Keep warm

Hope everyone's keeping safe & warm in this weather.
Wherever you are in this world...

Simple dinner with friends

w/ Rima & Mai, David, Alexa Kaufman

The week has really been a busy, tiring but very fruitful one

Monday started with meeting with my volunteer work in the community

Tuesday was exciting but can't tell you til November

Wednesday, covered an event

then Thursday, had friends over for a simple dinner

Haven't seen Mai in a long time

Though we're always in touch

Rima, on the other hand, we're always in communication with each other

Love her new 'do

So it was one of those nights where you just hang out with friends and enjoy their company

Though sleeping at midnight is not on top of my list

It was sure worth the 5 and half hours of sleep.

Great catching up!

Portraits

My stylized Filipiniana portrait

At painting class today, we moved on from still life to portraits

I was like a kid , at first, complaining, "'aahhh"
(Well, I'm the youngest in the class)

But our teacher's so good, I have no idea how I was able to draw a face!

I can never do this on my own

I just turn into a different person when am in that class

Teacher shows us

We follow and interpret

And all my classmates are so into it that it's impossible for anyone not to try hard

Good thing, the portrait needs to be stylized hence the thin, long neck

and big hands

My painting class is really exciting, fulfilling, and a must-go for me!

Happy long weekend!

Art world

At an event

Happy Thursday!

Pauline Juan

the woman behind Preview's success (of course together with a great team), Pauline Juan

When we first moved back to Manila almost 8 years ago

Wow, seems like only 3

Pauline was one of the first "new" people I met

She was introduced to me by my good friend, her sister-in-law, Rowie Matti

We were also co-parents in pre-school

Though we never really got to spend a lot of hanging out time then

Everytime we bump into each other, I must say, there's always that pleasantness

and good vibe

Fast forward to 2010

Got a text from her asking if am interested to do the society pages

of the prestigious Town & Country magazine

I was floored!

I love Town & Country U.S.

and when T&C hit Manila back in 2007, I always regarded it as "the" magazine

High society with a conscience

And coming from Pauline, it was a mixed feeling of flattery and warmth

Pauline's generosity with her vision & dedication

Still affects me to this day

I am so enjoying what I do in T&C

and the doors that open because of it

My kids even think it's cool

"Mom, you get paid to party? That's cool!"

Yup, I think so too.

Thanks to Pauline Juan for that and more!

Cheers!

Ooops, the guest

The not so young guest

Thank you for the invite
'Twas lovely!

Happy birthday dear Stefano!

The 2- year-old

Raymond & Anna w/ Stefano

To those who comment

Hi Abby,

Saw your comment on my comments page and was surprised that it's not in that blogpost. I am so not techie that I donot know why I can't reply back and why your comment was not in the post. Don't even know which of the posts you meant that for, haha.

Anyway, thank you and comments like that inspire me to live an inspired life.

Best,

Rachelle


Hi to the one who commented regarding the Cirque du Soleil,

Thanks a lot but just saw your comment recently. Hope you enjoyed Manila.

Best,

everydayflair


Hi to Paul Siew,

Sorry, also just saw your comment and was not able to advise you regarding Catholic Church in Siem Reap. Hope you found one. Hotel concierge will be most helpful.

Keep the faith.

School for worry warts

An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."

Got this a long time ago , again, from a friend.
I always give this advice to worrywarts
At a children's party recently
I was asked , so what worries you?
Not a worry, just annoying things
Am the reverse, they say not to sweat the small things
I only get irritated with things I know I can do something about
Otherwise, if something's beyond my control
I let go and just make the most of the situation
Secret to staying young and happy

Keep smiling, there's so much good in this world.

I took the morning off

my newest crush

looks like mid century but would do better by changing the finish and fabric

This morning, decided to go out and window shop

Get some inspiration and not think about things I need to do

Just mindless interiors store hopping

Feasting on the works and admiring eye candies

I got to comparing the design times in the early 90's

Back then, there weren't so many choices except for like Designs Ligna or Area

Those were the places I would often look and check what's new in the design world

Now, am so happy that there are more designers and interiors stores to go to

So for 2 hours, that's what I did

Feasting my eyes and getting inspired

I even lost track of time and forgot to eat!

That lamp is my new crush

Not sure if hubby will like it

Would look good in the penthouse.

Hope your day's going well for you...

Humor me : Seen and heard

at an art event

wore this as I was so lazy to dress up, so easy just put it on and instantly one looks polished

Sorry for the silence during the weekend

I was organizing , so what's new

Still loads to do as I've said

We still have stuff in the old house

I need a tenant!!!

Here's another seen and heard entry,

hope you find the humor in it

like I did

Anyways, last Thursday, covered an event at Edsa Shangri-la Mall

While walking, a gay vendor by the massage chairs shouts and says:

Vendor: Ma'am, pa-massage na kayo (Ma'am, have a massage)

Me: Shakes my head then smiles

So while I was already past him
he then again

shouts in the midst of people walking in the mall)

Ma'am, ang sexy niyo!

And true to my everydayflair style, I looked back and waved my beauty queen wave, hahaha

So, while covering the event, told my photographer Ian Santos, who incidentally took these photos, thank you

Me: Ian, maybe I'm really sexy (haha)

Ian: looks at me like I'm so full of myself (haha) or otherwise, just looked at me

Me: Well, while walking to here, there's this gay guy who shouted out I'm sexy and that's a gay guy, so if I can make a gay guy think I'm sexy, maybe I really am!

Laughter's the best medicine. Find humor in your everydays...

Enjoy your Tuesday!

Another Friday night

After painting class
Quickly went home to shower and change then went to an event
Kids & hubby had dinner in the area

Then we all went home
It's been a long week
Everyone's looking forward to the weekend.

Night!

Still life

Another still life, avocados

finished work

Guess whose work is hanging on the kitchen wall

We're still on still life in painting class

Can't wait when we can do more varied subjects

So today, I had to finish my batirol in class then start with the avocados

And guess who got her framed work?

It's now hanging on our kitchen wall

Replacing the one we got in Paris, hahaha

Owner's original always better, isn't it?

Have a good weekend!

Humor Me : Seen and Heard

at A-ha restaurant in Siem Reap, Cambodia


Friday's usually a carpool day for the whole family
My youngest gets dropped off, then my hubby, then me at San Antonio, then my eldest
Normal days, my husband brings the kids to school
Fridays, I need to get ready early and ride with them
So, while on the road, my thoughts went to the conversation we had yesterday afternoon
And figured how witty the remark was and how I should come up with a Seen and heard
segment in everydayflair
So humor with me, and here's to the first of Seen and heard, everydayflair edition


Scene: while preparing merienda (snack) for my kids yesterday
I was being the usual stereotypical mom giving them "words of wisdom"

Me : Guys, you should live your lives that you become blessings to other people, make it easy for them
Eldest : Quietly looks at me but I suspect thinking ( When is she going to serve that food?)

Then my youngest responds with this comment:

C: Mom, maybe bro is a blessing, you know, a blessing in disguise.

Hahaha, those two love to tease each other. Kids really say the wittiest, funniest things.

Happy weekend!

Take time for ten things

I want to share with you these words of inspiration from a friend sent through my e-mail many years ago. It's posted on our refrigerator and I would everyday read and remind myself.

Hope it inspires you as much as it inspires my everydays...

1. Take time to worship, it is the highway of reverence which cleanses and restores the soul.

2. Take time to work, it is the price of success.

3. Take time to think, it is the source of power.

4. Take time to read, it is the foundation of knowledge.

5. Take time to help and enjoy friends, it is the source of happiness.

6. Take time to play, it is the secret of youth.

7. Take time to love, it is one great sacrament.

8. Take time to dream, it hitches the soul to the stars.

9. Take time to laugh, it is the singing that helps life's load.

10. Take time to PLAN, ORGANIZE, LEAD AND CONTROL, it is the secret of being able to make time for the first nine things.

It's almost weekend, take time...

Ateneo Art Awards

Was in Edsa Shang yesterday after going to White Plains gardens

Saw this installation

It's obvious who am rooting for

A little favoritism doesn't hurt once in awhile....

Good luck!

Interior plants

I love plants

I think I've mentioned that so many times

Yesterday, I was again in White Plains to buy pots and check out indoor plants

I want a really, really tall one but time won't allow me to just slowly

admire each then decide

Still have to landscape our roofdeck

Greens always make me feel refreshed everytime I look at them

Once in awhile, look up and enjoy the greens!

Come fly with me

my voucher

this was already around 10 a.m., it tamed down already

I've been saving up my swipes for a free ticket to Europe

HSBC has a promo that for every 10k peso purchase

Save 5 of those and you get a free trip to HK

Save 10 and you get to go for free to Beijing, etc

Save 15 and you take a pick whether Europe, U.S., Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa

You have to save these swipes within 3 months to avail of the promo

I never read promos before

I only found out last May when while in the American Women's Bazaar

the husband of the head of Credit Card Div of HSBC asked me if I was saving swipes

Su-wipes???

Then he told me all about the promo

To which I replied, why did you tell me only now, I was building !!!

To cut the story short, from that time on

I was a raging lunatic, thinking of ways how I can get those swipes

And hear this, my level-headed Swiss husband was in it with me

Levelheaded as he is, of course, he already advised me

Not to buy just for the sake of swiping

Du-huh, of course, then better just buy the ticket!

We have to purchase things that we really need

I got lucky cause

School fees and association dues came at this time

and the rest, well, I don't need to tell you, hahaha

So yesterday, as early as 6:30 a.m.

I was already at Cathay Pacific

August 8 was the last day of this promo

They have a new one buy one take one together with the swipes

It was a party!!!

Some people apparently were there since 10 the night before!

It reminded me of registration in U.P.

They opened around 3 or 4 a.m.

6:30 a.m. wasn't bad, my number was 428

they were quite organized really that day

I heard Friday was baaadd

Some also were denied for fraud like splitting, etc

So finally they called my number

Presented my swipes

And I got my free ticket to Europe

Thing is won't use it this year

Rest of the family have busy scheds

Am the only one who can fly ANYTIME, hahaha

Oh did I tell you I also got a free ticket to HK already?

Gotta hand it to them for this promo

Save your swipes and come fly with me!

Disclaimer: The proper use of credit cards is to pay off in full so as not to pay interest. Don't spend for things you can't pay in full. Save first before purchasing. Learned that from a Swiss guy I used to date, wink , wink, who I live with now, and date from time to time :).

Our new old ikat blanket

our old ikat blanket from Bali circa 2003

We still have some stuff in our old place

The other day, I decided to get all the blankets that were still there

Am trying to create several cozy corners and comfort places

where one can just read, nap, and just relax

It inspired me during the typhoon when everyone was home

And at times we will all be together

And at times each one wanted a space of their own

I chose the den and soaked myself in old magazines in the sofa

Made myself comfy with the blanket (not this though) and more pillows


It's nice to always rediscover our stuff

Shopping without spending

Hope you all had a good Monday, I sure did!

Story of my day... tomorrow

Night!

Good news for my conservative friends :)

the shutters have been installed in the powder room

It's been taking awhile for some stuff to be installed, delivered

These shutters have been made since May but only installed last Friday

I liked the look of bare windows

If you've been to Felix in Peninsula HK

You would know that when you use the restroom

You have the view of HK for you to see

And vice versa, haha

So, on my last party

Some friends got so paranoid

with the bare windows

Finally, the shutters have been installed

It looks very cozy and woodsy

Finally, they can use the powder room with lights on!

I never had a problem with it

Haha

Have a fun Sunday!

Weekend's here!

Enjoy a restful weekend!

Free Range Organic Eggs

Blue Kitchen

Just recently discovered these eggs from Blue Kitchen

I normally try to buy organic , not all our stuff but those that are available

I try to patronize these items

So I've been buying eggs from the grocery which are marked organic or free range

I especially love the ones with brown color as these are the eggs we used to buy in Hong Kong

Oftentimes, am not so content since either the yolk will break or just not what you want it to be

Until I chanced upon these eggs from Blue Kitchen in Rockwell

Tried them and they were great!

They make perfect fried eggs

And the taste , well, it tastes like egg, haha

Am just happy that everytime I break an egg to fry it

It comes out naturally good

Oh by the way, don't forget to wash the eggs before storing in your fridge

Always, always wash the shell before storing & cooking

Enjoy your protein!

Fabric love

Love fabrics

They totally make the room

So choosing which is one of the major steps in planning to decorate

Since I need to reupholster

I got samples of fabrics which reflect our taste

But since our home is still such a work in progress

The whole thing need to look coherent with the other things coming in

Will show this tonight to Olivia so we can work better with her installation

Snuggle up, that's what rainy days are for.