Vote for Culte Femme 9.9.9

One of my fave stops for clothes is Culte Femme So it's not surprising that Hindy has been voted for People's Choice Award for 1st Prive Fashion Awards Pls vote on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/LDLMarketingServicesInc Vote now!!!

Lenten Friday meal

Sorry about the bad photos/lighting, and capacity of screen, I still use my old Lumix

Since it's Lent, my kids, though still young

wanted to observe the no-meat Fridays

So, today, I just served my eldest melted gruyere cheese with smoked salmon and smoked salmon dressing on sourdough rye bread w/ tomatoes and chips on the side

Mango (love that it's in season) for dessert

From the way it was gobbled and the compliments I got

It wasn't that much of a sacrifice, haha

Happy weekend!

Handpainted towels

I love anything when it comes to interiors and home

Love collecting towels, tea towels, handtowels, kitchen towels, bath, etc

Just recently purchased these cute , colorful handtowels from the bazaar

Can't wait to use them for my vintage glam guest bathroom

Happy Friday!

Uncovering old photos

w/ Senator Eva Estrada-Kalaw, very gracious woman

w/ Juvenal Sanso & Hans Sy, gentlemen and humbles ones too

Uncovered some old photos

of inspiring, successful people

Enjoy...

Earthquake alert!

We had an earthquake tonight
We were about to have dinner and I suddenly felt dizzy
Kinda like you're being rocked
Kids and I stayed together
And honestly, my reaction was not to hide anywhere
I'm kinda confused anyway what with all the info regarding earthquakes
In the olden days, they tell you to hide underneath a table
or door jambs
Such is not the case nowadays

All we did was, we prayed
Beats anything
Kids and I, after the Japan calamity happened
have been trying to discuss the proper logistics
where to go for cover
what to do
how to prepare
but at that moment
I was quite calm and all I could think of was pray
to guide us, to protect
After several seconds, it stopped

I think my kids were scared
though I must admit, my youngest has admirable faith

At the end of the day, we can prepare as much as we want
But things happen when you least expect it
People in Japan were doing their everyday thing
maybe at work, at home, sleeping, in the train, whatever
when it hits, it hits
though we should prepare for eventualities
what matters most is we should everyday be prepared
Live life to the fullest
For us to try to always be a blessing to this world in little and not- so- little ways
Be at peace
And try to always have a clean soul
Because whether it's tomorrow or 50 years from now
It pays to be ready
Sometimes, we need to be reminded
We're in this journey
to reach a final destination anyway

Life's good, live it well.
When lived well, what's waiting is even better.

Stay safe!

Old photos from Christmas

w/ Charisse Chuidian, Christmas concert at the Mandarin

Looking very tired, night before we moved in

Was organizing last Sunday

So no new photos

Some, I haven't shared from Christmas last

Have a good week ahead!

I don't just kick balls

Yesterday, after my CCD class
Went to pick up my youngest
His sched is so full
He already had varsity practice from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
then they had "socials" for team building after that
And, yes, as a Mom, I think I can say it
He's still an honor student

I was never an athlete
So, I never fully understood the joy it brings
My son told me when he's playing soccer
he doesn't get tired (he's also in the basketball varsity and his tennis coach gearing him for competitive play)
I guess, since he enjoys it that much

So yesterday, my eldest and I wanted to go home after CCD class
And told him, I think he had enough time of playing

In the car, he seemed quiet and I know it's because he left earlier than everyone else
And that is already almost 6 p.m.
So, I asked him, "Do you really enjoy kicking?" (was trying to tease)
And I was dumbfounded when his maturity overpowered mine
with a response
"I DON'T JUST KICK BALLS, I PLAY THE GAME"

And there I was, 40 years and my 9 year old son just proved
I have a lot to learn about life.

Well then, keep playing the game.
It does you good!

Ma'am, si Pastor

Well, I really don't have any photo to share with this post
Just something funny that happened to me
Probably, those living in Western countries can't relate as much
but folks in Manila would

While I was quietly on the computer checking e-mails
and at the same time on the phone with my son's school
Our helper comes to me and says
"Ma'am, may naghahanap sa'yo, si Pastor"
(Ma'am, someone's looking for you, a Pastor)

Of course, I, reacted, first of all, the guards here know
how I'm a stickler for protocol and they didn't call that I had a guest
2, I was in a vulnerable state of being in my houseclothes
And 3, which pastor? I'm Catholic, what do they need from me (hahaha)

So, on the verge of calling the guards
and complaining to ask why they sent someone up without calling
I figured, wait a minute, if they didn't call (okay, I should've given them more credit)
that means this pastor has access to come in
Ah, it's not pastor, it's Ambassador!!! hahaha


So, rightfully so, when I opened the door, it was my very gracious, sweet,
thoughtful neighbor just saying hi to me 'cause she hasn't seen me in a while (how cute is that?)
She also met someone who wanted to say hi
Small world, it was one of our godfathers in our wedding whom we lost contact with and now
we can stay in touch through her, wow, the way of the world

Moral of the story is
That's why I don't always believe everything I hear
and it is a small world for my neighbor to know our Ninong (godfather) in our wedding.


Smile, and keep your sense of humor.

Enjoy the day!

Our Global Home

red vase bought in one of our road trips to Tagaytay, 2005

painting by Romulo Olazo circa 2007

coffee table from India

1930's wooden bench/couch from Bangkok, oversized back cushions custom made in Bangkok using Jim Thompson silk

curved stool from Bangkok

red chest - gift from my hubby, Hong Kong

century old bishop's chair from Rome, Italy

big red chest from China

hurricane candleholder - Villeroy & Boch, Hong Kong

candlestick from Tequila Kola, Hong Kong
rug from Turkey
armoire from India bought in Hong Kong

kerosene lamp from Vietnam

blue & white jar as a gift

all coffee table books were gifts

Art book from my children on one of my birthdays

Lofts book from our architect on my 40th bday

Jean Georges Vongerichten book for my husband from Jean Georges (they were colleagues in NY)

mango wooden vase from Bangkok

mother with sons sculpture from Lordi, Switzerland, Christmas gift from my hubby

Many people ask me where I got our stuff at home

I must say our pieces say much about our history

Even my kids feel right at home despite the many places we've lived in

Because, as my eldest cleverly put it

What's inside is the same so wherever we are, we feel right at home right away

I was never one to copy what's the latest or what's in

whether in dressing up or in interiors

I remember a friend of mine was saying

how she knows of some people who already know what's in even before they become popular

Told her, that's being trendy or fashionable

True style is more than that

Designing a home is giving it a personal touch

Something that would be reflective of the people living inside

We've collected our pieces over the years

We didn't go through the phase of buying for the sake of

We always waited til we found the right piece for us

Especially living overseas, I think my hubby saw the importance

of having a home I love since I would be staying in it most of the time

At the end of the day, these are pieces, part of memories

What really matters most is that they gave you good remembrances

and make the people in that home

Feel so much warmer just remembering

Where they've been, where they are

Without forgetting where they're headed to.

May your home always hold special memories for you.

Have a good Wednesday!

Buling buling

Buling-buling in San Antonio, Forbes Park

got a free bag from Hamilo Coast

Phew!

Today was a very ,very stressful day

It's amazing how some people can just manipulate and

twist things to get what they want

Really!

So decided to take a break, not answer calls

and go to the parlor for an hour and a half

Then called up Jackie Laudico to have lunch with me

Had lunch at Chefs Table in the Fort

Comfort food

Picked up kids

Brought Jackie & her son home

Went home with kids

Did more business

and coordinating through texts and phone

then I was able to convince kids to go to Buling buling

Got an apology from the person stressing me

Apology accepted

It's the annual celebration in San Antonio

where the priests and the different organizations in Church

dance & perform

One priest wore an afro and danced his repressions away, haha

My kids can't believe that priests can be so carefree

When they asked, Mom , who's that dancing in an afro

Told them, oh , remember that long homily last Sunday

When you got so bored, that's him, haha

They cannot believe it!

So all in all, all's well that ends well

My husband came home and after I asked how his day was

I had to tell him

I want my peace and quiet

I had a rough day

So am blogging which relaxes me

While he's there watching DVD

Tomorrow's Ash Wednesday

Start of Lent

What are you sacrificing for 40 days?

Haven't thought of mine...

Sun, sun, sun

Looking forward to summer
Not so much the heat

Any plans?
Am excited about ours.

Keep you posted...

Enjoy the week!

Sunday's dinner

antique musical instrument from Bali

Our dinner last night

Thank God for weekends.

Have a good week ahead!

Those candid shots

This afternoon when I was outside the roofdeck feeling the nice breeze

Tagaytay

Tagaytay, Feb 25

My husband loves taking photographs

He dislikes being in them though

This afternoon, I was having my own taste of Sunday

Kids were doing their own thing

Playing Wii

Thought my husband was in the computer

and I wanted to spend quiet time alone by the roofdeck

While enjoying the breeze and reading on interiors

I heard someone laugh

When I looked inside , it was my hubby stealing another shot of me

He does that all the time!

Especially when am in the house

in my houseclothes such as the first pic above

He was teasing, it's for everydayflair

Wonder why people have this interest on photographing me in my houseclothes

I remember Reg Yuson, my artist friend, last time he came here

As soon as I opened the door, he had his camera ready and tried to shoot me

I was faster than him

I go, what's up with that?

Reg said, want to take a shot of you in a duster!!!

I DO NOT OWN A DUSTER, REG!!!!

Don't know with that guy, he thinks every woman wears that at home

Anyhow, back to my story

It's actually romantic that when I was thinking of blogging that candid shot of my hubby

I also found these recent ones from our trip to Tagaytay last week

Though I am in my vulnerable state

Am sharing this because I am thrilled

that after 16 years

He still watches me.

Keep clicking!

My recycled mirror

Just got this mirror for my powder room
Our house is still incomplete
but everyday, we slowly get there
Am excited!
Thank you Art in the Park!

People who inspire me

Rina (left) & Cris (middle)


These 2 young ladies, as I've blogged before,
urged me to start everydayflair
They're the nerve center in my son's school
I started "liking" them
when Rina told me that one day
When she gets married
If ever she gets married
Whenever she gets married
Hahaha
She would like me to be her Ninang (godmother)
Rina, you really think you'll get any of my furniture or clothes?
Think again, hahaha

She even told me before she wants my life!

She was even the one who coined up the expression
And the mom is Mrs. Wenger
To which my friends and I copied and use for private jokes

Back to the story
Rina shared with me her cute habit of sending photos to her boyfriend
Of things she likes/loves
Cris, her best friend, is cc-d all the time
I was touched when she felt comfortable enough to share them with me
As I was viewing the photos
I was mumbling
Oh that's my style
that's like my house
that's my bedsheet
uhm, that's like my furniture
then came a photo of a devastatingly good looking man
"Oh that's my husband", hahaha (ok, to my hubby, you're also devastatingly handsome)
then after all the photos
and I was already thinking that's like my life
At the end of the e-mail, she wrote to her boyfriend
Basically, Cris said, that's Mrs. Wenger's house!
To which she replied, I don't mind 'cause it's really nice!
Aawww, these girls really inspire me to always be the best person I could be
Knowing that there are people who look up to you
Makes you not want to let them down
People who keep me on my toes
to always be a good person
and live a good life


If you want great listeners
and enjoy monologues, haha
they're the go-to girls

Someday, Rins & Cris
You will have that dream house of yours
As your ninang, will help you
Make sure of that!

Keep inspiring!

Sharing my childhood biscuit

My son's snack

apple, rosquillos, dalandan juice

I just re-discovered the 70's biscuit that my Mom used to buy, rosquillos

How many of you remember this from childhood?

Ok fine, so I grew up in the 70's

You all know I already celebrated my 40th

Anyhow, a month ago, while in the grocery

Spotted the rosquillos and remembered my childhood

My kids, esp my eldest, got the Western palate

Mostly the cooking of their father

And growing up in hotels

In Bangkok, our food at home was ordered from the Room Service of the

hotel where my husband worked!

Our condo was an elevator away from the hotel

And yea, we lived in the condo connected to Gaysorn Plaza

Oh, those Bangkok years

Back to the main story

My kids have never tasted Kraft Cheddar

not my shortcoming

they just refuse

Funny how a friend of my son's had lunch here a few days back

and we had rigatoni with prawns with of course parmesan cheese

He innocently asked where we buy "real" cheese

Santi's, home for all the homesick Swiss, haha

So, it delights me when my kids like
something Filipino

and something I grew up eating

It's like a bond

and walking down memory lane

I'm passing on a tradition, trivial as it may be

The rosquillos is now a ubiquitous presence in our home

Oh yea, if you notice, the apple was peeled

I now peel apples, go figure!

And my kids really eat apples everyday

I also grew up with the saying

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away"

Enjoy your snacks!

Happy birthday, dear Rima!

with my dear friend, Rima,Christmas 2009


To a very special, dear, and loving friend
Happy, happy birthday!!!
Wishing you all the best you deserve.
Stay beautiful, inside and out!

Snippets of home

Still incomplete but slowly getting there.

Have a good weekend!