TOPAZ HORIZON

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. Thanks! I'm just sick with a very bad cold and a fever so Vince will attend to the packing and sending. Will send them all out this week, dontcha worry!

How cute is the natural leather? It's pinkish!

We're accepting orders for the 11" satchel (available in tan, dark chocolate and natural leather). Ya, still just that. We haven't decided on the final look of the 14" satchel (yes, I made a mistake--it's actually 14", not 13"!). Some feedback we got wanted the top handle, some didn't. Some said they liked the inner divider, some didn't. Yikes.

What do you think?

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 editors to Midas Hotel.


Gorgeous lobby filled with designer chairs. Very contemporary and sleek.


I don't know how to feel about the Hermes boxes, though. It's not like it's a store. So the piles of empty orange boxes just felt pretentious to me. Still, since orange is my favorite color, the pops of citrus looked great as an accent.

We were at Midas for the launch of the new Clear dandruff shampoo variants. Will talk about that on Beauty For A Living. It was a well attended event. Saw Tessa Valdes.

And my crush when I was in college, Piolo Pascual. He's not my crush anymore, which is strange because he looks a hell of a lot better now.

Then since I was already at Roxas Blvd, off I went to SM Mall of Asia to while away the time before Philippine Fashion Week. Made no sense to go all the way back to the office then leave again for MOA. So I shopped while I waited!

I attended the Forever 21 show. I only went to the shows of the brands that advertise in the magazine I edit. And SM has been so nice to support my magazine this year. Thanks, SM, BDO and Forever 21!

The fashion show was fun. Of course, it's Forever 21! I'm glad I got a seat closer to the catwalk this time. The day before, when I attended the SM Department Store show, I came late so I had to sit all the way in the back. It was so far, I needed a telescope to see anything! So that's why I came in early for this show. No, really. It was for the show, not the shopping at MOA!

Anyway! Totally loving that orange jersey dress, the one matched with blue tights. Oh, but I won't wear it with blue tights. Just with killer color block heels and bare legs!

Will talk about the show on my beauty blog, too, Meanwhile, how cute are we! Hot pink skirts are so fabulous! That's moi with Preview's editor-in-chief Pauline Juan. I shoulda taken out my heels! I looked like a dwarf beside her when we're actually the same height.

Gosh, my boobs are so huge in this photo. That's because they're filled with milk! My chest was already quite painful here. Wasn't able to express milk all day. It was so painful and tender, I was seeing stars. So after this photo, I rushed home to my baby boy. And that's where I really want to be!

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 choices are pretty limited. So back I went to the Loeffler Randall site and found that now I want this gorgeous taupe boot instead:

I took a poll on Twitter and Facebook and everyone agreed that the taupe is a better choice. Plus, it's on sale! So from $195, it's now $136!

And then I found these photos from A Purl Soho and Weardrobe and they just did it for me.

Make sure you visit their blogs because they show more ways to wear the taupe boot!

So there. I'm buying myself rain boots!

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 and BDO, announced early this year that they're bringing their Varekai show to Manila, I just had to buy tickets!

On Wednesday, the show had its gala night. I was lucky enough to buy front-row seats to the second night. Front-row seats, baby! So last Thursday, Vince and I left Makati at 5pm... and arrived at the Quirino Grandstand two hours later!!! We knew it was going to be ma-traffic but we did not anticipate the floods that Typhoon Falcon caused!

Still a few inches deep but the rain wouldn't let up.

We paused for several long minutes before we braved this foot-deep flood. We were so stressed out!

Buendia, Roxas Blvd and South Drive were submerged. We were so happy to see Katigbak Drive flood-free but as soon as we turned left to Parade Ave, where the Grand Chapiteau was pitched, the water was again rushing down the street. So frightening! Ya know, if the tickets weren't so expensive, I'd have asked Vince to turn back!

Such a welcome sight in a night of darkness and rain!

We parked and--woah! The water was up to my knees! Vince told me not to use the umbrella. I said, "What! And get my hair wet?!" Well, umbrella was useless, even dangerous. The wind was so strong and so was the current, I was nearly knocked down! I shut the umbrella quickly, told Vince not to rush me because the current was so strong, I was afraid I'd be swept away. Finally, after wading through the flood, we got to the tent, wet and cold and... happy!!!

The show was beyond amazing. Amazing! I don't have photos (cameras not allowed inside the tent) so I'll grab a few of my favorite performances from Spot.ph:

After the show. Rain finally stopped!

Sooo happy!

The drive back home was just as horrific. We even got lost! It took us almost three hours to get home but our verdict? Worth it!!! So worth it. I urge you all to watch Varekai. It is spectacular! I even Tweeted tips after the show to help others going there:

Buy your tickets here. You can buy the cheapest seats. The tent is small and cozy so even the farthest seats offer a fantastic view. Enjoy!

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 you recommend that facial on me?" And I Tweeted back, "It's best for those in their mid-30s and above." And she replied, "Ugh, that's old!"

Anyway, I want to answer the Proust Questionnaire every year, just to see if my answers will change. I imagine that as I grow older, the answers will change. I hope not, though! I want to believe that at 34, I know myself. But life is always surprising!

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Cuddling in bed with my husband Vince and son Vito.




What is your greatest fear?
Losing Vince and Vito.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Laziness.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
That abominable combination of laziness, arrogance, insecurity and, strangely enough, entitlement to the fruits of others' labor!

Which living person do you most admire?
Right now, I admire Gwyneth Paltrow for her achievements in her field, her constant evolution, her love for her family and friends, and her style. But I admire anyone who makes their own dreams come true.

What is your greatest extravagance?
Generosity.

What is your current state of mind?
Overwhelmed!

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Virginity.

On what occasion do you lie?
When telling the truth will hurt the person unnecessarily.

What is the quality you most like in a man?
Quiet authority. Not a lot of men have this, sadly.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Unconditional love.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Actually, very, and ten thousand years.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My husband and my son.

When and where were you happiest?
My wedding in 2007 was fun. But now? It's every time I'm cuddling with Vince and Vito. That's every day. I'm a lucky girl.




Which talent would you most like to have?
To dance really well!

What is your favorite occupation?
Mine.

What is your most marked characteristic?
Passion.

What do you most value in your friends?
Their insistence that I am worth loving.

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Samwise Gamgee.

Who are your heroes in real life?
The generous people, like my husband, my in-laws, my mother, my friends.

What is that you most dislike?
Cowardice.



What is your greatest regret?
Ignoring my mother when she was alive.

How would you like to die?
Quietly, when my son already has his own family, love and happiness. Yes, I can leave this life then.

What is your motto?
"The brave may not live forever, but cowards never live at all."

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 Hunger Games. And I don't like it one bit.

(If you haven't read Hunger Games, stop reading this blog and go to the nearest bookstore and grab a copy!)

The book's protagonist is Katniss, a grim survivor of the Capital's annual Hunger Games, where young representatives from each of the nation's 12 districts battle it out to the death. Yep, you read that right: They send out children to their deaths. Katniss is described as a petite girl, strong for her size and hard for her age because of the years of hunting she had to do to provide food for her family. She has suffered years of having very little to eat, exposure to the bitter winters of District 12, and more unspeakable horrors from the government.

Does this look like a hungry girl to you?

Jennifer is aware of the criticism and has retaliated with this: "I'd rather look a little chubby on camera and look like a person in real life than look great on screen and look like a scarecrow in real life."

Now I'm all for looking healthy but, Jennifer, you're supposed to look hungry, especially in a movie with the word "hunger" in its title. I think you're drop dead gorgeous and more girls should embrace their bodies the way you do. But, Jennifer, you're also an actress who bagged a role that requires a body battered by years of suffering. Darling, you look like you've led a lovely, well fed life.

I think she's either too young to understand what the role demands of her, too confident of her ability to convince viewers that her "chubby" body can look like it's endured hunger for years, or too vain to totally immerse herself in the role.

Even though she's taken on the positive body image defense, acting is not about positive body image. It's about taking on the role and whatever it entails. The actor is supposed to disappear so that the character will be brought to life. Jennifer Lawrence is supposed to disappear so that Katniss Everdeen will be brought to life. That means changing your appearance.

Take these following excellent examples:
Tom Hanks lost weight to look like an HIV/AIDS victim in Philadelphia

Tom Hanks again lost weight and built lean muscle to become the sole plane crash survivor living on an island in Cast Away

Renee Zellwegger put on weight to portray the hefty adorable office girl Bridget Jones

Charlize Theron put on weight to transform into murderous prostitute in Monster

Christian Bale starved himself to look horrific in Machinist then had to bulk up fast for Batman Begins

Christian Bale again lost an alarming amount of weight for his role as Dicky Eklund in The Fighter

Natalie Portman took up a rigorous regimen of ballet and strict diet for an entire year and a half to become the obsessed and insecure Nina in Black Swan

There are many more examples of actors who have completely changed their looks for a role. There is no vanity in true acting because a real actor knows his body is his one instrument in his craft. If he must distort his face, build muscle, shave off her hair, get fat, and, yes, lose weight--if the role requires it, then a true actor will do it.


Image sources from here: Just Jared, Monster, Philadelphia, The Fighter, Cast Away, Black Swan, Bridget Jones, Machinist

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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.

Strap is also adjustable. Hardware is sturdy.

A lot of people requested for a top handle so here you go! That's added cost, though, so I have to rethink the pricing!

A 13" laptop fits fine (the laptop is halfway in so that you can see it). We also put a divider made of goat skin (it's stiffer) but I think it's best without. What you think?

The dark chocolate finish is cool. Remember how I was iffy about the uneven tanning? Well, Uncle Buck improved it and so it's now more uniform, no more swirly bits. If you want to see how that looks like, drop by Cole Haan this weekend and ask for the hand-painted messenger bag:

As you can see, Cole Haan's finish is uneven, which is the same finish as our bags. A lot of people have assured us that this adds character to the bag. Also, no two bags are alike because of this handpainting we do!

The 13" satchel will be offered in two colors only: tan and dark chocolate.

But we have to talk to Uncle Buck about the leather inside. I kinda think the unpainted side looks so white. It's actually cream but since the outside is a deep dark brown, when you open the bag, the cream is just suddenly so white. Do you think we should put a cloth lining inside? What kind of patterns and prints would be nice? But a lining is extra cost! Things to think about!

About the 15" satchel
We decided not to offer the 15" size anymore. We saw the prototype and here's what we found:
1. At that size, a bag made entirely of genuine cow hide is just so heavy.
2. Being heavy, magnetic snaps just won't cut it. When you lift the bag, the snaps fly open. So buckles are necessary. Didn't we say we don't like buckles?
3. A 15" is actually huge. So it looks so... manly! No likey. Unless you're a guy reading this or you're a woman who wants to have a bag custom made for your man.

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 towering over everybody! I miss towering over everybody! I'm mostly in flats these days. Result of mommyhood.
Then, because my dress was beyond simple, I had to wear something a bit flamboyant. Nope, the shoes weren't enough! So I took out my feathered headpiece from Singapore and now I felt perfect!

Of course, when I posed beside society columnist Tessa Prieto Valdes and Visions & Expressions PR powerhouse Ginggay Joven, I looked so plain Jane!

For more on Pond's latest skincare line, click here.