Bayo-nic

dress: Bayo, shoes: Enzo Angiolini

the bend

Had a Board Meeting the whole morning.

I always enjoy that and I enjoy the company of the team.

Afterwhich, I had to go choose paint with a client.

Our kids are friends so our sons can tag along.

I love designing spaces.

Not only is it an excuse to shop, you shop while others spend, haha.

You see the space come to life and you help build a home.

You get compensated doing something you love,

while you would do it even for free!

Ssshhh, hope my clients aren't reading this post, wink, wink.

Wore this orange embroidered dress from Bayo with shoes to match since it's my client's fave color.

I guess, like actors, I really imbibe the project.

All in all, was a very productive and fruitful day.

It doesn't stop there though.

Still have to go out tonight.

But then again, you know , that's for the next post!

C'est si bon

Bastille Day

I know, I know, I haven't been blogging lately.

Been so busy that yesterday was the first time I saw my skin dry and like getting an allergy.

Thing is, I enjoy all the things I'm doing but still I just won't let a ball I try to juggle fall down.
We're also building a new place so that entails a lot of time and work.

This event was also work, went in quarter to 7 p.m., home by 8:15 p.m. All's done, everyone happy.

Hence, when I get home, I don't even open the computer and just spend time with my husband and kids.

When people ask me how I do it, aside from being organized, I don't let my schedule interfere with my priorities. I'm lucky that I get to do things I love and at my own time.

But my real comfort is, no matter how I run around the whole day,

I always try to find time to visit Him.

Even for a few minutes.

It just grounds me, revives me, inspires me and puts everything back into perspective.

While I make gazillion decisions a day, I must admit, from the most mundane to the more cerebral ones, discernment and the right judgment is what I always pray for.

May not please everyone but I know I'm doing what's right.

So, you may see this photo like I just relaxed and partied, truth is, I've already worn so many hats during the day and this is just one of them.

Good part is, I still get home to a happy family.

C'est si bon!

Black out

top : U2, shorts: Culte Femme

Spent my morning on the phone and answering e-mails, all business, believe me.
Then accompanied my friend to have a look at a new school for her son which I highly recommend.

Am not usually in black, too hot in Manila
though used to wear it a lot in Hong Kong
My top has been with me for more than a decade
I didn't gain much weight
How to stay slim tips potentially for another post.

It's almost Friday.
Hope the week went well for you.
I can smell the weekend!

Going green

w/ one of my fave artists, Gus Albor

Happy Wednesday!

So long, partner

Watched Toy Story 3 with my children at Powerplant last week.
Funny, entertaining, full of lessons.
Was crying so hard at the end of the film.
My eyes were swollen after the movie.

Lots of things to take with you considering the characters are moving paper.
Friendship, teamwork, hope, loyalty.
Sticking it out through hard times and good times.
Helping even those who don't deserve it.

Letting go, in so many different levels.
As a mom, I can relate to the Mom's anxiety.
After all, your baby will leave one day , and, hopefully, you've raised him well to be able to face the world.

Being selfless on the part of Andy.
He wanted to take Woody to college but thought Woody would be better off being played and with his friends,
Also to make the little girl happy.

Great movie, so many lessons in life in such a simple, at times, prosaic plot.

Life, most of the time, can be like the movies.
Lots of challenges but more often than not
Despite all the mishaps and atrocious events
Viewer is assured of a happy ending.

And that is why, despite the swollen eyes,
One comes out content and happy.

Happy mid-week!

Preview's Best Dressed

Mc Queen theme

w/Anne & Town & Country's new editor-in-chief, Yvette Fernandez

location: Republiq

w/ Lisa & Anne

w/ jewelry designer, Tara Soriano

my date for the night, Anne Gonzalez

Last night was Preview's annual Best dressed event.
Theme was Mc Queen.

Went there with Anne Gonzalez, thanks, Anne, for the lovely time, as always.

Mingled with the cool and accommodating Summit team.

Fun night, good to see and meet new , interesting people.

Went home early as World Cup is still on.

Congratulations to Preview, esp Pauline Juan for a great job!

Til next year!

Hongkie in the city

lovely time w/ Pat Tam


Had afternoon tea with my friend, Patricia ,last Thursday.
Pat was also one of my colleagues at my first and only corporate job together with Lills and my bridesmaid, Joey.

As fate would have it, Patricia married a Hongkie the same year I got married and moved to Hong Kong.

And the story goes of my wonderful Hong Kong experience and the solid friendships created.

Pat is also the godmother of my youngest.

We got so close in Hong Kong since we're both starting our married lives in a foreign land.

She saw how our flat evolved and was one of the first to be my fan in interior design.

She's now a stay-at-home Mom but was a successful career woman in HK.

She was working for Businessweek!

I was so proud of her. A Filipina making it.
I remember how she was the one who taught me where to shop wisely in HK.

At first, I would shop at the known and establised places til she said, let me take you to where real Hongkies shop.

And from that day on, shopping wise, I was a true blue Hongkie, thanks, Pat!

One thing I like about this world, no matter how often people move, people change

It's up to people to nurture relationships and friendships.

And through that whole expat experience of living overseas, we have managed to keep in touch and nurture our friendships.

Thanks, Pat for coming out and seeing me.

We may not be in our twenties anymore and are both in our 40's

but nothing has changed about our understanding of each other.

Now you know why I love Hong Kong,

It gave me most of my best souvenirs in life!