InStyle called it first!

One of the things I like to do is re-read old issues of InStyle magazine. Particularly, the issue from the same month last year.

That's why this morning, I was reading the August 2015 copy with Eva Longoria on the cover.

While leafing through the features, there were 2 fashion spreads in succession. What struck me most about these 2 fashion spreads weren't the clothes, but the actresses who modeled them.

First, there was a young ingenue by the name of Alicia Vikander.

Meanwhile, the other one featured a relatively new actress named Brie Larson.

Fast forward to a few months later, these 2 actresses brought home an Oscar each.

Looks like InStyle knows how to spot - and pair - award winning talents.

Caught red handed!

The cookie and snack makers in the U.S. must've known I was coming.

After all, I'm a huge fan of anything red velvet. And when I got there, these 3 products were available:

Red Velvet galore!

Hostess' Red Velvet cupcakes have been there for a while. In fact, Fiesta was able to get me a box the last time she went to NYC.

Red Velvet Oreos - this one is relatively new. But I've seen it on the Target website, so it was really on my radar.

But Red Velvet Chips Ahoy, now that's really, really new. In fact, they just launched it during the week I arrived. How lucky is that!

I'm red-dy to snack on all these!

Get dressed

Because my MNL to ATL flight was a total of 22 hours, you can just imagine the amount of inflight films I devoured.  Fortunately, the plane had an awesome selection of entertainment options.

In the plethora of films available, I discovered this fashionable gem:

"The Dressmaker" is a period film set in Australia. Having no knowledge of the film, I also had no expectations. But by the time the credits rolled, I was just in awe!

The film was superb. The acting, flawless. And the ending was so unexpected, it blew my socks off.

I'm going to look for a DVD of this and ask my students to watch it.

FMM: Bridging generations

The great thing about hanging out with my niece and nephew in the U.S. is finding out more about them. One thing I learned about Kai is that she has great taste in music.

During one of our drives, she played this song from 1991. It's from Red Hot Chili Peppers, and is one of my favorite songs:



After listening to the song, I asked her whether she's familiar with the other version of the song.

Yup, there's a remake. It was done in 1997 by the all-girl British group, All Saints. (aka the anti-Spice Girls.)



I actually like both versions, and can listen to them on repeat.

Apparently, Kai doesn't know this other version. So technically, she learned something new from me. Just like I learned something new about her.

Sketchy Stories: Purple Reign

Last January, my nephew got engaged and announced that he was getting married in Atlanta in July.

THAT WAS HUGE, HUGE, HUGE NEWS!

Especially since he's the first from his generation to get married. Plus his Mom - Ate Lissa - is my Ate.

So, when Ate Lissa asked me what she should wear to the wedding, I knew I had to come up with something uber special.

Ate had a few guidelines:
- The color had to be purple
- She didn't want anything too form fitting
- It was a summer wedding

First, I went to "the stash" to check if I had purple fabric. Thankfully, there were a few yards of embroidered lace which I was supposed to use for Kai's party a few years back. After examining it, and taking the guidelines into consideration, this was the chicken scratch I came up with:

It was a sheath silhouette with a blouson top. The back was fully open to let the air in. The skirt had inserts, and the accent was a thin belt with gemstones.

Ate liked the design, particularly how the top was a blouson-type of top. She said that it will allow her to eat and she won't be conscious about her mid-section. (What mid-section?)

So, it was off to our trusted dressmaker to have the sketch brought to life. And as expected, she did a wonderful job with it.

Ate said that the moment she wore the dress, the make-up artist told her how lovely it was and how she looked in it.

Jen's aunt said that Ate looked like a gorgeous 25-year old.

And that was just one of the many praises that Ate received that evening.

(Then, there's Mom's dress. But that's another story.)

The Philippine (and Italian-American) contingent

"I'm impressed at how you all flew in for the wedding. Your family is very close."

That's what Jen's aunt told me after finding out that family members from Manila and California flew in to Georgia to attend the wedding.

While the Philippine contingent was small, we definitely were the most gregarious of the bunch. Add Lou (Jul's Italian-American father figure) into the mix, and it was definitely a happy and noisy table.

I'm so glad I flew in for this wedding.

It's a Wonder!

The first trailer of "Wonder Woman" is out!



Geek mode on!

Sweet cherry pie!

Before I flew back to Manila, I made sure to eat as many things on my wishlist as I possibly could.

And this was one item on the list:

Cherry Pie from Little Debbies! This is so divine!

I also bought the classic Hostess Cherry Pie. But that was so good, I ate it before I could even take a snap.

Treats like these made my short visit (and the many pounds I've gained) so much worthwhile.

Raise the red (white, blue and yellow) flag!

Here's one gesture that made us smile during the wedding.

The bride's family placed the flags of the U.S. and the Philippines together as part of the centerpieces. Stephen - the bride's Dad - said that it symbolizes how our families from both sides of the world are now united as one in marriage.

Such a nice family!

Bliss!

Presenting the reason why I went on a short and sweet trip to Atlanta.

My eldest nephew, Jul, got married to the love of his life, Jen.

It was a beautiful ceremony that left a lot of the people in Rose Hall teary eyed. Including us. Gosh, someone must've been peeling onions in the vicinity.

Congratulations, Jul and Jen! I'm elated to have been part of your special day, and we look forward to seeing you again (and our new grandchildren) soon.

FMM: Oh, Carolina!

Yesterday, I was able to check out this exhibit at the Savannah College of Arts and Design:

Needless to say, it inspired today's Friday Magic Madness song.



This song was huge in the 90s, and almost everyone danced to it.

But apart from the name, these 2 Carolinas have no similarity whatsoever.

We meet again Panda...

Panda Express that is.

It's still yummy as always. Orange Chicken rocks!!!

Right on Target!

I must say, there's a certain thrill whenever I realize that Target is just a few minutes away from where I am.

Before, I used to just browse their websites, especially when there are designer collaborations. I'd have to coordinate with my Mom and brother in the U.S. to either buy them or have what I bought on-line shipped to them.

Now, I can just hop over and check out items myself. (Too bad there's no notable collaboration, though.)

I'll be seeing you a few more times before I go back home, Target.

Mello touch

Mello Yello was one of my favorite drinks as a kid. Too bad that they discontinued it in the Philippines.

Gladly, it's still very much available in the U.S.!

Time to Mello out.

P.S. I can still remember their jingle up to now:

 Mello Yello makes you feel so good, so fast
From your head down to your toe.
Mello Yello makes you feel so good, so fast
You can't just drink it slow!

Oreo Go!

While a lot of people are preoccupied looking for Pokemon, I was preoccupied looking for these:

Oreo in different flavors!

Had to go to 2 supermarkets to get this haul. And just like fans of the Pokemon Go game, I also have to look for and get some more.

Sunday Specials

Mass today was very special.

It's been around 6 months since we the 5 of us got to hear mass together. And now we're together, in St. Bridget's Church in Atlanta!

This is a special mass indeed.

Do it in Doha

So, it's my first time in Doha International Airport, and I must say that it's pretty impressive. It reminds me of Chek Lap Kok in HKG, but with the glamour factor upped a few notches.

What I like about it is that the entire airport is peppered with installation art. The main one being this teddy bear sculpture that's both imposing and a bit eerie. Hahaha.

Since I had a few hours before my connecting flight, I roamed around the airport to find things to do. First on the agenda - look for snackers!

I found this store called Marmalade, and they sold gourmet French cookies. And they were uber delicious! Particularly the toffee and raspberry-filled cookies.

Then, I checked out the duty free stores. That's where I found this oldie-but-goody-blast-from-the-past!

Yes, Jovan Musk is still pretty much there!

I think I was only able to see 1/4 of the whole airport. So I'll make it a point to explore the other parts on my way back to Manila.

FMM: Mind set

First half of the trip is done!

One more plane ride and not only will Georgia be on my mind, it'll be within my sights, too.



This classic Ray Charles ditty pretty much sums up this Friday Magic Madness feeling.

In it for the long haul

After a few years, I'm taking a long haul flight again.

And I do mean long haul - more than 20 hours including stops.

That's why I chose an airline that has a good inflight entertainment system. It's the best time to catch the films I've missed.

Material world: Flight of fancy

It's been a while since I passed by Fabric Warehouse. After all, there's always Divisoria for fabrics.

But just for the heck of it, I dropped by today.

I'm glad I did because I discovered this beauty!

This material is gorgeous! It's a textured and patterned wool that looks like feathers from afar.

Now, my imagination is flying as to what to create with this.