BACK FROM THE ISLANDS

Back from the islands – still high from Jimmy Cliff and Joss Stone and yes, trying my best to get back on track at work.

(Trunks I brought with me from Faconnable and H&M)

Three more weeks before Semana Santa and I still haven’t planned anything (Baler maybe?). I’m trying to imagine myself getting on a plane for a week in Bali or the Italian Riviera, a cup of gelato and a plate of babi guling. Still imagining myself in a casita somewhere in the pacific, in my espadrilles,  linen shorts and cotton shirt. But again, it’s fun to daydream when you have the chance.

Sharing a couple of photos I took via Instagram.

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)

WHAT I HAD IN MY BAG

What I had in my bag over the weekend at the beach.

Currently playing : Animal by Miike Snow

Miike Snow - "Animal" from Downtown Music on Vimeo.

TAN LINES AND STARS

No matter how I love the metropolis, it is always good if there’s room to make a quick escape. The wide open fields, the beach and the dirt road - all can be reached in a little over an hour. Trust me, the Urban rurality can really lift someone’s spirit and oh, the beach isn’t a place for jigglers and danglers – go get a room!


... I ended up searching for Mr. Hermit Crab!

OLD FART

Yesterday, as I waddled around Legaspi Village, I looked around and asked that fateful question; am I getting old?


(Pedestrian to nowhere. Me in thrifted shirt from Towncraft, navy bespoke shorts and cheap espadrilles from Legaspi weekend market)

It’s probably the influx of twinkies that’s making me feel like an old fart. I think it was when I found myself in a room surrounded by kids when I felt like a dusty old floppy disc. Damn those first years and their hands.

Strange though! I don’t really mind about the whole age thing, except one more question; do I dress and look old? haha

VERT ET BLANC SHIRT SHORTS - JE VEUX

Cool-toned options for summer - leave those dark blue jeans at home and lighten up your wardrobe. Look who’s back, its the Bermuda shorts!



(Me wearing bespoke white shorts, green plaid shirt from Brooks Brothers and espadrilles from the Legaspi Village weekend market)

Life can fall into place so beautifully sometimes...


(Photo from Sunday Suppers)

Dreaming of Paris, a box of macarons from Laduree and a bottle of beer - voulez-vous partir avec moi cet été? pressé, me rejoindre!

BOAT RIDES AND ESPADRILLES IN LITTLE SPAIN

Sometimes you don’t really need a passport or a visa to get to one of the most secluded places on earth.

I grew up down south, and to me , el pueblo de Zamboanga was more like Seville in Espana than crazy Tokyo – as far away, secluded, and steeped in nature as any place could possibly be.

There is beauty and calmness in the pueblo that the metropolis has long forgotten, and I adore that.

Why Zamboanga? The hours are definitely longer down south – a dreamy golden hour quality. In that light, you end up having coffee with an older relative and in my case, it’s definitely my mom or my favorite aunt Nela and telling them all my secrets.

It may be a little farther away from everywhere else but the smell down south is what I always think of – a combination of freshly grown grass, the mountains, the sea and of course an 80 percent chance of running into someone you know when you step out of your car.

My favorite food? No surprise : crabs, prawns and curacha, a very popular deep-sea crustacean found only in the waters of Zamboanga, where spectacular seafood abound. I wont eat it anywhere else but in Zamboanga. We buy them right off the boats and have crab bake with mussels, oysters, sausages and tuna belly thrown into a fire pit against the rock. Oh how I miss the luxury down south.

(Don’t forget to bring out your floppy sun hats and espadrilles. See you all next month! Photo from The Sartorialist)

Found + Bought = Happy purple espadrilles

I have a thing for these brightly colored, rope-soled shoes known as espadrilles. I prefer them in bright sunshine colors (I have 4 pairs) paired with sear sucker shorts sans the socks. Espadrilles are the summer footwear of young classic men, cheap and come in zillions of colors. They’re also very light on the foot and comfortable, perfect for a leisure day at the beach or just hanging around somewhere. I remember my grandfather (Lolo Maning) telling me that they are in fact the sign of identity of the posh Spanish, known as Pijos". Espadrilles became the 'play shoes' for European style-makers like Coco Chanel in Biarritz , Picasso and Dali in the Costa Brava. If you want a pair of handmade espadrilles without traveling to Spain, visit + AC32 ( same owners of Firma), Tips and Toes nail salon and weekend bazaars all over the metro.