Duct Tape Magic

Oh you are definitely going the wrong way if you put on some tape on your clothes and pretended that other's wouldn't take notice or think that it can rescue a wardrobe disaster that's about to unfold. I mean besides, whoever gets an idea that a duct tape can be fashionably necessary?

Jane Aldridge, a young (just turned 18!) beautiful girl who has a high sense of taste in fashion, dares that idea and does it perfectly. So perfect that the duct tape turned out to be the spotlight of the Martin Margiela blazer. That's what I call the duct tape magic!

C, you're full of charm.

Charming vines and ferns... I should really be getting some sleep.

of flowers and birds

It would've been better if they were fresh and alive. For now, I can settle for plastic and ceramic. Lamp, vase, flowers from IKEA. Birds and another potpourri mix from ADORE.

How to wear husband's T-shirt

"I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it's in your mind. Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now?"

~ John Lennon

I can't resist it, I had to put on my husband's Mr. Lennon shirt. I love the print details and how easy it felt on my body. I just returned from home for my mama's-short-and-early-night-time-off feeling lucky. I would've not worn this oversized shirt in public if it isn't for the face.

So how do you wear your boyfriend's/husband's shirt? Wear it like it's yours! Pair it with tights, or skinny jeans, or shorts... even wrap it around with a belt. Black tights, brown boots and jacket are on with mine. Not bad at all.

I ran across Adeline tonight from her LOOKBOOK who rocks her oversized shirt in her black leggings and suede wedges. Beautiful.

I spotted two more shirts from my husband's closet. Haha you know what that means! :)

B, you're a busy bee.

I was busy sorting out the laundry, tidying up the toys, putting babies to bed... but never too busy to doodle B.

Sense of Sight : Photography Exhibition

Last month, I got a call from a friend asking me if I do modeling job. Are you kidding me?? I thought it he was just making a funny hi-hello-kumusta intro and maybe just looking for a design-related help. Apparently he was serious: He was looking for a 16-year old female for his photography project. This has got to be a joke.

Of course I couldn't say yes. I mean I would put shame to his project if I would look my age and the fact that I was lying about my age might get me into trouble!

I soon found out that this is going to be for an exhibition/competition for Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai and Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre (DUCTAC) to support and creatively challenge local artistic talent and to promote the importance of regular eye screening.

Pretty cool eh? SENSE OF SIGHT as it is called.

3 - 24 February 2010

And so Kahlil gave me his vision:

"To go about this, I'd have a loose narrative about a woman in her thirties who creates a photo album about her older sister's life spanning 20 years. To create these pictures in her mind, she will have to rely on her memories about her sister and how the world looked like when she was still able to see. In effect, the sister will have grown up from teenager to adult without looking any older than how the woman remembers her. Also, the world will become more and more colorful as the years pass on as the woman's memories fail her and her imagination fill in the gaps."

With that idea, I just had to do it. It was clever and I can imagine the creativity unfolding. Besides, I then realized, it wasn't really about me being 16 years old and deceiving the viewers - it was me being part of something unique and exciting.

The session was easy. Well you know, I didn't wear any makeup and my hair's not in it's proper manners - so it looks like I'm very raw. We finished shooting within two saturdays and I sure hope I pulled it altogether. I hope the photographer, one of my most admired shutterbugs, did not regret in taking me. It was all fun and all good having friends come over our home.

Lastly, I hope he wins! Go Kahlil!

the potpourri happiness

I had a hard time choosing which pack to go with. The color palette is as important as the scent you know. I would've chosen the turquoise blend but the scent was too much. And I would've loved the vanilla smelling goodness but it was too bland to look at. We finally settled for "Powder Fresh" Potpourri by Colony. The bathroom smells heavenly.

I love potpourris because of their texture and how they make me feel like I picked them up in the woods myself. I just love the way they turn out rotten, dry, beautiful. This makes me remember our little thank you giveaway from our wedding 2006 - a little basketfull of potpourri.

A, you're adorable.

I've always wanted to do an Alphabet sort of project. I thought about an alphabet bunting, a handmade alphabet book, and alphabet pillows. But then yesterday, I started doodling. Now I thought about making an Alphabet botanical-biomorphic patterns (imaginary and real) kind of doodle project. I'm not sure what to do with them yet - but right now I can imagine putting them into canvas prints and make pillow cases! Or I can have them printed on badges... Or I can print them on tote bags!

Ok friends, now wish me the abundance of creativity and imagination to finish it all the way up to Z before 2010 ends.

i miss sewing (and crafting)

I miss my sewing kit, I miss marveling at my fabrics, I miss staring at and smelling my paper collection, i terribly miss my kuti-kuti box. *Sigh.

My favorite projects:

I made this for my eldest son when he first joined a playgroup. It was his plain painting apron and I wanted to personalize it.

I made this for Akii on his Christening Day. I bought a plain swaddling blanket and customized it with his name on it. It just fits him perfectly...

My very first attempt to sew a baby bootie by hand. Imperfect, humble, raw, sewn with love. It's funny and akward but I'm proud of it's courage. It's only a left bootie because I decided I need to make one that's at least worthy of my little baby before I do a pair. Sadly until now, I couldn't find time to do it again.

With no pattern or sample in hand, I only had to take advantage of my imagination. Using a BeeSquare fabric and from my cut-off shorts left over, a recycled velcro from my mom's bag (thanks momi and sorry!) this little baby came to life.

I know these are not much of a sewing grand parade, but I am enjoying every second of creating them. And tonight is just one of those nights I wished I had my tools.

dream hammock

This has been on my "home inspiration" folder for 3 years now. I am so in love with this bean bag hammock by Le Beanock, I cannot stop staring and dreaming of having one. I am definitely not leaving this one out of the list (hoping budget approves) when we finally build our very home in Cebu. I can totally picture us with our late night movie marathons in this comfy super-duyan.

Fyns & Bevlee

I am so enviously happy to see this photo! My two loveliest bestfriends hang out for a day and I'm missing them terribly. I acted as their common friend who realizes the wind faerie Bevlee and the best-buddy-since-high-school Fyns (publicly known as Jhoe or Ruki by bevlee) have more than one passion in common and they're both hyper souls. By that, I know they'd be super friends. Who says only opposites attract?

Fyns and Bevlee find themselves building friendship through Paw Love, bicycle love, travel logs, photography and me (You guys talked about how you missed me right??). And I can only wait to spend sunny days with them. Love you ninyo!

Trip to Pandora with 3D glasses on

One day, husband says I should take a break and go watch a movie. But not just in an ordinary big screen, he wants me to experience Avatar in 3D. At first I was hesitant and joked shopping (or sleeping) sounds more inviting. He told me if I miss this one out, I would regret it for the rest of my life. Yes we are movie junkies. 3 movies in one day was normal for us or arriving home by 3am while I was pregnant. When the boys came, the habit became minimal and so we turn to the mighty Vuze.

I had to take this opportunity. Well, you know we're taking turns.

Right as I put the on the 3D glasses, I can hear me say "hala...." marveling while Alice In Wonderland trailer unfolds. (But I so hated that cheshire cat grinning right up to my face. It looks evil!) It takes a bit of getting used to. As my eyes adjust, my mind flies away to Pandora.

I can almost touch that bioluminescent airborne jellyfish! It's like 5 inches near me! I thought it can even be one of my "ten tickles" kind of creature. I felt I've known this place, or dreamt it with me hovering in space. Amazing.

The film made me think how beautiful our planet would've been if technology never came or civilizations were contented. We could've harmoniously connect with the elements and all other creatures and money wouldn't have ruled us. But then again, you know humans can never be satisfied by just actually living...

As I walk out of the cinema my eyes were literally adjusting back to reality. I miss my boys already.

old for the new!

My first post for Twenty Ten. I love saying twenty-ten! It sounds promising. It feels right.

It was the craziest end-of-the-year adventure for our family. We've shifted to a new place - (bigger play, sleep, munching spaces for the boys) so that means we had a lot of packing and unpacking to do. Organizing: scissors, crayons, laundry basket, shoe racks... the list goes on! And since our new home is fully furnished, we had a hard time disposing or giving away our bed, couch, dining set even up to now. Anyone want an extra bed??

The outfit doesn't really say anything "new". But this is what I wore on new year's day - I just had to record it. This is my comfy facing-the-new-year getup - ready for the big mess, for my boys bedtime gitikanay, for welcoming twentyten simply. It's a style I'm going to wear throughout 2010: old for the new. 2009 had moments of big expectations yet accepting my worth in the end.

Details of my favorite old navy canvas shorts paired with 99 pesos top and a Bershka jacket.