tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286157512012-02-13T22:59:51.479+08:00This is the story of Frances Amper Sales, who lives to write and love and laugh.Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.comBlogger7161100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-21514344424475731742012-02-13T09:15:00.002+08:002012-02-13T09:32:17.762+08:00

Happy Monday, everyone! On Friday, I'll be on the 27th week of my pregnancy with wee Wiggle. That means I'll be 7 months along, which means in a few weeks, I'll be cradling a little baby again! Vince and I are so impatient and excited. Vito, not so much. The pregnancy is going along extremely well, which is a relief and a joy considering how awful and tenuous it had seemed for the first 4

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-68541798163054030432012-02-08T23:48:00.001+08:002012-02-08T23:55:14.349+08:00

In my Letter from the Editor in the January issue of OK!, I dared my readers to do something new this year: Open in a new tab to enlarge. Or buy the January issue! It should still be available! To be very honest, I wrote that letter as a dare to myself, too. And now that it's out there, I'm feeling very fragile and scared and stressed out! I feel a change coming. I've been feeling it since

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-14786562644933847522012-02-06T20:33:00.003+08:002012-02-07T15:45:52.196+08:00

This is a sponsored post for Ariel. Yes, the laundry detergent! I'm actually curious about the new technology they talked about in the press release they sent me because, now that I'm a homemaker, I pay attention to stuff like this. First, Ariel was gushing about their new 3D Technology. Basically, it's cleaning and caring for your clothes in 3D! Instead of just removing surface dirt, the

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-75200882394215889252012-02-06T16:43:00.000+08:002012-02-06T16:43:51.488+08:00

I'm no fan of the Kardashian girls but only because our Destiny Cable doesn't carry E! Channel (boo, Destiny!!!) and so I have never watched their show and so I reserve judgment on them. However, when I saw the exclusive photos we got of their absolutely amazing closets, wow. Wow! For their fashion alone, I'd gladly watch their infamous show! Actually, I love how each Kardashian sister has

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-4010456483256092262012-02-06T10:01:00.001+08:002012-02-06T10:01:00.886+08:00

I live in a condo and my bedroom wall is right against the bedroom wall of the neighboring unit. We used to have a very passionate couple as our neighbors and, boy, they made love really noisily. I didn't have to press my ear on the wall behind my bedroom door. We can hear them from our bed from across the room! I used to tell Vince, "Dammit, let's do it and drown them out!" Well, they moved out

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-14917429152159536322012-02-04T13:22:00.001+08:002012-02-04T22:33:46.230+08:00

You've all seen my lovely escritoire from Prizmic & Brill: This photo is from the Real Living magazine feature a few years back. Many things have changed in our home--lots of new stuff!--but this writing desk will be mine till I'm old and gray. It's such a lovely piece. And it was Vince's Christmas gift to me in 2008. One of the best gifts he's ever given me! Here is my now super messy desk

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-81881294943512141552012-02-03T13:56:00.000+08:002012-02-03T13:56:00.328+08:00

But you'll only see a teeny bit of it since I'm using TwitPic (follow me for instant outfit updates!). In the previous post, I used another TwitPic of a Tango dress I wore last week. Followers asked where I got the sexy dress. From Tango! There's a branch in Glorietta, beside VNC (that's the only branch I know) and another one in Megamall Bldg B (but I dunno where it is exactly). Go shop na

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-6741483300499457102012-02-02T23:10:00.000+08:002012-02-02T23:10:06.466+08:00

Okay, okay, past few posts have been too heavy. Didn't I promise I ain't ever gonna do that?! (Actually, I might still have a few serious posts coming. I'm kinda feeling serious lately!) So anyway, let's get shallow again. And what could be more shallow than an outfit post? Here's what I wore recently: That is one huge baby bump. And I'm only 6 months pregnant! I don't want to imagine what I'd

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-64505494734409919222012-01-25T23:56:00.002+08:002012-01-26T00:05:48.032+08:00

Last week, I got an email from a reader asking me for advice. Now I said I don't like giving advice but she was sincere and sad and desperate so I believe I had to say something. Here's what she asked (I edited it a bit): Dear Ms. Frances, My boyfriend and I have been together for five happy years. He said his New Year's resolution is to marry me. I'm very afraid of marriage because my father

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-74915444213061510232012-01-24T12:00:00.003+08:002012-01-25T00:15:19.998+08:00

Chic & Sassy Mom! I really read all the entries. I didn't do any randomizer, lottery or whatever method to pick a winner. I just chose the reader who I think would appreciate Face Shop products and a Kim Hyun Joong CD best. Yes, don't forget that there's a Kim Hyun Joong CD! I have no frakkin' idea who that guy is (even though I've seen him in the flesh) but I was made to realize that he is super

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-14127764843215303162012-01-22T00:51:00.003+08:002012-01-22T00:53:23.416+08:00

So say the style rules. But pregnancy, in its usual exasperating way, changed the rules yet again. I looked like a stuffed sausage in black... Zara shirt, Gingersnaps leggings, Anthology flats, Kate Spade bag, Vita Fede gold-studded leather bangle, plastic earrings from tiangge ... but I looked really cute in stripes! Zara tee, Gingersnaps shorts, Anthology tweed flats. Longchamp clutch,

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-14846065365690348762012-01-20T00:01:00.004+08:002012-01-24T11:17:38.839+08:00

CONTEST IS CLOSED. I mentioned here before that we shop a lot at Bench's brands. This weekend, I'm buying some drawers for my bathroom from Dimensione and a Moses basket from Mothercare (what's a Moses basket? Click here!). And since we're in the area anyway, might as well check out the Great Lifestyle Sale and see if we can pick up more stuff. I do need sandals now (blame pregnant feet) and

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-536037871780349732012-01-19T21:20:00.002+08:002012-01-19T21:28:19.628+08:00

I was born in 1976, which makes me a Fire Dragon. I'm not Chinese but every time I tell a Chinese person that I'm a Fire Dragon, they get really impressed, and I haven't even told them all my other accomplishments yet! Seems to me that, to them, to be born a Dragon is a huge accomplishment in itself. Then when they find out that I'm giving birth in the year of the Water Dragon to a male child no

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-28560516222020317492012-01-13T08:39:00.000+08:002012-01-13T08:39:00.131+08:00

Except that it might have to be a king since Vince, Vito and I all tumble into one bed and the little big boy takes up too much space (seriously, how can someone so tiny take up so much space?!). Now another baby boy is on his way and we'll need a new bed. Last month, I was finally able to visit Ronac Art Center. I know everyone raves about it so I was a tad disappointed that I didn't see any

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-74589424486051459812012-01-12T23:55:00.005+08:002012-01-15T23:30:14.696+08:00

My phone fell twice in the toilet last year so it's been dying on me. I've been asking people on Facebook what phone to get for months now. I always get very passionate answers on why I should get the phone they think I should get. I noticed that people in the creative fields (arts, publishing, etc) said, "iPhone!" and the rest of the world said, "BlackBerry!" Since I'm a magazine editor and a

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-82258436976370935352012-01-09T11:49:00.012+08:002012-01-10T12:26:18.341+08:00

And to celebrate, why don't you pick up the truly fabulous book my friend Tisha Angluben (editor-in-chief of Good Housekeeping and blog author of Hey, Tishie, Tishie) and her staff created: The gorgeous princess proves that being 30 is love! She looks so much better now than she ever did before, with her wavy locks, super svelte figure and elegant dresses. I thought she was pretty before but she

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-34645245943242869392012-01-07T00:50:00.002+08:002012-01-07T10:29:43.473+08:00

Yes, I confess. We Photoshopped our January cover, too. We cleaned up the freckles on Jen's arm. That's it, pancit! For more absolutely gorgeous stars that are not Photoshopped (or were just cleaned up a bit teehee!), grab a copy of OK! Philippines now!

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-59030046441110677802012-01-06T22:46:00.000+08:002012-01-06T22:46:20.529+08:00

Yes, folks, I'm still alive! Happy New Year! Happy 2012! Happy everything! I'm just drowning in work, motherhood and house management (new yaya!), hence the absence of updates. But I will be back soonest. I have tons of stuff to share and give away! Meanwhile, I update regularly on Twitter and on Facebook. See you there!

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-53687895434399116172011-12-30T22:34:00.001+08:002011-12-30T22:36:12.600+08:00

I have a sinking feeling that my New Year's resolutions are the same every year (see here and here). And this is when I look in the mirror and say, "You disappoint me, Frances." Well, here's a progress report: The Good I quit smoking in 2009 (I had to get pregnant first). I am eating healthier (because I got pregnant, breastfed and am pregnant again). I'm going to the doctor a lot for health

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-5999995818081597062011-12-26T22:35:00.004+08:002011-12-26T22:47:15.546+08:00

... weren't my usual fabulousness, but that's because it's Christmas! I'm a better gift giver for birthdays, weddings and housewarmings because those are personal occasions but Christmas is just, well, it's a LOT of gifts to buy! So Vince and I give tokens instead, little somethings, ya know, a "Hey, we thought of you!" thing. Here are some of the stuff we gave to family and friends: hardbound

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-75082065432061464532011-12-17T19:27:00.003+08:002011-12-19T01:31:30.682+08:00

There are gifts under my pink tree! It's a week before Christmas and my Twitter and Facebook feeds are all screaming about the horrible traffic jams and crowded malls. I'm glad that we didn't need to go out and shop since last month, we had already bought toys for the kids, gift sets for friends and neighbors, and little cutesy stuff for co-workers and forgotten relatives (haha). Oh wait. I

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-44786861742645018692011-12-16T00:04:00.003+08:002011-12-16T00:08:33.860+08:00

Haven't been able to update because, well, you all know the household help abandoned us last week and, boy, it's been tough to juggle caring for the baby, the house and the job! But you know what? It can be done! The past few days have been incredibly exhausting but super incredible, too. I'll talk more about that over at Topaz Mommy but I will say that I am lucky to have the job I have because

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-37651368696203898002011-12-11T22:10:00.002+08:002011-12-11T22:20:26.527+08:00

And it isn't because of my pregnancy. It's because I employed maids since August 2010, Vito's birth month. And the no-housework life has proved to be my body's undoing! I haven't lived with a maid since I was 13 years old. So that's 20 years of doing everything myself. Even though I say I'm a cluttery person, that's really just in comparison to my ever-so-neat husband. I'm actually pretty clean!

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-35207276077351926562011-12-07T01:42:00.000+08:002011-12-08T02:20:14.782+08:00

In one episode of HBO's truly magnificent gangster series Boardwalk Empire, a badly burned agent woke up in his hospital bed and told Agent Van Alden, "I see you. I know." Those cryptic declarations sent Van Alden in a whirl of panic. On paper, Van Alden was a God-fearing, laced-up, Bible verse-spouting Prohibition agent. Behind that facade, he's actually a lying, cheating, adulterous, murderous

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-89765772060190093332011-12-06T15:09:00.000+08:002011-12-08T02:19:28.848+08:00

I usually write about my family, my son especially, over at Topaz Mommy. I figured that since a lot of single girls with no kids read this blog, you wouldn't be interested. But it's Christmas and I just want to share a little escapade we had at Power Plant recently. My cutie patooties! This family date was a couple of weeks ago. Since then, Vito had outgrown his uber cool adidas Star Wars Boba

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-10581176036821928552011-12-05T23:28:00.000+08:002011-12-08T02:18:59.247+08:00

I've been blogging about the Loeffler Randall boots for a while now. I said I wanted them in last year and, finally, a few months ago, I finally bought a pair of rain boots and... I forgot to tell you about it! I did take photos of when they arrived so these photos are old. My hair is still short and I'm not pregnant yet. Because I was also not very presentable (I didn't even brush my hair), I

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-62081298685337471852011-12-03T22:34:00.001+08:002011-12-03T22:35:28.809+08:00

Have y'all seen Beyonce's "Dance for You" video? The song talks about how she wants to show her man some appreciation for all the wonderful things he's done for her and given her. My unmarried friend Irish asked on Facebook, "Are wives expected to dance for their husbands?" I replied, "Well, of course." (And I expect my husband to do a strip-tease for me, too!) "What wives aren't expected to

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-82646594232753957772011-12-03T00:19:00.001+08:002011-12-03T00:49:44.115+08:00

Haaaaay, grabe. Hindi ako maka-blog nang maayos kasi sobrang dami nang nangyayari sa local showbiz! Because of my job as OK! editor, I really don't have time for local celebs. In fact when the KC-Piolo thing blew up, I didn't even know they were together. Duh. So kaloka kasi when I was catching up with the whole break up, cry cry kay Tito Boy with no makeup/unbrushed hair/plain shirt, and the

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-27302997793133570802011-11-28T17:29:00.001+08:002011-11-28T17:32:47.797+08:00

November was a very exciting month for OK! magazine. We finished our last issue for the year (yep, the December issue just hit newsstands last weekend!), it was my birthday and my staff gave me one of my requested gifts (the moist and tempting red velvet cake from Karen's Kitchen!), and Kabbie got engaged!!! I won't tell the story. That's for the bride-to-be to share. So click here for the super

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-16490151129976109522011-11-25T21:26:00.003+08:002011-11-26T09:10:31.670+08:00

Weekend weekend! And what do we do on weekends? Some shop, some go out with family and friends, some watch movies, some play sports, some paint their roofs or fix the faucet or do some motorhome repair, and then there are those who devote their idle days on quirky little hobbies like stamp collecting. I have a cute stamp collection myself. They're all of rabbits! It's a modest collection. I

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-64930921726397300052011-11-19T22:47:00.002+08:002011-11-21T20:36:49.966+08:00

The trouble with having everything you ever dreamed of is this: When people ask me what I want for my birthday or for Christmas, I end up saying, "Nothing. I have all that I need." Or I say, "Just give gifts to my Vito. I'm okay." But of course I want stuff. Don't we all?! It's just that the stuff I want entail a lot of money so it's kinda embarrassing to tell people, "Well, actually, I'd love it

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-80118219910397284372011-11-19T21:37:00.001+08:002011-11-19T21:39:09.030+08:00

In Tagaytay in 2010 I never imagined I'd be typing out that title in the middle of November. By this time usually, the cool weather has descended and everyone's taken out their cardigans and sweaters and scarves and jackets. My uniform this time of the year is usually a dress with opaque tights and a cardi, or jeans and tee with a scarf wrapped around my neck. This year? My dress code is

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-44930301858584129052011-11-19T20:54:00.001+08:002011-11-19T20:57:08.151+08:00

This video has been making the rounds on Facebook. I tried not to watch it for fear it may be one of those porn spam everyone's been freaking about (Well, can you blame me? The screen cap showed a really sexy woman!). But after dozens upon dozens of recommendations from FB friends, I watched it and had a good giggle. Meet Ashleyslips: I love her funny accent and her sense of humor. But I'm

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-12180904733796850732011-11-18T15:58:00.000+08:002011-11-18T15:58:56.632+08:00

Thank you to everybody who loved my photo shoot for my 35th birthday! You are all too kind. Some of you said that an annual photo shoot is a fab birthday gift to oneself. So let me share with you the other photos from the past years. When I turned 30, I discovered to my delight that I looked better at 30 than I ever did in my teens or 20s. Maybe it was because at 30, I finally started a skin

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-54593419216937833882011-11-15T21:57:00.001+08:002011-11-15T22:01:23.846+08:00

It's mid-month and if you haven't gotten the November issue of OK! yet, go get it! This issue is so good! It's our print version of that gaudy show, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Did anyone here watch that? Did anyone here even know what it is? It was a show hosted by Robin Leach in the 80s and 90s. If that still doesn't ring a bell, think MTV Cribs. Here's a clip of the old show,

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-16205222138932750562011-11-12T21:24:00.003+08:002011-11-12T21:35:11.532+08:00

Tito Lito Calzado at my wedding in 2007 My Tito Lito died yesterday. I wasn't close to him but my Papa and Tito Lito were almost like brothers when they were growing up. Then his children, Dash and Iza, have always been very sweet and nice to us so his death makes me sad. I know how it is to lose a parent and Iza was very beloved by Tito Lito. It is always heartbreaking and gut-wrenching to

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-89318246035330030762011-11-09T10:15:00.000+08:002011-11-09T10:15:35.582+08:00

Just recently, I decided to have my photos taken because, well, it's my birthday! Since I'm so blessed to have friends who are makeup artists, hairstylists and photographers, I pulled out my phone and started cajoling my friends to make me beautiful. But I seemed to have caught everyone on a very busy time so darn it! And then Sara Black suddenly texted, "I'm free for 30 minutes on this date.

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-28993491045705124912011-11-07T11:12:00.000+08:002011-11-07T11:12:02.552+08:00

Today (my birthday!), I announce the winner of the NIVEA Visage Q-10 Plus, the beauty secret of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Lots of readers told me their favorite Kate look and I wasn't even familiar with some of them, so thanks for telling me about some of the duchess's more obscure but just as fab fashion. But here are the dresses that are most loved by my readers: Sarah Burton for

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-69545405121960532182011-11-05T10:32:00.004+08:002011-11-05T18:18:27.938+08:00

A lot of people ask me how I earn money through blogging. Well, I earn most of my blogging income from Nuffnang. I joined Nuffnang in 2008, soon after my mother died. Mama's death had completely wiped us out financially so I was looking for ways to make more money and Nuffnang was recommended by my friend, Jennie of Marriage and Beyond. At first, there was just a tiny trickle of blogging income

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-59134737552428563312011-11-03T13:31:00.004+08:002011-11-04T11:35:20.306+08:00

Pregnancy is usually not the time in a woman's life that she's deemed fashionable. In all honesty, it's tricky to dress a pregnant body. The swelling tummy, boobies, butt and the fast rate they swell just make dressing up so difficult! That's why a lot of preggy women resort to tents--it's much easier, simpler and doesn't require a lot of thought! But I can't give up on style, especially since

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-17798004255630919272011-10-31T20:48:00.002+08:002011-11-01T20:16:00.680+08:00

Today's the last day of October and this is our October issue. I always forget to tell you about how early OK! magazine comes out! Our November issue is out--with Blake Lively on the cover--but I'll talk about November next week. I just want to say something about October ish first and give away a prize! The October issue is our annual Best Dressed issue. To be honest, deciding on who makes the

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-58263325558694336442011-10-28T10:00:00.016+08:002011-10-28T10:00:00.605+08:00

In exactly 10 days, I'm going to be 35. I find it terribly exciting--the 30s for me has always been a woman's sexiest age, the time when she's most confident, free from the insecurities that the teens and 20s were plagued with. I'm also looking forward to my 40s because that is when I think a woman is at her most powerful. Exciting times! So what do I want for my milestone? Well, I do have

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-22674748277265015362011-10-26T21:34:00.002+08:002011-10-26T21:39:45.675+08:00

You know that cliche about editors and writers smoking stick after stick of cigarettes and drinking cup after cup of coffee? Well, where I work, the editors are all into healthy living. It was kinda strange actually, when I first joined the magazine world, seeing everyone I work with not smoking, eating healthy salads and patting off the oil on their pizza slices, putting on their sun screen, and

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-13732089224562596282011-10-20T20:30:00.000+08:002011-10-20T20:30:07.821+08:00

This year, something very strange happened to my inbox. It became filled with letters from blog readers asking for advice. Love, career, relationship, college, life--all these serious questions! Look, there is a reason I keep this blog silly--so you won't take me seriously, y'all! But strangely you all seem to think I'm some wise old woman. Hmmm. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong or right

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-41725263924013587442011-10-19T10:59:00.002+08:002011-10-19T11:05:05.486+08:00

I've not bought anything from Payless yet. I know a ton of people who shop there constantly for the inexpensive shoes and I've been meaning to check the shop out ever since it opened last year but I never seem to have the time to pass by. Well, now I want to go there because of these earrings! These are special limited edition earrings that are priced at a mere P175 per set of two. Yes, you get

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-38006855112248454022011-10-18T23:19:00.001+08:002011-10-18T23:25:32.605+08:00

Today, I received an email from a very concerned reader, Amina, who told me that someone named Jamie Palanca is using my photos on her Facebook account and passing them off as her own. Since I wasn't friends with this woman, I couldn't see her other photos but Amina told me that in the other photos, Ms. Palanca claimed Vito as her own, except that she named him Savannah Lauren. And as you can

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-20126922223958174662011-10-13T23:17:00.001+08:002011-10-13T23:23:40.859+08:00

If you've been following me on Twitter, you'd have known that I've been ordered to rest by my doctor. As I have never been one to do as she's told, I've still been going to work, playing rough with my toddler, and attending events here and there. Last Monday, I came home from work at 9pm. The next day, I went to the office early to check on the bible (that's the mock issue) of the November ish

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-4926754527260009552011-10-13T15:16:00.002+08:002011-10-13T15:26:11.076+08:00

Well, the answer to that's pretty obvious, right? Go shop! But here are better ideas--why not shop and save and learn and have fun with your girlfriends? Sounds like a better shopping experience to me! Here are two exciting events you and your girls can get all dolled up for and attend: Catalogue 63's Style & Wellness Weekend at The GroveWhere: The Grove Community Center, along C5 in Pasig (

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-36414562654958773562011-10-12T00:18:00.000+08:002011-10-12T00:18:07.278+08:00

This week, I got an email from a reader who demanded I stop writing about my satchels (buy one now!) and go back to writing about my glamorous life. Sweetheart, my satchels are part of my glamorous life! Because of my satchels, I can now call myself designer and entrepreneur! That's a lot cooler than the nerdy writer, right? Sigh. The problem with blogging only about the nice parts of my life is

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-52566473378059027992011-10-08T21:49:00.000+08:002011-10-08T21:49:22.239+08:00

I super duper love this review of Em of Akira and Everything Nice! A lot of girls shy away from buying my satchel because they think nothing will fit in it. Well, as Em will happily prove to you (click on the link in the first sentence!), the 11" satchel is ready to bring all your essentials and more! Actually, when I saw all the stuff she had, even I got nervous. So I was SO HAPPY all her

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-14598846355089080722011-10-06T01:05:00.001+08:002011-10-06T01:09:27.662+08:00

I've been neglecting the blogs. I said on my Facebook page (like! like! like!) that I ought to have a blogging schedule: M-W-F for Topaz Horizon, T-TH-S for Topaz Mommy and Sundays for Beauty For A Living. Well, even I balked at that! I do apologize for the lack of regular updates. September was... interesting. That should prompt you to ask, "If it was so innerestin, then why ya not bloggin?"

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-82104834755594124952011-09-28T13:12:00.001+08:002011-09-30T00:05:52.218+08:00

The scary typhoon yesterday really made me think about security. What about you? This is a sponsored post (thanks, Nuffnang and Philam Life!) but I'm going to confess some really personal things here. This post is going to be about money. And isn't that such a taboo topic? My regular readers know that I didn't come from a rich background. That made me work really very hard to become someone and

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-53200092330860844452011-09-28T09:39:00.003+08:002011-10-03T23:09:59.605+08:00

photo by Aileen Siroy Photography In late July, my partners and I ended the fabulous introductory price of P2,500. The price of our 11" satchel has been P3,500 since then. That already includes packaging and shipping within the Philippines. For an all-leather, handmade bag, that's a really good price, but for some of you, that's astronomical. Girls, astronomical is an Hermes. My satchel, in

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-73973875075285506792011-09-23T09:10:00.001+08:002011-09-23T09:15:06.606+08:00

I don't watch Pinoy movies in theaters because my job is spent watching Hollywood movies. I don't even have enough time to watch Hollywood movies so obviously I have zero time for local films. But sometimes, when it's very late at night, I switch on Cinema One and watch old Pinoy movies. My favorite discovery is 1984's May Lamok sa Loob ng Kulambo starring incredibly sexy and super funny stars

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-85258702475648331822011-09-21T21:27:00.000+08:002011-09-21T21:27:33.532+08:00

OK!'s September issue is OUT! Well, it's been out since August 22 but I totally forgot to tell you about it! Do grab the September issue! It's our Big Beauty Issue with our annual list of Hollywood's Most Beautiful, star beauty secrets, our favorite whitening products, and how to get star-worthy fab abs! Plus, we have stories on the kakakilig moments between Prince William and Catherine and the

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-64869665228006143032011-09-19T22:32:00.003+08:002011-09-19T22:35:32.186+08:00

Simple and cheap but feels good and protects well! Daphne blogged about her sunglasses collection (which she insists is not a collection) recently and so I've taken a long hard look at my shades after we had a conversation about cheap Ray Ban sunglasses. I buy all my shades from Charles & Keith and I love every pair but mebbe it's time to invest. Anyway, speaking of collections, stylist Leona

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-17786619892374360642011-09-19T21:42:00.001+08:002011-09-19T21:54:19.650+08:00

I know I've been gone for a while, folks. Last week was incredibly unutterably amazing. I'll tell you more soon enough but for now, here's one of the reasons I was so very pleased with my past week: wooden hangers! Unlike a lot of women, I don't have a lot of clothes. I know women who keep everything from their very first pair of jeans and bridesmaid gown to the sexy cheerleader outfit that no

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-58498737379704716682011-09-11T10:41:00.000+08:002011-09-11T10:41:42.738+08:00

Meet the new favorite bag of Leah of Bright Spot: Leah calls the satchel the F&V bag. If I take away the ampersand, it'll be FV, like LV! But unlike the LV, I won't get overenthusiastic with branding. Actually, I haven't even gotten to the brand itself. Right now, to the press people, I call the bag the Frances Satchel from Frannie & Vinnie. But I don't know. Lacks oomph. So anyway back to Leah

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-8592887306462041102011-09-07T20:35:00.004+08:002011-09-07T22:00:19.630+08:00

Halloo, halloo! Just got home and, seeing that I've been terribly negligent of this blog, let me dash off a few things I learned today! Hair extensions make me look so much thinner! The Maldives is just 8 feet above sea level so that when the 2004 mega tsunami hit it, well, it didn't just hit the country, it drowned it. Yes. The entire country! (Thanks, Dylan, for this tidbit!) Some people look

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-39669566355270887822011-09-05T22:20:00.000+08:002011-09-05T22:20:48.599+08:00

How did we ever get so lucky? Thank You, God!

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-78761837073765281402011-09-01T10:15:00.001+08:002011-09-01T10:15:00.046+08:00

Look who's really happy with her satchel: It's Trixie of Wild About Retail! I'm amazed at how Trixie can come up with so many outfits to match her tan bag. Well, not so amazed--the tan really does go with everything! Thanks, Trixie! You're inspiring me to do outfit posts, too. I'm just sooo lazy! Anyway, I'll visit the Nuffnang office super soon. See you! If you want to order your own handmade

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-72313393061820878652011-08-31T10:47:00.003+08:002011-08-31T10:47:00.046+08:00

I have a reader, Benz, who wrote a blog post about me that made me blush. Benz, thanks so much for loving my blogs. And I'm glad I was able to put into words thoughts that float in your head. Thanks for thinking that I'm real and honest and nice. We should meet! But I hope that when we do meet, your opinion of me won't change! Anyway, Benz asked me some really serious questions about blogging.

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-39810696165640092522011-08-28T23:06:00.001+08:002011-08-28T23:18:13.133+08:00

This is Irene of Ineng's Diary. She didn't say much about it but judging from the smile on her face, I'm guessing she likes her new bag! Thanks, Irene! Where are you, by the way, in that photo? Looks like a nice place! If you want to order your own handmade leather satchel, email Vince at frannie.vinnie@yahoo.com.

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-53590298065335851622011-08-24T21:41:00.000+08:002011-08-24T21:41:20.778+08:00

We went to Bali for a wedding. Jukka, Vince's best man at our wedding, was getting married. It was a surprise wedding since we didn't even know he was dating anyone, let alone dating a girl as gorgeous as his bride! Well, that's love for you! Even Vince and I had a whirlwind romance--we met April 5, kissed April 18, and he asked me to marry him in May! That was when I got freaked out and said, "

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-64517775021543535922011-08-24T20:18:00.002+08:002011-08-24T20:28:16.784+08:00

A month ago today, I was packing for our first trip abroad as a family. We went to Bali, Indonesia, for the wedding of one of Vince's best friends, Jukka. This is us at the airport on a really rainy, very early morning. Vince and I are sleepy but excited. Vito is excited. Period! Vito just learned to walk so, while Vince filled out immigration forms, Vito wandered about. He was just amazed at

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-76849597601546038922011-08-21T18:20:00.001+08:002011-08-26T23:29:34.088+08:00

I love how Michelle of My Mom-Friday absolutely loves her new bag! She Tweeted it as soon as she got it! And used it every day, everywhere! Here's her review summary: 1. Twin magnetic snap closures make opening the bag easy to open and yet still secure. I really love that this was my idea haha! 2. Craftsmanship and materials are Grade-A! Thanks to Malabon cows and Batangas talent! 3.

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-7952598244718496042011-08-21T10:45:00.000+08:002011-08-21T10:45:04.316+08:00

But in my other blogs! Beauty For A Living Topaz Mommy Will be back here soon!

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-91877148155891001432011-08-12T23:26:00.003+08:002011-08-12T23:26:44.057+08:00

My dearest readers, I'm taking a break because it's my darling boy's first birthday weekend celebration. We have costumes and cakes and cookies to pick up, a kiddie fashion boutique event to attend, families to see, then the birthday bash to throw. It's so busy busy busy and we're so happy happy happy! Yes, it's been a year! Thank you all for loving me, my son and even my husband. Your warm

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-7627519531745735792011-08-10T21:40:00.000+08:002011-08-10T21:40:01.153+08:00

Was looking through Burberry Prorsum's Fall/Winter 2011 collection and loved all the sumptuousness. Furs, coats, tweeds, embellishments. Truth be told, I'm not a fan of cold weather so I usually just give F/W collections a cursory glance. I do, however, look at accessories like bags and shoes obsessively. Then I suddenly noticed that the models were carrying satchels! The bags aren't clutches--

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-82161473419796109462011-08-09T22:11:00.002+08:002011-08-09T22:30:53.814+08:00

I dunno where I was when 5-year-old twins Jeremy and Justin Garcia trended but thanks to OK!'s resident stylista, Kabbie Rodriguez, who told me about the Heya Wii twins, I am now hooked! I don't know which is which but the kid on the right is obviously the dancer while his brother is the singer. Here's the other proof: Covering Justin Bieber's "Never Say Never," little boy at left really likes

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-34332728781876268862011-08-09T11:03:00.001+08:002011-08-09T11:04:17.202+08:00

That's the reason I'm so in love with our bespoke leather satchels (buy your own!). Each bag is cut, tanned, tooled and sewn painstakingly by hand. Each bag is different and yet each bag is perfect in its own way. Much like how each of us are different and perfect, too! Gotta love handmade! You know what else is handmade? My son's birthday party invitations! Vito's turning one year old! Oh my

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-35379204466777171982011-08-07T23:12:00.001+08:002011-08-26T23:29:26.746+08:00

This is Joanne of Dear Blog. And she's wearing all my favorite things: orange, skinny jeans and my very own bespoke leather satchel! Her review summary: 1. She was surprised to find that the satchel was gorgeous! Why?! 2. She loves that the bag has many compartments. I do, too! I'm such a pocketsy person. 3. It may be a small bag but it can fit a LOT of stuff. Leather is soft and pliable and

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-84480253262860077482011-08-04T17:42:00.004+08:002011-08-04T19:34:34.079+08:00

Who hasn't heard of Samantha Sotto? (If you haven't, do you not have Facebook/Twitter/online life? No? Then... good for you!) A couple of weeks ago, Samantha exploded into our consciousness with the launch of her first novel, Before Ever After. I missed the launch because I was in Bali but because of my wonderful group of mommy bloggers, I get to meet her tomorrow! And I'm glad I will because I

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-20416260904590891212011-08-03T11:47:00.002+08:002011-08-03T14:34:01.089+08:00

One of my favorite bloggers is Karrots Nazareno of Karotitay.com. I wish she'd blog more often but she's a very busy woman so I go Karotitay-hungry for weeks until she suddenly decides to write again. Karrots is the friend of Lizelle, my sister-in-law and the godmother of my son. She also went to the same college as Vince. And my really gorgeous phone case is a Karrots Cases. But we've never met!

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-80829695236652986712011-08-02T10:51:00.001+08:002011-08-02T10:54:02.355+08:00

I love our cover! It's so orange! Just a little annoyed that Jennifer Aniston is house-hunting again with beau Justin Theroux. It must be so nice to have so much money... but really annoying to us magazine people who can't keep up with your shopping (whether for houses or love affairs)! If you're sensing that there's something different with our cover, that's because we have a new art director

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-23115759134679129592011-08-01T11:34:00.001+08:002011-08-01T11:36:40.426+08:00

I take a break from all the bag promoting (shop here!) to talk about a serious matter: marriage and babies. On my mommy blog, I wrote a post about the new power I feel now as a mother, and it's resonated with a lot of women, both mothers and single ladies. But I got a bit alarmed when I started getting emails from girls saying that because of my blog post, they've decided to get married and/or

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-59138673724657477682011-07-30T23:02:00.002+08:002011-08-26T23:29:18.902+08:00

This is the new handmade leather bag of Fleur of Mommy Fleur. I love how the photo shows her life: organized chaos and style! Yep, organizer to the left, toys to the right, and in the middle of it all--my bag! Fleur is my mommy blogger friend. She's one of the funniest, most real people ever. We finally met a few weeks ago at Philippine Fashion Week. Read the fun story here! You have to read it

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-85392875082859642912011-07-24T23:37:00.001+08:002011-08-26T23:29:09.291+08:00

Aileen of Travel.Food.Finds. totally loves her new satchel! Her review summary: 1. Ordering was simple and easy. That's because I like things to be simple and easy. I'm nice, too! 2. Real leather! Yep, the entire bag is made of real Pinoy cow hide. 3. Impeccable workmanship. Thanks to the expert hands of Uncle Buck of Batangas! 4. She loves the many pockets! Because I love pockets, too! Thanks,

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-47878254599965589452011-07-24T00:37:00.001+08:002011-08-26T23:28:34.407+08:00

Meet the uber cool Trixie of Wild About Retail. She got her satchel the night before she left for a Bangkok trip and she is totally in love with the bag! Her review summary: 1. The satchel may be 11" long but it can fit a lot of things. (that's because the leather is supple so it's flexible enough to expand for your stuff!) 2. The leather survived being drenched in rainwater. (that's because

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-62332901003839621402011-07-21T19:34:00.000+08:002011-07-21T19:34:46.375+08:00

I love love LOVE the current issue of OK! magazine! Just look at that cover. It's so HOT! That's because it's our hot hot hot ish. We have 69 hot body secrets--they're easy and healthy and Hollywood-certified! We have our annual list of the hottest young stars 25 years and younger. We have a Harry Potter special, easily the hottest movie this month since it's the final film installment (bye,

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-64080982436211912562011-07-21T18:42:00.003+08:002011-07-21T18:45:24.474+08:00

At OK! magazine (that's where I work), we're still not over royal weddings. Our coverage of the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton is our best-selling issue ever. Ever! We also covered their honeymoon and North American trip and I am just so in love with Kate's wardrobe (more on that in another post!). If you've been following my Tweets this week, I just prattled on and on about

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-90024069259397651112011-07-19T12:06:00.000+08:002011-07-19T12:06:07.896+08:00

This is my friend Nikki. We met in 2007, when I hired her to be OK! magazine's Fashion & Beauty Editor. This is the staff on a team building trip to Zambales. Nikki, Lana and Joanna get silly in Zoobic. This is the only photo of Nikki "wearing" something not chica! Nikki with Lana and me at the Cosmo Bachelor Bash in 2008. We did the rounds of TV shows taking about celebrity style.

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-44451172976107625222011-07-17T22:28:00.000+08:002011-07-17T22:28:25.619+08:00

Been gone a while, I know. Ever since we started on our little sideline, I've hardly had time to breathe! But today I was able to sneak in some eBay window shopping and oooh I fell in love with this clever bag: It's the Kate Spade All Typed Up Clyde carry all. I love the bold red, the whimsical design. It's so retro-pop cool! I love it! So perfect for a writer. So perfect for me! The price,

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-77953639947910007652011-07-13T11:21:00.002+08:002011-07-22T13:00:14.222+08:00

I love this! Took me back to 2001. I was 24 years old, living in a one-bedroom unit along Shaw Blvd. Vince and I watched Moulin Rouge! at Megamall, the last full show. We walked out of the mall at half past midnight, the streets were deserted and a big bright full moon was high up in the sky, making the streets and buildings glow. We walked hand-in-hand down ADB Ave, then Vince twirled me about

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-36392663220596534702011-07-08T14:11:00.000+08:002011-07-08T14:11:49.496+08:00

I'm a Harry Potter fan. Been reading those books for as long as I've been loving Vince. I read the first Harry Potter book the year I met Vince, in 1999. I lined up early to get the next books first. I always read the books straight (six to eight hours each upon release) in one sitting, resulting to massive migraines. I dragged Vince all over London, chasing night buses and figuring out British

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-68139521069676608442011-07-04T08:37:00.000+08:002011-07-04T08:37:45.914+08:00

Good morning, folks! I know Mondays usually don't make anyone smile but I'm just happy to be well again. I've been sick the entire week last week and it was an especially bad time to be sick because the bags finally arrived from Batangas and I had to collect payment, then package the bags and send them out, and it was OK! magazine's deadest deadline week. I was able to drag myself to the office

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-13102683556756751832011-07-03T17:15:00.004+08:002011-07-03T17:15:00.471+08:00

Off to Philippine Fashion Week in May! Wearing Bench tank, Zara skirt, Sapato Manila heels, Liz Claiborne necklace and Kate Spade bag At Enterprise, on my way to Sunlife to file a claim, I met these yummy colorful creatures. They were promoting a raffle--vote for the M&M color you want and you get a chance to win $1,000 shopping money! I voted for Green because she's described as "smart,

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-76658342628386988592011-07-01T19:44:00.002+08:002012-01-23T20:35:16.727+08:00

I haven't gone out all week this week (except to watch Transformers 3 at Shang) so I haven't seen the Bench billboards that have been causing so much traffic talk lately. So I told Bench about it and they obliged by sending massive files of near naked men to my inbox. Of course I opened the zip file just when my boss passed by. If there had been an ECG attached to my chest right at that moment,

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-8820204447888549642011-06-28T22:49:00.002+08:002011-08-26T23:28:19.066+08:00

To the left are the black 16", the dark chocolate 14" and the 11" in natural leather. The first batch of bags is here! They arrived from Batangas yesterday afternoon and now our entire living area smells like leather. The 11" tan satchels. The straps are folded into the bag.  I sent out invoices last night and this entire day, my first clients paid in full. Wow! You guys are amazing.

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-14174003197321429562011-06-28T13:41:00.001+08:002011-06-28T13:44:18.051+08:00

Well, this post is more than a month late! This particular day was an extremely busy day. So I wore flats. But since I had to attend a fashion show, I brought along my Nine West heels. Outfit details: Zara green-striped shirt, Zara hot pink mini, Gucci bag, Janilyn flats. I had to pop in at the office first because it's the mid-month deadline that day. Then I rode the school bus with fellow

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-92050301395981170452011-06-26T00:54:00.002+08:002011-06-26T01:29:34.798+08:00

I had wanted to buy the Loeffler Randall rain boot last year and then just as I was about to, I found out I was pregnant and all thoughts of boots went out the window. Until last week when, for the first time in a good long while, I waded through flood waters. I walk to work so I do need a good rain shoe. My Melissa flats serves me well but because it's a shocking turquoise, the sartorial

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-11213363253279961812011-06-25T23:45:00.003+08:002011-06-26T00:26:08.116+08:00

When Vince and I started dating more than a dozen years ago, one of the stories he fascinated me with was his adventures in Las Vegas. Vince, you see, is a well traveled guy. I used to get enchanted and frustrated whenever we'd watch movies and he'd say, "I've been there!" Anyway, one of his must-see attractions in Vegas is Cirque du Soleil. So when Cirque, together with Manila Hotel, SunLife

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-81971892855030782932011-06-22T11:29:00.002+08:002011-06-22T11:35:02.120+08:00

My favorite section in Vanity Fair is the Proust Questionnaire. I think it's great they choose old people to answer it. Yes, old! Old people have seen and experienced a lot so I always get amazed and inspired by their frankness and wisdom. Me at 34. Some say old, some say young.  Now, at 34, I'm not old. Well, depends on who you ask. I had a laser facial last week and someone Tweeted me, "Do

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-23310530943570526232011-06-21T13:56:00.001+08:002011-06-21T13:58:52.630+08:00

Jennifer Lawrence shot to fame this year with her Oscar-nominated performance in Winter's Bone. If that still doesn't ring a bell, she's the very voluptuous Mystique in the super awesome X-Men: First Class. She's really hot for a young girl, kinda reminds me of a young Scarlett Johansson. J. Law ScarJo She's also the actress who got the coveted role of Katniss Everdeen in the movie version of

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-37225748374374355692011-06-18T13:31:00.002+08:002011-06-18T13:31:58.790+08:00

I joined Bloglovin' so I can feel more love from you! Follow my blog with Bloglovin now! Happy weekend!

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-8247034166743777382011-06-18T00:05:00.003+08:002011-08-26T23:27:50.447+08:00

Correction:I measured the bag and it's actually 14 inches long! Hello, bag lovers! The prototype of the 13" satchel is here! This is the dark chocolate color. It's darker than the photo. Still a prototype. We think the flap has to be shorter, about midway the bag and not two-thirds of the front. Comes with a strap pad to protect your shoulder   The strap is removable. 

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-64025556734894056552011-06-17T11:02:00.001+08:002011-06-17T11:03:11.235+08:00

I wore a K & Company forest green shirt dress that is absolutely unforgiving. It's soft and comfy but if you have fatty bulges, good luck. I squeezed myself into a Spanx body suit and I still got asked how far along the pregnancy I was. No, I'm not pregnant. The bag is my old, worn out super soft moss green leather sack from Topshop. Love it! I wore my Urbanog multi-color platform heels. I was

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-44799265180686545242011-06-15T16:27:00.003+08:002011-06-15T22:16:02.602+08:00

Prince William must be taking a prolonged leave from his medical air evacuation / rescue duties because he's been out and about lately, showing off his stunning new wife.  The new duchess is especially fetching with her slim figure. I know people think she's too thin but I think--with her long masses of dark waves, pretty eyes, big smile and skinny tall frame--she now looks like Angelina Jolie!

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-38663162710929538362011-06-15T11:34:00.000+08:002011-06-15T11:34:26.453+08:00

This isn't a sponsored post but I'm writing about it because I want every fashionista follower I have to be part of Reebonz! And also because I'm trying to earn referral credits so that I can get more discounts!!! So there. That's my real reason! I really really really want this Hermes bag: So anyway. If you're like me and you like designer bags and accessories but you just don't have the

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28615751.post-87026545372303941332011-06-13T22:54:00.002+08:002011-06-13T22:58:23.041+08:00

I'm greeting all the new people popping by my blog. Yes, new blood! Was checking my blog's stats today and was pleasantly surprised to find that I'm now getting close to a thousand visitors a day! Click to enlarge so you'll see that the highlighted part says I got more than 900 visitors last week! That's an average of 800 unique visits and 1,300 page views daily. Not bad, not bad. My goal is a

Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03762850601924680898noreply@blogger.com11