The sapphire ring causes talk

Recently, Penelope Cruz sparked frenzied rumors of an engagement with longtime love Javier Bardem when she was spotted wearing this huge sapphire ring:I don't know why that would cause a flurry when Penelope's been wearing loads of fabulous jewelry every time she makes a public appearance.

Fine, it is on the right finger... or rather, on the left ring finger. And it is very similar to Diana's engagement ring. But until Penelope and Javier confirm an engagement (oh, I'd love for them to get married!), we will assume it's just another ring in the Spanish beauty's collection.

Recently, I've also been spotted with a huge sapphire ring. Similar to Diana's engagement ring and to Penelope's alleged engagement ring. It, too, has caused gasps from everyone who's seen it.

I assure you all I am not engaged. Still very happily married, in fact. I'm just very happy I'm turning 33 in a week! And this blue bauble is my birthday present to myself! What's that you said? You want to give me a present, too? Well, go here now for my requests! Or you can help replenish my seriously depleted bank account and buy these shoes! Thank you!

A very short post but fabulous nonetheless

Here's my other baby girl, the adorable and naughty Matilda. She got my eyes, don't you think?

What I'm super loving now

My feathered headbands from Singapore:

My Diane Von Furstenburg ladybug dress! I finally wore it after four months. Totally forgot it was in my closet. Silly me. I love it!
And this weird hardware necklace, which goes well with practically everything in my closet:

Miley's songs! I can't stand the girl (her looks and her antics) but I really like "Seven Things I Hate About You," "Fly on the Wall" and "The Climb." Now I'm dancing a lot to "Party in the USA"!


This minty Tea Tree Face Mask from The Body Shop, which scares the living daylights out of my poor darling husband:

And my personalized Bobbi Brown lip-and-cheek pot:

Fun fun fashionable post! I hope to give you a more substantial post tomorrow!

OK! has a new baby boy

Well, officially he's Joanna's very own but since we all saw him grow and grow and grow in Joanna's tiny body, we have adopted him. Meet Juan Paolo Tuazon Mendoza...

He is so cute! Lana, Elaine and I all cooed and ooh-ed and aah-ed over the little guy and he seemed to enjoy the attention. Yes, little man, get used to beautiful women fawning over you!

Joanna gave birth on October 9. Here she regales us about the birthing process, eliciting grimaces and giggles from us. Seems like she was screaming her head off and fainting away while Elijah passed around the White Owl cigars... oh, he doesn't smoke! Okay, I mean while he passed around Facebook and text messages about his new status as daddy.

My goodness, I will confess that I felt like a grandma when I saw Paolo. Joanna, being so young and as a member of my staff, well, I think of her (and the rest of them actually) as my kids. So I feel very very old these days. Funnily enough, when I told someone at an event earlier today that I was turning 33 next week, she sighed, "Oh, you're so young!" Music to my ears!

Dear Joanna, congratulations on your new baby boy. I pray that God give you wisdom, patience, guidance, strength, good health and daily provision. May you always find humor, may you always respond in love, and may you always remember that you are also a wife and a woman--don't just be a mom! One day, Paolo will grow up and leave you, as all children are wont to do. Relish your other roles and never forget your own needs. Then again, I don't need to tell you this because you're one smart girl. And that's how I know that little boy is in good hands.

Looking for a fashion and beauty editor

... is not the easiest thing to do.

A ton of people think it's the job of their dreams. Then they start working and get buried under the grueling tasks: trawling all the shops for the perfect clothes and accessories, attending events, writing, overseeing photo shoots, meeting deadlines, balancing editorial integrity with advertisers' demands. Sure, sure, sounds like fun but they keep forgetting that behind all that glamour is backbreaking work and the need to meet standards of excellence both in writing, styling and performance. It's called work for a reason.

So I have had the unenviable task of breaking people's hearts when they apply for the job, their eyes shining with the vision of themselves as glamour girls, typing away prettily, dressed to the nines, clinking champagne glasses at society events. And I'm there to tell them, "I'm sorry but you can't write to save your life." And their eyes get all puzzled, "But I'm a writer!" And then I'll have to point out like a grammar teacher, "Well, you confuse 'you're' with 'your' and 'its' with 'it's', your spelling is horrific and your prepositions are misused." And I can tell that they're thinking, "What does grammar have to do with fashion and beauty?!"

Everything, my dear, especially if you plan to have the title "editor" in your position.

So now I'm looking for the perfect candidate for the job yet again. Maybe it's you or maybe you know someone. Here's the list of what I'm looking for. I need someone who:

1. can blow me away with her writing!
That means no spelling or grammar mistakes. Sadly, this seems to be the most difficult qualification to meet. Send me some unpublished writing samples (published articles have usually been edited by exasperated editors) or your blog URL--if I spot one writing error, then thank you for your interest but you simply are not qualified.

2. is highly creative.
The fashion and beauty pages are not only the revenue-making section of the magazine, they are also what readers look to for shopping inspiration. So I need someone who can make a neon pink boot look like the most amazing thing on earth, can describe lipstick a thousand different ways, and can come up with styling ideas and story features that make both readers and advertisers happy.

3. is hardworking.
That means you'll go to all the shops and malls looking for the perfect dress or shoe--yes, even if it means your feet will blister and your arms will fall off from carrying all the products. And when you realize that the clothes for a shoot are all wrinkled, you'll happily pull out that iron or steamer. So if you're allergic to hard work, don't bother.

4. is meticulous to the point of OCD.
As editor, you'll need to edit. So keep your eyes peeled for grammatical mistakes. You'll also have to check that these are correct: spelling of brand names, prices, addresses and phone numbers of shops. You'll also have to make sure the items borrowed don't get damaged or lost. Because if that Paul Smith dress loses a button, the P50,000 goes to your bill.

5. is a fantastic communicator.
Writers are great at communication, right? Not necessarily true. A lot of us are better with pen and paper but in a meeting or an event faced with an irate brand manager demanding for a lot, how do you deal? Do you start stuttering, crying? I need someone who is a public relations wiz! You'll be charming, diplomatic, even aggressive when needed. This means that parties are work and I strictly forbid drinking while on the job.

6. can meet deadlines.
You may be the best writer, the most creative, the most hardworking, most meticulous, most charming person on earth but if you can't meet the deadline, you're a liability.

That's all. I'm tough to work with but if you're good, I'm the best boss you can ever get. Just ask my people. They've been with me for nearly five years and we're a well oiled machine. Think you're the one? Send me your CV, writing and styling samples and a cover letter. The email is frances.amper@summitmedia.com.ph.

I'm out of town for a most glamorous event!

I'm out of the country actually. In Singapore. For the Nuffnang Asia Pacific Bloggers Awards!

Singapore is just about the most beautiful city I have ever seen. Just amazing. Will talk about this stunningly beautiful city soonest. Right now I need to:
1. apologize to Hair in Manila. My writing assignment is almost done!
2. resize photos from this amazing trip.
3. pack my stuff because we're going home to Manila tomorrow. You know, I just want to say that Singapore may be beautiful but it's not as alive as Manila. Manila is another animal altogether and I love Manila!

I will be uploading photos soon but I am very hesitant because, after seeing the fantastic pictures of my fellow bloggers, I realize to my horror how terrible my photos are!!! So I will just grab and grab and grab! Like these pics that I grabbed from...

A Filipina Mom Blogger and

Let's Go Sago!

I've met so many wonderful bloggers! I am seriously inspired to make Topaz Horizon better! Anyway, will update soonest!

Buy these shoes!

ALL SHOES SOLD OUT

My birthday's coming up and I feel like sharing my blessings by selling these fantabulous shoes for a low price! Each is brand new and still in their boxes. All are imported from the US of A. That means they aren't available here! But because I'm feeling magnanimous, I'll sell them to you lovely ladies for a bargain price. Plus, free shipping! Wouldn't you like to buy a pair or two?

Multi-Strap Multi-Color Sandals
Delicious
Size 6, 36
These open-toe sandals will steal the show
with their T-strap platform heel sandal.
Get ready to be head-and-shoulders above everybody else
with the very high heel! Stylish interlocking strap design.
Adjustable buckle for best fitting result.
Heel height is 5" with 1.25" platform
Looks like the YSL Tribute Sandal,
which costs USD 760 (P35,416).
P2,999* * * * * * *

Endoci-S D'Orsay Pump
Delicious
Size 5.5, 35
This is such a flirty and feminine pump.
Featuring peep-toe pleated D'Orsay-style platform stiletto heels.
Stitching decor and smooth lining with
extra padded insole--adds comfort.
Easy to slip on and off. So pretty, girly and stylish!
Heel height: 4.75" with .75" platform
P1,999
* * * * * * * *


Motive Oxford Black Pumps
Qupid
Size 6, 36
Featuring spectator-inspired Oxford lace pump ankle bootie.
Conservative enough for the office but that high heel definitely adds
a super sexy appeal to your outfits.
P1,699* * * * * * *

Sydney Lace-Up Pointy Brown Pumps
Christine & Kelly
Size 6, 36
Looking like straight out of the pages of a fairy tale,
this calls out to the romantic old soul.
Featuring sexy pointy-toe lace-up pump with matching heel.
Looks very conservative but the laces add that sexy bondage appeal!
Heel Height: 4"
P1,499

Email me at frances@topazhorizon.com if and only if you're buying! I accept PayPal, G-Cash and deposits to my BDO bank account. Be fashyon and drive your friends crazy when they ask, "Where did you get those shoes?!" and then you say, "Oh, this is one of a kind. I'm the only one in the country who has these babies!" Love it. Buy now!

A peek at the most wonderful windows--truly inspiring!

Last Saturday, I joined some Nuffnangers on a visit to Sunshineville in Las Pinas. Sunshineville. You gotta love a place named like that! And you know what? The people who live there truly are filled with sunshine. And look at how they decorate their windows! I was just so delighted!

Sunshineville is a community development project of the Gawad Kalinga Foundation. The place used to be an ultra-low income neighborhood. In today's PC terms, informal settlers. In other words, squatters. But through the efforts of Gawad Kalinga and many corporate sponsors, these people are now living in their own homes (they pay Php500 a month!). They all have a sense of ownership and belonging. And these can do wonders to the soul!

Going around the colorful neighborhood and talking to the people, I was amazed at how confident they are, at how proud and happy they are. Many times when I meet people, they regard me with resentment--insecure and ashamed of how different they are from me. And I'm not even talking about poor people--some people who are so fantastically blessed can be angry just because your skin is lighter or you're thinner. Or they look down on you because of the same shallow reasons. I can't understand this!

In Sunshineville, I felt none of that nonsense. In Sunshineville, they didn't make me feel like I was better than them. I felt like I was with equals. And I truly was! The people at Sunshineville not only are paying for their mortgage, they also built their houses. They also have a livelihood that gives them self-worth (I'll talk about this livelihood later!). No one talked about how many cars you owned or what new fitness fad or diet pill you're taking or what designer brand you just bought. What we talked about was our work and how wonderful it is to work!

It is a most beautiful thing to witness how an honest day's work gives people dignity. I'm so inspired! Can you imagine if the entire country was transformed like this? Now I want to put up a business so I can give people jobs and make more people happy!

*for more photos of Sunshineville (especially the people! Haha, sorry, was so fascinated by the windows I forgot to take pictures of the people!), click here!

Now this is an air pump I like

Air pumps used to mean nothing to me as they usually meant car tires, balls and basketball shoes. Then I spied these on a shop shelf.My new forest green Cole Haan pumps. With Nike Air technology! I feel like I'm wearing sneakers! Cole Haan is on a huge sale this month--these babies were 75% off. Yes. Originally at Php19,000! Great deal!!!

They're a sensible style and since my style isn't so sensible, I got it in not-so-sensible forest green! Except that when I tried them on with my all-black ensemble (Bench tank, Kate Moss for Topshop pants), they also looked black. So now I just ended up looking like a career bitch... in high heeled sneakers! Now I'm thinking fondly of that scene from Stepford Wives when Matthew Broderick's character tells Nicole Kidman's character about their new life:

Walter: First of all, we're in the country now,
so no more black.
Joanna: No more black? Are you insane?
Walter: You heard me. Only high-powered, neurotic,
castrating, Manhattan career bitches wear black.
Is that what you wanna be?
Joanna: Ever since I was a little girl.

Oh! I've also always dreamed of being a career woman when I was a little girl! Whenever my Papa would start saying things like, "One day, you'll be married..." or "When you have kids..." I would tell him very loudly, "I'm going to be a working woman!" and Papa would shake his head in disapproval. So it's very strange now that he's actually proud of me!

On second thought...

My, my, wasn't yesterday's post petulant (and mildly grammatically incorrect in some parts!)? I blame it on PMS. Migraine, mood swings, more tired than usual and you get whiny me. I guess I got envious of the women around me--efficient and impeccable because they have an army of assistants and maids to help them out.

But my reader Nikki of AskMeWhats, whom I've never met, saw through all my complaints and observed quite accurately, "I have a feeling you're someone who'd rather do things themselves as you know 'the right way' to do it, just like me. That's why I'd rather do things on my own than ask someone to do it then, at the end, not be satisfied!" Indeed, Nikki. That is who I am--I complain of all the work but when people help, I get more annoyed than grateful. And it's because I have a way of doing things and if it's not done just so, I get angry. So I end up doing everything myself! So I should stop complaining!!!

Goodness, I also want to add that my house is always perfectly clean and that I need not think about washing the dishes. I just want to put that out there because my darling sweet husband doesn't want you to think that our house is a mess. It isn't and that's because Vince is such a sweetheart with tidying things up. Why, just today he waxed and polished the floors! Thanks, Vince! Whatever would I do without you?

Yes, I'm in a better mood now. Had spicy tuna maki and tuna sashimi and miso soup--this always puts me in a good mood, this and tinolang manok and my mother-in-law's caldereta. Also went shopping recently. Bought a nice dress, got some seriously cool shoes. Booked an appointment with beauty maestro Louis Phillip Kee. I'm also preparing to leave for an all-expense-paid trip to Singapore this weekend. Well, there you go! What should I be complaining about when I'm the luckiest girl in the world? Shame on me indeed!