The Weekend That Was

We are back from a wonderful extended weekend !  Off we went to the North, to enjoy a little bit of R and R with my in-laws.

It was the perfect retreat, especially after a hectic, busy work week!  While I definitely feel refreshed and recharged, I’d be lying if I said I feel ready to go back to work too.  Hahaha!

Here are some snippets of our weekend.  As you can tell, it was all about quality time with the little one, with a bit of “me” time snuck in between …

I just love driving down SCTEx, especially on sunny days like these…

We’re here!!!

Relax mode ON!!!

The little one is excited to take a dip!

Mission accomplished!  Thank goodness she did not inherit my fear of the water

Playtime with Dada…

Taking a milk break by the poolside…In true A fashion, cool sunglasses are a must.

And while my two water babies were enjoying the pool, I was also getting much needed reading, relaxing and creating time.

*Sigh* Hoping for more weekends like these!

The Weekend That Was

As I’m writing this blog-post about our weekend round up, I am quite amazed that we were actually able to fill in so many activities in just two days!  It’s been quite a while since La Familia C’s had such a busy, action-packed weekend.  But I loved every minute of it!

Here’s how we spent our weekend…

Saturday morning was spent doing something creative–gift wrapping!  You guys know how much I loooooove packaging stuff .  It just so happened that the day before, I got some really cute accessories from a store in the newly opened SM Aura–L’Indochine–and I used them to add more color and personality to a gift that I was wrapping to give Alex, our family’s long-time hairdresser.  We were seeing him later on in the day.

After getting my creative fix, the fam trooped over to Greenbelt for our haircuts! Here is the little one all ready for her trim .  Doesn’t she look excited?  She wasn’t too keen on getting her hair chopped off though–she’s in the “feeling princess” stage and to be fair, I don’t think there are any princess’ with short hair! Hahaha!  So a trim it was .

Tadaaaaah!!!  All done!

A quick lunch at Kenji-Tei followed Family Haircut Day, then we proceeded towards the North to check-out Heima Brixton, an artsy lifestyle-slash-furniture store that I’ve been dying to visit!

A lot of people describe Heima as the Philippine version of Anthropologie.  I think the design aesthetic of the two stores are very different, and the product selection is quite different too, but definitely, Heima is a creative person’s haven, the interiors beautifully done, the furniture on display a mix of quirky and vintage, the items for sale carefully curated.  I love it!!!

Saturday evening was a night for the adults.  The H and I, along with our good friend M, had a date with the Manila Pop Up Team over at Premio.  This was our second pop up, the first I wrote about here.  The theme for the night was Recess–a pretty cool theme, if I may say so .  It was all about old school favorites–from the decor to the food items to the dress code (although we were kinda corny because we didn’t come in theme.  Hahaha!).  It was a very different experience from Barbacua–and deserves an entire blogpost of its own–but that’s the nice thing about these pop up themes, each one is unique and different from the last .

On Sunday, we went on a roadtrip to meet with my cousin M to look at lots over at Nuvali.  The H and I have been thinking about investing lately, especially on land.  I’m drawn to the idea of eco-living, and this Ayala development precisely espouses that.

Before we took the “tour”, we ofcourse had to stop by the koi, and were quite surprised by the sight that greeted us.

The little miss was delighted with all the fish practically swimming on top of each other, looking for food!  Personally, I’d never seen so much koi in my entire life! Hahaha!  I actually also felt bad for some of the fishies.  They looked desperately hungry for food and some were even willing to swim out of the water, onto a rock, just to eat the fish pellets that had landed there.

After our tour of the various developments in Nuvali–the place is booming, by the way–we decided to have lunch at Italianni’s.  It was so nice of them to give A a make-your-own-pizza experience.  She loved it, and was quite good at it, if I may add.

This is what the finished product looked like!

Biases aside, it actually tasted really good!

After that, we headed on back to Manila.  And this was when the weather started to turn wonky.  From sunny and quite unbearably hot in the morning, to wet and dreary in the afternoon. *Sigh*  This weather is schizo, I tell you.

But our day didn’t end there.  We managed to squeeze in an hour of shopping at the Karl Edwards Bazaar, ofcourse!  While we were really there to stock up on dvd’s, I ended up buying yet another navy and cream striped shirt.  Hahaha!  Like I need another one, right?  But at 300 bucks, I thought it was quite a steal!

So that’s pretty much what went down for us last weekend.  Whew!  No wonder I’m quite exhausted.  Hahaha!  Exhausted, but happy, though  And now ofcourse I’m already counting the days and looking forward for Friday to come. Hahaha!

Please come sooner!!!

A Day at the Museum

Looking for something to keep your curious and active toddler engaged?

If you’re like me, I am constantly challenged to keep my little miss busy and entertained.  Having been a pre-school teacher in my past life, I think I put extra pressure on myself to expose A to activities and experiences where she will learn new things and new skills.

Recently, we found ourselves on a holiday with nothing planned to do.  Rather than spending a perfectly good day indoors at home or at the mall, we decided to take the little miss to Museo Pambata or the Children’s Museum in Manila.

What a wonderful place!!!

Not only is the building itself beautiful and historic, but I love that the displays were interesting, interactive and very educational.  It kept my little one busy for hours!!!

The last time I was there was even before I took my Masters in New York–that was over 10 years ago!!!  But the museum looked very well maintained, and there were many displays there that I didn’t remember seeing before .  So it was like seeing everything with fresh eyes .

The first room we went to was called Old Manila.

They had cool replicas of a Spanish galleon, the Binondo Church, and the Meralco tranvia .

They also had reproductions of the facade of La Puerto del Sol, one of the first department stores in Manila, an old Bahay na Bato balcony, and models of a jeepney and kalesa.

I really felt as if I was going back in time!  Hahaha.  It made me a bit wistful too, though.  If only the real Old Manila could be restored back to its former glory . Wouldn’t that be something?

Another themed room that A enjoyed was Kalikasan, a room where visitors are educated about the rainforest and marine life.

This slide kept A occupied for a good 20 minutes .  She just loved climbing up and going down by herself (she’s on a “I can do this by myself” stage–hahaha!)!

After that, she enjoyed doing some pretend play both at the rice fields and in the botika…

Isn’t this bahay kubo too cute?  All the vegetables on display in front are from the Bahay Kubo song .

The next room we visited was called The Global Village.  The current exhibit is on Singapore…

The little one was immediately attracted to the instruments, and to the display of international dolls and puppets…

There’s just something about banging and making loud noises that just draws toddlers in.  Hahahaha!

After The Global Village, we proceeded up the stairs to view the rest of the exhibits.  At the top of the stairs, this was the sight that greeted us…

It was a tunnel-slash-entrance to My Body Works, another themed room that helps children to understand how organs in the body function.  At first A was a bit creeped out by the size of the head, but when Dada held her hand and she discovered the maze, that’s it!  She zipped off and started to explore .

My personal favorite area in the entire museum was the Pamilihang Bayan or marketplace, a row of typical shops that one would find in a Filipino neighborhood.  There was a barber shop, a vegetable shop, a seafood shop, a pharmacy, and a carinderia.  Pretend play heaven!!!

Cute, right?  And fun, too!

The next room was a room on Career Options.  Currently, it is featuring a Writer’s and Illustrator’s Corner.  It was nice to see the work of some of my favorite Filipino illustrator’s on display .

I’ve actually always dreamed of publishing my own children’s book.  Still do.  So this room was particularly meaningful and inspiring for me .

My daughter loves children’s books too!  She has luckily inherited my pretty extensive collection .  Maybe one day we’ll be able to collaborate on one together .  Why not, right?

The last of the exhibits was on I Love My Planet Earth.  The interactive displays discussed climate change, and gave tips on how to save our planet.

Of all the items in the room, A immediately zeroed in on a big red truck!  Hahaha! What can I say, my daughter loves cars!

Look at how happy she is up there!

As you can tell, we had an amazing time at Museo Pambata!  Mission accomplished too!  Not only was my daughter thoroughly engaged, but I’m sure she learned a lot of new things too!

Even the hubby and I had a lot of fun!  It’s a bit cliche, but I really felt like a kid again  Hahaha!  Certainly, it was an afternoon well spent

So if you find yourself with some free time in the city and have nothing to do, try making your way to the Museo Pambata!  Certainly, it’s a place for good ol’ fashioned fun and learning for the entire family!

Admission : Php100

Hours of Operation :

8AM-5PM Tuesdays to Saturdays

1PM-5PM Sundays

http://www.museopambata.org

Date Night Diaries : LOLA Cafe and Bar

Having worked and lived in Quezon City most of my life, I’ve seen neighborhoods transform from private, quiet and residential, to accessible and commercialized.  This is very much true especially in the Scout area, which has lately developed into a haven of new and undiscovered restaurants.

The edge that some of these restaurants have over their more sophisticated Pasig, Taguig, or Makati counterparts is that the vicinity in which they are located has retained much of its neighborhood feel.  No concrete jungles here.  Low-rise buildings still abound, and even better, houses have been transformed into attractive and chic establishments.  Hence, the vibe is more relaxing and laid back, conducive for those moments where you just want to enjoy a good meal in a pretty atmosphere, and amongst close friends.

One such establishment is LOLA Café + Bar. Tucked away in the non-descript street of Scout Lozano, it is a gem of a restaurant just waiting to be discovered.  The restaurant itself is a beautiful, old, restored residence, whose façade is made modern with touches of white paint, huge black pots, metal grilling, and bamboo plants.

The furniture inside is also streamlined and simple, the artwork contemporary. This nicely contrasts the “older” elements of the space such as the staircase and dark wooden floors.

I also liked how old mason jars were re-purposed into light fixtures.  Innovative, yet industrially chic!

On to the food…

For starters, the H and I ordered some Salpicao.  The beef was nice and tender, seasoned just right.  Unfortunately, it was also swimming in a sea of oil .  It would have been better if this was drained first, before it was served.  Nevertheless, the meat itself tasted very good .

For our mains, we also decided to go with 2 of their recommended dishes.  Their Tartufo Pasta, and Rosemary Chicken.

As expected, the Tartufo Pasta did not disappoint.  As it was set down on the table, the wonderful aroma of truffle made my tummy do a dance of joy.  Hahaha!  And the taste definitely lived up to its wonderful smell–creamy, flavorful, al dente noodles with every bite!  Considering there was cream in this dish, it was surprisingly light .  I only wish they added a bit more of the portobello mushroom, and that the serving size was bigger because after a couple of forkfuls, the entire dish was wiped out!!!  Hahaha!

The Rosemary Chicken, on the other hand, was a bit unexpected.  I was looking forward to half an herbed roasted chicken, but instead got one that was covered in an orange sauce that tasted a bit tangy and lemon-y.  Once I got over my initial surprise, though, I enjoyed the juiciness and flavorfulness of the chicken very much.  Maybe I would not pair it with the Tartufo again, though, as the flavor profiles did not quite complement each other .

For dessert, we decided to split a Banoffee Pie.  Again, I was (delightfully) surprised to see that it was different in appearance from the banoffee’s that I’d grown accustomed to, yet was every bit as delectable.  There was a very thin layer of graham crust at the bottom, another thin layer of banana, then the last layer was thick custard cream with a dusting of chocolate.  The custard was light and not nakaka-umay at all.  Eaten with a cafe latte, it was the perfect ending to a very flavorful meal!

The verdict?

Good comfort food set in a wonderful ambience makes this restaurant worth coming back to !  LOLA also has a lot of other interesting menu items that caught my eye.  Three words in particular—Tapa Eggs Benedict—made me do a double take, and made me already want to plan my next visit.  Hahaha!

Fortunately for me, not only is my office near the area, but I also work with colleagues who share my enthusiasm for food and eating in new, undiscovered places.  Wanna guess where our next lunch out will be?

LOLA Cafe + Bar is located at 99 Scout Lozano Street, Quezon City; Telephone Number +632 501 2620

Images without my watermark/blog name were grabbed from FourSquare

My Best Food Forward Picks!

My “diet” just flew out the window .

*SIGH*

I guess it was to be expected as the H, the Little Miss and I made our rounds of the Best Food Forward food fair last Saturday.

Being a BFF virgin, I was excited to see and sample the various offerings of the participating food purveyors.

Was it worth sacrifice?  A big resounding YES!!!

Here are my top picks (in no particular order).  Please note, I wasn’t able to sample all the vendors below so my picks are not solely based on taste.  They’re also based on the uniqueness of the product and on interesting packaging .

1. Casa San Luis

Although they are more known for their pastries, I decided to sample their Sweet Dips.  According to the lady attending their stall, the Salted Caramel with French Sea Salt and their Caramel Bacon Bits are their best sellers.  Since I’m not particularly a fan of Salted Caramel and a HUGE fan of bacon, it was a no-brainer that I allocate my precious calorie count to the Caramel Bacon Bits dip.

Rich, decadent, yummy and sinful were words that came to mind when I tried it.  I could actually feel my waistline expanding–haha!  The nice thing about these spreads is that they are also very versatile and can be used either as a dip, sauce, or topping!  I can imagine that they would be great poured on top of ice cream, or something to eat with crackers or to spread on bread!

Both flavors come in 4oz and 10oz jars that are priced at Php150 and Php300 respectively.

For orders, you can call Casa San Luis at 0916 644 8522 or email them at casasanluispastries@gmail.com

2. Double Delights

This next vendor caught my attention because of its cute, detailed designs.  At first, I thought I was looking at a bunch of mini cupcakes, but they’re actually polvoron cupcakes!  Innovative, right?  I love how they gave a different twist to this well-loved Filipino milk candy, and made it more “now”.  Since cupcakes are all the rage nowadays, why not a polvoron cupcake?  And not just any ordinary polvoron cupcake, apparently, because aside from the polvoron layer, it is also topped with white chocolate and royal icing.  Can you say “yum”?

To order, call 2963702/0932 8881350/0919 4286320 or email at anne@double-delights.com.  Their website is http://www.doubledelights.com.

3. Casa Angeline

By the time I got to this booth, my stomach was already losing pretty much all of its valuable real estate space .  And it was really too bad because I love flan and I was so looking forward to trying Casa Angeline’s Flan Pots.  Again, I thought it was  interesting and different to package the custard in a mason-like jar, versus a ramekin or a serving dish, as it is usually presented at home or in restaurants.  It kinda makes the leche flan look more special and sosy.  Hahaha!

The Flan Pots come in four different flavors: Leche Flan, Mango, Strawberry and Coffee Caramel.  It costs about Php225 for 3 pots.  Not bad, right?

And aside from the flan, Casa Angeline is also knows for their french macarons, cream puffs and sticky toffee pudding.  Talk about a quadruple threat!

To know more about Casa Angeline, visit their website at http://www.casaangeline.com. You can also follow them on FaceBook!

4. [unit16sweets]

Aside from the fact that I LOOOOOOOOVE chocolate, I could not help but be drawn to this booth because of the cute and quirky designs of the chocolate labels.  Then I realized they were personalized chocolate labels!  Kewl!

Mental Note: Great Gift Idea!!!!

The chocolates used are guaranteed to be of the finest quality, and comes in a variety of flavors–milk, semi-dark, dark, and mint flavored.

To know more about their pricing and how to order, you can go to their website, http://www.unit16sweets.com, or call them at 8959180.

5. The Noodle Bakes

Almost, but not quite up there next to chocolate in terms of my favorite flavors, is Green Tea or Matcha.  I blame it on Kit Kat.  Now I am addicted to anything green tea! Hahaha!

When I tried The Noodle Bakes’ Matcha White Chocolate cupcake, wow, it totally made my eyes roll to the back of my head!  Hahaha!  Okay, I’m exaggerating a bit, but I was honestly really hooked!  Like, “I want to buy a whole box and keep it to myself” hooked.  Hahaha!

Not only was the cupcake moist, but you could totally taste the matcha flavor. What I especially liked about it is that it wasn’t sickeningly sweet either.  It was just right, actually, which is pretty deadly.  That means it is perfectly “legal” to have more than just one!  Hahaha!

The Noodle Bakes is a home-based seller that can be reached through cell (+63920 920 7268) or via email (thenoodlebakes@gmail.com)

Guess what?  They also have speculoos cupcakes on limited availability!  That, I cannot wait to try!!!

6. Twisted Desserts

When my good friend M was on her radical sabbatical, she had a sideline business making uber yummy red velvet trifles that she packaged in 3 ways.  A small personalized cup, and tubs that were good enough to feed a group of 4 and 8. Ever since she had me sample her product, I’ve been having late night cravings or even dreams about it.  Seriously!!!

Sadly, M had to go back to work and her fledgling business had to take a back seat as well .

When I came across these Dig Deep Cups at BFF, it reminded me so much of M’s trifles!  Unfortunately, because I was already seriously full at this point, I could only sample a small morsel of the 3K Karrot, which is a cup full of carrot cake, with layers of cream cheese in between, and topped with crushed walnuts.  I was pleasantly surprised at how moist the cake was (I’ve encountered a lot of really dry carrot cakes.  Boo ), and how the sweetness was just right.  I’m sure their Oh-riffic (Oreo) and Choc O’ Nut versions taste really yummy too!

The cool thing about these Dig Deep Cups is how you can handily eat your cake pretty much anywhere, without the mess!  Talk about having your cake and eating it too!  Hahaha!

For orders, call/text +63906 246 0976 or +63917 620 8749.  For a complete list of their products, you can visit their FaceBook page.

7. Cocoa Monster Manila

Pretty packaging always gets me right away.  If only more people realized that. You can totally take a basic product (like chocolate) and jazz it up to look like it costs a hundred bucks, all by simply giving it some awesome packaging.

In the case of Cocoa Monster Manila, they definitely made me do a double take, when I saw their edgy red, black and white design.  It definitely stood out amongst the other stalls in BFF.

Cocoa Monster offers many different types of chocolate products from tablea to fondue, to cocoa powder and specialty chocolates.  They guarantee that their products use 100% pure cocoa.

I wish I had sampled one of their truffles but like I said, I was so full, my stomach could not take anymore .  The good thing is, Cocoa Monster can do custom orders for events or corporate giveaways!  I may just give them a try!

For orders and inquiries, call 838 8067 to 69 or +63922 873 6638.  They also have a FaceBook page!!!

8. Kalookies

I first came across this brand through Patty Laurel’s blog.  My first thought, “I love the name!”  Hahaha!  It’s funny, catchy and memorable .  Nowadays, the expression “kalurky!” has become such a part of Filipino lingo and this brand totally capitalized on that.  Smart.

But the great thing about this product and its name is that the experience of eating it, totally makes you feel as if you’re going “kalooky” (slang for crazy) because it’s soooo honest to goodnessly good!

I had the Kalassik cookie and the Oreolla during the fair.  Both cookies were of the deep dish kind, and just one bite had me craving for more!  Next time, I am definitely trying the Paolo Special and the White Toblerone.  Haaaaay!  At the rate I am going, todo diet na ang kailangan ko with matching barre3 and treadmill!  Hahaha!

To order Kalookies, call +63921 302 2241.

So there you have it, my picks at this year’s Best Food Forward.  Hope I’ve enticed you to give these vendors a try!  Support Filipino made, support Filipino entrepreneurs, support small businesses!

What’s In Store + Happy Weekend : April 20-21, 2013

Looking for something to do this weekend?

You may want to check these out…

1. If you’re a foodie, head on over to:

It’s the Philippines’ biggest benefit summer food fair, now back on its 3rd year! I particularly cannot wait to try new food items from the various specialty stalls that are participating in this event.  One thing’s for sure, I must make sure to come with an empty stomach!  Hahaha!

2. If you are artsy and love the environment, you may want to join:

This event by WWF aims to highlight the importance of eliminating illegal wildlife trade through art!  Looks like this will not only be interesting, but a lot of fun!  There’s an entrance fee of Php300, but that will entitle you to a Doodle Kit, access to the booths, and will serve as your donation to the cause.

This is a wonderful way to do something meaningful for the environment, while at the same time spending quality time with your family!  I may just drop by with the H and the Little Miss!

3. If you love arts and crafts, and browsing for unique, vintage finds, make your way to:

It’s the start of the weekend!  And after a long, tiring work week, what better way to rejuvenate than to do some retail therapy?

If you’re tired of hanging out at the mall, here’s an interesting alternative!  With retro and vintage, recycled and upcycled items for sale, there may be some treasures waiting for you here!

Have a wonderful weekend, folks!

Fab Finds : Craft Fair Loot!

I am so excited to share with you all the loot I got last weekend!

As it turned out, there were 2 arts and crafts fairs, and I was lucky to be able to hit both!  Woohoo!

First off was the La Feria En Arte.  It was held at ARTS in the City in BGC.

I was able to score some cute felt items for the little miss…

Aren’t they adorable?

It’s too bad I wasn’t able to get the name of the seller.

I also got these pretty frocks from Silly Monkey Clothing.  I just love the fabric prints!  Cheerful, happy, girly, and perfect for the summer!

My next stop was 10a Alabama–my favorite arts and crafts fair!

It did not disappoint!  Just look at all the treasures I went home with…

01 Postcard from heykessy

02 Notebooks from Spellbound

03 Washi Tape from heykessy

04 Doily Stamp from Sitting Pretty Crafts

05 Little Girl Stamp from Rubber Ducky Stamp Co.

06 Bookplates from InkyLivie

07 Notecards with Envelopes from InkyLivie

Can you believe all these are made by local artists/crafters?  Serious talent, right?

*Sigh*

For now, I live vicariously through these amazing creations.  Hahaha!

Hooray for DIY!  Hooray for arts and crafts!

The Weekend That Was (Part 2) : Bungalow 300 Pop-Up

I admit I was a bit ambitious with my weekend plans .

Trying to make it to four different events while squeezing in some quality family time is  almost next to impossible!  Hahaha!  Ofcourse, if you ask the hubby, he’ll say it’s downright crazy!  Hahaha!  But I’m lucky he’s such a great sport, and that he’ll pretty much tag along with me wherever I please .  So in short, yes, I was able to have my cake and eat it too!

Sunday started with some retail therapy at the Karl Edwards Bazaar.  Scored some amazing finds, perfect and just in time for the summer!  More on that in my next post .

After the bazaar, my family trooped over to Bungalow 300′s pop-up store in North Forbes.

I knew it.

I was practically ooooh-ing and aaaahhh-ing over almost everything they had!!! Hahaha!  I loved it!  Marga and Vernice, the dynamic duo behind Bungalow 300, totally outdid themselves this time!  Not only was there a well-edited selection of home accessories and furniture, but there were also a lot of not-commercially-sold pieces from other local brands and suppliers available.  And the way everything was put together and displayed–PERFECTION! *Sigh*  It made me totally want to buy a house!  Hahaha!

Here are a couple of shots I took of the set up and the merchandise.  Warning : they have A LOT of GREAT stuff!

At the foyer, you already get a glimpse of the wonderfulness that’s to come .

Doesn’t the color scheme of this room instantly perk you up?  I love the turquoise apothecary jars, the restored buffet table and the set of drawers.  Except for the seating in this photograph, the furniture is from Resurrection Furniture.

More apothecary jars, this time in clear and amber. I. WANT.

Aren’t these ceramic bunnies adorable?

*Sigh* This living room was just too gorgeous for words.  I love the coffee and side table–so streamlined and simple, yet oh so chic!  The inlay work definitely adds a touch of class as well .  The wire baskets in the corner are from a collaboration with artist Jinggoy Buensuceso, while the terrariums are from RAAB.  I finally was able to buy one!!!  Woohoo!

This was another corner in that beautiful living room.  I loved the leather chair and the lahar coffee table.  Am thinking of commissioning one for our home soon.  I just have to figure out what to do with our current table, especially since it doubles as storage space.  Form versus function?  Haaaay!  Decisions, decisions…

Next to the living room was a formal dining area.  Isn’t that purple ikat stool to die for?!?  Here are pictures of my other favorite spots…

These plates were also so exquisite!

Other finds were the inabel blankets, placemats and dish cloths, home accessories from Domesticity, Potentilla room fragrances, as well as natural hand and dish soaps in the cutest glass jars!

When I saw this table, my heart skipped a beat.  I loved the charm of the slightly rusty drawers, and the rustic effect of the wooden top.  I can totally imagine this sitting in the middle of my dream kitchen!  Hahaha!  The vignette on top with the blue ceramic owls was also so attractively arranged .

I’m so happy I was able to drop by the Bungalow 300 pop-up store .  Every room in the house was so beautifully decorated with the furniture and home accessories, that one cannot help but be enticed to make a purchase . Hahahaha!  I guess that was the plan .

If you do have the time, I recommend that you “pop” by and see it for yourself! The pop up store is open until next weekend!  If you plan on going during the week, though, you’ll have to call for an appointment.  I assure you, you won’t be disappointed .

Bungalow 300 telephone no. 519 3143, mobile no. 0947 618 8616; Pop-up store is located in #6 Banyan Road, North Forbes Park, Makati.  As you enter the gate, it’s the first house on your left.

The Weekend That Was (Part 1) : Art In The Park 2013

Okay, so Saturday at Art in the Park was AMAZING!!!

My buddy M and I were there bright and early (like right at the stroke of 2PM), to get first dibs on the fabulous artwork.

Unbeknownst to us, the booths opened early and there were many other eager (art) beavers already milling about Salcedo Park.

Shucks!

Nevertheless, we still both scored some great pieces–naturally, at great prices too!

Here are some of the stuff that we saw :

I really wanted this sculpture by Pete Jimenez .  Unfortunately, the H and I had a budget that I had to strictly stick to .

These artworks are perfect for the little girl’s room .  Unfortunately, I’m all out of wall space!  But definitely something to keep in mind should we be blessed with another peanut in the future .

(Clockwise left : May Tobias-Papa, Roel Obemio, Patsy Paterno, Beth Parrocha)

Loved the display of these miniature building replicas by 98B COLLABoratory.  They are doing all sorts of wonderful things over at the Escolta neighborhood, reviving and breathing new life to it.  I must make my way over there one of these days .

To know more about their vision and advocacy, check out their website at www.98-b.org or 98b.tumblr.com

Ral Arrogante’s work is always a favorite.  I really hope to own one of these fishing houses someday.

As expected, there were some really quirky stuff at the Secret Fresh booth.  LIKE!

I super fell in love with this artwork by Oliver Olivete.  I loved the colors, the subject, and that it was something different from the art that I usually buy.

Unfortunately, because I could only choose one piece to walk home with, I decided to go with this:

A mother and child by Roel Obemio.   Since I started collecting paintings, the subject of Mother and Child has always been my favorite.  In this particular piece, I was drawn to the mother reading a book to the child.  It reminded me of myself and the little one.  Reading is our bonding “thing” .

I really wish I had more time to explore the wonderful art at Art in the Park.  Being surrounded by so much talent and scoring an amazing piece was so thrilling!  The only blip of the day was that the weather was acting a bit wonky .  Walking on muddy ground was not quite fun.  Hahaha!

I can’t wait until our painting gets framed, though.  I have just the perfect spot for it at home!  I am so excited!  Stay tuned!  I promise to post photos of it when it’s up and hanging .

What’s In Store + Happy Weekend : March 16-17, 2013

Gaaah!

So many things to do this weekend, so little time!

Here’s what’s in store:

This is a must see!

I’ve been waiting for this since last year!  I can’t wait!

I am sure there will be lots of drool-worthy home stuff here…

Retail therapy is always a good thing…

Hope you have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!!