Patch it up!

Speaking of pasalubong...

The limited edition Oreo x Sour Patch Kids collab is now here!

Actually, Ate Lissa sent 3 packs, but there are only 2 in the photo because we already finished one pack.

Yup, it's THAT good!

I’m Fine(ry)

Today is a fine day.

Thanks to these!

My Fine'ry loot has arrived. Thanks to Ate Lissa who bought it at Target, and Kuya Marv who brought it from TX!

The "Without a Trace" smells so good! It's a fine scent that I'm going to be using quite often.

A tale of 2 Cities

When I bought these 2 shirts on SheIn, it was mainly because of the color and that vintage touristy print.

Then it struck me once the shirts were delivered. These 2 cities have a role in our lives. Ate Lissa and family live in Houston, while Biboy and family have been living in Atlanta the past 20 years.

How’s that for happy coincidences?.  

Nifty Nineties

Back in the 90s, wearing a white t-shirt inside a dress was all the rage.

My Ates were big fans of this look. Ate Lissa had this favorite ensemble consisting of a white t-shirt worn inside a spaghetti-strap floral dress. She had it in several hues and prints, but it’s the black floral dress that I remember the most.

These days, the look seems to be coming back. Not surprising since fashion usually has a cycle of 2 decades before trends come back.

Yesterday, I wrote about this nice, white t-shirt from Elizabeth and James for Kohl’s  that was part of the “Bermuda Triangle.” Today, we use the same shirt for a more 90s outfit.

It’s now worn inside a cream-coloured knit dress from The Landmark. The cable-knit of this dress adds much needed texture and plays well with how plain the shirt is. It also updates the look from being to 90s to more 2020s.

Amazing how versatile a white shirt can be.

Isn't it romantic?

The first time this song was introduced to me, it was last year when we were doing our commercial for YumYum. Since the story was a cute, fun and wholesome love story, we wanted a soundtrack that was equally cute, fun and wholesome.

As our discussion progressed, the song "Romantic Sunday" was floated as a possible peg. This song is a Korean ditty which is part of the OST of the hit drama "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha."

While the song was indeed catchy and an ear worm. But after the TVC was completed, I didn't think of the song that much.

Last week, Ate Lissa and I were talking about K-dramas, and she mentioned "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" again because it's one of her all-time faves. Out of curiosity, I tried watching an episode on Netflix.

That was a "eureka" moment! Now, it's easy to understand why Ate likes this show a lot. And now, hearing the song in the context of the program, I have a better appreciation of the song.

It really is romantic. (And today is a Sunday, so it all works out.)

The Force of the Family

I'm fortunate to be surrounded by strong women who head their families with both force and grace.

From my Mom, my 2 sisters, and my 2 sisters-in-law. From the earlier generations, my paternal and maternal grandmothers, plus my Lolo Iking's sister - Lola Talen. 

Then, there's the new generation of Moms - my 2 nieces-in-law, the Moms of my 3 adorable "apos."

To all of you, this padawan sends this greeting:

May the force continue to be with you today and beyond!

Grand Birthday!

Today is Ate Lissa's birthday!

This year, she's celebrating her birthday with 3 grandkids, after welcoming Adrianna early this year.

And yes, Carl, Jamie and Adriana surprised Ate by flying to TX to celebrate with her.

Her birthday's going to be grand!

Printed Matter: Boutique Batik

Having stayed in Indonesia for short assignments several times, I've always appreciated the intricacy and art that goes into their Batik prints.

During my trips there, I'd always bring home a few yards of that fabric. Whether it's for a men's shirt or a dress for Mom or the Ates, the beauty of the print would always shine through and make the garment be much more visually interesting.

That's why the first time this print popped up on my feed, my eyes were drawn to it. 

It had a batik feel to it, albeit more modern. It's like a traditional batik with a California boutique vibe.

That print, of course, is the material for this Elizabeth and James dress which is still part of the stash that Ate Lissa and Biboy sent early this year.

It's a perfect print - and dress - to welcome summer.

Home, (Elizabeth and) James, Home

While Kohl's is continents away, siblings have a way of bridging that gap.

Thanks to the efforts of Ate Lissa in UT and Biboy in GA, the brand that I've been eyeing for a while now has actually reached our shores, and our home!

Yup! My Elizabeth and James haul has finally arrived!

And I'm so excited about it!

Texas Pool boys

Ate Lissa and family have finally moved to TX! This makes me excited because TX has a special place in my heart. 

When we were in Mexico for the Exchange Programme, we'd often crossover to TX to get our fix of all things American. Among them is Tex-Mex food, which is sorely missed by my tummy and pallette. With their move to TX, particularly near Houston, will be able to get more legit Tex-Mex food easily! 

Not only that, their new home in TX has a swimming pool! Which makes me think that our visits there should be in summer to make full use of the pool But as early as now, it looks like Miguel and Noah are enjoying it already!

We'll swim with you there soon, boys!

Hey, Go, Sister!

It's Ate Lissa's birthday today! And it feels like it was just yesterday when we celebrated her 40th birthday at Italianni's in Gataway.

Between that time and today, she's gone beyond being my Ate to being a Wawa to 2 adorable kids - Noah and Olivia!

Hope to celebrate with you again in Gateway soon, Ate. With the kids and grandkids in tow, of course.

Pass the Panettone!

The fam got a very pleasant surprise this weekend.

Very pleasant, very flavourful, and very scrumptious, in fact!

It started with a message from Ate Lissa in the U.S. She said that one of her co-Titas was going to send bread to the house. At first, we were expecting it to be something Pinoy and comforting like ensaymada or pandesal. But when the bread finally arrived, we were all stunned into silence. (And delight.)

The "bread" turned out to be one big box of Loison Panettone!

I've seen this brand before. They sell it at Terry's and I've always admired it for its wonderful packaging. (I'm a sucker for nice packaging, obviously.) The box is covered in this beautiful botanical print wrapper which reflects the panettone's flavour.

While the packaging is appetizing enough, the real star is what's inside!

It's moist, flavourful bread which is packed to the rafters with glazed fruits. I'd say it's a cross between a fruit cake and my all-time favourite Gardenia Fruit and Nut Loaf from SG. We first opened the black cherry one, and it was just divine! We tried our best to keep ourselves from finishing it in one sitting. (We succeeded! We made one cake last for 2 days!)

Thank goodness for the kind hearts of wonderful Tita-friends! This is a sweet respite which is much needed these days.

Masked woman

While they're on lockdown in UT, my sister decided to spend her time doing productive. That is, making masks for her family and the front liners.

Even if she doesn't have any background in sewing, she searched on-line for patterns, self-taught herself to sew, bought a portable sewing machine, and started making these masks.

She's planning to start giving them out this weekend, and hopefully, she can make more to help out more people.

Way to go, Ate!

Wonder Women

Today is International Women’s Day! And of course, Google is celebrating this big day.

I’m fortunate enough to be raised by and around strong, accomplished and compassionate women.

From our Grandmothers, Lola Dita who handled the hectic life of being a General’s wife with such grace, to Lola Pining who was both a Mayor and Vice-Mayor and handled her posts with a combination of authority and maternal instincts.

To my Mom who raised 5 children with her strength of character and abundance of love. She showered us with motherly care and imbibed in us strong core values. A combination that raised 5 level-headed and value-laden adults. To my 2 sisters who are both pillars of strength of their families. And of our family. Giving themselves whole-heartedly and unselfishly, and raising their boys with a great respect for women. To my sisters-in-law who are able to handle being executives and mothers with equal excellence.

To my college friends: women who are wonderful mothers, accomplished Lawyers, Corporate Executives, Educators, Business Women, among many others. To the women of St. Scholastica’s College where I am fortunate enough to teach - administrators, Sisters, fellow faculty members who have a strong sense of leadership, mentorship, and continue to blaze the trail for our students. The same students who are now women leaders in various fields.

To the women in advertising who I work and worked with, as colleagues, former bosses and creative collaborators. They helped me better understand women with their insights, stories and friendship, This enabled me to be a creative guy who’s able to handle women’s brands for more than 2 decades and counting.

To all these women, you have my utmost respect, my unfathomable admiration and my profound gratitude.

Happy International Women’s Day!

I like it Vera much...

One of the shops I enjoy visiting in the U.S. is Kohl’s. There used to be one near Biboy’s house in Alpharetta, but that closed down, and that’s a bummer. When we were in the US last 2018, we were only able to go to 1 Kohl’s store in GA.

When Ate Lissa told me there was a Kohl;s near their house, I immediately checked out their website to see if there’s anything interesting that I can ask her to buy and for the parents to bring home to MNL.

Luckily, there was. And with the arrival of the parents, this beauty from the Simply Vera Vera Wang collection also landed in Manila.

It’s a checkered jumpsuit with a ribbon detail in front. Jumpsuits are very in these days, and so is plaid. So this piece of clothing combines these 2 trends in 1.

Another detail I like is the mustard stripe that goes from the top to the bottom. Details like this is what adds fashion to otherwise everyday wear.

I’m sure Ate will Ike this Vera very much.

Hey, Sister, go, Sister!

From across the miles, Happy Birthday to my sister who's the epitome of mommy-hood.

Happy Birthday Ate Lissa! Let's celebrate together next year!

Baby love

Nothing brightens my day than seeing photos of my Grand nephew, Noah. Just like this one:

Good thing Ate Lissa posts lots of photos of this adorable little baby!

Can't wait to see you again, Noah!

LFLTAT: Loose it!

One of my English pet peeves is when people interchange "loose" and "lose." This is one of those instances when the lesson "one vowel can make all the difference" comes into play.

It's not uncommon to read things like: "Loose myself" or "Lose lips," and it just so gets my goat.

Now that's out of the way, let's talk about a Look For Less Than A Thousand that inspired this soliloquy.

On a routine visit to Surplus Shop, there were 2 items that quickly caught my eye. Aside from the color and cut, the ease and loose vibe of the pieces made them must-buys.

First, this loose, striped blouse.

Second, an easy-breezy twill skirt.

Together, it's an outfit that's summer ready because of it's "loose" and easy vibe. Actually, this look reminds me of what young, Japanese women wear during summer in Tokyo.

You can't lose with an outfit like this.

Cold Shoulder-to-Shoulder

The "Cold Shoulder" trend in clothing doesn't look like it's going out anytime soon. Fast fashion brands, department stores, even my usual haunts, carry lots of pieces from this trend.

Not surprisingly, during Baby Noah's baptism last weekend, my sisters and sister-in-law ended up wearing variations of this fashion theme.

They look good standing cold-shoulder-to-shoulder together.

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.