Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Fantasy Closet {Undone}

There are days when I want to wrinkle my perfectly ironed white button-down shirts and come undone like these women. Don't they just look effortlessly divine?

Today's Fantasy Closet visit takes cues from these women and here's how you can work this wrinkled button down look from brunch, to the boardroom and to the beach! Saves you time (as you don't have to iron) and gives a hefty dose of effortless chic too! 


{Beach} Rag & Bone Ada Boyfriend Shirt/ H&M Green Denims/ Felix Rey Crabby Beach Tote/ Ash Lips Sandals
{Boardroom} Rag & Bone Ada Boyfriend Shirt/ Erdem Criona Skirt/ 3.1 Phillip Lim Tote/ 
Opening Ceremony Court Shoes
{Brunch}Rag & Bone Ada Boyfriend Shirt/ Alice & Olivia High Waist Pants/ Givenchy Medium Nigthingale/ Topshop Wedges

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Weekend Tidbits

Whenever good food and even better company are involved, our weekend is definitely made. Throw in  some road trip, cool breezy weather, a dip in the pool-- and the little missy is over the moon.

Spending the weekend with my college friends out of town, with our little families tagging along is a luxury nowadays, thus one is treasured dearly.  

The wonderful weekend that was.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Mischmash Recommends {B. Pop Arty}

To my toddler, a toy's novelty lasts about one to two weeks, three weeks tops. Save for the quintessential paint and crayons, its this brilliant jar of snap-together colorful beads that has actually made an exception. It was gifted to her last Christmas and up until now it hasn't lost its charm! 
Every now and then I'd catch her playing with this 500-piece set which I'm very much certain is no longer complete. I love that it comes in different shapes, sizes and colors. All of which you can put together and make jewelry of.  
Best part is when she comes up to me and show me her creations. If its not a ring, its a ton of necklaces she likes to pile on me. This is easily one of her more favored toys and it seems to be mine too!

B. Pop Arty makes for a perfect gift for girls four years and above. Mischka had this before she turned three and loved it from day one. Adult supervision of course is necessary but one that is fun, most definitely! 

Monday, March 19, 2012

Weekend Tidbits

It's always nice to cap off a long week with some outdoor play and comfort food in the company of good old friends. At Micshka's BFF's 3rd birthday, we had such and then some.
It was a laid back party but I've never seen kids have so much fun. Hotdogs, slides, swings, the sand box, 
ice cream, all that-- topped off with a calesa ride around the block!

Such was the highlight of our weekend. The rest of it were pleasant "just-us-three" moments enough to rejuvenate working parents for another work week ahead.  

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Fashion Fix

Whenever I yearn for some fashion fix, Tommy Ton is my go-to. Above are my favorite off-the-runway takes from Fall 2012 shows. They're all fabulous outerwear, I noticed. Might not be season-appropriate around here but they sure managed to make my heart skip a beat.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Acqua Livingstone by Missoni Home

Century Properties recently launched their newest collaboration, which for me, by far, is the most exciting one ever! Who doesn't get all giddy with excitement with Missoni?!! 

Acqua Livingstone is the fourth of the six towers to rise on the vast Acqua Private Residences property and is the first ever residential tower to be designed by Italian fashion house, Missoni.
Above are just some of the interiors you'll find at Acqua Livingstone. They may not appeal to all but it sure did to my good friend, Arleen and me! 
Of course the highlight of the night was rubbing elbows with Ottavio Missoni himself! Too bad wife Rosita and grand daughter Margherita were not with him. Nevertheless, it was an honor meeting one half of my all-time favorite design duo.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Weekend Tidbits

We made time to see MV Logos Hope, the world's biggest floating book fair, over the weekend. Le Misch was so excited, she was actually skipping and hopping going on board the ship! We all had a wonderful time browsing the book fair and picking up some copies to keep. While most books are at a bargain, we were there for the experience more than anything else. I hope you were able to catch MV Logos before it sails away to Subic today. 
It was the first time in 3 weeks that I had a work free weekend. Naturally, what transpired was one filled with Mischka. Right now, weekends are all about her. So aside from the floating book fair on Saturday, we took a spontaneous road trip to Nuvali on Sunday. Just us three and it was heavenly.

The weekend that was. Wish yours was as lovely. 

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Fantasy Closet {Sherbet Hues From Work Week to Weekend}

Recently smitten by sugar coated sherbet shades. I'm not exactly the type but with the scorching heat of late, I couldn't help but succumb to the trend. Who wouldn't when these pieces sprouting everywhere are as refreshing as a tall glass of pomelo shake?

The Elements:
WORK WEEK// 1. H&M Mint Green Blazer 2. JCrew Cafe Capri 3. Rag & Bone Pocket Tee 4. Reed Krakoff  Boxer 5. Rupert Sanderson Pumps
WEEKEND// 1. Cheap Monday Tank Top 2. Red Herring Scarf 3. Topshop Pique Shorts 4. Asos Sandals 5. Givenchy Shopper 6. Miu Miu Sunglasses

Sunday, March 4, 2012

A Different Voice

Some of you may have noticed the shortage of posts around here. No, we haven't been traveling and no one is sick as was usually the case whenever it gets a little quiet in the forefront. Suffice to say, I haven't had time to blog as much as I used to. 

Though I know it is not expected of me to explain and disclose everything I do in this virtual bubble of mine, I owe it to my small yet lovely audience to explain the change of voice in this blog. 

I chanced upon blogging when, as a full time hands-on mother, I mastered the skill a little bit and found time for myself. Time for which I made good use of. I shared to whoever was interested, my personal crusade in creating a beautiful and creative environment for my daughter and how not to lose oneself in the process. 

I dabbled in a lot of things outside motherhood. I styled for local publications, contributed to foreign fashion blogs, ran an online retail site along with some partners and designed handbags and apparel. All these I did over and on top of being a mother to Mischka. I dare not say I excelled in all or any for that matter, but just the mere fact the I am carving a niche for myself outside the shadow of my very supportive husband is enough to keep me going. We do not believe in the conventional "husband goes to work- wife stays at home" set-up. At some point we knew I had to go back to the work force. It was only a matter of finding the right opportunity for me. And for someone who has been out of commission for nearly four years, this is nowhere near easy. 

To cut to the chase, I found a job and one that I absolutely love. May it be fate or pure luck, one lesson learned is to never be idle. Yes, you may have just given birth and deserve to cut some slack but don't lose yourself to the battle of motherhood. Take good care of your family and take better care of yourself.   

A lot don't understand my decision and some think of it as something done in really bad taste. It could be and I don't blame them for feeling so. It saddens me tremendously but sometimes you just really have to bite the bullet.    

This is the part where I say this blog will speak a different voice. From a passionate full time mother to an equally passionate professional juggler. And as I struggle to adjust to the demands of this new endeavor without compromising my role as a mother, I am learning to be content  with catching my daughter still awake when I get home, having a chance to read her a story and tuck her to bed. Everyday for two weeks now, I realize the price I have to pay for taking this job. I am glad we have a solid relationship founded on love and trust for three years that I was with her day in and day out.

Motherhood for me is the toughest job you'll ever LOVE. Add to that a full-time job and you're a disaster waiting to happen. BUT, I find comfort in knowing that there's a lot of us in the same boat. And a good number of whom are doing a fantastic job balancing work and motherhood.

What are you thoughts on working full time and still wanting to be hands-on on your children? Is that even possible? Would love to hear from you.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Three!

She blurted that phrase out with so much conviction when asked what her wish is. She's three and sure doesn't sound like one. She may talk about castles, princesses, and tutu skirts excessively of late but everyday, I swear, I learn more from her than she does from me. 
Her tea party didn't go as planned but I was determined to give her a princess experience no matter what the circumstances were. We're not big on material extravagance and excessiveness but value creativity more than anything else. A lot of the details were DIY and the cardboard castle was my surprise for her.  (It was a HUGE hit!) 

She was very much involved in the planning so to cancel it was just not an option. So tea we had and rainbow cake we stuffed ourselves silly with.