BEABI BLACK NYLON BAG

Earlier, I dropped by Greenbelt and bought this simple nylon black bag out of impulse.

It comes with an easy storage bag which I converted into a pencil case

and you can fold it too.

Its form is simple and focuses on functionality over embellishment – definitely utilitarian! I have always been a fan of 'brandless’ quality goods and this will be my companion to go through lazy weekends at the village market and fabric sourcing at the mall.

MONOCLE 09/07

Thanks to Ifzan and Ant, I finally got myself a copy of Monocle Magazine while browsing the magazine aisle at my neighborhood bookstore. It was a bit pricy though but totally worth it for Php 1,275.00(around $ 27.00).



Monocle provides a world perspective in five sections: affairs, business, culture, design, and edits and oh, the photos are fantastic!Must get myself next months issue fast.

SHADES OF GREEN

I always find myself drawn to the simplest of palettes.


A couple of potted plants in your room is the easiest way to give your space a natural feel and it always gives me the feeling like I am in cultural camouflage, blending in perfectly with a landscape full of genuine privation. Will shop for plants tomorrow!

UNHEALTHY HABIT

I've realized I desperately need to make some sort of a lifestyle change. I have been buying a lot of magazines to keep me sane on lazy weekends at home. It's such an amazing feeling to splurge completely on things you like but I know how unhealthy that is for my pocket.

I know myself and I know I won't be able to cut it out completely. I was never good at depriving myself.

I’m seriously considering framing old photos, buying back issues and guess what, more pots and plants – yippee!


(I'll definitely be doodling more,potting herbs and carry my 6 year old L.L Bean tote around more often rather than buying an indulgent item - hmmm. Plant photos from Tokyo Polaroid)

Be dropping by Manila Contemporary this Saturday to check out prints from Julian Schnabel and probably shopping for pots and plants and oh, listening to Zee Avi now.

INTERNSHIP AT DEAN AND TRENT

More than just photocopying, filing and scanning, the internship at Dean and Trent will provide you insights and a behind-the-scenes look into the fashion design process in menswear, as well as networking opportunities - a practical experience that you simply could not obtain in a classroom environment.

Interested? Send in your resumes to deanandtrent@gmail.com

MUST CLOSE MY EYES AND DREAM

Been listening to Lullatone, an art and music group for the past two days thanks to Aron's blog, their music is pure magic. I’m particularly loving leaves falling.




Must close my eyes and dream. Photos from Lullatone's promo / press shots

LAZY SALCEDO SATURDAY

Saturday is my ‘me’ time and I enjoy spending hours each Saturday morning sifting through produce in the open air of the Salcedo Village weekend market and I’m not talking about the permanent Farmers wet market in Cubao.

It really isn’t about the organic vegetables, it’s the act of lazily strolling down a closed-off parking lot with a bagful of something from the ground of nearby provinces like Laguna, Cavite, Batangas and Pampanga. The dress code is downscale: in other words, relaxed yet earnest.

TRILOGY: REDEFINING RETAIL THERAPY

Shopping and great spaces are just about my favorite things. It lightens my load and lifts my heart when I can fit both into a single trip. Thank god for lazy Sundays, I decided to tag along with Philip to check out Trilogy+Canteen.



Sneaks from Adidas and Generic Surplus

This book is quiet a visual experience

Utilitarian watches from Issey Miyake in black and beige

(Issey Miyake, Generic Surplus, Jeremy Scott for Adidas, Graphic design books, etc)

Trilogy+Canteen is a happy blend of fashion, lifestyle and food, and is finding favor with the seriously stylish. A sleek nod to a neighborhood dominated by modern office buildings, the store includes a retail area and a CANTEEN – a pretty unique set-up in the city.

Also, drop by CANTEEN for some pasta chamba,the best CHOCNUT icecream, insalata uva and french onion soup, plus they serve lavazza coffee (double treat!)

Trilogy+Canteen is located at G/F 110 Alvion Center, Rada Street, Legaspi Village. Makati

MET MAGNETS

My friend Mark got me MET magnets during his trip to the US last summer – I’m a sucker for free stuff!

The MET shopping bag magnets are hand-painted resin in cyan, yellow and magenta representing the basic pigments for color printing and is based on a design by Rudolph de Harak (1978) from the MET Museum bookshop.

DRINK MILK? +WONDERMILK

I have been planning to take a weekend trip to KL and a side trip to Singapore since summer of last year.

Chatted with Teo Seet, my colleague from Fleishman KL and told him that when I get to KL before I leave for the US next year, he and Nico has to bring me to +wondermilk.



+Wondermilk is Kuala Lumpur’s newly revamped gallery cum café filled with a wide range of innovative products and yes, cupcakes!

It shouldn’t be that far from our KL office in Mid Valley City. +wondermilk is at 39-41 jalan ss 21/1a, damansara utama [petaling jaya].

Photos from +wondermilks photostreem

BAG IT AND SOME CHANGE

My lack of posting is due to my lack of full brain function thanks to all the reports ,pitches and client mood boards that I have been busy working on the past four weeks. I swear, I can hardly combine sentences anymore. I hope this doesn't make me loony. I haven’t even had the chance to shop, like really shop shop and hoping I will be able to think in a straight line soon, paint, enjoy a glass of wine or even a glass of cold beer and all that crazy grown-up stuff.

Instead of telling you about today's adventure, here’s are two bags on my wish list this month…ok, next month haha. Photos from hyrcollective

bag from Tannis Hegan for THE and

W.M.J Mills and Co Ice Bag
----
Some trala las,I decided to go with a modern one-button black suit instead of the classic three giving the illusion of height which I need haha. Tweaking one thing is an easy way for us guys to modernize an outfit – try it!

Wedding in three weeks – must get myself a nice top and purple socks quick!

Yesterday, right after lunch at plant, my friend Gayette dragged me to go thrift shopping in Cubao and ended up buying this nice plaid suit like top for only Php 50.00 ( around $USD 0.50) – now, what to pair it with?

BASIC MATTER 8: 10 ESSENTIALS

Just got home from sourcing fabric around town and ended up buying four yards of black paper mill wool and a pack of wooden buttons.

At lunch, after listing a couple of stuff on my book, I thought of writing my top ten list every man should have:

Classic jacket and rugby weekend shirt from Shipley and Halmos

Coal tote bag from Jackspade

and gommino loafers from Tods

Some easy pieces
great pair of black trousers, great tailored jacket, white oxford shirt, basic top, cashmere pullovers, great pair of jeans and shorts, a nice watch, an all around man bag and a well made leather footwear –They can be simple yet very elegant.

RAINY DAY MUSIC

It has been consistently raining here in the metro for the past few days and what better way to pay tribute to June showers than to feature “The Dorques”. A perfect mix of cheerfulness and sweetness, They make me think of mushrooms popping out the ground and neon lights of the metro reflecting off the gray pavement at night - they really cheer me up.

My rainy day playlist:
- Le Metronome
- Just Like Honey
- Waltzing Away
- Sun
- and Murasaki Blue


And ohh, always come prepared. Umbrella from Paul Smith / photos from The Dorques' myspace page.

LAST PAGE SKETCH - MOLESKINE

The fine adjustment, scalpel, infraspinatus
Then,
Champaigne, river, a pencil and some scratch papers

As described by my university literary folio editor ( Ateneo’ 2001)

AN EYE FOR ANNAI

An absolutely delightful hand-drawn animated short film by Jon Klassen and Dan Rodrigues. They even played the accompanying score on the recorder.

Does this mean I should start painting and doodling again? Must buy new Moleskine!

All photos from Jan Klassens’ facebook.

J'AIME MACARONS!

Taken at Bizu earlier. I had to control myself and not go gaga buying everything up! I did buy a couple of macarons – like 6 flavors!

And Ox tail stew for lunch - The price I pay after working on a French brand for three weeks. J'aime macarons!!!

Need to go to Paris - I want Ladurees!

WEEKEND ROOM CLEANING

Walking into a really clean room makes me get in some kind of trance just because it is messy most of the times. I found a bunch of old leather backpacks and totes under my bed-I never knew I had so many. Mom should be laughing at me right now, cosmic irony, and all that.

Weekend room cleaning music: Surf Thump from Gantez Warrior