Where are they now? Fanning the flames

On this edition of "Where are they now?"

I wonder what happened to Dakota Fanning?

Thankfully, I saw this video:



Someone give her a movie soon. She's such a talent!

LSSS: Last Smile Song Syndrome

Gosh! This song has been playing in my head the entire weekend!

It's actually a song that you can't call mainstream pop because not a lot of people know it. But if you're in Australia, you most likely know this song because it's sung by an X-Factor Australia winner.



This never fails to put a smile on my face.

Sounds new to me

While browsing through Pronovias' website, one particular dress caught my attention. This one:

It wasn't the design, not the color, not the workmanship that drew me to it. It was the way they described the skirt.

"Vaporous." Now that's a new term to call a skirt. In fact, it's the first time I encountered such a skirt type.

You learn something new everyday!

Carolina's back

Whenever I look at a design, I pay attention to the back as much as I do the front. That's why among my design pet peeves are: prints that don't reach the back of the garment, gartered back portions, and clunky zippers.

Looking at Carolina Herrera's current collection, I can see a lot of artfully designed backs. And that makes me giddy.

This photo is inspiring me to sketch something with a dramatic back!

FMM: The other Taylor

Long before Taylor Swift, there was another singer named Taylor whose songs I really liked. In fact, I've featured her on previous Friday Magic Madness posts.

That Taylor is Taylor Dane. Yes, she from the "Love will lead you back" fame.

One of her earlier hits was a ballad entitled "I'll always love you." And I remember that I liked it so much, I'd repeatedly listen to in the 80s.



I still like it so much, I still repeatedly listen to it even in 2016.

Just like today.

Hog wild!

This film pretty much sums up the overall feeling for the past weeks.

Can we forward to next week? Please?

Because they Ken-zo!

Yes! The question on everyone's heads has finally been answered!

This year's H&M collaboration is with Kenzo!

I can feel the hipsters jumping up and down from here.

True as it can be...

I'm a huge, huge, huge fan of the Disney animated film. I saw the original one on the big screen, then bought the VHS (look it up, kids), then bought the CD and DVD. Now, I can't wait for the live action retelling this 2017.



Almost a year of waiting! I can't stand it!

Flying high!

My nephew is officially a pilot!

(And now I officially feel old!)

All about the money!

Hang on a bit!

There's a new Julia Roberts and George Clooney film, and it's directed by Jodie Foster!



Take my money! Please!

Back from the past

I remember sketching this dress for Ate Bullet about 2 years ago. It was after I found this beautiful, watercolor print fabric at Fabric Warehouse, and wanted to make something out of it. I ended up drawing a flowy gown with a deep-V front and back, and I added a very long velvet ribbon as a belt.

Now, around 2 years after, Ate was finally able to wear the dress to a wedding.

It still looks as fresh as the day I sketched it. That's how classics are supposed to be.

FMM: Two times the woman

It's quite common for songs to be sung by two different artists. They're called remakes.

Oftentimes, though, these remakes are spaced years apart. Think a decade or two, such as in the case of "You were always on my mind" by Elvis Presley in the 70s, and The Pet Shop Boys in the 80s.

But there are a select few songs where the remake is just a few years apart.

Case in point, one of my favorite songs: "More than a woman."

Two groups sang this ditty in the 70s. Each group had its own style, and they sang it distinctly. But in both cases, they sang it beautifully!

Version 1: Tavares.



Version 2: The Bee Gees. From that classic film, "Saturday Night Live."



I'm glad there are 2 versions of this song. At least I get 2 times the enjoyment.

They've Hadid!

Unlike Kamiseta who suddenly went back to using a local celebrity to endorse its brand, Penshoppe is continuing its legacy of signing-up international celebrities and influencers as image models.

Their latest recruit - Gigi Hadid! Unless you've been living under a rock, you'll know that Gigi Hadid is one of the new generation of fashion influencers.

Props to Penshoppe for being consistent in their endorser choices. After Kendall Jenner, Cara Delevigne, Lucky Blue Smith and Sandara Park, Gigi is definitely a worthy addition.

Going Loco

Suddenly, I missed the Fan-tastic Chicken burger that they used to sell at McDonald's HKG back in 2007.

Too bad they never re-issued that product again. I'll so totally buy it!

In the meantime, I'll just comfort myself watching this.



I'll just swap the beef patty with chicken or fish, and I'm all set.

All smiles!

No wonder this team is all smiles.

Apart from the product we're working on, it's also because this bunch of people are a joy to work with.

Can't wait to see the final commercial. I'm sure it'll bring a smile to a lot of peoples' faces.

June is for Julia

Look who's on the cover of the June issue of InStyle!

I'm getting my copy. Now!

Big fashion shoes to fill

When Alber Elbaz left Lanvin, people collectively sighed that no one can replace him.

That may be true, but someone should replace him.

And apparently, it's this woman.

Her name is Bouchra Jarrar, and she's a couturier who's pedigree includes stints at Christian Lacroix.

While I'm a huge fan of Alber Elbaz, I'm excited to see what she comes up with.

Party of three

As demonstrated during Becca's belated birthday bash, all you need is 3 kids to have a party.

And those kids just happen to be Becca, Audrey and Lucas.

It's such a joy to watch these 3 kids in action. They always have so much fun and never get tired of each other's company.

Pretty much like us.

FMM: Getting in the mood

Since I was a kid, I've always found big band music very comforting. In fact, when I was feeling under the weather, I'd usually get one of Dad's Glenn Miller Orchestra tapes and play it. Somehow, it makes me feel more relaxed.

It's similar to what I feel today, so instead of looking for Dad's cassette tapes, I just looked for two of my favorite Glenn Miller songs on youtube:

First, is their super classic: "In the Mood."



Second, the upbeat and happy "Pennsylvania 6500."



Here's to big bands! And feeling better!

I'll turn into a glutton

One of my must-stops in SG is "Makansutra at Gluttons Bay." Since it opened, people have been flocking to it en masse to savor all the classic hawker treats. Not a surprise since they do hawker food really, really, really, well.

I wasn't able to go to Makansutra during my last SG visit last CNY, though. That's because they were closed for the holidays.

But I just learned that I won't need to hie off all the way to SG to get my Makansutra fill.

Yup, they're going to open here in Manila!

My tummy is already thrilled in anticipation!

One and wonderful!

Today, the youngest member of D' Kids just celebrated his first birthday!

Happy Birthday Baby Noah! Don't grow up too fast.

Time to transform?

A day into the national elections and it looks like the people really want a noticeable, drastic and meaningful change.

Needless to say, a lot of people are up in arms and resorted to fear mongering and name calling?

But that's what people do when they're afraid of change. But as Prichy once wrote in our school annual: "Not changing is worse."

So, here's to change!

Making a point

After skipping the 2013 mid-term elections, I was able to get my biometrics updated which enabled me to vote!

It's quite providential that the indelible ink is placed on the pointer finger. Our vote is really our way of pointing our country to the direction that we, the people, want to see it headed.

Here's hoping that we're all headed the right direction.

Mom's the word

It's Mother's Day! And it's time to celebrate the women in the family who are tireless in taking care of their loved ones. They say motherhood is the most difficult 24/7 job, and they've been doing this job fabulously!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! Happy Mother's Day, Ates!

Gattaca 2.0

While browsing through trailers, I chanced upon this new film starring Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult. It's a dystopian-age film entitled "Equals."



My first impression is that it looks so much like Gattaca. With a touch of romantic dramedy.

What can I say? Count me in!

FMM: Found in translation

Here's an interesting trivia I learned from our shoot.

In 1997, Donna Cruz had a hit song entitled "Isang Tanong, Isang Sagot." It was one of her best selling singles, and even became a film. That much I know.

What I didn't know is that "Isang Tanong, Isang Sagot," is originally a Japanese song entitled "Manatsu no Kajitsu." They bought the rights from the Japanese artist and translated it to Tagalog.

Here's the original song:



And the rest is Filipino pop music history.

Cool Couture

I've always been in awe at the work that goes into haute couture pieces. All the handiwork, the details, the painstaking precision - no wonder there's a high regard for couture artists in Paris.

And this short video which I saw on the Chanel website made me appreciate it even more.



Amazing.

It's written in the star (wars)

It's that time of the year when we pay homage to all thing Star Wars! And this is a great day for geeks like me.

Happy 4th of May!

A song to work by

With a 4-day shoot, a major presentation, and 2 pitches to work on, this can pretty much be the department's theme song for the next few weeks.



As I'd always tell Mark, I'd rather by busy working than not work at all.

Goodness!

No matter how many times I hear it, I'll never, ever, ever, ever tire of listening to the song "For Good" from the musical "Wicked."

Much more so if it's the original Glinda and Elphaba singing it.



True to its lyrics, this song has really changed me for good.

Flores de Mayo

It's the first of May. And in the Philippines, May is known as the month of flowers. It's during this month that all the "sagalas" and "Flores de Mayos" happen.

In the western world, this also heralds the coming of spring. So, there's some simultaneous floral action going on between our two hemispheres. Proof of this? Most fast fashion brands are showing a lot of florals in their collections.

(No, I will not repeat the classic Miranda line...)

Case in point, this beautiful floral shirt dress from Zara.

It works well as a dress for our summer weather. But over there, they wear it as a tunic as a foil to the still-cold weather.

No matter how you wear it, this is a perfect piece to usher in the month of flowers.