adios sunshine, welcome 'bed' weather...

This year consisted of a lot of firsts for me which is a wonderful feeling because it means I still can have a lot of things to look forward to and experience. This summer, I spent it with my second family who was kind enough to include me in their holy week getaway. It was my first vacation in over a year and my first time in Puerto Galera.
We stayed in a really nice resort. They said it's not Boracay but I was just so happy to be away that I loved everything about it. Yes, I am easy to please. hehe but the room we stayed in cost around p12,000 and it was paid. What more can I ask for??

The resort we stayed in is called Buri Resort and it was the best one there. (score!). Check them out at www.buri-resort.com . The rooms were Asian Contemporary and reminded me abit of the resorts in Bali. The roof is also covered with the leaves from the Buri tree.

I swam almost every day there and we had a mini trail. We got to experience the paradise falls, ride a carabao cart which were all a first for me as well. Oh, and it was a first for the others to see someone like me devour everything from the buffet during the excursion. There is a picture of just how much I ate but don't think it's decent to post it here. haha

Oh and I'm always on a look out for the best hot choco out there. I should blog about that one time.I give this hot choco in a resto in Sabang a 7.0

Every vacation comes to an end but I am looking foward to a lot more. Next month, I will be traveling to Palawan and that's another first for me too. I'm psyched about it. Just hope it doesn't rain while I'm on the beach.

"The world is a book. Those who do not travel read only one page"

- St. Augustine

My masterpiece

I am not your typical mom.I dislike kids - the constant whining, questioning, the mess but to quote Miranda from SITC (which is opening today btw!) "Brady's different". Ally's different. She's the first kid I love which makes it so much more convenient because she's my daughter. haha I am going to do the shamless mom thing and plug how talented and beautiful my daughter is.I know she will surpass me in every way and I'm just so proud of her. Here are some of her the works she did when she was three years old. This one above is my favourite. I love it. I love the colours she picked and where she applied them (spoken like a proud mom).

It is not surprising to see her stay in a corner and draw or paint for hours. Even in a room full of activities, this is what makes her happy and I will support her in this. I think she can be a great artist or designer or anything in the creative field. I can see that already in her even in her personality. She will draw on anything and everything. Good thing she stopped drawing on walls (unlike her tito who shall not be named). I even like her version of monsters. haha So here, I wanted to dedicate this blog to her and hopefully make bahjillions on the net when she becomes famous. (again, bear with me for being a such a mother).

Summer in the Metro

Exactly four days from now, I will be having my 1st VACAY in a year and three months! I can't wait to finally have a few days to myself and do nothing but have fun, fun. fun! So yes, I am in the best of spirits and am just loving the summer. Since most of us are traveling out of town, check out the MetroHome magazine summer special to read before the flight of yours and learn how to put a splash of colour into your own homes. For those staying in town, at least you have a small project to work on. C+C gave a few tips on how to create the summer mood in your home.
Here are a few tips:
1. Add a splash of colour

2. Think GREEN

3. Go natural

For more, grab the magazine and read the rest. It is a four page article crammed with pictures and ideas. You can even buy the items featured so it's not a hassle. MetroHome magazine is found in all major bookstores and is a product of ABS-CBN. Oh, my partner and I were also interviewed on their morning show a few weeks ago on this piece. We were on set 4a.m. to set up but went on around 8a.m. It was a morning where all I can remember is that I kept drinking coffee. With all that caffeine and the butterflies in my tummy, I don't know how we were able to talk without throwing up. haha but it was fun. Hope we get to do that again. Also! Last note: I am going to Buri Resort in Mindoro and the pictures in the site looks awesome! Hope it's just as beautiful. Will review that when I get back.

Happy Holy Week people!

Play Time!

One monday evening, a gallery for art toys had a grand opening. It featured Mark Landwehr of Corase Toys and Spencer and Steven Ong of Rotobox. This art gallery is called Vinyl on Vinyl.

That night, urban music blended with art and for a few hours, we were kids again. Well, kids with slightly more expensive toys. Music was by Nomad technology

The Beatles!!!!

Pinoy Pride! These toys were done by local artists



I like

Some more eye candy

Someone commented that if you had to steal something, this is it. It's the most expensive piece in the store.

A good turnout. One of the part owners is Gabby dela Merced (in pink). To see more of their toys, Vinyl on Vinyl is on 7274 CollectiveMalugay St., Makati Philipines. It's just across the LTO. A memorable place for me because I keep getting caught at the first stoplight on slex from buendia. Warning for those going that route.. eventhough there is another stoplight just a few meters away, just stop. It doesn't make sense having them so close but anyway, back to the gallery...

the store is situated in a nondescript area but I heard it will be an up and coming venue for more art galleries as well as for some restaurants so it's definitely a place to keep an eye on!

Vinyl on Vinyl

7274 CollectiveMalugay St.,

MakatiPhilipines

Writings on the Wall

I know, I know. It's been 2 weeks since I blogged and it being the holidays and all, the Christmas theme is a common topic. And what did I decide to blog about? Graffiti. haha

Don't get me wrong. I love Christmas. Infact, this Christmas was one of my best. We didn't celebrate it in some exotic country or do anything special but it exceeded my expectations in terms of work, friends and family. aww. haha well, anyway, one of the artists I've been meaning to feature is GRAVER. If you remember the C+C office, we used his art on our walls and we were happy with it. Grafitti has always had a notorious reputation but based on their long and proud history, these artists are actually passionate, skilled and community-oriented. Graver has done several styles and was even in demand for corporate accounts such as Smart, Coca cola, Dell and Crocs. He also produced some background work for the music videos of OPM bands like Bamboo and Drip.

Graver had always been intrigued by the spontaneous and wild style of doing graffiti. He started back in 2004 and has been hooked every since. He made a name for himself in Indonesia but had to move to Manila in 2006. According to this year's FHM july issue, Graver's arrival revived the graffiti culture here in Manila.

Graver considers graffiti to be an outdoor activity that's art because it gets to interact with the public. It is a very loud form of art that the public will either love it or hate it.

Bamboo got him to work on this for their "Muli" video

This one was from the "Morning After" music video from Drip

We sometimes have clients who would like some graffiti design as their accent wall. Graffiti is pretty safe for interiors. Just remember to have some sort of ventilation for the artist while he's working with spray cans indoors. Having a graffiti design indoors creates a unique touch to rooms because it brings that urban, outdoor feel indoors.

If you want to try your hand at graffiti, start by doodling letters. Keep sketching until you are confident enough to work with spray cans. Find a blank wall and remember to work with a mask.

Check out more of his works here:www.graverock.blogspot.com

www.graverock.multiply.com

www.flickr.com/photos/graverkills

Oh, and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

The 'right stuff' at MetroHome

We were happy MetroHome magazine asked us again to style for their article on finding the right look for their November issue. C+C was given the task to conceptualize a glam and a preppie look.

We were abit unsure about how to do preppie because there were so many ways to go about it. In the end, it was Ralph Lauren meets Martha Stewart. I have to admit I had more fun choosing accessories for this one. It was funny because several pieces we picked for these shots were either unavailable or the owners were hesitant to lend them so we had to revise a lot of times and on the day of the shoot, we ended up with several items that came from different combinations but we did that whole Tim Gunn thing and 'made it work'. We also worked for the first time with photographer Aldwin Aspillera.

Many thanks to editor Carlo Tadiar as well as to Barbie Pardo and Kathy Polots for sending the pictures!Oh, and a special shout out to Zeny for choosing the right chair for the preppie look when we couldn't get the original chair. kudos! ;)

Get a hold of this special shopping issue to insure you get the right stuff for your own home!

My CALLING... card

A year, two months and three name studies after, we finally got our official calling card. C+C Interior Design Services is up for business and we can literally spread the word. I never thought I would end up designing interiors. I can’t draw to save my own life. My mom used to love buying furniture and kept rearranging the house. She also used to have these interior design magazines lying around. I never thought I’d end up styling interiors for one in the future but this is it. I mean... THIS is IT. I can’t imagine doing anything else that would make me feel this contented.

No one ever thought I’d be in this industry. I took it up for the fun of it and the fun never stopped. A few days ago, I was browsing through some of my old journals. I was reading one back when I was 17years old. I was flipping through the pages when I came across a love and hate list. I skimmed through it and I stopped at the bottom of the page. There in black and white (or maybe it was in purple ink), I wrote –‘interior design (furniture, houses, etc)’ under the love list. Wow... seriously?? It took me by surprise. I didn’t even recall writing that down. I'm just glad I got to document it to see how far I’ve gone. I now have a list of short and long term goals. Let’s see how I’d fare a decade from now.

One of them is to build up C+C with my partner. I wish for it to be a great interior design firm to be known internationally.

I promised my partner that whatever trials and difficulties our company may encounter, I will never leave. I’ll keep that promise because I mean what I said before...

THIS is IT.