IF CLASSY GIRLS WEAR PEARLS, REAL MEN PLAY WITH PRINTS

Having a few months off from an emotional roller coaster has been really good (less social events, soirees, mid-week sessions at my usual watering hole and more me time at home with my schnauzer), Typhoon Trami-triggered heavy monsoon rains shutting down my city, flooding almost all streets, braving muddy Luneta Park at the million people march in Luneta, a protest in the Philippines calling for the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund caused by the Priority Development Assistance Fund Scam -  I feel refreshed and inspired again.   

(New shirts and new fabrics - if classy girls wear pearls, real men play with prints! Where's Kiel James Patrick when I need him?)

My ghost months were just as hard as choosing whether I’d wear my gingham Ralph Lauren Yarmouth  shirt in pink or my blue plaid Thomas Masonfor J Crew shirt to work. Do you know what's completely brilliantly awesome? I have been painting again on weekends – oh, the joy, the exultation! 

I'm picking myself up again from where I left off. New shirts, wardrobe makeover, a few new pairs of lace-ups and loafers in suede and leather and yes, new fabrics for my couch and new coral printed pillows from the Rockwell Bazaar over the weekend. Think Jonathan Adler with a pinch of Martha Stewart (hahaha!). Currently watching: Night Train to Lisbon (Jeremy Iron, why on Earth do you remind me of someone else!).

THE SWEETNESS OF DOING NOTHING

Lazy Sunday afternoon at the nearby neighborhood coffee shop with my sister,  my 5-month old mini schnauzer, Nonno and a cup of espresso – Dolce far niente!  

What I wore: Blue Gingham Dress shirt from Brooks Brothers, Navy cotton shorts from Gap, Nato straps and Tod's brown leather 'Gommini' moc loafers

PREPPY ACCESSORY: MINI SCHNAUZER

I have always loved dogs! Growing up, my family always had a dog. I spent 15 years of my life with Coco, my English Springer Spaniel and another 15 years with my Black Lab, Iman, Poodle – Dachshund, Chyna and our white Spitz, Kato.

10 years out of university and living by myself, I’ve decided to get myself a new one to keep me company after a long and stressful day at work. I know there are 170 dog breeds, but finally zeroed-in on getting a mini schnauzer and named him, Nonno ("Non-no" accent on the first syllable. The "o"s are pronounced like the "o" in home. Nonno is Grandfather in Italian).

A schnauzer for mimosas and brunch companion (He had his first afternoon merienda at the Museum Cafe yesterday), a schnauzer for those lazy walks at the weekend market. Schnauzers don’t shed, so they are perfect for my Persian carpets and oh, they are perfect bates too! (hahaha)

Though not laid back as compared to our labs,  they are fun-loving and lively, which means they're just as happy at our home in the south as in my city pied-à-terre.

What does Nonno want for his first birthday? Definitely  the bridle leather lead and collar from Filson.  Clothes are just too pedestrian.

Here are other options: