Oscar Monday

I was expecting more from this year's Academy Awards fashion choices. Too bad only one dress caught my eye.

Cate Blanchett in Givenchy Couture

Anne Hathaway was a doll in vintage Valentino and her dress changes aplenty. Michelle Williams had that cool vintage vibe in Chanel Haute Couture. Mila Kunis' lilac Elie Saab lace confection was a breath of fresh air. But it was the Givenchy beaded beauty on Cate Blanchett that took my breath away.

Olivia and the Pleated Skirt

Not too long a post ago I mentioned about a fashion premonition in the form of a pleated maxi. Look what I just found.

Olivia P. made it to Stylecaster's 50 most stylish (no surprise there) and this is what she wore.

Need I say more?

Mexican Fiesta Birthday Party

The Invitation: Mexican Paper Doll designed by my good friend Pen, put together by me and my sister, Mariel.

 The Banner: Ikat fabric-covered paper plates with cut-out letters.

The Cake: A small topper with 25 delish cupcakes. The horse paper-mâché I have just lying around the house was put to good use, dressed up as a piñata.

 The hats and garlands I got from the market and the loot bags are from Ikat fabrics tied with cotton tape.

The Table Setting: The runner was from the same Ikat fabric, the place mat patterns were lovingly cut up by my cousin, Marinez, and the plates, goblets, spoons and forks I got for a song from an old department store in Bacolod. It would have been perfect if the chairs and tables were wooden but apparently those are nowhere to be found these days. 

The happy grandpa, my dad posing gamely with the chilis.

 A Eukalele, a pair of maracas, and the art corner. Some activities for the kids while waiting for everyone to arrive.

 Orange and strawberry flavored juices I got for Php 7 each (10 cents USD) were a big hit! The koala was out of theme but they were just too cute! Served ice cold using my mom's giant terracotta pot. The kids loved it as they can just reach out and serve themselves.

 The bar served margaritas and sangrias for the adults.

 Another big hit (for the adults) was the mustache set I got from the market (Divisoria, where else?)!

The homemade donkey piñata which the celebrant stuffed herself, was the highlight and the 'pin the tail on the donkey' was lots of fun!

 The celebrant who was very gracious all through out her party.

I am a sucker for homespun themed parties that DO NOT break the bank. And this one was just that and more. Everything you see here were handmade and all a labor of love. I am blessed with very resourceful and immensely creative family and friends.

All in all, the birthday girl and the guests had a whale of Mexican fun and at the end of the day, that's all that matters.

Other details you might be interested in:

Cake and cupcakes by Joy Jochico (+639194041648) as recommended by CATwife Mia.
Music by Mexican Putumayo
Mischka's dress from Tarte Tatin
Ikat fabric at a bargain from Gaisano Dep't Store Bacolod
Plates and goblets from Lopue's Dep't Store Bacolod

And Just Like That.. She's Two

Two years ago today we were gifted with this little bundle of joy whom, little did we know, would rule our universe since then.

Happy birthday to the daughter of our dreams. You are loved beyond words.

It is an honor to watch the person you are becoming but please, please, not too fast.

Fantasy Closet {Bold Stripes}

Big, bold stripes are BIG this season. Think Prada and Jil Sander.. For today's fantasy closet visit however, I thought of how to translate such Spring trend to reality. 

The Elements:

1. Striped Boxy Shirt, hfm.co.jp
2. Black Bermuda Shorts, buckle.com
3. Marc by Marc Jacobs Silicone Strap Watch, net-a-porter.com
4. Marc Jacobs Satin Espadrille Ballerina Flats, net-a-porter.com
5. Givenchy Medium Antigona Duffle, barneys.com
6. Fedora Straw Hat, walmart.com

The slim bermudas are chic and functional. The ballerina flats are just too cute not to be part of today's ensemble and the Antigona is high on my coveted list. Although I'm not a hat person, the fedora just seems to complete the look, doesn't it?

Happy stylish Wednesday ladies!

A Little Girl's Spring Look Book

Yes, my daughter also has a look book for spring. Well, more like, I have a look book for her for spring. If I'm looking into J. Crew's Spring collection for mine, she is looking into Stella McCartney Kids for hers!

The clogs, the long denim shorts, the striped sweater dress with huge flowers-- beyond adorable! Check out the site, it's so much fun browsing.

Complete

The Mr. is back from a long, tiring business trip and we are once again complete. Le Misch and I woke up early yesterday to pick him up from the airport and he came bearing gifts. Little things he picked up from where he was the last 10 days. Sweet.

Some Spanish and Dutch Goodness.

Those little espadrilles are even cuter on the little girl's tiny feet and those 'Holland' shoes as she likes to call it has gone to dinner out last night and to the grocery this morning already. She refused to wear anything else! Uh-oh...

I couldn't get enough of the Filipinos chocolate snack and of course, the LOEWE! Thank you Mr. P. It feels so good to have you back.

Mykonos Villa Orpheus + Happy Weekend!

I am dreaming to be whisked off to this place. A Cycladic Islands classic sugar-cube style private villa best known for its impeccable service, apart from that breath-taking view of the Aegean Sea. 

And bring along these.

Pardon the fashion faux pas. I couldn't help but dream of a head-to-toe Calypso St. Barth ensemble most fitting for a day of lounging in Villa Orpheus. I'm only human. When I see a place so beautiful even only in pictures, I get visions of the chicest outfits ever relevant to the place. Wait, let me re-phrase that. I'm only a fashion-impassioned human.

We're on our last day at the hometown (oceans away from Mykonos) and we plan to make the most of today.  A picnic is in order, should nap time be on schedule and the weather, cooperative.

Happy weekend you all!

Fantasy Interiors {Black, White, and Wood}

Black and white is my fool proof pairing when it comes to a lot of things. The light wood element adds just the right amount of organic feel and 'lived-in' look I so crave for in a home.

I can totally dwell in this place.

The kitchen makes me want to revel in my culinary prowess (or lack thereof); the bedroom (particularly the sheets!) makes me want to stay in bed the whole day; and the living room (with its floor to ceiling glass windows) makes me want to curl up on that chair, read a book, and drink a cup of good coffee.

Thank you Decorista for sharing this. You just made my day.

Fantasy Closet {Pleated Maxi Skirt}

 

The Elements:

1. A.L.C. Long Pleated Skirt, shoplesnouvelles.com
2. Fat Face Javen Denim Shirt, fatface.com
3. Proenza Schouler PS1 Medium, cultstatus.com
4. Missoni Large Tube Circle Necklace, boutique1.com
5. Nixon The Time Teller Watch, swell.com
6. H&M Strappy Sandals, hm.com
7. California Chocolate Belt, coggles.com 

The pleated maxi has been on my mind of late. Am I having a fashion premonition? I don't know. I just have a feeling it will be big this season but of course I could be wrong. All I have is this elusive vision of a pleated maxi dressed down with closet staples: chambray button-downs, brown leather belt, and strappy flats. The much coveted PS1, that Missoni neck piece (!), and of course an orange Nixon completes the look I'm feeling today.

Have a stylish Wednesday ladies!

Vania Romoff x The Ramp

The Ramp has yet another stylish collab up its sleeve. Priding itself as an established platform for hip, young and emerging designers, it has once again cooked up something exciting.

Enter Vania Romoff x The Ramp.

Hailing from Cebu, Vania Romoff's design aesthetic is said to be fluidity and graceful construction. It did resonate such with her 15-piece Prom collection for The Ramp, a bevy of pretty cocktail dresses. I refuse to limit it just to prom goers, as I want one for myself!

 My favorite is the yellow mini tube dress. I don't usually go for tube neck lines but this one is too difficult not to like. It's like this one is made for 'excessorizing.'

If I were going to the prom, I'd probably choose one that has a long back. It's sexy and feminine at the same time. Vania's execution of the black number is of-the-moment prom dress perfection.

Pleats. Ruffles. Bows.

Someone tagged along. Her funny expressions while at her first front row experience. Plus a stylish mum+daughter tandem at the reveal. 

We had a deal. She will behave at the show and I will take her for a carousel ride. She did. So I did (in a short skirt, 5-inch, and all).  We have to keep our promises even to a 23-month-old toddler, right?

Vania Romoff x The Ramp is out for a limited time only. Visit The Ramp, Crossings at the following branches:

1/L The Ramp, Crossings Department Store Shangri-la Plaza Mall, 

EDSA cor. Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila. 

T: 635-4410 to 29, 635-4410 to 24, 634-3181 to 84 

Glorietta, Ayala Center, Makati City. 

TriNoma, EDSA corner North Avenue, Q.C.

Missing Our Valentine

We hardly celebrate this day. We have always been content with just having each other around. But this time, dear Hubby is miles and oceans away, hard at work in Barcelona. We miss him sorely. This utterly cute card from Mr. Boddington's Studio says exactly how Misch and I feel today. 

Olivia Palermo for Tibi

While little sis and I were browsing through Tibi's Spring look book, look what we serendipitously found.

OLIVIA PALERMO FOR TIBI (!)

I love Tibi and Olivia Palermo makes my day. A collaboration of the 2 is heavenly. The first and third looks are my faves. The trench! The color palette! And that dress! Need I say more?

She brought along her own drool-worthy baubles for the shoot.

The photos are part of their of Spring '11 web campaign. Check them out here.

creation of the week + happy weekend!

Hello from Ba-cool-od! Le Misch and I are in town in time for her birthday fiesta next week and we are beyond excited!

So just a quick post, lovelies. I've a made pact with myself of late to find time for one of my passions- putting together baubles from my collection of stones, beads, and whatnots. At least one creation a week, is all I ask.

Enter, this week's neck piece creation.

Handmade from antique gold chains, tortoise-like rings from Hong Kong, bamboo ring from Singapore, and a mix of stones. My little assistant and I are trying to put together a collection. She has shown genuine interest and I couldn't be more pleased. Although after 15 minutes or so of tinkering, she goes "I'm done!" and moves on to the next stimulating activity. 

Have a lovely weekend, friends!

Rachel Zoe Revealed

The much hyped collection of celebrity stylist cum designer Rachel Zoe, now very pregnant-but-hardly-showing, is finally out. And it does not disappoint.

RACHEL ZOE FALL 2011

 (via style.com)

The flared pants, the silk tie blouse, the 70's vibe, the glam bohome. Suffice to say, it's very Rachel. I like it. I think they're fab and very wearable too. Us mums can pull off most if not all of these looks here, ya? But I'm not ready for Fall. Not just yet.

It's Thursday and almost weekend, lovelies! Le Misch and I are flying to my hometown today, so it might get a little quiet in the home front. Although I am hopeful, the little girl will spare me some good few hours a day to sit back, blog a little, get creative, and keep my sanity in the process.