TOPAZ HORIZON

At a recent event, a woman was introduced to me. I said, "Hello, I'm Frances Sales from OK!"

"Oh," she said. "What's your position?"

"I'm the editor-in-chief."

"Really? What's OK! anyway?"

"It's a Hollywood celebrity magazine."

"Omigod, that's my favorite magazine ever! I, like, read it every month. I have every issue! I, like, read every page! It is so nice meeting you! What's your name again?"

I said, "Wow. Thank you for being a huge fan of OK!." Then I walked away.

She's either stupid or she thinks I'm stupid. I don't mind if you don't read my magazine--my own husband doesn't. I don't even mind if you don't like the magazine--I get hate mail regularly enough to not care. It's a gossip rag anyway so I totally get why a lot of people wouldn't waste their time and money on it. But please don't lie to me. Ever.

Meanwhile, for those who are actually fans of OK!, I'm hoping you've already gotten yourselves the October issue. It's our annual style issue featuring the closets of Taylor Swift, Eva Longoria Parker and Nicole Richie. We also have our Best Dressed Celebrities List, with the lovely Anne Hathaway and Emma Watson (yes, the girl from Harry Potter!) as just two of the glamour goddesses we picked for this year's list. We got an interview with Project Runway's Tim Gunn and a ton of style tips and tricks from a host of Hollywood stars!

It's another fantastic issue and I hope you pick up a copy. But if Hollywood's not your thing, it's okay, really. I'd rather meet honest folks who don't like celebrities than annoying people who fawn over you when they find out you're a magazine editor and aren't even very good at hiding how fake they are.

The Manila String Machine.



My brother, a cellist, is part of this quartet, and they were the ones who played at my wedding. They also played at Issa Litton's wedding. And they will perform soon at my friend Mariel's wedding.

I noticed as I was blog-hopping that there are so many bride-to-be's out there, all furiously/dreamily/feverishly planning their wedding. Well, might I make a suggestion? If you're the type of bride and groom who care about the details, then a string quartet definitely makes your wedding more elegant and more beautiful.

My wedding was just lovely--intimate, quiet and glamorous. Well, my parents would have preferred a large and noisy event (I'm from a large and ridiculously noisy family) but for Vince and me, the only sound we wanted to hear that day was that of well wishes and laughter and the music of strings.

My uncle, Papa's brother, did decide to stir things up and campaign for a senator (to my horror, the uncle even showed up in jeans and a campaign shirt)... and that is a story for another day!

Aside from that annoying snafu, my wedding was elegant. And while I have my friends and sisters-in-law to thank for that, I also know that the beautiful music my brother and his friends played was the thread that held it all together. Never underestimate the power of music. In this case, on perhaps the happiest day of your life, the Manila String Machine will be the perfect accompaniment to start your journey to happily ever after!

This post is for my family and dear friends but in case there are actually some of you out there who'd be fabulous enough to send me items on my wish list (please! please! please!), kindly take note of the following:

Item 1 - blender... my kitchen is yellow, black and white with stainless steel accents (photo here) so I'd really want a red blender. Or a black and steel one.

Item 2 - Jamie At Home cookbook... while I want Jamie's book, I'd also appreciate DVDs of his Jamie At Home show and then I can sit back on the sofa and appreciate how there's a Jamie cookbook on my kitchen shelf and a Jamie DVD on the tv stand shelf.

Item 3 - Schu flats... I'm a size 36 or a size 6. Schu gift certificates also welcome!

Item 5 - Snickers... I'm not a fan of dark chocolate or almonds so the standard ordinary normal Snickers will very much do it for me!

Item 6 - I found my sapphire ring and it will be officially mine soon! Yes, I'm buying it, just scraping together some cash to pay for it. Now, in case you saw a sapphire ring for me (why thank you!), my ring size is a tiny 4, but in case of fat days, size 5 will be safer! And I take back what I said about diamonds--I'd love to have one!
Seriously, though, I'm getting a bit weirded out about the birthday--nope, not because I'm turning a year older. I've never had a problem with getting older; in fact, I've always hated being so young (it's such a helpless and powerless state, in my experience). But 33 is, well, they call it the Jesus Age--He's saved mankind at 33. What have I done? A celebrity magazine. Okay, so Jesus is a tough act to follow. How about... Angelina Jolie? By the time she turned 33, she had a multi-awarded career, traveled the world, been a UN ambassador, donated millions to humanitarian causes, adopted 3 kids, gave birth to 3, and stole men from their women more than once as easily as if she plucked an apple from a tree! Okay, so the last part isn't so admirable but she sure does put a lot of pressure on 32-going-on-33 me! Why must we have it all anyway? Who made those rules? Can't I just be 33 and be average?

Anyway, if you were wondering about Item 4 - free travel... It has been granted!!! I'm flying off to Singapore next week as a special guest of Nuffnang and the Singapore Tourism Board! Now I truly do believe that if you ask, you will receive!

*outfit details: Jockey tee, Kate Torralba skirt, Schu flats (yes, the very ones!) and Longchamp bag