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Mother’s Day Orchids in the Time of COVID-19

June 24, 2020

This last Mother’s Day in the time of COVID-19 was unlike any we ever had. It was Mother’s Day on lockdown or ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) here in Metro Manila.

I knew it would be difficult for TD to think of what to do for me and nothing was open either. It was perfect timing that I saw this post from The Spoiled Mummy herself, Grace Barbers Baja:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_rTKLZjsPL/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

I personally love flowers, but here in Manila cut flowers live for such a short time. Barely a week in my experience, while in Berlin they could last up to even 2 weeks if we did it right. I usually forbid TD from buying me flowers for Valentines because the cost is exorbitant and they just die.

But I felt like this time was different. I had a lightbulb moment and thought I would make my hubby’s life easier by telling him what I would like for Mother’s Day and giving him the contact details. So I asked Grace and she generously shared her Orchid supplier with me!

Then I told my hubby, who didn’t even have a clue that Mother’s Day was coming up, “Hey, Mother’s Day is coming up and this is the number of Grace’s orchid supplier. I want white orchids with a white pot like this.” And then I showed him Grace’s IG post. LOL!

My husband was really happy because he didn’t really have to think. He ordered for me and his mom. These are not your ordinary orchids. They are the largest orchids I’ve ever seen in a home… they look like those that are used by hotels for their lobbies – that huge! I was really so happy!

Granted they are not cheap, but they are really worth it. Look how huge they are! They arrived in advance – one week before Mother’s Day because my MIL is Spanish and they celebrate one week before. DiploBaby was obviously impressed! The orchids arrived on 3 May 2020 and it was an easy and smooth transaction with Jimmy.

View this post on Instagram

DiploBaby smelling the flowers! Mother’s Day came early for me yesterday with these gorgeous giant orchids! I knew that Mother’s Day would be tough for my hubby and son to prepare for this year so when I saw the gorgeous orchids in @thespoiledmummy’s space I asked her for the number and gave it to my hubby. He was so happy and ordered also for his mom, who is Spanish and celebrates Mother’s day a week earlier than we do here in the Philippines. I’ve never seen orchids this big for sale in retail so I’m feeling pretty amazed to have it in our space. It feels like hotel lobby flowers in scale! We all deserve an extra-ordinary treat these days to celebrate how we, moms, are coping and even blooming every single day! Thank you TD and #DiploBaby for this wonderful gift that adds beauty to our everyday space! It’s the best kind of gift coz it doesn’t add to our clutter hehe. What other clutter free gift-ideas do you have for moms on Mother’s Day? #diplohome

A post shared by Ayessa | UnDiplomaticWife (@undiplomaticwife) on May 4, 2020 at 6:13am PDT

After posting this, so many people DMed me on Instagram and on Facebook to ask for the number of the orchid supplier and I was happy to share!

I told them, “Please don’t ask me how much it is because I told TD that I didn’t want to know!” We just consider it a splurge, and probably how much we would have spent if we had a fancy dinner out.

it was also a nice background to have while taking photos during Mother’s Day. Here I am posing with a drawing that DiploBaby made for me during their Mother’s Day Virtual Circle Time.

View this post on Instagram

I was never good with kids or a person that was a natural at taking care of a baby. Before my son was born I had never even carried a newborn! Not growing up with my parents, my most fervent wish growing up was to experience having my very own family. And my journey to Motherhood was a long one. We tried for 7 long years before we were gifted with @diplobaby. We feel so lucky to have him! Dear son, thank you for making me a mother and showing me a love and feeling so big, it feels like my heart is beating outside of me. Happy Mother’s Day to all you mamas, and your own mothers, mothers-in-law and mother figures! Happy Mother’s Day to my Lola in heaven, who was like my mother growing up. Thank you for the love and for raising me! I wish you were still here to enjoy time with your great apo (grandson) but I know you are still watching out for us in heaven! Love you Lala! #happymothersday #undiplomama #diplobaby #undiplomaticwife

A post shared by Ayessa | UnDiplomaticWife (@undiplomaticwife) on May 10, 2020 at 1:51am PDT

Read Kaho of ChuzaiLiving’s funny story about her husband ordering the orchids below:

WHITE ORCHIDS FOR MOTHER’S DAY

View this post on Instagram

We have lovely white orchids in our house. Orchids, especially white ones, are my favorite among tropical flowers. Decorating home with real flowers does change the mood of the space and it feels like they cheer us up. (I say this because I usually decorate my home with artificial flowers.) A little background story to these flowers is on my blog. https://www.chuzailiving.com/white-orchids-for-mothers-day-in-the-tropics/ うちで素敵な白の蘭の花を飾っています。特に白い蘭の花は、熱帯地方の花の種類の中では一番好きです。本物の花がうちにあるだけで、雰囲気が明るくなり、元気付けられると感じます。(と言うのもうちで飾る花は造花が多いので。。。)ブログにちょっとした裏話を載せました。英語ですが良かったら覗いてみて下さい。

A post shared by Kaho ☆ Chuzai Living (@chuzailiving) on May 18, 2020 at 7:50pm PDT

It’s how I eventually found out the price. Honestly if we weren’t on Quarantine, I would not have thought of orchids as a Mother’s Day gift, but now that we are spending so much time at home, it has really added so much beauty in our home. We love looking at it!

7 WEEK UPDATE

The Orchids arrived on 3 May and it is now 24 June! That’s 7.5 weeks guys! Though a few pieces have fallen off – 3 or 4 – the orchids still look amazing! Look at that! I loved having it in front of our couch but it wasn’t enough sunlight so wee had to transfer it nearer my son’s play area to get more sun.

Where to Get High-Quality Orchids in Manila

Jimmy Wang
(0917) 862 9288

They don’t have an Instagram or website because it really depends on what stocks they currently have but I can say this is the best quality orchids money can buy. It’s made me happier than if I had gotten something materialistic that would just clutter up my space. Instead it helps clean the air of our condo, gives us a boost of happiness each time we enter the living area and see it and beautifies our space.

Thanks again Grace for sharing your amazing orchid supplier with us!

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Welcome

Hello! I’m Ayessa, trailing spouse to a diplomat, mama to DiploBaby and DiploDog and founder of Declutter MNL. I love talking about how to achieve a minimaluxe lifestyle one step at a time.

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