Bag Charm for a Friend

Terese is a friend from High School.  She was my seatmate when we were in 4th Year. Ha! It was really a blast! Wink, Wink ^_^ =) I can honestly say that she was one of my closest friends that time. She would always come to my rescue, defended me, made me smile, cried with me, became "depressed" we me. Haha! Those were the days...Sarap balikan...She is really a good person - inside and out. Lucky to have known her =)

Now Terese has her own family - a loving husband and a super, duper, cute baby boy named Tristan.  Since she's in the country for vacation (her family is based in the States), we'll meet up with some friends later for dinner. Super excited. I love seeing old friends =)

I made a simple bag charm for a dear friend. Since she's a new mom, I decided to include baby items like a rocking horse, baby shoes and a baby shirt with the letter "T' in the middle (everything handmade by yours truly =) I also placed a silver heart locket where she can place a picture of her family. I hope she likes it.

[caption id="attachment_573" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Tristan"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_574" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Terese and Tristan"][/caption]

Will post some pics later tonight after our dinner. I'm sure it will be fun!!! Can't wait... =)

I Have Fallen In Love

This is a song for the late President Cory Aquino

Lyrics by Ninoy Aquino
Music by Jose Mari Chan

[caption id="attachment_570" align="aligncenter" width="207" caption="Ninoy & Cory"][/caption]

I have fallen in love
With the same woman three times
In a day spanning nineteen years
Of tearful joys and joyful tears.

I loved her first when she was young
Enchanting and vibrant, eternally new
She was brilliant, fragrant and cool
As the morning dew.

I fell in love with her the second time
When first she bore her child and mine
Always by my side, the source of my strength
Helping to turn the tide.

But there were candles to burn
The world was my concern
While our home was her domain
And the people were mine
While the children were hers to maintain.

So it was in those eighteen years and a day
Till I was detained
Forced in prison to stay.

Suddenly she’s our sole support
Source of comfort
Our wellspring of hope
On her shoulders fell the burden of life.

I fell in love again
With the same woman the third time
Looming from the battle
Her courage will never fade.

Amidst the hardships she has remained
Undaunted and unafraid
She is calm, composed
She is God’s lovely maid.

***

It was a poem dedicated to Pres. Cory and created by her late husband, Ninoy Aquino but later Jose Mari Chan created its melody and made it a song.

The poem is so touching and it proves a love, almost perfect, from a man who loved a woman, all his life over and over again.

Quarter to Four

Maybe you're wondering why my post is entitled Quarter to Four...Read on and you'll soon know why ;)

The teachers in GPP are always on the go.  They usually forget about how they look because what matters to them is that they have a good set of materials to use for the day, an interesting lesson to teach and of course a happy disposition when engaging with the students.

Simple as they are, they do have their moments when they want to be beautiful and this usually happens when it's almost time to go home...at quarter to four (or around this time =)

[caption id="attachment_559" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="school clock"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_560" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="ms sheryll - putting powder on her face"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_561" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="ms irene - putting on eyeliner"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_562" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="ms rache - with her blush"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_563" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="ms lyn - spraying on perfume"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_564" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="ms queen - brushing her hair"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_565" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="ms edna - putting on her lip gloss"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_566" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Ta-Dah! Uwian na!!! ;)"][/caption]

It's "TGIF" everyone! Happy weekend =)

Couture Headbands

Leighton Meester a.k.a Blair Waldorf (Gossip Girls) made headbands fashionable again.  This Upper East-Side princess loves her ruffles, lace, and signature bows.

[caption id="attachment_548" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Blair Waldorf's Red Bow"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_549" align="aligncenter" width="248" caption="Pretty Blair"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_550" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="White Floral Headband"][/caption]

A lot are becoming more adventurous now when it comes to wearing headbands.  I've spotted Kris Aquino wearing pretty hair accessories in her SNN show.

Here are some headband designs that I like (and would probably wear :)

[caption id="attachment_551" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption=" =)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_552" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="=)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_553" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="=)"][/caption]

* All headbands are from House of Telsa

I've also seen some local designers make fabulous designs of headpieces and accessories.  The best part is they're all HANDMADE!!! (Go handmade crafters! =)  I especially love the designs made by "Matthew&Melka."  The accessories that they make are so unique, detailed and painstakingly created by hand.  Here are some of my favorites =)

[caption id="attachment_554" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="matthew&melka"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_555" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="matthew&melka"][/caption]

You may visit Matthew&Melka at http://melquita.multiply.com/

Bye-bye Old Ref...

I have been in Growing Place Preschool for almost 11 years now and ever since I started working there, the big, old, rusty refrigerator has been a permanent resident in the GPP kitchen. Actually it was owned by the family of the owner of the school and since they got a new ref already, they gave it to us.  Just imagine how old the ref is!?! But even if it's really old it became a part of the GPP family.  We love it to pieces.

But just like any other appliance that reaches it's peak and would soon find it's way to the "appliance heaven," our ref stopped and decided to rest for good.

It's time to buy a new one and we did =)

[caption id="attachment_540" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="old ref - inside"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_541" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="rusty interior"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_542" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Our new ref delivered"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_543" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Our new silver Samsung ref"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_544" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="interior"][/caption]

A Gift from Ms. Jerosha

I do have an online shop for my bead accessories.  I am happy to say that I didn't only gain a lot of clients from that shop but also friends who are really worth keeping ('til the end! =)

One of them is Ms Jerosha.  She is actually based in Sweden and I met her through Multiply.  Ms Jerosha is the best when it comes to altering common objects that can be seen around the house. I super loved how she altered wooden spoons with the use of decoupage technique. So cool!

She also makes personalized greeting cards.  She has all these gadgets (to die for!!!! any artsy craftsy person would love to be in her shoes! I DO!!!. Hahahaha! =) that she uses when making all these fabulous cards and projects! =)  She makes her family, friends, children's teachers, neighbors, multiply friends and actually everyone around her feel EXTRA special because of all these wonderful stuff that she makes.  Thanks Ms Jerosha!!! =)

Last Saturday, I received a package from Ms. Jerosha!  It's a beautiful, artsy, altered GIANT clothespin! So pretty!  The clothespin is wooden, aroung 6 inches long, with flower, ribbon and button embellishments. Thanks again!! =)

[caption id="attachment_536" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="GIANT CLOTHESPIN WITH MY NAME =)"][/caption]

You may visit her crafty world at http://jerosha.multiply.com/

Simple Shoes

Yehey! I have my own pair of Simple Shoes  (refer to my blog post yesterday =), not just 1 but 2 pairs! I can't contain myself from buying both styles because...(1) they're 10% off , (2) both are very comfortable, (3) both are in neutral colors (so I can use  them anywhere, anytime) and (4) I know I won't be able to sleep well because i will keep on thinking of the pair that i didn't buy and would end going back to the store tomorrow just to get it =)

Anyway, I didn't think of my budget anymore. HA! I guess they're sulit naman because the shoes look so matibay.  They're "sustainably cute" and I know that these pairs will be part of my daily wardrobe - comfy and eco-friendly.  Happy, happy Cathy! =)

[caption id="attachment_530" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Simple Shoes (Box) - I love Green! =)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_531" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Toe[az - Cub"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_532" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Entire - Silk"][/caption]

For your own pair of Simple Shoes you may visit Rustan's Makati, Shangrila and Gateway.

To order online you may log on to http://simpleshoes.multiply.com/

SIMPLE SHOES

I've been wanting to buy a new pair of shoes since last month. I want to get something comfy which I can use for my weekend errands (I have tons by the way, from family affairs to sourcing materials and mall deliveries, not to mention tutorials and late night bonding with friends!) Anyway, I happen to visit Chico Garcia's site (http://chicogarcia.wordpress.com/) and read his review about Simple Shoes - shoes for a happy planet!  I became curious of the product that's why I checked out their multiply site ( http://simpleshoes.multiply.com)and learned that their shoes are biodegradable.  Stars like Ellen De Generes and Chace Crawford wear Simple Shoes!

Here are my choices...

[caption id="attachment_522" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Entire-Black"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_523" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Satire-Gingham Sand"][/caption]

Simple Shoes makes use of materials like silk, car tires, carpet padding, organic cotton and bamboo among others.  They go for 100% sustainability and of course recycled.

I'm seriously thinking of buying myself a pair...maybe this weekend.  I'm kinda in an eco-friendly mode ;) Simple Shoes is available at Rustan's Makati,  Shang and Gateway. You may check their multiply site for the 2009 models.

Hmmm...and even Bella (Twilight) is eco-friendly!

[caption id="attachment_524" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Retire-Bella's shoes in Twilight"][/caption]

Kimpura, Greenhills

I ate at Kimpura, Greenbelt with my dad, uncle Joey and Auntie Pinky.  I love Japanese food that's why when I learned that we're going to eat there I was really happy.

The place is nice, typical Japanese restaurant with bamboo walls, plain tables and chairs.  We stayed in the Kimpura room which is I think a private room for groups.

For starters, we ordered sushi and sashimi.



We also ordered Sukiyaki which is very good by the way. I love the sweet-salty blend ;)



For the main course, we sampled their Teppanyaki - shrimp and t-bone steak.

There's a "Teppanyaki chef" who demonstrated his skill ;)



The chef cuts, stirs, seasons, and divides each diner's portion onto plates on the teppan.



My fried rice - can be eaten without viand since it's very flavorful. Yum!





Overall dining experience? Good! I love everything that we ordered =)

For dessert...Jello!!!



Our group after dinner =)

Finally...A Dad.

My life has been an open book.  I've never kept the fact that I haven't seen my dad and that I grew up with just my mom taking care of me.  According to my her, he left when I was 3 months old in her tummy to try a life in the States.  I grew up with my lolo as my father figure but never asked my mom why.  Soon I learned that my dad has his family already in the States and so was my mom here.

I never had ill feelings towards my dad for my mom always reminded me of how good he is, how intelligent and how much I look like him.  She would tell me stories about him like how good he is in delivering speeches. He is, according to my mom, very eloquent and spontaneous.

I never dreamed that there'll come a time when I would  see my dad but when my uncle called to tell me that the "meeting" will finally take place, I was very exuberant.  I was lost for words. Hopeful. Happy. Thankful.  Mixed emotions but one thing is for sure...I'm looking forward to seeing him.

The meeting took place at Kimpura, Greenhills. No dramas.  No questions. No anger. No regrets.  Finally, after 32 long years, I like you to meet my dad =)

[caption id="attachment_504" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Dad Philip and I"][/caption]