PAPER LOVE

I always find myself tucked in one corner, pouring though images, doodling and making notes over a cup of warm coffee before hitting the sack.


(My Moleskine, a Rhodia pad from Ant and some random page)


(and some...)

My Moleskine has become the ultimate place for all my ideas and it excites me no matter how the pages turn out.

TAN, WHITE, SOME STRIPES AND ALL THAT MATTER

I pretty much stick to my fail-safe basics like a number of crisp white button-down shirts (4 which I got during my trip to Kuala Lumpur last November for only MYR 10.00- around $2.00 I believe) paired with blue jeans, khakis and grey trousers.

I always like my clothes subtle, yet refined.

My parents used to tell me, there's much to be said for understated elegance & discretion - no gimmicks necessary.







I have to say this again, “I like seeing people make the unthinkable work in such an elegant way. It is about how you carry yourself, so if someone seems really at home with what they're wearing, then it's great.”

Effortless chic, does not get any better than that.


photos from Style Sightings and The Sartorialist.

BASIC MATTER 17 : THE CLASSIC BROWN LACE-UPS

I totally love classic brown lace-ups. A nice pair are essential
to go with well cut trousers, tailored suits, or just about anything.


(never commit the cardinal sin of buying a pair of rubber soled shoes, as opposed to a pair of shoes with a leather sole.)

I love how a simple brown lace-up gain its own personality with time and multiple polishes - everyone should own a pair or two.

I am going shoe hunting tomorrow, wanna come?

THEO'S BACK

The long wait is finally over. It has been almost three months since Theodore’s temporarily closed shop at the Fort to move in to their new home in Legaspi Village.




Like Homme et Femme and Dotdotdot, Theodore’s has a pretty good selection of hard to find non-mainstream brands like Evisu, Swear, Opening Ceremony, Superga, Kid Robot and Common Projects.



More photos HERE.

Theodore’s THE STORE
G/F 106 Carlos Palanca St.
Legaspi Village
Makati Philippines

DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN AND THAT AQUA VESPA

Way back in grade school, my parents would always buy me a new pair of white canvas sneakers from Tretorns and Keds every year for casual weekends and sometimes wear it while playing golf instead of my ugly black spike shoes not until 6th grade, when my dad got me a present from the Laurel Shop. It was love at first sight and I couldn't stop wearing them eversince.

I thought of looking for it when I flew south for the holidays just to find out mom gave it away 5 years ago.

Earlier while waiting for my friend Mike for lunch at the nearby mall, I decided to check out Jappy's shop and ended up getting myself a Kingston twill tipped sneakers -it's pretty low profile in red and blue stripes.


(Love the red and blue stripes and this aint no congressional campaign.)

I love them and I don't care that they're painfully uncomfortable and half an inch my size, they couldn't be more uncomfortable than my vintage suede moccasins dad gave me last October.



On my way back to work, I spotted this guy in his aqua Vespa with his boston terrier and discretely took a photo of him using my humble ixus. A perfect slow Tuesday in the metro - I sometimes wish life was always this easy.

STELLA

I found this photo of mum with my aunts Olga, Flora Ledesma and Shirley Lopez-Vito during my recent trip down south.


(Circa 1975, Mum in white oxford top and her sister Olga in blue green top - very CHICA!)

Mum always had really nice clothes and jewelry and would sometimes make them herself. People to this day tell me stories about how chica my mum and her sisters are (pre and post Assumption Convent days)and yes, she still looks great at 58.

PATTERNS, DOODLES AND A BUCKET LIST

I only take advantage of real luxury once a year when I fly home down south for the holidays like waking up late with breakfast still on the table, afternoon siestas, having five shirts tailored in three days and lazy weekends spent at the farm.

I'm finally back at work after two weeks of not doing anything and have decided to do a bucket list to welcome the new year ( Hey Hey to 2010!). Here they are:

•Have more weekend brunches with good friends ( SALA and M Café has always been a favorite ever since Lumiere closed shop a few years back)


(Photo from hybebeast)

•Have more clothes tailored

•Learn pattern making from mom ( which I should have when I was home for the
holidays)

•Draw, doodle and do whatever on my Moleskine

•Reward myself with a new bag – probably a customized Goyard St. Louis in black and tan

•RECYCLE



•Travel abroad more often ( Barcelona, Paris, New York, Melbourne, Tokyo, Hong-Kong,Taipei and Georgetown)

•Fly to Zamboanga twice a year

•Go to small group and attend Sunday Service more often

•Paint more and hopefully an exhibit



•Visit sisters in Florida

•LOSE WEIGHT (Yes, I no longer look like a ball – more like the world now)

•Improve spiritual life and honeymoon with God more often

•SAVE (like really save!)

•Get a promotion, a raise and probably be assigned overseas

•Walk more

(other photos from slightly north)

NEW YEAR AND BOO HOO TO DEBBIE DOWNER

A big HEY to 2010, moving in to my new space in Makati ( which I believe is way better than my current space at the Fort) and I’m finally getting rid of Debbie Downer and those that no longer make any sense.

Anyway, summer is near and soon malls in the metro will again be invaded by people trying to beat the burning heat of the tropics.



Frolicking in the park, nah! My idea of a day at the park includes laying down on the grass and eating grapes, cheese and drinking wine, tailored shorts, a nice comfortable cotton shirt and espadrilles.

Why wait for summer when you can do it now and please, no making of flower crowns.

Happy New Year ya'll!