TAKE ME BACK TO CHEUNG CHAU

And I’m finally back in town after an easy break in Hong Kong.

(Easy Saturday Morning - the view from my window.)

Finding peace in Manila is about as likely as seeing to the bottom of murky Manila Bay. The traffic, pollution, groggy mornings and cranky afternoons, which make for one uptight Betty.

(Home if where the heart is: South of Hollywood Road and Cat Street)

Rewind - given Hong Kong's reputation for skyscrapers and smog, a full day was spent cycling around the quiet alleys of Cheung Chau, and late afternoons at my antique dealer’s den, scavenging for vintage posters to frame, tassels for my lamps and more 19th century Qing Dynasty emperor figures for my coffee table. 

The other two days were just spent visiting my tailor in Kowloon, long brunches at Fish and Meat, NOSH, Classified, and cocktails at Café Gray and Sevva.

IT IS THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MEAN THE MOST

It's been a bit quiet around here the last couple weeks. Yes, I have been busy with long afternoon meetings and weekly briefings which have been eating up my hours and with only Saturdays for me to catch up with sleep, I’m seriously starting to look like a bloated zombie in a knit preppy tie.

While on my way to work earlier, I realized I haven’t rewarded myself with anything for my closet except for a pair of Nantucket red trousers, this month’s issue of Monocle (bedside read of course) and a knit tie in navy and red which dad got me as a “thank god you have turned scrooge” gift (HAHAHA!!!). 

I make no judgment - I envy the blonde kid outside my building all swish in his blue oxford shirt, seersucker shorts and hair neatly combed with his empty lunchbox – damnit, I need a new set of shirts and a pair of brogues in black ASAP.

I’ll be flying out again soon and my mind’s boggling fast. Should I splurge on my birthday this weekend or save up, wait for a few days and splurge upon touchdown?  Ugh, it's really a mystery why people just don't filter out what they don't find worthwhile. Contrary to what a lot of people think, turning off the noise is not easy.

I must shut up and pray for a long weekend soon to recuperate from all these and a decent Sunday for me to spend a happy non-working birthday – I totally deserve one!

SMELLING LIKE SCOTT SCHUMAN WITH A HINT OF SANDALWOOD

I am pretty much obsessed with my new scent.

I have always been a fan of all things powdery with a hint of floral (think Jasmin, Bergamot and Frangipani) until I got myself a bottle of Sartorial by the perfume house of Penhaligon.

Your jaw must have dropped and no, it doesn’t bother me at all spraying anything feminine - they just tend to mix well.

"The perfect illusion of a tailor’s workroom…the oiled flash of shears cutting cloth, the rub of fabric beneath fingers, tobacco tinted cabinetry, puffs of chalk in the air and old paper patterns vanilla with age.”

Inspired by the workroom of a Saville Row Tailor, the scent is inherently old fashioned, warm, worn-in, leathery, woody and vibrant, it's like you were wearing your abuelito's old brogues that’s been kept since the 50’s. Linear and powerful, it’s a good scent for getting noticed in a crowd on a Wednesday or Thursday night ( Because I don’t normally go out on weekends). Thank god for Adora!

Who would have thought I'd love it.

What’s next? Probably a bottle of Artemisia or Laurel  by Comme des Garcons x Monocle.

ACROSS THE POND AND SOME KNICK KNACKS FROM HOLLYWOOD STREET AND THE ARMOURY

Escaping equatorial weather in a few days to a place less warmer than Manila – think, more rain and steamy humidity with unexpected downfalls. Yes, that icky feeling like a lobster in a pot, please turn me orange (lime included).

Can’t imagine myself wearing goggles and sweat band while walking along Robinsons Road nor having 6 kinds of cheese at Classified (hahaha) wearing that. Best to snorkel around Wan Chai in my red trousers and willies all the way to St. Francis Yard for some knick knacks from the Monocle Shop and probably more knick knacks from the Armoury in Queens Road.

And oh (silent screams), I need to bring home a couple of Terra Cotta warriors from Cat Street near Man Mo temple!


Cocktails at Dragon Eye? Let me know!

Next stop, INDIA!

ON MONOCLE AND SCRAMBLING ON A SATURDAY

Before my head explodes, here are all the news that I have been scrambling to find time to blog about. Yes, one more client project and I’m done for 2012. Thank god!

(Look who's thrilled!)

Monocle just sent me a package and I was thrilled to receive a personal note from them. I know it ain’t big of a deal for some but for someone who owns 3 years and a half worth of complete issues of Monocle, I felt like a baby with my first tooth officially peeking through. Two spread on my interview with David Celdran – fantastic! 

(This month's issue of Monocle Magazine with a feature on Hong-Kong, Shanghai and Manila)

Also, a couple of Filipino furniture designers from Cebu and mom’s birthplace, Bacolod, were featured – Monocle’s first!

 

(A feature on Filipino furniture designers: Kenneth Cobonpue of Cebu and the Gastons of Bacolod)

Ladurée! A box of sugar coated almond from Ladurée  is love. Enough said! Thank you Ingrid!

(Thank you so much Ingrid for this - I'll definitely die of diabetes next year! HAHAHA!)

And yes, that sweet ride (though it felt like my heart was in my throat), I still couldn’t stop myself from smiling.

In closing, It’s past 3 on a Saturday and guess what, my brain is simply swimming!

GUILTY PLEASURE: MONOCLE MAGAZINE

Just got my copy of this month’s Monocle Magazine. Yes, Monocle Magazine is the definition of a guilty pleasure.


(Photo from Marc of That is just Awesome.)

Now, let us not hate Tyler Brûlé for doing a fantastic job.


(Tyler Brûlé, Editor in Chief of Monocle Magazine and The Monocle Shop in St. Francis Yard, Hong-Kong)

AIRPORT READING

I always get extremely bored at airports (I mean, who doesn’t?).

Solution? I make sure I grab a good material hours before boarding.



(Last week was no exception and thank god for Page One and Bookazine, I got myself a copy of this month’s Monocle and The Rake.)

I should have bought more!

BASIC MATTER 29 : THE CLASSIC FLASK

Being a social drinker, spending my weeknights at nearby Museum Café and Salon de Ning with friends can be a bit of a routine.

To avoid myself from looking like a fool after a couple of glasses of scotch, I finally thought of the idea of getting myself a flask.

Made from stainless steel and handmade from solid pewter, Hipflask’s designs are truly classic with the traditional kidney shape plus, they come in different sizes up to 8oz -Not bad huh!

I have always liked my things personalized with my initials along or probably my family’s coat of arms etched. I love slow weeknights after a long days work with a glass or two of scotch, this month’s issue of Monocle with Marvin Gaye and Nina Simone on my playlist.

And hey, it’s a great gift to someone who you know has their own specific favorite drink.

I will be at Borough tonight for St. Patricks day drink all you can! Who’s game?

THREE YEAR OLD SUEDES AND MR BRûLé

Many men are afraid to buy suede shoes for fear of ruining them. Just like any other pair, if you treat them well, it will last you a lifetime. I’ve had my pair of suede Opening Ceremony for three years now and yes, they still look as if they have never been worn.

Suede always gives an intellectual appeal to any outfit.


(2 of the 25 issues of Monocle I have at home, My Sartorialist book when bored and my 3 year old suedes from Opening Ceremony)

On a lighter note, I think my addiction to Monocle is getting a bit out of hand. You have got to agree with me, Monocle lives up to the hype and is arguably a different breed of magazine. I definitely don’t mind paying a little extra for an inch thick worth of style and surprises.

J.CREW WITH AN EXTRA WHIFF OF SNOBBERY

It has been almost a year since I bought my first copy of Monocle and hey, I don’t regret paying Php 1250.00 for a copy monthly – that’s roughly USD 28.00.

Just last weekend, I found out from my friend Anton that Monocle just collaborated with J. Crew, an American clothing and accessories retailer based in New York for this year’s spring collection.

They might seem like an unlikely pair to team up based on price point differences and an extra whiff of snobbery but I don’t really mind.

24 copies later, it is my first time to really see photos of the guys behind the London-based magazine and yes, I’m pretty impressed! (Who wouldn't?)






(T-B : Tyler Brulé - Editor-in-chief,Alexander Mills - Assistant Editor-in-chief, Robert Bound - Section Editor - Culture, Takeharu Sato - Fashion Markets Editor and Saul Taylor - Section Editor - Edits all in J. Crew's Spring line)

I am definitely following Tyler Brulé ,Takeharu Sato, Alexander Mills, Robert Bound and Saul Taylor on Twitter! Haha ( Photos from J.Crew and Inventory Magazine)

FEBRUARY IS BASICALLY LIKE MONTHS OF THERAPY IN 7 DAYS

I have been told that men do not shop enough. I quickly responded “it doesn’t really matter because being current has everything to do with finding the right place you want to shop, whether it’s Fred Perry or a flea market . Certain things are classic and they do stay."
Last Tuesday, I got myself two gingham shirts in purple and red- the latter, a contemporary take on the conventional print. Well again, with gingham, subtlety is not necessary a virtue.

And some:
1. Bespoke black denim trousers from Viktor
2. New brogue’s in brown
3. Long overdue The Sartorialist book by Scott Schuman ordered from Barnes and
Noble
4. Eco shopping bags from Gap and Nordstrom
5. A box of macarons from Laduree thanks to a friend who just got back from Europe
6. And 17 copies of Monocle ( back issues) in really good condition from a good
friend who found out about my Monocle addiction via my blog haha

SEVEN FOR CHRISTMAS

Every year I compile one long Christmas gift wish list and end up having only half of the items on my list under my own Christmas tree.

This year, I only managed to pick out a handful. I can’t seem to think of anything to get myself. Is Christmas getting more boring each year?

MY CHRISTMAS WISH LIST
1.Mismo heavy duty, plain-woven canvas and detailing in full grain and
vegetable tanned leather Canvas.

2.Tan Miller Washed Brogue by Paul Smith
3.Call me boring but yes, more flannel, plaids and madras
4.Opening Ceremony desert suede boots in black
5.Magazine subscriptions ( Monocle and Wallpaper)
6.New Moleskine
7.And a box of cupcakes from +wondermilk haha someone has got to courier me a box from Kuala Lumpur

NIMBUS DRESSING AND CHASING STORM CLOUDS

“I´m singin´ in the rain
Just singin´ in the rain,
What a glorious feeling,
And I´m happy again.
I´m laughing at clouds
So dark, up above,
The sun´s in my heart
And I´m ready for love.”
Frank Sinatra

It’s monsoon season on my side of the world and I have been trying to figure out how to keep myself dry, really dry in spite of the fact that some parts of the metro are still submerged in 4 feet of water.



Take a look at Monocle “Shower Dressing” Fashion Spread shot beautifully making you want to dance in the rain with a smile on your face.

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.