10 Things I’m loving now (my wishlist for xmas08)

1. boots – Though Philippines is a tropical country, with the current climate change, fab boots are becoming appropriate nowadays; ankle boots neutralizes the femininity of flowy dresses.
2. structured plaid dresses – great as office-segue-to-party outfit
3. Essenses Green Tea Lotion, Body Scrub, Shower Gel and Body Mist – green tea is refreshing, as cool as this season.
4. Ricky Lee’s first novel “Para Kay B (O Kung Paano Dinevastate ng Pag-ibig ang 4 out of 5 sa Atin) – Isn’t the title intriguing enough?
5. Britney Spears’ Womanizer – can’t help but shake my head to the beat
6. iPod wall charger and iPod Speakers
7. http://www.flavia.com/ - cute e-cards to send your family and friends
8. Van Houten Fruit and Nuts chocolate bars – my comfort food of the moment
9. 2008 MMFF – an exhibition of quality Pinoy movies. I can’t wait to see the 10th Shake, Rattle and Roll! Hope movie pirates declare ceasefire this time to give producers a chance.
10. Ellana mineral cosmetics – I tried Stunner on my eyelids and it’s just but fab. More amazing products available online: http://www.ellanaminerals.com

10 Things I’m loving now 111808

(In no particular order)

1. big hoop earrings -  even if an outfit’s a drab, silver hoops can instantly glamorize your look.
   
2. funky neckties – add some attitude to plain pique shirts and blouses
3. Face Shop’s nail color – for less than a hundred pesos, there are a lot of yummy colors to suit every mood; It dries up fast and doesn’t chip off easily.  For more info, check http://www.thefaceshopen.com
4. The Bible – rediscovering it as a source of daily inspiration, one will never run out of quotes to share
   
5. The String Quartet Tribute – their versions of pop songs make me hum along while relaxing me. For more info, check http://www.vitaminrecords.com/ 
   
6. http://www.faceyourmanga.com – create your avatar here
   
7. Chowking’s Spicy Wanton Noodles – this has been my comfort food for more than a year now.
   
8. Bazaars/tiangge – Christmas season is Bazaar season.  And where else can you find fab items that won’t break the bank.
   
9. Bath and Body Works Pink Grapefruit – the scent is “seductively tangy” --whatever that means, I love it
10. Tic Tac Extra Strong Mint Candy – instant wake-me-up candy for long trips

Relax

I saw this printed on a girl's shirt:

"The best time to relax is when you don't have time for it."

Makes sense, huh.  And I'll always remind myself of that. :)

Yes to positivity

This aired in Q11 sometime December last year and in my opinion, remains to be one of the best-written plugs.  No bias because I’m one of the producers, but the message is really compelling and audience-direct. It encourages the viewers that whatever we are facing, we should bravely embrace these challenges.  Very optimistic that’s why I love it. :P

Diva’s Fab Find: ELF (eyes.lips.face) luscious liquid lipstick

It is actually a cross between a gloss and a lipstick. With its shiny finish with a hint of color, it can be used on top of your favorite matte lipstick. For no-makeup look, it can be used by itself, just outline your lips with a shade darker. This is indeed luscious; the lipstick has a minty-vanilla taste. Since this is liquid, it glides smoothly. And best of all, this wonder gloss is only about P130. I got mine at the SM Department Store.

For more info, check this out: http://www.eyeslipsface.com

Jeremiah 29:11-14 reflections

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (New International Version)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. ^[a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

I was led to something I always tried to resist.  He finds ways to keep me close under His wing, but as a disobedient child, I don’t heed His call.  I always turn down His invites, and whenever I can find a way out, I’d grab that chance just to neglect my duties.  Why I run away is a question I can’t answer.  Am I afraid of commitments?  Or am I too self-absorbed that I can’t stand sacrifices?  Possibly, a bit of both, but not quite.  So, when the “center of my universe” was taken from me, I was forced to view things in a different perspective.  That left me no choice but cling to Him.  But I need to tell you this:  I kind of get a hang of it and truthfully, I like it.  I never had this “glowing” feeling since, uhm, high school when life is so simple and untainted.  So I still wish to hang out with Him, think about Him over coffee and me time, or whenever I can.  It’s really a good experience everyone should try.

Now I’m so thankful I did not resist this time.  Maybe, it’s really about time. 

Isaiah 55:8-9 reflections

Isaiah 55:8-9 (New International Version)

 8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
       neither are your ways my ways,"
       declares the LORD.

 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
       so are my ways higher than your ways 

       and my thoughts than your thoughts.

When things seem to go out of hand and are not aligned with my plans, a person of little faith manifests as I try to comprehend why they turn that way.   As I go sulking in one corner, a resentful heart overshadows the benevolent in me.  His thoughts are not my thoughts.  His are far intelligent than mine.  At times I’m really stupid, emotional and skewed.  When not in proper frame of mind, upon impulse, I act and think harshly.  I wanted others to see the goodness of God in me.  But with the way I currently think, it is a challenge.   I should never forget that just like after the Great Flood, the earth was cultivated anew.  He has given this world a second chance, so why not turn away from the bad and do what He wills when there’s still time.  And reap the rewards of obedience and faith in the end. 

The Philippine Fashion Week Spring/Summer 09

The Philippine Fashion Week Spring/Summer 09

22-29 October 2008, SMX Convention Center

This is the nth fashion show I’ve watched in my lifetime but it’s my first taste of the Philippine Fashion Week.  Seating in the front row for close scrutiny of the works of art parading before you is indeed one of the best experiences I had for this year.  Fashion being one of my prime interests, feeling like a VIP in a gathering of artists like this is simply unforgettable.  This experience is very reminiscent of Sex and the City, where the girls went to NY Fashion Week for the lure of couture to keep their minds off heartbreak. 

Opening Gala was sponsored by the Department of Agriculture.  It is really delightful to have our government support such endeavors.  In Secretary Arthur Yap’s speech, Philippine fashion does not only create art but livelihood to thousands of farmers and weavers.  This really is true.  Though our country has gone industrialization, majority of our people still rely on agriculture for a living.

The opening show featured creations of over a hundred designers making use of the indigenous fiber.   Indigenous fibers include the abaca and piña cloth.  In a magazine article I read, piña cloth now has a growing demand in fashion capitals like Paris.  The Pillars of Philippine Fashion Aureo Alonzo, Ben Farrales and Pitoy Moreno capped the event highlighting their timeless masterpieces.

A star-studded fashion show followed the Opening Gala, which is Fredrick Peralta’s.  Being one of the contestants of last season’s Celebrity Duets, models and audience are mostly from showbiz.  On the ramp were Angel Aquino, Wilma Doesnt, Assunta de Rossi-Ledesma, Joyce Jimenez, Agot Isidro and Dr. Hayden Kho.  In the ringside are GMA bigwigs Miss Wilma Galvante and Miss Darling de Jesus, doctor Vicky Belo and lifestyle guru Cory Quirino.  The collection is mainly gowns in shiny shades of white, gold and silver. Really impressive creations graced the catwalk that you’d love to be donned in one of them while walking the wedding aisle.  Each piece is a statement, making anyone who wears it a standout.

Premiere Collection A featuring the works of Jeffrey Rogador, Jerome Lorico and Ralph Ng concluded the first day of the Philippine Fashion Week.  Mostly menswear and in shades of gray, the creations have elevated the street wear to strut-wear. 

Like in fashion capitals, the Philippine Fashion Week will now be held twice a year starting this year.  The first is for the Spring/Summer Collection and the next is for the Holiday Collection (which is the counterpart of the Fall/Winter Season).  Now there are more happenings to look forward to in the Philippine fashion scene. 

10 things im loving now… 102108

• mini dresses – effortless fab outfit
  
• stilettos – instant oomph
  
• Long plastic bead necklace (it’s everywhere)
  
• Candy-colored Waist belts (now on sale at the Landmark)
  
• The Face Shop nail polish – in fuchsia, lime and orange
  
• Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts
  
• iPod touch — not just a music and video player, it’s can also be an organizer, photo album and notepad, and has Safari for net.
  
• PCD’s “When I Grow Up” — it’s my ringtone because it’s soo me.
  
• Facebook – I love finding old friends here, it’s actually the “new Friendster”
  
• Total Video Converter – it’s Total!
  

You are STILL Loved

This was one of the entries in the older blogs I kept. And believe it or not, I still feel the same.

13 June 2007

The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them - Thomas Merton

I was once asked by a friend, why of all the guys, it was her best friend I fell in love with. I shrugged and said "I don't know".  She stood up and clapped.  "That's the best answer", and she hugged me so tight.

Now I know that that isn’t the same answer I have for the guy I’m currently so into. I used to say, “I don’t know” when the truth is I recognize to whom I am in love with. It is him, the tangible him and the idea of him. How he is felt physically and emotionally. How I am moved to grow gracefully. How I am challenged positively.

I used to tell him during my “denial” stage that if I just know what exactly caught my heart,  I’d rather look for it in someone else.  This guy’s a real close friend so I thought nurturing this feeling might ruin the friendship we’ve kindled for years.  But you see, the more you suppress your feelings, the greater it grows.  Only then did I realize that it’s real. It should be real when the happiness and everything that goes with this feeling is wonderfully overflowing that they need to be shared. So I finally decided to let him know.

Recently, in one of our unusual heart to heart talks, he asked me what I will do should we pursue this relationship.  I just answered, “I’ll let you be as you are.” My explanation is simple: I fell in love with the man he is right now that I wouldn’t oblige him to make drastic changes in himself just for me. Ideal? Yes it is. But the way he is and the way he is not made me think that he is just right. He’s not perfect though. In fact, he’s got a string of imperfections like most men do, yet seeing right through him, I have found a real person with whom I can share real love with. This love doesn’t have to be too much as it would be obsessive, or too little to be neglecting. It is just right with enough love left to share with the people around us. And most importantly, this love springs from the belief that he is a gift from God that should be taken cared of.

Weak

I came across this quote while checking my old documents:

The greatest weakness of most humans is their hesitancy to tell others how much they love them while they're alive – O.A. Battista

Ok so now, I’m weak?!!

Tuna Pasta

Yesterday I cooked pasta for Mama.  It’s something unusual for me because I’m not really a kitchen person.  I’d rather eat and love the food without me getting through the fuss preparing it.  I always believed that good food and fabulous cooking is a passion.  Not everyone can whip a scrumptious course, alright.  And that includes me.   So, as a novice in the kitchen, I tried a tuna pasta.  With a recipe card at hand, I followed every step with much precision—now’s not the time to experiment yet, or disaster looms ahead.

Here’s my recipe:

• 500g Penne noodles cooked al dente
  
• 200g spaghetti sauce
  
• 200g tomato sauce
  
• 1 can button mushrooms
  
• 1 can tuna
  
• Salt and pepper
  
• Cheese (parmesan is the best)
  

Put all the ingredients in a sauce pan and put them to a boil.  Then pour over the pasta.  Top with grated cheese.  Serve with a smile.  Best when shared with a loved-one. 

The sight of me busy in the kitchen is unusual that it brought smiles to Mama’s face. Too bad she doesn’t eat mushrooms and tuna.  Shame on me not to know that. But we both enjoyed anyway.

my first entry

Finally, after like centuries of planning, I am posting a blog.  It took me days, weeks and months to think of what to write about.  Just recently, a friend asked me how to live life and enjoy it.  Whoa!  That’s a big topic for me.  So if you think I'm gonna write about it and sort of preach, you're wrong.  I’m not even the right person to talk about it. But that discussion is such an enlightening experience and hence, inspired me to share the things where my life revolves:  love.  Love in relationships, love for fashion, love for entertainment, loving my career, and a whole lot more.   This is how I live life, and love it.  And this is what makes life beautiful. La vita e bella.