You can now read the whole feature online at Real Living and other posts about Our Piña Home found here, here and here.

I don't have any specialized talents except in teaching and a few certifications here and there. I am not musical. I am not an artist. I am not a dancer. However, I am great at enjoying music, appreciate some art, and was once a certified Zumba instructor. Not having all the proper training has never stopped me from creating. I believe we were all meant to create in some form or another and our nest is where I let it flow. I am not an interior designer but being a mom has given me the opportunity to create a home. When Shine of Real Living mentioned some months ago that our house might be up for a feature I was over the moon. Real Living was THE only publication I bought regularly for the last couple of years. (Yummy and Good Housekeeping are also winners! I actually have a short recipe in Yummy's July issue and an article in Good Housekeepings' August issue.) Summit Media produces such quality material. It took a few months and some more nesting on my end but eventually it worked out. To be honest, I was proud of myself that I had created a home out of love, creativity and frugality and that a magazine, one I respected, thought our home was up to par. It felt like my motherhood was being recognized. We all mother differently and a great hope I have is that friends and family alike feel comfortable in our home. I want my kids to remember their childhood fondly. I want our home to be a happy home. It was endearing to see those words as the title of the article. I don't even remember if I mentioned those words or thoughts during the interview but the words of the article spilled out so many values I hold close.

*The full 12 page feature can be found in this months (July2016) Real Living.

As mentioned before, I am a novice to this whole situation and I wanted to document what the experience is like for someone who has no idea what they are doing.

*You can still grab a copy of the July issue on the shelves.

Some of my favorite home places are...

• Dapitan

• Mandaue Foam

• Paete

• Textiles in Vigan and Baguio but Inabel weaves can also be found in Market Market.

• A lot of the art pieces are from Pink Door Art Studio.