Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger





Vel from Life and Home at 2102

 Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger is a feature done each Saturday that introduces you to a blogger you may already know or a new blogger for you to get to know. This feature gives you a peak into the personal life of the blogger.  Getting to know the special person behind the beautiful blog.

There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland so enjoy getting to know these talented bloggers each Saturday.

Happy Saturday everyone.  This week in Spotlight I have Vel from Life and Home at 2102.  You will love getting to know about Vel and her sweet family and then be sure to hop over to her wonderful blog.  Vel is so sweet, creative and her blog and  social media sites do not disappoint.  Enjoy.



Hello everyone!

I hope your Holiday season is off to a great start!

I am so pleased to be featured here today at Junk Chic Cottage!
Thank you very much for this opportunity to tell you a little something about me and my little blog Kris!

LINK HERE
For those of you who do not know me, I am VEL CRISTE, Mom, wife, Kiddie-doc and 'frustrated' decorator who loves all things design for the home and on myself! ;-)

I started the blog in 2011 as a way to share what has been going on in our lives, to friends and family back home in the Philippines where we're originally from.

Banawe Rice Terraces - One of the famous sites in our country
My passion for fixing up our foreclosed home ended up being both a fun, therapeutic and challenging thing for us since the Blog pushed us to do so much more than we ever thought we could!

Like our Kitchen Renovation HERE
Our efforts in making our house a home , at least a small room was, even featured  in THIS OLD HOUSE MAGAZINE!

Find out about it HERE
But enough about the blog, and let's talk a little more about me and my family.

The Center of my universe
My husband and I met in college, pre-med back in the Philippines.
We got married as soon as we finished med school and had our first born very soon after.
With a growing family to support, and while I was finishing up on my Pediatric Residency in the Philippines, he decided to try his luck here in the U.S. He eventually got into research at the CLEVELAND CLINIC in Ohio where I eventually gave birth to my second son right around the time I finished my training in the Philippines! hew!

My husband then pursued his Neurology Residency training at Northwestern Memorial in Chicago and I took the foreign medical licensure exam, which by the way, consisted of 4 different exams, in a span of 1 year ( that was really tough since remember I just had my second baby too!)!

source
I remember praying a lot more during those times since I was so stressed out about so many things going on in my life - the exams, pressure to pass and do good, taking care of my baby and also moving to another country!
But I was faithful to my prayer and told God that if He really wanted all these things for me, He would "make it Easy" for me to see that. And you know what? HE DID!

source
God helped me PASS ALL MY EXAMS with flying colors and He even allowed me to easily bring my son's nanny with us to the U.S. ( a very rare circumstance ) so we would have some help with the kids and for me to pursue another round of training in Pediatrics at Mt. Sinai in Chicago!
That was a  very clear sign for me and I had no doubts from then on that life would only get better.

Nine years after my second son was born, at the ripe ol' age of 40, I had another wonderful surprise...

Our daughter Sophia
I couldn't ask for anything more in our lives right now. God has provided so much blessings, that asking for more is just being "greedy " I think (Although I always pray for happiness and health for my family and friends all the time still). But I know and believe, that we will always be in need of GOD and His graces all our lives and beyond, so I will continue to pray, live my life the best way I could and enjoy the blessings and talent He has bestowed upon me.

I hope I didn't sound too preachy, but I think you should know the real story of how we ended up in our new home country, and how I try to continue to make the best of everything we have, and to try to share it in my own way, not just for my family, but to all my friends ( on and offline) as well!

I wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

P.S. I just wrapped up my CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR HERE, if you have the time, please, do check it out! :-)


XOXO,
VEL


Thank you Vel for letting us get to know you on a more personal level.    Hope your shopping, wrapping, baking is going great as we head on down to the big day.
Have a good week end.
Kris
:)

46 comments

  1. Hi Kris! Oh that wonderful, sweet and incredibly talented Vel - such a great person and blog to feature! I have loved her blog since she started blogging. She is one of the nicest, most genuine bloggers out there. Thanks for putting her in the spotlight! Jane

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    1. Your so sweet Jane!!! I feel the same way about you dear!!! mwah!

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  2. Such a beautiful, inspiring story! I'm so excited to check out Vel's blog--thanks for featuring her! :-)

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  3. Thanks for reminding me about Vel and her blog. I need to get over there and catch up.

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  4. Absolutely charming lady and fabulous accomplishments both professionally and personally. GORGEOUS CHILDREN! Now to go visit her! Anita

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    1. Thank you Anita!!!!! Will check out your blog too!!!

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  5. Love her and her home and follow along everyday. Such a beautiful person and blogging friend.

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  6. Beautiful story, Vel, and let me just say, I am happy both you and your husband are here, making this your home, and sharing your awesome talents of yourselves and your up and coming family! Thanks, as always, Kris, for the introduction!
    Rita

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    1. Thank you for the warm welcome Rita! We love our life and home here, and though we will never forget where we came from, our home is HERE NOW!!! We're so proud of this GREAT COUNTRY AND ALL IT's EQUALLY GREAT PEOPLE! Nice to meet you!

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  7. How amazing, Vel! Reading of the grace of God in your life and your reliance on Him (past and present) helps me KNOW how you do all you do! Merry Christmas!

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  8. Thank you so very much Kris for this honor of being featured in your blog! I truly appreciate the support and knowing more fabulous people in the blogosphere thru this!!!!

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  9. Nice to meet you Vel! your family is beautiful and so is your home-going to go check out your tour now!

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  10. Kris your Saturday spotlights are always enjoyed and today's especially, thank you. Vel not only are you an intriguing woman and accomplished Doctor you truly live a blessed life. Your children are beautiful as well is your home and I just know your heart is soulful and warm. Heading over to Vel's blog to say hi.

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    1. Thank you so much! I will visit your blog soon too!!

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  11. Kris, Thank you for featuring Vel today. She has a very nice family. She and her husband are hard working. Blessings for a great weekend, xoxo,Susie

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    1. Thank you for you kind and sweet comment Susie!

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  12. Kris and Vel, I love Vel's home but reading their little story is really special. Great feature!

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  13. Hi Kris, what a wonderful feature with Vel and her sweet family. Heading over to say hello.
    Wishing you a beautiful week and a very Merry Christmas my friend. xo

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  14. Hello Vel and Kris,
    Vel, your story is simply magical and your spirit truly shines through in your words. Blessings to you and your family and a merry magical Christmas to all!
    Joanmarie

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    1. Hi joanmarie! I will visit your blog soon too! Thank you for your king comments!!!

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  15. Kris, thank you again for sharing such an interesting feature! Vel has an amazing story and wow, I so admire her tenacity and strength. A beautiful family! Will be visiting her blog.

    Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!
    xo
    Pat

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    1. Same here Pat!!! Thank you for your sweet comment! Will see you in your blog soon!

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  16. What a wonderful story of great faith and mostly successful life, which you both adventurous couple have formed with your family and career. Sophia has grown and is such a pretty little girl, looking like her mama. I loved to hear you tell us and thank you for sharing pretty girl. Thanks to your hostess too.
    Wishing you more blessings and a very Merry Christmas.
    FABBY

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  17. It's so nice to meet Vel, and her beautiful family! I really enjoyed reading about their personal journey, and how they arrived here in the US. I just hopped over to Vel's blog, and wow, her decorating talents are impressive! Thanks for the introduction, Kris!

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    1. Hi Amy!!! Will be visiting you soon!thank you for your kind and sweet comment !

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  18. I enjoyed reading your story Vel! I'm so glad for you and your family that your transition to the United States has gone so well. You've accomplished a lot and certainly deserve a good life for all your work. I never knew your home had been featured in a magazine! Having faith gets us through it all.

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    1. I am so happy to know you and your wonderful blog Liz! The best part about blogging really is knowing people like you!!!thank you!!

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  19. She is a beautiful person, inside and out. Thanks for showcasing her. Her little girl is just precious!
    Brenda

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  20. I just adore Vel and it was wonderful to read a little bit of her back story. She is the sweetest, kindest lady and a fabulous decorator to boot!! Thanks for sharing her story, Kris!

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    1. I say the same to you Kim!! The best thing about blogging is meeting wonderful and talented people like you!!!!!

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  21. Vel is such an amazing woman, friendly, talented and fun. It was so much fun getting to know her a little bit better.

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  22. Vel,

    We've been friends for so long but I never knew so much of this. You are a trooper and you and your husband took a real leap of faith. Your family is lovely and you made your house a gorgeous home--you have so many talents, I'm always amazed how you do it all! Love to you, my friend!

    Kris---thanks for featuring Vel. She is a gem! :)

    Jane x

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  23. Love Vel and her beautiful family!

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  24. It was so nice to read a little bit more about you, Vel!
    Thanks Kris for putting such a talented person in the spotlight!

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  25. It was so nice to read a little bit more about you, Vel!
    Thanks Kris for putting such a talented person in the spotlight!

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