Hello, Kitty!

While Kuya Marv and I were chatting near Toni's stall in Trinoma, a lady in red approached us.

"Marv?"

Kuya instantly recognized her.

"Kitty!"

Yup, it was my sister's best friend, Kitty!

She was one member of Ate Lissa's life constants. Throughout her college life, Ate would always be with Kitty and Nenette - her college besties who are her besties until now. Whether they'd just be hanging out at home, or going to Petit Four, or even Nenette's Tagaytay home, they were inseparable.

That's why they're also part of our extended family. The last time we saw Kitty was during Ate Lissa's surprise 40th birthday party!

Yup, almost 2 decades have past. But seeing her yesterday, it felt like we just saw each other recently. Which is one of the hallmarks of true friendship.

Women achievers

We have 2 of those in the family this Sunday.

First, Ate Bullet just finished her first half marathon!

She finished 1st in her age category. Woot!

Second, Toni just wrapped up another successful bazaar!

I'm always amazed at the number of loyal customers she has. Loyal customers that are willing to line up just to buy her cakes. Woot! Woot!

It's such a joy to see the achievements of these successful women!

Avengers, Assembly!

Today was the general assembly of the Comm Soc in school. 

It's always attending events like these since you see your students in a more relaxed state.

Their theme was "Avengers Assemble" and encouraged everyone to come as a hero. Of course, Iya and I didn't have costumes, but I had a ready answer if they asked me who's the hero I dressed up as.

That answer would have been: "Myself. Because I"m my own hero."

Too bad they didn't ask me the question, though.

FMM: Loss of breathing

Among D' Frendz, we all have our "signature songs" whenever we go to videoke joints.

Mine is this 1996 Grammy Award winning song from Duncan Sheik.

"Barely Breathing" is such a beautifully written and sung song. It's lyrics are emotional, but balanced with the fast-paced melody. This contrapunto is what makes me like this song so much. Not just to sing, but also to listen to.

So, it's sad to hear that the singer has joined the big concert hall in the sky. Another musical talent who's gone too soon.

Gown town

True to his red carpet aesthetic, a big chunk of the Elie Saab x H&M collection will be gowns!

Looking back their past collabs, it looks like it's the first time they'll really feature this many gowns in one collection. While their Roberto Cavalli and Erdem collections had long dresses, Elie Saab has full-on, red carpet worthy gowns!

I'm sure these will be the first ones sold out when the collection drops this month.

You've got Malle

As a fan of scents that smell like fresh laundry, one brand of perfume kept on popping up my feed.

The brand is Acne Studios by Frederic Malle, and it's supposed to smell like clean, soapy clothes that just came out of the dryer. Conceptually, it should be like Clean Warm Cotton, Clean Cool Cotton and Clean Fresh Laundry - 3 scents that I'm a fan of and have bottles of.

Since they have it in Rustan's, might as well drop by and check out what the hype is all about.

Verdict: the hype is real.

So real, I eventually got a bottle.

Now, I'm going to smell like a hamper of freshly laundered clothes.

And I'm here for it!

Simula at Wakas

No, this isn't an SB19 post. But their songs are nice. Especially "Mapa."

But I digress.

Almost 2 years ago, we welcomed our new writer - Claire - with lunch at Lechoneria in Robinsons Galleria.

Today, we send her off in the same restaurant, as she embarks on a new stage and phase in her professional life.

We thought it was providential that we were the same group, in the same restaurant, in the same table! How cool is that!

Good luck, Claire! May this be the start of a world of new adventures for you.

The waiting game

For a change, today's cat isn't sleeping.

He's waiting.

You can make up so many stories with this one photo.

Is the cat's hooman inside and is he waiting for him to come out?

Is he reading the menu and deciding what to order?

Is he waiting for someone to open the door so he can dash inside?

So many possibilities...

Shades and shapes

It was one of those muni-muni moments during our shoot last Friday. Was outside the studio, looking up, then saw something that needed to be photographed.

As a fan of shapes, there was something about this combination of the building's roof and the dusky sky that created something graphic. It's that ubiquitous combination of hard and soft, light and dark.

Amazing how we can find beauty in random things.

Ca(ugh)t in the act

Caught this cat who looks like he's so deep in thought.

Thus, it was worthy of a snap.

Moments like these make me adore cats even more.