TGIF

Today, well technically, it was yesterday, but lets just pretend it was today. EDSA Anniversary, was expecting insane traffic but amazingly, EDSA was clear without any snarls and the expected gridlocks. Whew. Ambitious schedule, pulling out from two malls. SM Megamall which is right smack at the Revolution center and Power Plant. I have to say, pulling out from SM Department Store needs a good three hours, in the most comfy shoes (which I wasn't wearing by the way) and clear, laser-like focus. It's easy to get distracted by all the cheap finds, and its super sale on lingerie. (Valentines promo?) TMI. But i love lacy underthings. Anyhoo. Another accidental photo opportunity. She caught me while I was sourcing in the Pajama section, (again, why is it always in my most awkward moments? Gah. how unglamorous) but hey--when sourcing for a particular trend, you scour in every nook and cranny. HI to that girl, never even got her name. I might have scared her off too coz I asked her if she even knew me. She mumbled something about Preview. Eeep. Sorry. Was busy deciding between two floral prints that looked the same except for a slight variation of purple. (yes, it does matter).

And after three hours in painful shoes, off to Power Plant to finish all pullouts. Met someone new again while I was in Aldo. Claire? Am I correct? From CSB, thank you for coming up to me and saying Hi. Didn't want a full shot because I never go around in thongs (not the underwear silly, but its Aussie speak for flip-flops) but because I had my nails done in Dashing Diva in this gorgeous shade of melon orange, I wasn't too keen in putting on my boots again--hence, the surprising choice of non-footwear.

Good that I did too because when I got to Zara, their display was this explosion of brights that I sooooper love!! That red oversized blazer has my name on it. Gerald of Zara was there of course, ka collection with his visual display. He styled the whole thing. Love, love, LOVE!! And at least even if i was wearing my uniform of all black, my nails were bang on trend. Its that same shade as the belted tank beside Ge.

Not only is Power Plant easy to navigate (for sourcing and pullouts) because of its convenient size, it also has this pa-kembot na Sartorial Fridays. I wrote about this in my column for Supreme in the Philippine Star a while back. I think its awesome that a mall gratifies your being pagka-fashyown with recognition. Not only do you get your photo taken and uploaded to the Power Plant facebook page.

You get a free movie pass. Sweet.

And even sweeter is hot chocolate with marshmallows to end the day. Nothing like hugs and warm mugs of comfort to ease myself into the weekend. Have a good one guys!

BEHIND THE BYLINES

Today I went to the office because we were shooting Liz's episodes for StarWorld's Behind The Bylines. And as usual when I got to work after lunch, parking in my building was full already. So on to Plan B, which was to park in the mall beside my office and walk the short distance.

I'm used to this routine. Park. Buy a Super Taro Ice from Quickly and walk the 5 minute length, preferably in flats--as I pass through some rough terrain because of an ongoing construction site. What was different from my day today was this guy who came up to me while I was juggling my bags (with no poise AT ALL) coming into the basement mall entrance. He goes:
"Hi, can I have a photo taken with you?"
Till now, this question never fails to surprise, disconcert and dumbfound me. I never really know what to say back. And of course I go:
"Err, why?"
And then he goes:
"I read your blog!."
OHHH! Okay. *huge sigh of relief* and still not contended, I go:
"So what's the name of my blog?", he smiles and says:
"Stylesamurai."
Okay, GO! Pose. Picture! Phaakk! Haha. Thanks Ivan for coming up to me and saying Hi. And if I sound suspicious, my apologies. This whole people-recognizing-me takes a lot of getting used to. Because in reality, my work happens behind the spotlight. But I'm sooooper happy that you did. Apparently, we work in the same building, but he's from Accenture, and I'm from Summit. I have readers. Yay!! =)

And at the office, Liz and Vince pretending to not know that I'm taking photos. Heeeh.

Di naman ako na brief na Birthday mo pala mads! haha.

Yes, she comes to the office like dut talaga.



Meeting.

Meeting.

Adidas Giraffe Sneakers. So coot.

Bincht who looks like Nino.

Shuuzzangs.

And Liz's pretty assistants: Lissa and Reese.

GLARE

Would you believe that Eugene's slip ons are only five ham? CUTEecle remover!!

CUTTING CORNERS

THE ROCK

If I wasn't blogging last week, it was because we were here!!

Bellarocca, means Beautiful Rock and it channels it's white washed walls from the structures in Santorini. I look too happy here.

The distant mountains remind me of the series Lost.

Golf carts to take us around the terrain, and a welcome necklace of flowers.

We stayed in a two bedroom villa, with this huge king sized bed. I love wooden floors, It always feels so homey. But the clincher to this room is not the spacious size, the bathroom was open-ended. No doors. Vince and I are close pero teeeh, ibang level of intimacy na yun ha!! haha. So what happened was, I had to step out when he's in the loo. And he has to stay in the living room when I'm taking a shower. Uh, hello, medyo akward lang naman kung may utaw sa room habang nasa banyo ka na walang pintuan diba?

Our Villa came with an infinity pool and a jacuzzi.

And a patio for parties.

This is the main pool. Niiiice.

And the lounge area.

The view from one of their one bedroom cliff villas. A sweeping horizon of the Sibuyan Sea. My friend and model Vanessa Matsunaga stayed in this suite when she got married in the island last year. Imagine waking up to this every morning. Siiiiiigggghhhh.

And their beach front.

Another infinity pool at ground level.


And goody bags with Molton Brown products.

And a personalized note from John. Their Director of Sales and Marketing, who I super love coz he took really good care of us while we were there. Thanks again John!! =)


For those wanting to go to Bellarocca, its a 35 minute plane ride to Marinduque via Zest Air which you have to take in the old Domestic Airport. Had to write that because I was googling those details before I left but couldn't find any info. Although when we were about to leave, Bellarocca sent us a complete pre-departure kit, with Airport info, baggage allowance, what time to be there and all those little things that we need not stress about. Pretty impressed if I have to say so myself. They thought of everything!

BELLAROCCA. Island Resort and Spa at www.bellaroccaresorts.com

ON THE 14TH

I got this sweet pressie from jeweler Michelline Syjuco.

Recycled bullet shells!! How cool!

The edges are so sharp though that it's a weapon in itself. Danger can be so fierce. Thanks Michel!!

SHINY HAPPY PEOPLE

Waaah. You guys must have been sick to death of that Red Velvet cupcake in my previous post. A heart shape redundancy due to my sore lack of updates, SORRY. Last week was spent out of town and straight into a campaign shoot and a TV show. In other words, nyaarrrragerst. So here you go, as promised, Liz's Birthday Party at Robot. I didn't get to enjoy this party as much as last year.

First, because we came from a weekend in Tagaytay and I went straight to the Salon to have my roots retouched. Ouchers. and then I had to go home and change. Planned to drive coz I wanted to stay out late without haggarding the boyf. But when I got in my car, it wouldn't start. Discharged because I left my keys half turned overnight. Stress Drillon!! So ganon din, the boyfie had to come and pick me up. We got there late, and by that time, I wasn't feeling very well na. And with the busy week ahead, I didn't want to risk getting sick by drinking alcohol. (Sometimes it sucks to be responsible)

Decided to ride with Vince so I could stay longer, but when the boyf saw how far along Vince was getting into his drinks, he refused to leave unless he brings me safely home. So in other words, no choice kundi jumuwi. Chakaroach, kill me now moment. Argh. How anti-climatic!! But, still, good fun. Thanks Madzzzz! And Happy Birthday!!

Moet by the bucketloads.

Uh huh.

And Jaeger?

Sams new calling.

And the guests.. Mads. The real Mads and not Liz. Heeh.

Nino, Vince, My outfit, Mano.

Laureen and Anna in the color (and pose!) of the night: Neon.

Bianca.

Nix and Pam.

Mars.

Mond.

George.

AC.

The Concepcion cousins, Carlos and Mike.

Jerome, Alan, Robby.

My family: Agoo, Isha, Mother P and Bincht.

And the girls of Vince: Bea Soriano

Toni.


And contrary to popular chika, theres no catfights between good stylists.

But there was a fight over these sooper cute lolly-fruits.

And bow tie wars.

Robby had this amazing camera that could project photos instantly. Whoa.

Trippy.

The End.