A birthday first!

w/ Isa Palabyab , vote for her as the Philippines' representative for Clean & Clear

w/ my ex-neighbors Anna & Tim Tayag

w/ my future neighbor supposedly but we're moving - Windie & Taka

w/ my neighbor and good friend, Anna Rufino, and cutie Stefano

Anna , birthday boy, and the big boys

Despite the busyness even on weekends

Was so glad to celebrate my cute neighbor's 1st birthday party!

Always nice to see how children grow and witness their personalities unfold

Was there when he was inside his mommy's tummy

visited him at the hospital when he was born

even though their place is just 10 steps away

Though we're both moving

and excited about it

one thing I'll surely miss

is the proximity we have

Our homes are each other's extension

My morning's not complete when I don't see Stefano by the poolside

or hear him

Good thing, we're still moving close to each other

Life is always about change and moving on

On to bigger and better, so we say

It's providential though when friendships last

With this one, I think it's for keeps.

Happy birthday, Stefano!

Looking forward to seeing you grow and explore the world!

So charming

got this from one of my fave sites, desire to inspire

got this for our powder room

One of the things I appreciate in foreign design magazines

is the charm & character that the interiors exude

No offense meant but I feel a lot of the ones shown in Phil interior books look generic

they all have the same kind of furniture

I usually say, when I look at the photos

it's about what they can afford

Rather than how creative, unique and stylish the interior is

I like the interior on top, shows so much character

That pillar in the middle

looking misplaced but actually attractively stands out
I wish more architects, designers

put charm into interiors

not cookie cutter ones

Off to check my fave site and get inspired.

Happy weekend!

Hot and Cold

When the sun was out

In the morning, was raining

cheesy pose

Had a Board Meeting in the morning

then right away proceeded to the construction

Architect was late, so decided to re-sched time

I have low tolerance for tardiness

When I was single and young

I used to be always late

Now, am not always perfectly on time

But I really try

I now realize the value of being on time

Being married to a Swiss and my dad used to get mad if we're late

It's respect for the other person

Respect for an agreement

Respect for one's self to keep your word

Respect for time

It's basic consideration for the other person

Did errands for the house

then home depot

That place used to be huge, in my perspective

but knowing it and going there almost everyday

It's not so intimidating anymore

Funny, how one's perspective changes as one gets to know a place

or oftentimes, a person

Back to the construction

Met with architect and contractor
Am grateful for my contractor's patience and support

Home now blogging, e-mailing

Waiting for my massage

Time to re-charge!

Rubble

So, in between the indelible smell of cement

and rubbles all around

This is my normal life nowadays.

I am living in exciting times

So exciting that my contractor is the last person I text

and the first one I call in the morning

It is now in my every bone

I am 100% hooked!

I guess it boils down to personality

I can never do something mediocre

If I know I can't commit

then I'd rather let go

than do something half-heartedly

Over dinner

Kids were asking me how construction's going

Told them, really good

My 8 year-old asked

How's the dream team

I said, oh yeah, architect said,

am the perfect project manager

Keeps everyone on their toes

Tough in a subtle way

Funny what my 8- year-old replied

Are you sure they're not just saying that?

I go, what for?

Scared they'll get in trouble with you

How perceptive can an 8-year-old be?

Or does he know his mom too well? haha

All in all, was a very good day

Had a meeting with a client in the morning

then proceeded to our own construction

Picked up my son, lunch at Rockwell

Picked up my other son

Rested at home

Meeting at 5

Home by 6 and everything's done

Everyone satisfied

I do live in exciting times.

Night!

Party girl

dress: Banana Republic, belt: ZARA, clutch: Aranaz (given by Anne Gonzalez)

Covered a private event last night.

What I like most about covering the society pages in a premiere magazine

is meeting all these highly intellectual individuals

High profile people who you don't necessarily see in the magazines

but whose names and jobs define the movers and shakers of this country

and some even globally

I love the exchange of ideas

the dreams for this country

and the desire to build a hopeful nation

Went home so high and happy

Told my husband when I got home how I enjoyed that party a lot

Then it's not really work

It's broadening one's horizons

Meeting people

Inspiring goals

Making a difference

I love this job!

Building dreams

top from Hong Kong, shorts: ZARA

location : a congregation's office

The construction is in full swing.

Am so excited!

I think I go there everyday, two times a day!

So far, despite the busy-ness of it all

I'm totally enjoying it

Tired, yes, fulfilling, double yes!!!

I know a lot of people who get so stressed when building a home

Several, even said , it will put a strain on the couple

So far, we've been cool and easy

My architect said we're such good clients

We let him do his work

then we give comments after

I guess because my hubby and I are creative people too

To get the most out of an artist

Let them be!

Tip is to get someone you trust

We trust our architect

He knows what we want

So we don't need to dictate

I have 9 meters of walk-in closet

I heard no complaint whatsoever from my husband

I guess after all these years

He's realized a happy wife makes for a happy husband

Physical stress, yes

Mental, hmm, at times

But nothing matches the excitement

And seeing something grow and unfold

Most people would say building is one of the most stressful times

in one's life

True but also one of the most exciting, creative, team-building, inspiring moments

And if you have your mind on the goal

Everything will be easy

Cause everything's a labor of love

One thing I can just say

Pray every step of the way

Then, build your dream!

Happy weekend!

Memories

dress:Zimmermann, shoes: Charles & Keith, clutch: Aranaz

Covered an event last night at CCP.

Opted not to watch after as I have seen CATS more than a decade ago in Broadway.

Just quickly updating the blog.

Have tons to do and have tons already done.

Happy Friday!