TOPAZ HORIZON

So Vince ordered the Cambridge Satchel from chocolate schu bar for me. It was his Valentine's Day gift. I was over the moon, I tell ya! schu told us to expect the shipment by March but delays in shipping do happen--I know this because I shop online a lot so I didn't mind at all.

And then, last Friday evening, Ruby of schu DM'd me on Twitter:

I was sooo excited! I kept Tweeting my excitement!

However, I had to wait till today before we finally picked up my new bag. Apparently, I am patient after all!

Vince gives me the best gifts--Vito being the bestest!

Unwrapping!

Et voila!

Sunshine!

I love it!!! Will post a detailed bag feature on Beauty For A Living soon! Sigh. Happy Valentine's Day! Thanks, Vince!

I promised to do a regular "A day in the life" post but I'm telling you that not one day is the same for me. That should make that kind of post fun and easy to do, right? But no. I'm exhausted just thinking about it! When I tried doing it, I couldn't decide on whether I should take photos of these: breakfast, lunch, dinner, meetings, where I am, who I'm talking to, etc. It just seemed too trivial. As in, do my readers even want to know this??? So I'll do a "A day in the life" post maybe every other month or so. That's still regular, ya know!

For our first ever "A day in the life" post, let's take on April 7, 2011. Here's what happened on that exceptionally busy day:

I love breastfeeding Vito!

I always start my day very early. Vito wakes up between 5:30am to 6am. He climbs all over Vince and me, either slapping or shrieking us awake. We play for about half an hour then I breastfeed him before he has his breakfast at 7.

After Vito has breakfast, his yaya takes him to the playground. Sometimes, I prepare Vince's packed lunch. Most times, I go back to sleep. Then Vince and I have breakfast. Vito comes back at around 9, just in time to say "bah-bah" to his "pah-pah-pah." Usually, Vito has a bath then he breastfeeds again and sleeps. Then I shower and prepare to go, usually after I've had lunch at 11:30am.

Zara dress, Sapato Manila shoes

That Thursday, however, I had a brunch event so Vito also said "bah-bah" to "mama-mama." Heartbreak! Especially since I knew I was going to be home very late that day. Sigh.

La Mer event was at Robot Lounge

My first event was the launch of La Mer Whitening Essence Intense. Will write about that in my beauty blog soon. I had a lovely time seeing La Mer's Ina Casas. I love her! I also had a serious chat with Preview's Pauline Juan. But I can't reveal what we talked about.

Then off I went to the office for the monthly publishers' meeting. That was an exciting meeting since we all talked about the biggest ever issue of the magazine I edit--the royal wedding issue coming out in May!!!

Then off I left for a meeting with Just Jewels at Glorietta 4. No photos either! Suffice it to say I had a very productive meeting with the jeweler and I'm so excited about working with them (and, personally, adding more pieces to my jewelry box!).

Just across the Just Jewels shop is Cole Haan. I fell in love with two bags:

Heritage Weave Hadley Messenger in Cashew

Vintage Valise Claire Mini Satchel in Woodbury

Cole Haan offers credit card holders a crazy 3-month, 0% installment plan on anything and everything! I seriously was tempted to swipe away! But I'm saving up for a fantastic anniversary gift for Vince. So Cole Haan bags, please wait for me!

I look so tired!

Then I walked to SM Makati for the opening of Forever 21. Wrote about that on Beauty For A Living. I had to pass by Watsons first to buy these amazing band-aids because all that walking in heels caused a painful abrasion at the top of my heel.

Stringy-haired me with the lovely couple

I ended the day with dinner at Bern and Nikki's. She threw an intimate party for our friend Nicole and we ended up going home very late. Stupid me didn't bring my breast pump so I was going insane with pain from my milk-swollen chest (remember I last fed Vito at 7am!). So I stumbled home, dead tired and in serious pain, but I had to express the milk first. After filling up two bottles, I finally crept into bed, snuggled against my husband and my little boy (who helped drain more milk), and... Nope, I was so exhausted and in pain, I couldn't fall asleep!

And that was my day! Whew. Goodness me. What a long post! And that's why I don't think I can do this kinda post often!

If you really want to know how I go about my daily life, follow my Tweets!

Cole Haan bag photos from their website.

Well, I saw some old friends like JR Isaac at shu uemura's artsy party...

... and I'm absolutely loving Melissa Shoes' new model!

Check out my beauty blog, girls. I've finally decided to resurrect it with exciting fashion and beauty news, glam events I attend, stuff I actually use, and product reviews. I'm only posting products I like, however. Can't do any negative reviews apparently since I'm not supposed to bite the hand that feeds me. So if I feature it on Beauty For A Living, you can be sure that the product is so good, I love it!

Last week, I had the pleasure of seeing my gorgeous cousin, Iza Calzado, be presented to the press as the new face of Myra 400 E. The Myra brand ambassadors are all lovely and accomplished but I think this time, they truly found the perfect embodiment of beauty, brains, success, wholesomeness, and health and fitness in Iza.

The last time I saw Iza was mid-last year when I was nearly at the end of my pregnancy and she was at the start of her running for fitness. I asked her why she looked so fantastic and she said she's just so in love with running. I told her I'd take up running after giving birth. But of course, with motherhood overwhelming me, I didn't.

Sigh. I look so Haggardo Versoza beside the blooming Iza! I'm wearing a Mango dress with Schu satin pumps

But when I saw Iza again last week, looking so svelte in a Luca dress and Charlotte Olympia pumps, I kinda wish I did! And her hair and skin! Oh, she was positively glowing! Iza jokingly credited our friends, (my beloved beauty team!) makeup artist Jigs Mayuga and hairstylist Ney Guesse, but she added, seriously, that it's because she's been taking Myra 400 E Vitamin E capsules.

"How long did you take Myra 400 E before you saw positive changes?" I asked her.

She replied, "I don't really know. I wasn't really aware but after a while, people were telling me, 'Blooming ka!'" She added that since she's been running and eating healthy for a while, the recent bloom must've been the effect of the Vitamin E.

Iza takes on the beauty bloggers' questions.

I am very very very intrigued! The Myra E people made sure I went home with their products--body lotion, facial moisturizer, whitening cream, tinted moisturizer and, of course, the Vitamin E capsules--and I am oh so ready to try them! Will give a review in 6 weeks!

I also want to go back to exercising. After my epic fail at Barre3, I am ready to give fitness another try. It's just that I'm soooo busy and I'm soooo tired all the time! Iza told me, "Ate Frances, you have to make your health a priority. You have to push back schedules, say no sometimes, put yourself first."

I complained, "I can't! I'm sooo busy!" And she gently replied, "The problem with that is before you even started, you already said 'I can't'."
Hmm, between Iza and me, I'm sure she's got the busier schedule and more stressful life. So if she can do it, I can, too! If she can juggle work, family, friends, love, a fitness regimen, and look amazing at the same time, why on earth can't I?

Look who we caught shopping for modern furniture!

Vince and I brought Vito to his Auntie Anj's chair boutique, About A Chair. He had been fussing at the lunch table, mostly because 2pm is when he starts his nap time so we figured we'll just do a quick stop at the shop then leave. Well, as soon as Vito saw the miniature versions of these designer chairs, he came alive!

Arne Jacobsen's Ant Chair

Verner Panton's Panton Chair

Eero Aarnio's Ball Chair

Let me repeat: They're mini versions! So adorable. Vito happily climbed over them, tested them, and gurgled over them. I think he liked the Ball Chair best. The cushion's very soft and it feels like a cocoon.

Are we buying? Well, first Vince and I have to buy that sofa we wanted at BoConcept! And then we'll buy Vito his own chair when we move to a bigger apartment or to a house house, which isn't for a good long while. Sigh!

But if you're looking for fantabulous accent/designer chairs for your home, I highly recommend About A Chair!

I've been ignoring Melissa for some time now because I thought it was just a prettier kind of Crocs. Crocs are kinda ugly and I dunno why people pair them with everything from jeans and shorts to dresses and nurse uniforms. Well, ya they're comfy but your feet get sweaty and icky after a while. Is that why some people wear them with socks? Negative style points! So even though some really stylish ladies have begun raving about Melissa, I chose to ignore.

And then I found out that crazy funky cool designer Vivienne Westwood designed a line for Melissa. Of course I had to check it out.

This smells soooo good!

Designer flats!

Super comfy and cool. No icky sweaty feeling!

It may be plastic but it sure is fantastic!

I super love my Vivienne Westwood + Melissa ballerina flats! I am totally regretting not checking out Melissa now. Of course, now I am. Their online store is super cool. Super cool! It's so not good for me and my PayPal account!!! I want them all! And it's free shipping! Okay. Must. Close. Computer. Now!


A note on usage: I just had to add this because of my last few words up there. It's very Pinoy to say "close the light/TV/computer" when the correct term is "turn off the light/TV/computer." I don't correct people when they say the former because I think it's a Pinoy terminology. It's really not supposed to be proper English. It's like saying, "Did you eat already?" when it should be "Have you already eaten?", or "officemate" when it should be "colleague" or "co-worker." But since we Pinoys get it, I guess it isn't really wrong. It's how we use English--the Pinoy way! Anyway, in my case, I literally do close my computer. It's a laptop so I snap the lid shut. I don't turn off my laptop, I just close it!

I've been feeling a bit down recently. Not exactly sad, just... I dunno... weird. Part of it is the Japan tragedy, part of it is my realization I've been a bad friend. Part of it is the fact that we spent a lot of money lately because the insurance for the apartment and the car had to be paid (know any cheap car insurance, by the way?). Lastly, part of it is the fact I was on vacation leave last week but I still went to work every day. Like, what is up with that?

So there I was not feeling very happy with myself when this arrived for me:
It's the Swatch Lady Collection in Honey Melon!

I had Tweeted some time ago that I wanted one. It was just a silly Tweet that I forgot about pretty soon after. But a follower--a very important woman who doesn't want to be named--decided to surprise me by sending me the Swatch. And not just any random watch--it's in my favorite color, too! Orange!

Thanks, G, for thinking of me and brightening my day. I feel like the world is a better place because of generous souls like you. Actually, it is a better world because of people like you and the causes you support and the people you help. God bless you!

P.S. Obviously, because of this, I love Twitter! Follow me!

I was invited to the special relaunch of Acca Kappa's beautifully crafted hairbrushes on Wednesday. It was a very intimate affair and I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon at Emphasis Salon with friends Nikki and Shen.

But I'll talk about that in my beauty blog. For now, here's what I wore:

Love everything I'm wearing because they're all super comfy. The Gap shirt is so soft and cool. The Levi's Lady's Style jeans make me look like I'm taking diet pills that actually work. The Kenneth Cole heels are so comfortable, I can run in them. I actually have, come to think of it. Accessories are a Karimadon chain necklace and Vita Fede black leather cuff.

And I know it can't be seen much in the photos but I'm wearing red lipstick!!! It's Laura Mercier Sweet Cherry. It's a sweet red so the beauty editors tell me it's still not a true red. It's red!!!

1. My nail polish. It's Black Lingerie by Revlon. I've never worn black polish ever so this is very interesting for me. It's actually not black enough for me but I like that it dries fast and that it's really sticking to my nails. I also love those cute pudgy feet!

2. My nail polish again, this time on my toes. It's Raven Red also by Revlon. I love that gorgeous red! Sorry that you really can't see the polish. This photo was meant for an outfit post, which is up next.

3. Reading Margaret Atwood at the Ayala Triangle Gardens. I don't remember the last time I read a book under a tree! So today, while waiting for Vince's lunch break, I went to the park and read. Happiness! Since I grew up in the hills, I do miss fresh air. Now you can't say that the air in Makati is fresh but that little park does feel like an air purifier. I swear my lungs liked the air better there.

4. The Rustan's Home slippers that were provided at the La Mer facial I had this morning. These slippers are the best. Ever! I'm going to buy myself a pair.

5. Fruits. Nothing says summer quite like a bowl of fruit! That's mangoes, star apple, chico and bananas. They're from my in laws, who are always so very generous and thoughtful.

Actually, I am loving a LOT of stuff right now but I believe they deserve a post becuse they have such fabulous stories attached to them. Blog marathon tomorrow! Hitting the sack now to sleep between the hubby and the baby. And that is my ultimate favorite thing!

Here's why:




More on that baby boy in Topaz Mommy. Hope you're finding things to be grateful for. Life is so very short!