TOPAZ HORIZON

1. My nail polish! It's Glitzerland from O.P.I. It's a very fine crushed gold that looks great against my skin and with my topaz ring!

2. The funny Garnier video for the roll-on eye brightener and de-puffer. Only because I suffer from terrible dark circles so this actually is something I can very well relate to! (Crickette, I finally sent you this! Tell me how it goes!)

Goodies and Sweets Chocolate Cake with Caramel Sauce

3. Spot.ph's Top 10 chocolate cakes. I just had that cake in the photo actually. It is love! Guys, if the girl you're trying to win is sick of getting fancy chocolates from you, try giving her cake instead! It's casual, almost friendly, and yet it's still chocolate. And if she still doesn't give you her sweet yes, then take comfort in the fact that this luscious cake is fattening! For more unusual chocolate gifts, go check out Sharri's Berries Facebook page for ideas.

4. The Mogu Mogu introduction. It's so... strange! It's almost profound! "Fruit Juice. Gotta Chew!!" What does it mean?!?

5. The Sony VAIO S. Because it's pink! Period. For more substantial reasons, check out what the Third World Nerd had to say about the new VAIOs. Seriously makes me want to buy this instead of a Mac! (Bad hair day, I know. But just lookit my smile!)

6. Rustan's Makati's red carpeted entrance. I love Power Plant but no mall makes me feel like a VIP quite like Rustan's Makati does!

7. Vito trying to remove his Thudguard helmet while eating carrots I steamed, mashed, sieved myself. But I love him every minute!

And I so wanted to have Angel Aquino's lean physique!

I quit Barre3. It was more expensive than I bargained for. An unlimited monthly membership costs P5,500. It's worth it if you go to class at least three times a week since that would be P500 a class, even less if you go more often, which had been my plan. I totally did not know that January and February were months that were super busy and stressful and that I would be sick for an entire month, resulting to me attending just 6 classes.

I also didn't account for the cab fare. To and fro Power Plant is P120. So add P120 to each scheduled class. Now I also didn't realize I'd... shop!!!! Power Plant is the deadliest mall for Vince and me. We never ever leave that place without buying anything. So with each Barre3 class, I bought a dress at Mango and Zara. Needless to say, I have overspent.

So I did not renew my membership. Sad. I really liked Barre3. It was absolute torture in the beginning but I really felt my body get stronger with each class. I highly recommend it for building strength, flexibility and stamina. For quick weight loss, always best to put on your running shoes and chase the wind!

Anyway, I haven't given up on my fitness resolution yet. Good Housekeeping editor Tisha Angluben and stylist Sidney Yap told me that there's a Core Kinesis class just across my apartment! Yes, folks, it's not in a mall! And PR guru Frank Briones invited me to try Hollywood's latest fitness program Plana Forma for free. Well, well, there is hope yet for this baby flab around my tummy! Wish me luck!

source

I spent a few sleepless nights obsessing over the yellow Cambridge Satchel a few weeks ago. Vince ended my agony and told me he'll buy me one for Valentine's Day! Hooray! So off we traipsed to Chocolate schubar at Power Plant and committed by finally scratching the credit card. I'm just waiting for my bag to arrive next month! EQ is being mightily tested!

source

What is behind this door?

One of my blog resolutions is to talk about a blog I super like. Today, you have to check out Karotitay's blog. The latest post, "Do you believe in MOOMOO?" scared the shit out of me! Karrots, na-stress ang beauty ko!

Of course you also have to update yourself with these:
Beauty For A Living - I talk about how Avon is fighting to end violence against women
Topaz Mommy - I wrote my hubby a love post! Naks!
Third World Nerd - The hubby's last post talked about a tech tragedy!!! But, because he's such a genius, he saved us.

Click! Click! And happy weekend, y'all!

She's coming to Manila tonight! And I'm not watching her concert!!! Kids, that's what having a baby in your life means. So I have to content myself with this:

It's a really nice magazine, by the way. Very sweet and fairy tale-ish and girly. I'm also very proud because my "kids" Lana, Joanna and Elaine created this magazine! They made a really cool mag and I feel very warm and fuzzy because my girls are so fantastic!  Yes, that's how a boss feels when the people she's mentored for so long do a GREAT JOB. I'm so lucky that way!

If you love Taylor Swift, do grab a copy. It's P150 and it's available at your favorite newsstand, bookstore, supermarket and magazine shop.

I'm so glad kids today have Lady Gaga's empowering anthem to sing and believe in. We all need to know that we're beautiful just the way we are. Oops, that's a different song!

There's only one thing that's happening on April--the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. So Elaine, my magazine's associate features editor, who's been doing research, shared with us the video of Diana's long march down that aisle so many years ago. Confession: I've never actually watched this most famous wedding before! It took my breath away.



Did you hear the people roar? Did you hear the trill and bellow of the trumpets? I got goosebumps honestly. I imagine a saint's arrival at heaven to be greeted like that, with applause and trumpets.

In her voluminous dress, Diana still looked very elegant and beautiful, even brave. Well, every person about to get married has to be brave!

My own wedding was very simple. So was Vito's baptism. Vince and I aren't the pomp-and-pageantry type. We like to dress up and eat well, but we don't like programs or dance numbers or long speeches or giveaways and stuff like that. For a lot of people, events are a big show (and there's nothing wrong with that!) but for Vince and me, our events are very private and quiet.

But watching Diana's wedding, I can't help but feel that weddings should indeed be like that--a spectacular show! I certainly now wish my wedding march had been accompanied by such fanfare! Drums and trumpets and the thunderous roar of thousands of happy people! Hear! Hear!

Sooo many invitations on my desk and email inbox right now. Lots of gadgets being launched, like the new Sony VAIO, the new LG green something, the new HTC Desire 2.2. That's Third World Nerd territory, though, so I'm browsing the Fossil website instead because also in my inbox is an email from OK!'s associate fashion editor Kabbie Rodriguez. And she said I should check these Mulberry Alexa lookalikes:

Fossil Vintage Re-Issue Messenger, $208

Fossil Vintage Re-Issue Flap, $148

Oh no! Well, it's very similar to the Alexa but it's still not the Alexa. The good thing is it doesn't have the price of the Alexa so... maybe I want one! But Vince already ordered the yellow Cambridge Satchel for me. It's his Valentine's Day gift (thanks, Vince!) so I really really shouldn't buy a new bag. I really really shouldn't!

But I'm going to Megamall this week to check it out anyway!

Vince and I were talking about how blogging now is the Wild Wild West, no accountability, no rules, no code of ethics, and how this trend is alarming. Vince said that readers will eventually tire of the nasty blogs and support blogs that make their life better. And where readers are, advertising will follow.

He's a changed man, folks!

Vince: (in a hopeful tone) Readers will smarten up. 

Me: They already are. Did you know that Perez Hilton has changed the attitude of his blog? (source)

Vince: Wow.

Me: He said that all the suicides last year, the ones caused by bullying, made him think about his blog and how he's a big bully himself, writing all those mean things about stars. And he apologized to Jennifer Aniston no less! And she forgave him (source). He said, "I really want to be part of the solution and not part of the problem." (source)

My next chapter is to create an even  better blog!

Vince: I don't know why people never learned from Oprah. Talk shows used to be all trash and sensationalism. Really! Remember those days?

Me: Yes!

Vince: Oprah said she would not change her programming. She avoided that even though the market was going in that direction. Years later, the others are all gone and she's a billionaire. So be Oprah, rabbit!

Yes. I will be the Oprah of blogging! Positive vibes all around. Love love love!

Okay, so I said I don't like talking about serious stuff in my blog because it just invites controversy. But ever since that Big Bad Blogger issue a few weeks back, some people have been asking and asking and asking me about how I, a blogger, can resist becoming a big bad blogger myself.

And I always say, "That's because I'm a journalist first and I'm guided by journalism ethics and principles. It's a very slippery slide to corruption, especially with all the power I can wield with words. But I can resist it. It can be done."

What is corrupt behavior?
1. Blackmailing people (i.e. "If you don't do this, I'll blog about you!")
2. Demanding payment (in cash or in kind) for a story
3. Acting high and mighty (i.e. "Why did I get an invite late? Do you know WHO I AM?")

I started blogging in 2005, when nobody cared about bloggers. Back then, blogging was untainted by corruption. Blogging used to be a beautiful thing. It was an arena of people just writing for the sake of expressing oneself, for entertainment, for the love of writing and art and truth. But now that it's been invaded by advertising and PR, unscrupulous people have realized that they can use blogs as a weapon, as a tool for getting what they want.

I'm glad I was a writer first before I became a blogger. I used to correct people when they say, "You're a blogger?" with "Actually, I'm a writer with an online presence." But yeah, sure, I'm a blogger! But let me tell you why I wanted to be known as a writer first. A writer's loyalty is only towards the truth and to the readers. When I blog, I think about YOU. I don't think about me. Will this post entertain you? Will this make you happy? Will this make you laugh? Will this make you think? Will this help you shop/cook/dress/look better?

Even though I write about my life, I choose the parts of my life that I think YOU will like. That's why some of you think I live in a fairy tale. I don't. But I don't write about my shit because I assume you already have enough stress in your life. Do you really want to know mine?

Now, because the blogosphere has been infiltrated by people who write for money alone, bloggers are viewed with suspicion. People now think bloggers are out to get money, invites to events, and loads of free stuff. This really makes me sad.

I admit I earn from my blog and that I've gotten free stuff but I am always gracious and grateful for the things I get--from little lip balms to an all-expense-paid trip to Singapore, it's all the same to me. I am grateful. I never demand and I never complain. I also do sponsored posts (thanks, Nuffnang!) but even Nuffnang knows I don't always accept their many proposals. That's because I weigh the cost of doing a sponsored post first. Again, is this something I really use and is this something you'll find useful? Bonus na lang that I get paid to write about it! And, like I said in my FAQs, a sponsored post is properly labeled for transparency. But most of the product features I write about are really stuff I own or purchased or want (but can't afford yet!), some are "pakiusap" lang. Walang bayad yun.

So I blog because I love to write. I blog because I love to share what I love. I blog because I love my readers. I blog because my readers love me. It's all about love, baby. It's never about the money or the freebies. You can count on that.

But let me start at the very beginning.

Since Mulberry designed a bag for It Girl Alexa Chung, I've always wanted to get my hands on the Alexa.

My friend Nikki proposed to buy one for me last Christmas when she and her family went to Hong Kong. But it's USD 1150. That's quite a bit of money, that Alexa, so I said, "Thanks but (sob) no thanks!" Then I figured I'm sure to find a similar shape here somewhere.

And I did find one in Aldo. It's the same shape and I was actually about to buy but I got very sick and so stayed home to work (Yes! No rest for the weary!) I also had my browser open to Twitter. One Tweet from fashion designer Rajo Laurel intrigued me. He tweeted that he just had the most lovely thing with a link to his blog on Stylebible (click here).

Which is how I discovered the Cambridge satchel! Rajo described it so lovingly and with such delight that I wanted one!
But I thought, "When will I go to London? With an infant in my life, not for a long while!" A few minutes later, Schu tweeted that they are the official distributors here in the Philippines! Schu's Ruby Gan sent me their Facebook album and... Ladies and gentlemen, I'm in love. With the yellow bag and the price!

My only problem with the yellow is if I have my initials stamped in gold, the letters will disappear. So I'm thinking of getting red. But my heart belongs to the yellow! Maybe no initials na lang. Still thinking about those initials. Maybe I shouldn't personalize so I can pass it down to Vito or a daughter one day.

Grabe, this Twitter, ha. Parang mapapa-gastos ako nang di oras with all the stuff I find (follow me!). Anyway, if you want to order your very own Cambridge satchel, visit Schu's Facebook page for details.

Opened my mail this morning to see this:

I literally squealed inside! I am such a fan of Don Draper, even though he's a huge jerk. He's just so... manly!
I've been missing Mad Men since the season ended. That season was intense! Don had to struggle with his divorce and custody arrangements, a rebellious pre-teen Sally, the death of his closest friend, mentoring the brilliant Peggy, surviving advertising and all this while going through a  rapid opiate detox!

Mad Men is still the best TV drama, even though Boardwalk Empire dethroned it in the recent Golden Globes. I like Boardwalk, too, but it's too soon. Mad Men was at its best the past season. I can't wait for the next season!!!

Meanwhile, since Don's following my Tweets, why don't you do the same?

I am really loving this cool weather we're having lately. My jackets and coats and scarves are finally seeing the light of day once more. So at our monthly Wine Night, I just had to wear a leather jacket.


Outfit details: Zara leather jacket, Bayo knit blouse, Levi's Lady's Style metallic jeans, Anthem platform pumps, Kate Spade bag, Funtote ferris wheel tote, enamel earrings from tiangge

Only five of us showed up last week. Lana and Red were working, and Mariane, Jimboy and Kat were studying abroad.

Nikki showed up in a tux!

Nicole was in her usual black and Nic was in a floral mini dress

Bernard, the thorn among the roses =)

I have to point out Nikki's elegant high bun. I love it! And you know what? It's fake!
She bought it in Bangkok. Her husband, Bern, said that those fake buns (yes, she has more than one) are freaky scary. Oh, our poor men and all you have to deal with to have gorgeous wives!


That was a fun evening. I had to go home early, though. Mommy and wifely duties call! Okay, that's enough outfit posts. I have some shopping posts up next!

When you get invited to have lunch with a gorgeous celebrity, you kinda have to skip the jeans and tee for a nice dress. That's because you wouldn't want to look too bad beside a shining star.



Outfit details:
Zara cream dress, Nine West nude pumps, Fino doctor's bag, Charles & Kieth aviators, Ensembles golden pearl necklace, Chinese good luck beads

Tweetie. Perfect!

Unilever's Jacque Yuengtian. Loving her dress and the black-and-gold  cuff and chunky necklace!

Pond's Age Miracle's Rissa Mananquil is newly engaged!

Well, I tried. Beside the luminous Tweetie de Leon, I still looked like a faded rag doll! If you want to know why I had the immense pleasure of having lunch with this beautiful woman, click here!

I don't believe in astrology. But because of the Chinese New Year coming up in a few days, I've been inundated by horoscopes left and right. And... I'm a likin' what I'm readin'!

In the year of the Metal Rabbit, I, a Fire Dragon, will have unbelievable luck. Well, Dragons are always lucky because it's supposed to be a very powerful sign. But in 2011, my horoscope says I'm to expect good fortune in my career, finances, relationships and health. Hey, that's just about everything! The only thing that's supposed to be bad for me is water sports. And here I was thinking of taking up swimming! Well, scrap that!

Then there's the Western influences on the Eastern year. That means I, a Scorpio, can also check Aries as my horoscope since Aries is the Western equivalent of the Dragon. Huh? Did that confuse you? See this list!

Anyway, so according to this seer, this is what I should expect in 2011:
Scorpio—A year of much entertaining and socializing. Financial gains are indicated. And you are able to consolidate your position to a very high decree. Obstacles are still there but no major obstruction.
Aries—Calm is restored to you in the Year of 2011. The winds of fortune blow on your sails again. Home life is settled and finances are stabilized.

Wow. Looks like a fun year for me! Entertaining, socializing, money coming in, work going well, and calm. Deep blessed calm. As some of you know, 2010 was a year of high drama for me--the joys and fears of new motherhood, and the anguish of having someone so utterly selfish in my life. Ugh, I don't even want to think about the latter one. Anyway, if 2011 will bring calm to my highly strung emotional state, then I welcome this year with open arms!

Vince, since I know you're reading this, I've taken the liberty of reading your horoscope (and please stop rolling your eyes!). You're a Wood Tiger and your Western sign is Aquarius. The Western equivalent of the Tiger is also Aquarius so I didn't get very confused looking you up.

According to this, 2011 is a good year for your career. But it also says you will put in a lot of work for that to happen. And you'll laugh and say, "That is why it will be a good year because I have to work my ass off dammit!" I know, right?! Anyway, lotsa money, lotsa good opportunities, lotsa socializing from May to November. Weird! I honestly cannot see you socializing!

And as for your Western predictions,
Aquarius—A happier year is in store for you. Love and business affairs are in the upswing and things are generally more rosy and any obstacle is easily overcome. Good news is forthcoming.

I love good news! Happiness, love, rosy future, easily overcome obstacles--why, that's just fab!

Vito is a Metal Tiger, a Leo and an Aquarius (Western equivalent). So he will enjoy his home life this year. Well, with you and me as his parents, Vito will most definitely have a fabulous home life!

That's it! I don't believe in this astrology business but I am more than willing to believe that in 2011, everything will be alright. I don't even need the foretold money and career heights; I just want that peace and calm and goodness.

Have a good and blessed year, everyone!

Someone asked me, "Why are you so quiet about the Big Bad Blogger issue?"

First, I promised to keep this blog about silliness and shopping and fashion and frivolity.

Second, if you noticed, I don't really comment on issues. I didn't campaign for anyone in the elections, I didn't say anything about the bus hostage tragedy or about Hubert Webb's release... I just don't. The few times I did write about serious stuff (the Maguindanao Massacre and Ondoy), I got some negative comments.

Third, I address the sponsored posts issue in my FAQs.

So anyway. Here's what I have to say about that whole brouhaha:

click to enlarge

That's all.

There's a huge Baby Co. sale at Megamall right about now and I've been wanting to go except that I am sick. A cold that started three weeks ago finally took a dramatic turn for the worse and I have taken to bed.

Anyway, I don't really need anything for Vito. Being the youngest boy in the male-dominated Sales family, he's inherited a ton of clothes and baby things from his cousins. I just wanted to get foodie things like a bowl, a sippy cup, a rubber-tipped spoon, a food grinder and... Well, I just wanted to check things out! I also wanted to go to the department store and get slipcovers for our dining chairs. With Vito about to embark on solid food in a couple of weeks, our lovely house is in danger!

My onesies, socks, bibs, stroller, carrier, bath tub... all for free!

Anyway, I also wanted to shop because I've been dealing with this nagging feeling that I'm not getting Vito new stuff. You know? His stuff. It was Vince who started it. He's the youngest in his family and he always got his brother's hand-me-downs. So even though he likes it that we haven't spent anything on Vito's clothes and stuff, he also feels bad that we aren't even trying to get him new things.

I'm no stranger to hand-me-downs either. Because my family didn't have much when I was growing up, I got the clothes of my cousins. And oh those clothes were so beautiful! So I have a good experience with second-hand stuff. Hence, my fascination with eBay!

DVF silk ladybug shift dress from eBay!

Miu Miu by Prada silk dress from eBay!

H&M belted LBD from eBay!

But then I have friends who also gave birth this year. And they tell me about how the onesies here are so cute or the bibs over there are so clever or how the strollers now are so high-tech... and I get insecure. There are so many nice new things out there! Should I rush out and get them for my Vito? After all, he is my first born. My only child. Should I try harder? Am I taking this save-the-planet thing a bit too far? Am I relying too much on the kindness and oh so wonderful generosity of my Sales family? (Thanks, Anj! Thanks, Lizelle!)

I really don't want to care but it's so strange how a little baby changes everything!

I am not as clever as I thought!

Alas, I didn't invent the word 'tweetheart'! It says so here.

I'm on Twitter! Well, I've been a Twit for sometime now but haven't really been Tweeting. Tweeting is best done from a mobile phone but since I am not a mobile phone person (people hate that I don't answer calls and texts. And if I do, it takes me hours or even days to reply!), the Tweeting isn't that easy.

Well, since I'm in front of the computer most times, I realized I can make this Tweeting work! Follow my Tweets, my friends! I'm kinda getting the hang of it.

One of my resolutions for 2011 was to change the look of my blog. That black thing was getting very old.

Well, now that I've changed the look, I've been feeling like changing some other things, too. Herewith are my blog resolutions:

• I will really try to reply to comments I publish this 2011. Maybe not every comment, though!
• I will answer questions from my readers. Real questions!
• I will put an outfit post every week. I admit that this is very hard. I'm not a fabulous dresser and I don't have a lot of clothes. All those fashion blogs out there are intimidating. Granted, this isn't a fashion blog but it's my hope that a fashion post will make me work harder to lose the baby weight (and start dressing my age)!
• I will do a day-in-the-life post maybe once or twice a month. It'll be fun to give you a peek at what I do on a random day!
• I will promote blogs more. There are so many nice blogs out there! No one used to read silly me but now I get 500 (or more!) of you daily. So I'd like to support other bloggers, too.

How about you? Any blog resolutions?

I promised this post on my Market Day! entry so here it is--simple dishes with just a few ingredients.

Tortang Talong
Grill eggplants until soft and skin is peeling off. Peel skin then mash the eggplant. Whisk some eggs and dip eggplant into eggs. Fry. Serve with ketchup. I like the spicy one of Del Monte.

Steamed Veggies
Looking for a diet pill that works? Try this instead! Slice up carrots, sayote and beans. Or broccoli or asparagus. Steam for about 5 minutes--more if you like your veggies soft. Serve with fish or any meat dish. Personally, I prefer roasted veggies. They're more flavorful!

Beef and Beans Stir Fry
This is beyond simple! Stir fry beef strips and green beans in a wok. Add oyster sauce to taste. Serve!

Omelette
This is what Vince and I eat for breakfast twice a week. Saute chopped onions and tomatoes. Beat eggs then pour into pan. Fold when edges start to bubble. Serve with toast or fried rice.

Upo't Miswa
My Lola Auring taught me this--it can feed a crowd because an upo is so big! Slice up a big upo. Saute garlic, onions and ground meat (beef or pork). Pour in a few cups of water. Once it boils, put miswa noodles. Simmer till noodles are soft. Serve.

Gourmet Fries
Here's a tasty snack! Slice potatoes into long strips. Deep fry or bake. Drain onto a paper towel. Smother with parmesan cheese and ground pepper.

Adobong Kangkong
Saute lotsa garlic. Add kangkong leaves and stalks (cut 1-inch). Add half a cup of vinegar and soy sauce. Serve! You can also just stir fry kankong with bagoong. So easy and delicious!

Tuna Pasta
Always have pasta in your pantry and when guests arrive, here's the perfect easy dish to whip up! In olive oil, saute garlic, onions, quartered tomatoes and tuna flakes. If you like olives, add those. Mix with cooked pasta. You can add basil leaves, too.

Mac and Cheese
The kids will love to cook and eat this. Cook macaroni. Drain. Add butter and cheese and stir gently until cheese melts. Yum!

Potato and Egg Salad
Boil potatoes (you can keep the peel, just scrub a dub dub!). Cut potatoes into 1-inch chunks. Boil eggs. Quarter eggs. Toss very gently with mayonnaise. Chill in fridge. You can add bacon bits, chopped raw onion and celery, too, of you want more flavor.

There you have it! There's a lot more you can cook and I didn't even include roasting, grilling and baking. Believe me, cooking is the easiest and healthiest thing you can do! For more easy tips, check out my friend Mariel's post on eating well.