastfeeding. I appreciate that there was no pushing to utilize formula, nor to breastfeed from anybody else. My husband and my family left the decision making to me. I did my own research and contacted some Mommy friends who are on the same journey. I asked them the things I should do to get myself ready, and how to sustain my supply.

Well, I may not be abundantly blessed with milk supply, (abundantly - meaning I have a fridge full of milk stash), but I can confidently say that I have enough supply for my Baby Princessita. This is very obvious on her chunky built now. I don't have any back up stash as I am directly feeding my baby. Since last month when my supply decreased during my period, I stopped pumping as I wasn't getting any nor was my baby happy about the amount she was getting during that week. She was actually crying every time she was feeding, maybe because she was not getting enough. And I swear there was no breast engorgement the whole time. Panic was what I felt, so I consulted the internet and found out that it is normal to decrease supply while having a period and when you're on the pill - (guilty for both! I actually gave up the pill and told my husband to be very "disciplined".)

As of now, my baby and me are happy about my milk supply. And I hope not to experience the same last month.

Breastfeeding especially here in the kingdom is a commitment. Women should always be in their Abaya, so feeding in public is a dilemma. People are very conservative here, and Men are 'different" (so they say!). So it is not easy to just pop out your breast every time your baby cries. So basically, what I normally do is any of the following, whichever works at that very moment:

• make sure that Baby Princessita is full before we leave home.
• or I feed her on the way to our destination while still in the car.
• bring my nursing cover, and look for a restaurant that has an almost secluded location.
• or worse, feed her in the female toilet. Well not necessarily in the cubicle, but in that area. Thank goodness the toilet areas are usually big and far from the common walkways (where there are men and conservative others). Normalized breastfeeding is still uncommon to most countries, and I am sure it's gonna take a long while to happen here.
• before, I used to bring pumped milk and put them in bottles, however, now she is rejecting the bottle. She doesn't feed on it but just plays with it. Oh it's crazy!
• If all else fail, we go back to our car and feed her there.

But I have made it work for more than 5 months now. I have never been this proud about myself! When people commend how healthy my baby is, you should see my proud smile! :)

Until when am I willing to breastfeed her? Well, it's all up to my Baby Princessita! :)

My chunky Baby Princessita!

Well, hello to me!

Hi blogworld!


All these thinking, typing, blogging seem so new to me again... My last post was in 2011, when I still had the freedom in my hands during my stay in Japan. Now, everything has mostly changed... It is actually difficult to connect from the last post to this new entry... Creating a new blog was on top of my mind, but couldn't give up my previous entries... So I just decided to rename my blog from "malditang inhinyera" to "domestic royalty"... since this blog will be mostly about the random things about my new life as a Stay At Home Queen Mummy in my own royal domestic kingdom --- from my family life, motherhood, parenthood, fashion, shopping, and everything in between!

Forwarding you 4 years from my last post, currently here are some updates about my so-called new life:

• Topping my list... I have two wonderful daughters, Princess Ate who's a 5yo and my Baby Princessita who's 5mo young.

• Secondly... DRUM ROLLS PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!
  ....................
  I am now a SAHM!!!I have given up my long, 11-year career as an Engineer/Procurement Lead in a Japanese Oil and Gas Company. Without regrets I should say. I know it's cliché, and some people think that it is a woman's defense mechanism to say that, but that's how I really feel. I am more fulfilled now. There are no mornings where I feel like hating to wake up and get ready. Some days are monotonous, like every one else had, but mostly, I love waking up to my girls and being able to witness their everyday life, hone them to how I want them to be, and give all the attention they deserve. What job can top that?!
• AND...I have no Nanny...Yes! I do everything now! (according to an invisible schedule that I assume to follow! Duh! I have no other boss than myself, so let me do things as I please WHENEVER I want!)
• We are now based in the middle east.

photo from http://humanandnatural.com/img-caravans-rub-'al-khali-desert-saudi-arabia-4103.htm

• What else.... hmmm...I have not bought any pointed shoe for almost a year now, but have loaded some pairs of sneakers, Crocs, Fitflops, and rubber shoes for my daily errands.
• Have given up most of my formal/office bags and kept those which can be considered as
  "diaper bags" and "mall bags" - which basically fits my wallet and phone.
• But surprisingly, now I have time to use my make ups, specially my lippies! Hah!
• Oh! One of the very few things that didn't change, I am still on the heavy side.. still trying to lose weight, which is more difficult now because I am breastfeeding, and I still have all my stubborn pregnancy fats!
• I still have a long list of "EXCESS" as we call it... like new swimsuits that will never seem to fit; gym clothes that haven't been to any gym; watches which I can't seem to have enough of; etc! and now that I have a new baby,  Baby Princessita , cloth diapers were added to the list! Well those are her "EXCESS" anyway! But just last night, ROYal King reminded me, more like warned me, (with that warning look! uh-oh!) to stop buying CDs during our vacation this coming July in Ph.

Well that's all I can think of the moment... There are lots of topics in my head, that seem to have built up through all these years, and I am listing them up now in my notepad so that I don't miss a thing to share!

Okay, dinner time now... my Princess Ate is throwing a fit, and wants to eat!

Sharing our dinner tonight... Dried Chicken Adobo! Yummm!

Buh-bye!

A Daddy's Letter to his Angel

I have a friend who lost his daughter during the typhoon Pepeng two years ago.. the same year when he and his wife had their third child, who happened to be my god daughter in her baptism.. the same year when i gave birth to my daughter too..


We, their friends and families felt their pain.. I was here in Japan last year and was able to spend some months with my "tay" (that's what we call him, he is everyone's Itay) .. i felt his pain.. there were a lot of times that he would tell me he misses his daughter and that had he been there during the tragedy, he would have done something and things might have ended up differently.. and i would tell him that no one would have wanted it to happen that way.. no one knew.. no one saw it coming.. i also remember telling him to keep writing letters to his daughter, to write down his feelings and express his agony of losing his daughter in order to somehow ease the pain.. and i always remind him to always cherish his other children and my kumare.. coz life is indeed so short.. we will never know when the Creator would take it back from us..


And now that i was able to read his letter, it made me proud that somehow, he is in a better level in coping up with their loss.. i felt the pain while reading this, it is really heart breaking and such a tearjerker.. coz somehow i still believe that no parent is suppose to bury their child.. but it's God's will.. 


To my friends, tay and marse, we will always be praying for your strength, for your peace and acceptance for whatever pain this tragedy had caused you.. be it physical or emotional.. i know your love for one another and your love for all your children will keep you both going however tough things may go..


To their angel up high, we pray for your peace as well... pray for your dad, your mom and your sibs too.. be happy and whisper to the Heavenly that your family will be given the strength to move on from this, and make them feel assured that you are well taken care of our Creator, wherever you may be.. 


Now here's the letter which I would like to share with you.. to learn from it.. and learn to appreciate our loved ones while they are still with us...it was written some months back, but since yesterday marked their second year of loss, i read it and wanted to share it with you..




"My Dearest Yana,


Do you have facebook in heaven? Maybe God plays Angelville that’s why you’re no longer with Dad. God harvested you because you have done so much good and matured a lot earlier. I do miss you a lot, maybe you can read this and then tell me that you are alright, or better yet, drop me a line will you? Invite me as your neighbor, anyway I know I am not ready to be with you yet. I still have Mommy and your sisters to take care of. It won’t be an easy job without you, but somehow I know I will manage. Because you are there watching and guiding me to do good…


How is it that God needs you more than I?……


I guess I will never know.


I do cry a lot and I try to hide it, but you can see me right? You’ve made dad very sad. But I know it’s not your intention. I feel that you miss me too, you miss your mommy, ate Yami and Yael. There are reasons why you’re not here anymore. I just hope I have the strength and courage to wait for those answers. You are so brave, I want to be brave like you, but to be brave, it means I have to let go…


Daddy wants to be brave, so I am letting go and accept that I won’t see you in this lifetime again.


But it’s not easy…but I have to. I have to believe that everything is alright.


I have to believe that we will be alright. I just want to believe that life is still good after you’ve left us and the pain of missing you will make daddy and mommy strong.


I want to have faith in everything…


So Daddy can let go…


Please do take care of yourself, I was not there when you needed me most and I am so sorry. I am still in so much pain from that thought. I wish could have done something. If only daddy went home early. I am really sorry. I just wanted the best for you, I know you understand that.


I will miss the times that you’ve been very patient with me, understanding my faults and seeing through my insecurities. Loving you and to be loved by you is one of the best things that ever happened to dad and losing you is my greatest hurt…
I love you Yana, so much. You are now daddy’s angel. Be with me always.


Love,
Your Dad
xxx


P.S.
To God,
Please do take care of my baby Yana. She’s a very special kid. She too will take care of you just as she took care of me. I am quite jealous of you now, her embraces and kisses will be yours to keep but only mine to remember and long for. She likes listening to stories, please tell her how great a child she is to me. That she is her mommy’s sunshine, ate Yami’s pride and Yael’s miracle. Tell her that we love her so dearly. Tell her things I could not. Show her the love that I wasn’t able to give. Tell her I miss her…"

xoxo

Back in Japan! Back to retail therapy!

I have been in a long hybernation...
It's nice to be back into blogging...
even better coz I am back here in Japan...

Tomorrow, I will be officially 1 month here... and so far, I forgot to bring with me the much needed "Self Control" and I have so much given into the LONGCHAMP madness...

As of today, aside from the two LP I bought for myself as got here...

I have gotten myself a Short Handled Pink Darshan..
on SALE of course!
However, I am not into using it yet.. coz weather here is not very appropriate for a canvass bag with short handle.. Either it's raining, and it might get soaked.. or it's really hot (32 deg Celsius) and I am sweating all over.. :P perhaps during the autumn by the mid or end of September, I may be able to bring it out of the box..

but despite all these excuses..

i just ordered a Short Handled Steel Metallic on SALE again.. (which is due for delivery to my end in the next days)...

and right now, I just won in the bidding of this nice purplish short handled bag... Preloved, but still look nice to me..and it was on a bargain price.. :D

and im currently bidding on this... at first I thought it was just a simple Planettes, but as i zoomed it, i noticed the puppy's foot mark on it.. i have not seen it else where.. so i am hoping real hard to get it!

(I also hope, language barrier wont get in the way in settling this bidding thing, as it is my first time!)

Keep your fingers crossed for me! :D