Together again for the holidays

It's that time of the year again! Hurray for our annual barkada Christmas party! This year, with my best friend Maddie spending the holidays in the States (we usually spend it at her house with a sleepover), we spent it out in the streets (yes, I'm OA that way).

Leng, Cherry, Olive, Shey, KP and I 

Gijo, me, Krista, Cherry, Olive, Leng and Ron

Complete attendance (almost): Ron, Leng, Olive, Shey, me, Krista, Cherry, Gijo

with my date!

and my favorite, Bunny (Cherry's sister)

Had yummy Vietnamese dinner at Zao in Serendra.

Crispy spring rolls, Gijo's favorite.

Catfish in tamarind sauce

Saigon barbequed pork

Chicken, I think

Braised pork

Seafood pho, I think

And ended the night at Agave with bottomless margaritas partnered with salsa and chips.

Bottomless salsa and chips for P290. We had 4 or 5 batches, so sulit!

 Olive and Shey got bottomless strawberry margaritas

KP got a mango margarita, single not bottomless.

Olive tinkering with my camera.:))

I inherited a bunch of vintage bags from my lola so expect to see a lot of them in my next posts. Build outfits around bags, in the words of Barney Stinson, challenge accepted!

Gray cardigan: borrowed (from Auntie Joy) | Red top: gifted | 

Herringbone-print skirt: vintage (from Ate P'Chee) | Nude pumps: shoecrazeee.multiply.com | 

Handbag: vintage (from Lola) | Bejewelled cuff: Forever 21

I love how the pictures turned out. Thanks to a flash setting that I have yet to figure out, it was a happy accident.

Happy holidays one and all!

It's a 10 for Culte Femme

In-house Rustan's brand Culte Femme celebrated 10 years in the fashion industry this week. Designer Hindy Weber-Tantoco decided not to do a fashion show but instead threw a party to just plain celebrate decade in fashion. She did it in grand style in a private party over at Martinis, Mandarin Oriental.

Free flowing vodka-based drinks from Belvederre Vodka!

For her latest (and some say last) collection, she gathered 10 muses who embody the Culte Femme spirit. 

Anna Go-Chia

Rima Ostwani

Daphne Osena-Paez

Stephanie Kienle

Kyla

Cesca Litton

Mai Kauffman

and herself!

Artist Nikki Luna wasn't there, so no shots of her! But yes, she's a muse!

Raya Mananquil and Tim Yap hosted the event. Rissa Mananquil was also in attendance.

It was also a time to get together with some of my co-workers:

Not exactly a co-worker, Valerie de Guzman

With Ana Kalaw

With Jackie Cohen-Antonio

And my kabarkada KP came to keep me company! She came from a jungle-inspired party, hence the leggings:

Here she is with her idol, Daphne Osena-Paez. We just had to get a photo of KP with her!

Congratulations Hindy! Cheers to 10 more years? We'll see!

And yes, an outfit post:

Sheer brocade-print poncho: Love 21 by Forever 21 | Blue skirt: Forever 21 |
Nude pumps: shoecrazeee.multiply.com | Clutch: Express | 

Belt (used as necklace): vintage (from Mama | Gold cuff: bazaar find

Party photos by DANIEL TAN.

And we said goodbye

We buried lola on a Sunday. It was a nice breezy day. The sun was out and I'd like to think that was her way of saying good bye.

My brother and I decided to tinker with our new camera. Cemeteries can be the most beautiful of places. There's a quiet peace that makes me think of how our dearly departed are finally resting free from hurt or pain. I know for my lola, it's that way.

Black sheer polo: Poisonberry | Velvet skirt: vintage | Leopard print flats: Payless Shoe Source

Leopard print shades: Forever 21 | Clay flower earring: bazaar find | Bead necklace: vintage

It was also a time to celebrate life. I think lola would have loved having the family all together. 

My brother and I. Yes, I now see the resemblance. I've been denying it for years.

My cute cousin Chrystel. She doesn't look it here but she's a tomboy. Crazy hyper on steroids!

Photos by JONAS REYES.

For the love of frill

My lola had the best accessories. Her jewelry stash was love. I remember her ritual of choosing a matching pair every time she had to go out, no matter how small the errand was. I found it funny that she had a matching bag, fan and hanky for every occassion. I kid you not, she still kept some of them! I'm not that anal about my accessories and in a way I guess I'm more quirky than she was. But I'd love to think that this is also my link with her. And that I cherish.

Floral dress: Perceptions | Fringed sandals: Schu | Tiger ring and bracelet: Avon | 

Bead ring: bazaar find | Watch: Fossil

Yes, these were taken by my new baby, my Canon G-12. My aunt arrived early for the wake and brought it with her. Mama was keen to try it out. I love it! Btw, she's the one wearing the purple crocs. 

More snapshots:

She was sick for a while. Turns out, she had fever and a sprained leg. Nothing a little dose of antibiotics from the vet didn't cure, though. Whew, close call.

Accessories photos by ROSE REYES.