BASIC MATTER 28: BENDING THE RULES

Although I usually try my best to avoid dressing head to toe in one brand, when it comes to Apolis, I’d be more than willing to bend the rules. Dare me!

GOOD MUSIC, SAND AND A SHOOTING STAR

Three hours of sleep, two and a half days of sand, sun, booze, great friends, good music, random tricycle rides and a huge serving of pizza from Luca’s. Grazzie! And yes, Kath and I saw our first shooting star!

(Alfonso enjoying his first out of town trip in the Philippines! Yipeedoo!)



(Cocktails with Sygrid, Irene, Tessa and Carlotta)


( Sven looking good in pink and Carlo in his sartorial Italian trunks haha)

Thank you Mindoro!

HOME

GANT HOME - ON SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT from NEWNEW by Fashion Tale on Vimeo.

Gant’s home – on special assignment video reminds me of the slow life every time I fly down south for the holidays or at my mom’s hometown in Negros.

ROYALLY ROYAL

Royal Hem’s Spring/Summer 2011 collection is the perfect representation of a conjunction between refinement and naturalness, ranging from brilliant to dusty shades, and a play on geometric shapes and micro designs.

Here are some looks I see myself wearing.




Everything’s just perfect!

WAITING FOR SUMMER

I can’t wait to plunge into the pool, hit the beach and enjoy the sun in my neck of the woods. Summer here can get pretty humid, hazy and really hot but who cares! Seeing our garden burst with color, bright pink bougainvilleas, the bees and the pending heat wave – I am not complaining!

(Ovadia & Sons have officially launched their S/S 2011 collection and is now available online. I can’t wait to burn my wallet – uh oh!)

But, as the temperature rises, there’s no need to bare too much flesh. Keep cool layers of loose cottons and grab a great pair brightly colored shorts paired with lightweight footwear like the classic espadrilles.

Currently listening to: Consolation Prizes by Phoenix (Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix)

BASIC MATTER 27: ROSES ON VALENTINES

Being the traditionalist that I am, I’d rather send someone flowers on Valentines than a box of chocolate wrapped in cheap wax paper or kill myself waiting for a seat at a chi chi restaurant. Hydrangeas, peonies and lilies are great but roses done right are perfect and will definitely guarantee major brownie points and please, not in boring plastic cylinders!



We are a few days away from the big day, why not surprise her with flowers from Tecson - they’re simple yet absolutely beautiful.

BLACK AND BLUE AND A BAD SORE THROAT

It has been two weeks since I lost my voice due to a bad sore throat and probably too much alcohol but that didn’t stop me from looking like I just schlepped out of bed today.


Yes, I came in today wearing my blue blazer, classic black brogues from Alden, my favorite blue denim trousers from A.P.C., happy anchor socks and my blue dress shirt from Brooks Brothers that took me 3 months to fit in (laughs).

Ok, shouldn’t I be two floor up? (winks)

Currently playing on my playlist: Tahiti 80, Bob Dylan, Empire of the Sun and The Whitest Boy Alive.

A LOVE STORY

GANT by Michael Bastian - A Love Story from NEWNEW by Fashion Tale on Vimeo.

If only February started with a bang...

BASIC MATTER 26: UMBRELLA FROM MARIO TALARICO - NAPOLI

Last Sunday after a quick bite of Melanzane alla Griglia – yes, grilled eggplant, mozzarella, sun-dried tomato and black olives at five in the afternoon, me and my friend decided to drop by AC +632 to check out pretty knick knacks.

Just like Firma, AC +632 is a wonderland of all things pretty from luxurious leather bound journals, unbranded bags , interesting coffee table books to a collection of hand-forged gardening tools which I dare not use.

What caught my attention was this dotted navy umbrella by Mario Talarico. Yes, the umbrella maker famous for his hand-sewn silky and lifelong guaranteed umbrellas. I almost pulled the trigger but my jaw dropped after finding out it cost more than my Paul Smith umbrella (around $230.00). My friend got his for $100 in Naples.



Mario Talarico’s hand sewn umbrellas are absolutely the best. The handles are made of the most selected and rare woods like broom, ash, malacca, birch and lemon – beat that! Plus, when held, It feels totally right.


(All photos from J. Mark Bertrand)

I probably should just get one for my birthday unless someone buys me one (wink).