Mega influencer and homemaker Patty Laurel-Filart wears many hats, each one equally important. But what she’s come to learn over the years is life is not a choice between motherhood and career—she can succeed in both—and her accomplished life proves it.

An influential digital creator. A long-time model and blogger. A writer and educator turned host. A loving wife and a mom of two beautiful children. All these describe Patty Laurel-Filart and more. With unflinching grace and drive, she makes it look easy to assume these roles. Even with such success, her humility and sincerity still shine through.

Beyond this glamorous career, however, is a devoted homemaker who believes the role to be a blessing. “Being a homemaker is a gift,” Patty says. “When you’re given that stewardship, of taking care of the home, there’s so much dignity more than the response to the actual work.”

One should use their gift to transform living spaces into a home they are proud of. Patty believes this capacity shouldn’t be taken for granted. She lives by this attitude while navigating the many aspects of her life. She finds it not necessary to choose among her priorities. Instead, she learned to balance them with a grateful heart, inspiring others to do the same.

Embracing the Unexpected

Patty always had a tremendously busy schedule since gaining fame for her eponymous blog, datpattylaurel.com, in the mid-2000s. It was one of the early blogs in the country that gathered loyal readers for her wit, honesty, and relatable content.

With her bubbly personality, it is no surprise how easy it is to speak with Patty. Her charisma manifests both on- and off-camera. Her home, for instance, reflects an overall bright feeling. “We have a lot of natural light. I feel like every day, [we’re bathing] in the sun,” she describes.

Like the Instagram and Pinterest photos she takes inspiration from, one can define Patty’s home to be immaculate looking. While ideal, she points out to keep things natural. “There will never be a time when your home is perfect,” she says. Surprises are parts of life, and she learned not to stress out about seeing the mess in the house.

“[When you’re] creating difficult expectations, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment,” she clarifies. It is why she advises, “It’s about finding that happy middle, of keeping things in order and having a little room for the unexpected. [This] allows you to function more effectively.”

As a homemaker, she recalls how her parents managed the house. “They don’t have a lot of things,” she shares. “They keep things that are of value, that give them joy, [and] they connect with.” They had a practice of transferring her pre-loved belongings into a box to be given to other people “who will find joy in [them],” she says.

Such practice is helpful with decluttering and organizing. It is like the mission of Mayfair & Co: helping make people’s lives beautiful and simple. “It doesn’t subscribe to one type of person,” she says. 

“[Mayfair] works for those who are gifted with finding pieces that are plentiful and also for people like me who are happy with owning a few things,” she explains about the pioneer in kitchen and home organizing solutions in the country. That is why, she finds it easy to share with people how the brand can help them—the same way it does for her. “It brings value to different types of households.”

Making Memories

Above: Patty, Theo & Astrid

At their tender ages, Patty’s children Theo and Astrid are learning the value of gratitude and being expressive. The family has a little ritual that she hopes will resonate. “Every night before we sleep, I'll say, ‘I love you Theo because...’ and he’ll say, ‘I love dad because he helped me clean today.’”

Patty finds it endearing especially in one instance when her daughter said, “I love my brother because he says I’m beautiful,” Patty recounts with a laugh. “It’s nothing big or grandiose, but we want our kids to actually express how much this person means to them.”

The practice helps the family strengthen their relationship with each other and other people. Patty explains, “It’s just the act of being very expressive about your gratitude that really softens the heart of everyone.” It is why they prefer to be less strict with enforcing responsibilities on their children. Chores are not assigned and instead, Theo and Astrid do them out of their will. “It’s something they’ve grown up seeing and I feel like that makes it much more natural for them to follow,” Patty says, pride in her eyes.

Even when things get a little out of order, she reminds herself a house need not maintain how it first looked. “I want [my kids] to remember their childhood; remember the home where they could be themselves,” she says. After all, a little mess is part of childhood. It is a part of the process of exploring identity. But even when they manage to keep the minimalist interiors, the house is never short of warmth from the love they have for each other.

A Safe Space

In Photo: Patty and family at home during the beginning of the Pandemic (2022)

When the pandemic struck, and everyone was forced into the confines of their living spaces, Patty felt it was tough. Yet as a family, they made it work. “It was very difficult in terms of all the things that we were not able to enjoy. At the same time, I don’t look back at it as a complete loss because I know that there were a lot of things that we also developed.” 

The master bedroom, for instance, became the family’s refuge. “That’s where I felt safest because it was daunting [elsewhere]. We had no clue what was happening outside… [the bedroom] felt like a safe space where my kids would just be themselves.”

The family busied themselves: aside from supporting small businesses, they spruced up the house. This was a common project at the height of the pandemic with people having little to do. Patty shares in jest how their dining and sofa sets seemed to “dance,” given the frequent changes in their positions. “I guess [it’s about] wanting to do something productive [without it being] too difficult,” she laughs.

She found it easy to revamp through Mayfair & Co. “It’s not too difficult [to work with] but it added so much joy [to our home],” she says about the brand’s products. The minimal yet functional designs easily go with any type of interior. Patty enjoyed organizing their spaces and breathing life into their house amid a difficult time. “It was a small change but with the maximum result,” she affirms.

They also created a gym set up which they maintained until the present. “I was motivated by wanting to be strong because I needed to take care of my family and husband,” Patty claims. So, even when work and personal lives coalesced in a shared space, she practiced striking a balance. It takes time and commitment, but it is possible and ultimately, proved healthy for her.

  

To Be Empowered

Patty at Home

As a mom who works mostly from home, compartmentalizing has always been Patty’s concern. “It’s so hard to separate when you’re being responsible for work and you want to be a hundred percent committed to your job. But at the same time, family life is also calling,” she reveals. 

It seemed to be a matter of choosing between her priorities—work or family. But she realized it doesn’t have to be an “either/or.” Sure, there are days when she wakes up not feeling her best. Motivation is not a constant presence, especially when assuming multiple roles takes persistence and drive. “That’s why you have to be very forgiving of yourself,” Patty shares. “I have to keep reminding myself that it’s not wrong to ask for help and to take a break.”

From taking long walks in the morning to clear her head to visiting the salon for some pampering, Patty ingrains in her head these are forms of self-care. Moms don’t have to be busy all the time; rest is a necessity and not something to feel guilty about.

She constantly works on this attitude of self-forgiveness, accompanied by her Christian faith which gives her strength. “If I make mistakes or I don’t reach certain expectations or standards, it’s okay because I know that God always has our back,” she explains. Patty firmly believes in God, trusting He will pull her family through challenges. 

Having a multifaceted life is difficult. Imagining the schedule alone can be a nightmare. But Patty shows it is achievable—and fulfilling. Much like organizing the home, it helps to declutter nonessentials from the mind and compartmentalize to find balance. She takes what her parents taught in their tidying-up practice, “to never be in excess, to always have what you need and what you love and be content with it.”

Truly, Patty defines how a modern homemaker lives. She proves it is possible for women to succeed in any role they pursue–all with grace, persistence, and a grateful heart.