Losing one's Self(ridge)

Another one bites the dust.

Miss Selfridge closes its Shangrila store today, and it's proof that British High Street brands aren't that big a hit among Filipino shoppes. (See Wallis, River Island, Coast, among others.)

I hope they put their items on major sale!

Missing Lising

Last week, my colleagues and I were having our usual "where are they now?" conversations, and it quickly steered towards one of the country's more famous comedians who also used to own a joke shop.

Gary Lising.

Long story short, we had a discussion whether he was still around or not.

Today, I got my answer.

It's Gary Lising! Spotted in SM Megamall.

This is definitely good for a laugh.

Color Story: Peaches and Cream

As February approaches and summer is quickly approaching, soft, pastel colors are beginning to appear in department stores and fast fashion haunts.

On a routine visit to Surplus Shop this weekend, I found two pieces of clothing that looked great individually, but looked even more smashing together.

First, a cream colored top.

With its loose silhouette and light fabric, it's an ideal top for summer.

Second, this peach hued culottes.

Again, it has the nice, flowy fabric, a structured cut, and a side slit for added detail.

Together, it's an ensemble that's summer ready.

Oh, what a dream.

For the birds

Here's another film that has Oscars written all over it!



"Lady Bird" is one of those angsty, coming-of-age films that the Oscar jury usually gravitates towards. And seeing how Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalfe got lost in their roles, this film really has a strong chance to take flight.

The Tony(a) awards!

One of the biggest stories in 1994 was the attack on Nancy Kerrigan, a champion figure skater who was America's Sweetheart. She was tall, beautiful, talented - so, she was pretty much perfect.

Just as she was about to make her mark in the Olympic world, someone literally bashed her dreams by bashing her legs. She became the most famous victim. And with every famous victim comes a famous villain.

In this case, it was Tonya Harding.

People from our generation know this story and how it unfolded. And now, more than 20 years later, we'll get to see a different side of the tale. From Tonya's point of view.



The trailer alone got me hooked. And this film smells like a lot of award opportunities for Margot Robbie and Allison Janney.

Here's another film that I can't wait to see!

FMM: When life gives you Clemmons

On days where you just feel like having a happy, peppy day, certain songs quickly come to mind, and quickly pop-up my playlist.

One of my favorite songs-of-this-sort is a popular ditty with a not-too-famous singer. I'm sure you've heard this song before, but do you know the singer?



"Give me just a little more time," is a song that a lot of people my generation danced to. It's a hit song from the 70s which was played all the way until the early 90s. Which gives it a spot as a Friday Magic Madness song.

The singer, Angela Clemmons. I'm sure that's the first time you heard that name, eh.

Give it a little more time, and you'll have this song as your LSS.

Missed Macy's

Looks like I haven't been too diligent about looking out for designer collaborations.

While the news about the Macy's x Anna Sui collaboration was in my radar, it turned out that there were 2 previous collaborations that went by without me noticing it.

First, a collection by Yigal Azrouel! How could I have missed this master of tailoring and details.

Second, Cynthia Rowley! Gosh! I love her fun aesthetic, and I missed it!

Better be more alert this year.

Dreams of Dancing

Almost 8 years ago, my nephew Miggy was so interested in dancing that he and Kurt signed up for a summer session with G Force. We attended their recital, and they did great.

This weekend, Miggy is in California to represent the Philippines in a dance competition! They're going up with some of the best in the world, and I'm confident they'll do great.

Amazing how far your dreams can take you.

LFLTAT: I've got a Pen(shoppe)

Who says the Ate's should have all the fun?

Over the weekend, I passed by Penshoppe and found a Look For Less Than A Thousand for my own.

First, these 2 white shirts! You'll never believe how much these 2 cost me. As in! Seriously. You'll never believe it! (They were P99 for 2!!!!)

Then, this pair of carrot jeans with funky graphics.

Together, all these cost less than P500!

That's why I love to shop at Penshoppe!

Life lessons

Seen in Cubao, the most profound, most insightful, and most delicious answer to the question: "What is life?"

Can't argue with that.

Grandma's Grand style

On the jeepney ride going home, this grandma sat in front of me and her sense of style immediately caught my attention.

She was wearing a floppy hat, a patterned blouse, loose jeans and sneakers. When put together, her overall look was super chic! Also very current since it looks like those boyfriend jean ensembles that seem to be very now.

Another detail that was noticeable was how she cuffed her jeans. The length and disheveledness of the fold made it look so shabby chic!

She actually reminded me of those stylish Japanese grandmas that Mark and I used to see in Japan. And on hindsight, I really didn't see her face throughout the trip. Who knows? She might just be a stylish Japanese grandma who's currently in Manila.

Color story: Pinkie up!

Sometime last year, Plains & Prints had this uber pretty vest-style dress in a very eye catching shade of pink. It was beautifully tailored, and would easily transition from work to cocktails.

But for some reason, I never got around to buying it.

But by a stroke of luck, it was back during the Purple Sale! And of course, it made its way back home.

The day after, at So Fab, they had a Buy 1 Take 1 promo on shoes, and one of those on sale was this dark pink pumps with a lace detail.

It went perfectly well with the pink shade of the dress, so, sold!

And this ensemble with different shades of pink was born.

Nice combination, don't you pink? I mean, think?

FMM: You got it!

Back in the 80s, my 2 favorite artists collaborated on a couple of songs. And on today's Friday Magic Madness, I go back to one of them.

The artists: Stevie Wonder and Dionne Warwick.

The song: the classic from "The Woman in Red."



What made this song so awesome? Definitely, it's the both of you.

Pretty. Random.

Last night, while trying to send a message from my phone, I accidentally turned on the camera and took a shot of this:

As a lover of prints and patterns, I'm enamored by this. There's something rough but polished about the visual. It would make for a great fabric or wrapping paper. Heck, if this were on either, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

Amazing how these little, random things can result in something so pretty.

Her voice will linger

She was one of my favorite singers in the 90s, and her songs have always resonated with me and my generation.

Today, we say goodbye to the voice of Cranberries, Dolores.



You may be gone, but your voice, your influence, and your memory will always linger.

LFLTAT: Rosy Chic

It's the tail end of the H&M sale, and not only are their items at 70& off, they have added promotions! Right now, it's "Buy 3, get 1 free," so things are double cheap and cheerful!

Given both the price and promo, it's so easy to find a look for less than a thousand. Just like this chic and pretty rose-print ensemble:

While it might look like a dress, they're actually separates! The top is a breezy, sleeveless top with oversized ribbons.

And the skirt is voluminous and with girly ruffles at the bottom.

Together, this ensemble just rang up to P750! That leaves around P249 for a pair of shoes. (And if you go to SM, you're sure to be able to buy one.)

Red-dy or not

It was early last year that I saw this red dress from Plains and Prints.

Didn't buy it back then. And during this season's Purple Sale, the dress reappeared and I didn't miss the chance to take it home.

I'm loving the red and white combination, and how delicate but graphic the floral prints are.

It's a pretty inspiring piece that's already sending my mind forward to the holidays.

Hot and Cold

Always a great Sunday combination:

Piping hot fishballs.

And cool, avocado and cheese ice cream.

UP is definitely the place to be on weekends.

It's a Fling thing

The first time I encountered the clothing brand "Florence Fling" was way back when there was still The Ramp in Shangrila Plaza Mall. Their area was near the entrance, and it stood out for its chic and classic designs made with bright and eye-catching fabrics.

Eventually, they opened their own store in SM Megamall. It was on the 2nd floor, and it was a usual stop-over for me during my mall visits. Some of the Ate's prettiest dresses were from there, including Ate Bullet's favorite purple crepe dress with teal dots.

Then, sometime last year, they closed their store. Sadness.

They didn't totally disappear, though. They still had their website and on-line shop which I'd still visit occasionally. And this week, I decided to order on-line and rekindle my sisters' love affair with the brand and their clothes.

My order arrived promptly, less than 2 days after I made the purchase.

It was wrapped in a very pretty and delicate manner, true to the brand's essence.

Look inside, and there are 5 pretty dresses that I'm sure will be in the Ates' wardrobe rotation after I give it to them.

And with that, the Florence Fling continues.

FMM: TGIF!

Thank God it's Friday! Time to break out this Friday Magic Madness song of the same name, from way back in the 70s.

Presenting, Love and Kisses!



And there's another TGIF today.

Thank God it's Frendzday!

In one of those rare, kid-free, adult-only D' Frendz dinners, were were finally able to catch up on each other's lives. (Well, Tintin's, basically.)

So, once more, I'll say: Hurray for Friday!

The right stuff

Presenting, the constant occupants of my guest couch at my office.

Four stuffed toys!

The bear on the leftmost side is a prop from one of our TVC shoots. The pizza is a freebie from Shakey's. Gardee is the mascot of Gardenia, one of my favorite clients. And the big bear is a Christmas gift from Abe.

Obviously, there's a lot of stuff going on here.

LFLTAT: Pump up the volume

It's Clearance Sale time, and most every mall, department store and fast fashion brand is on sale.

On a routine trip to SM Megamall, the "sale" sign of two of my favorite haunts beckoned, and it resulted in a nice Look For Less Than A Thousand.

First piece, a classic, white top from SM Department Store. It's made of 100% white cotton, sleeveless and collared, but with a cascading waterfall hem that added volume to the otherwise plain shirt.

Second, a pair of khakis from the Uniqlo U collection. The fabric is heavy and structured, which gives the pants an interesting volume to it.

Because they were both on sale, the duo rang up to less than P1000. In fact, the combo rang up to only P840!

That speaks volumes about the sales we have.

Javier is not impressed. Or is he?

Last Saturday, we ate at 8 Cuts as part of our send-off to Biboy and family. Javier was with us, and we ordered his favorite restaurant combination - fries and coke.

When it arrived, he looked not at all impressed.

But surprisingly, he loved it! He finished the skinny fries on his own. (And kept us from getting from his plate in the process.)

Never judge a book by Javier's first reaction.

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling...

Happy 52nd wedding anniversary, Mom and Dad!

You really are our #relationshipgoals

The devotion begins

On my way back home from Divisoria, I noticed that the traffic back was heavy, and that jeeps were dropping people a few streets away where they would usually do.

Then I found out that tomorrow was the start of the Traslacion, and people were already beginning the trek to Quiapo.

Such devotion is admirable indeed.

Un-Bear-Able!

The kids might have grown up, but they're still hella cute! Especially if you place them along a big, fuzzy, stuffed bear.

Cuteness overload!

FMM: High there!

Today's Friday Magic Madness song isn't too old. It was released 15 years ago, and it's from one of my favorite singers that time, Duncan Sheik.

Before you think it's "Barely Breathing" (which is one of my karaoke go-tos), it's his other hit, "On a High."



And I remembered this song because we I saw this in a Japanese restaurant in Makati.

It was Mark who first introduced Chu Hai to me in Tokyo, and it was a staple in our get togethers after that.

We should try this one of these days to see if it's legit.

The cat who can't be moved

Yesterday, after our off-line, I was able to walk around the area and found this adorable cat in the middle of the sidewalk.

He was smack middle, and he didn't care if people were passing by. Ergo, people had to walk around the cat, who was unmindful of everything.

Now that's a cool cat!

The Royal Pair

If you, like me, have ever wondered who Dairy Queen's better half was, you'll be happy to know that I found the answer in St. Francis Square!

You're welcome.

Color story: Into the Blue

Let me start the year with this vibrant color that has always been a personal favorite - royal blue. Though it's not Pantone's Color of the Year (it's Ultra Violet), i'd like to start the year by paying homage to this rich, stylish and chic color.

Via an outfit, of course.

Beginning with this pretty dress with a mesh-like fabric, and an interesting neckline. Found it in one of my Ortigas haunts, and it was a lucky purchase since they only had one of this dress.

Right after I bought it, I saw this pretty pair of ballerina flats from SM Department Store.

The combination resulted in a royally chic ensemble.

Let's Blue This!

Eight's starting!

They've always said that years that end with the number 8 are auspicious.

I still remember 10 years ago, in 2008, I was still living in HKG and everyone was pumped up for the year. Aside from it being lucky, it was also the year of the Beijing Olympics.

Now, it's 2018. And I'm looking forward to a lucky, blessed and fruitful year.

Happy New Year!