House of Isla Blog

"French sexy cool"

2012-01-28T01:07:00.002+09:00

I am so going to DIY this dress by Marc Jacobs. The appliques are just divine.
Let's just hope i get to find that beautiful blue hue....not to mention clearing my
mess-of -a-sched of late!

What made this whole outfit all the more adorable?....nope,

not that Mongolian shearing coat....but that be-autiful

Leica camera she's holdin! At 600pounds, I could only drool!

Nothing beats a shot of a lovely lady holding her balloons!

Too much of a photo-cliche indeed but still undeniably great, I must say!

I would love to have my own shots with some colorful balloons!!!!

Photographs by David Oldham
for Glamour UK, Feb 2012
images via

.... that's how Glamour Mag describes Clemence Poesy as she arrives

for a fashion photoshoot. But who wouldn't love her right? In case you

wonder who this blonde beauty is, well she had appearances in three of

the Harry Potter series and also a short stint at the TV hit series Gossip Girl!

Just a couple of inspiration to welcome the weekend!

Hope you have a grand one!

Here's a wee bit more of Korea...

2012-01-25T22:06:00.001+09:00

Well apparently, for some reason I took a liking for the color mustard during our 3-week

vacation in Korea. I was browsing through the photos and this color just kept

popping up in my outfit! Remember that bright sunny-colored skirt here!

Nami island, this is! If you're one of the many who is obsessed about

watching koreanovelas or korean television series, then you

might remember this beautiful place used as the backdrop

for the series "Winter Sonata!"

I had the privilege to take a day tour to the island and the trip doesn't fall

short of being awesome. Its full of hip cafes, bike tours, and delightful architecture!

However, the best part is the whole island itself! Those beautiful, ginormous

ginkgo trees are just breathtakingly beautiful. It's like being

transported into one of 'em mesmerizing English countryside! Not to mention

this island screams every wee bit romantic!

"겨울연가" or Winter Sonata

On a side note, I was greatly touched by the most awesome support you, my dear blogfriends, have shown us.Thank you for taking the time to read my previous post and for signing the petition to save a great number of Baguio pine trees. The fate of these amazing trees are however still not certain. Thankfully though there is still an amazing number of people who are not willing to sacrifice the environment in exchange for a giant of a mall threatening to block the beautiful Baguio skyline. Let's just hope that the local government would have a change of heart and listen! Keep your signatures coming!

Again thank you.

they paved paradise and put up a parkin' lot

2012-01-15T03:24:00.003+09:00

"Clearly, we've never learned anything from history! We claim to be the smartest among all the species created, yet we continue to roll downward with our wrongful ways! We just continue to devolve. Nature will have its way someday, and Earth will finally reclaim us and we will all be reduced to the minute things that we truly are ---- but mere ashes!"

You may notice, if you're a regular reader of this blog that I'm not one to express serious opinions or commentary. Well, not usually. So I hope you would forgive me if I would take this one post and rant! It's just that, a few days ago, a rather saddening news shook us all up here in Baguio. Well at least most of us who think that even the few-year-old pine trees do matter. A giant chain of a mall is planning to displace more than a hundred pine trees to make way for what they claim to be a "mall expansion"(which strangely was initially reported as new parking space). I have spent half of my life here. I may not be a native-born here but I have loved it as my own just the same. Baguio is unique. In a tropical country popularized by its insanely beautiful beaches and gorgeous landscapes despite its infamous hot climate, you will be surprised to find a city located in one of the highest points of the country lined with beautiful pine trees and a seemingly year-round autumn weather. It is indeed special...but the weather ain't the only thing that makes it stand out. Baguio is heritage. Baguio is art. Baguio is indie. Baguio is culture in the strongest sense of the word. It embodies (or embodied) a beautiful inspiration! A hub for artists all over the country with its hip indie vibe that resonates everywhere, even in one of its tiniest shops or the littlest of streets! Life is simple but not lacking! But as urban development creeps in, this city is now somehow being slowly turned into one of them mall-centered metros.

Fortunately its people still believe in keeping it as the pristine city that it has always been known for. I hope its officials would heed the city's people again. Please do save the pine trees. Pine trees take many years to mature. Pine trees no longer nourish once they are earth-balled...they eventually die. Maybe these trees were created this way by the heavens to teach humans not to uproot them. We have always thought that we have the power to control everything in this world, and yet recent calamities have proven it otherwise. Nature has been speaking to us with the many disasters we have encountered these many years all over the world. Stop playing deaf before its too late. If we don't listen now, maybe the 2012 doomsday theory is not too far off after all.

To all Filipinos out there and to the once Baguio-dwellers all over the globe, if you believe in our cause, please help us spread the word and sign the petition. Even the smallest gesture could tip the scale. Thanks everyone!

Free Phone Wallpaper from "the notebook doodles!"

2012-01-08T16:39:00.003+09:00

download link HERE

courtesy of "The Notebook Doodles"

I love freebies, well who doesn't right. Especially if they're

as pretty as these phone wallpapers. "The Doodle Notebook" is not

only full of these wonderfully made freebies, but also tons of

beautifully written/drawn doodles!

Hope you enjoy them and feel free to share photos when you get to

use them!!!!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone!

resolutions anyone?

2012-01-04T23:20:00.003+09:00

{inspiration: kate spade illustration}

2012 everyone! I know, where have i been?

It's already the 4th and yet am sending my greetings just now!

But I assume the holiday merry-making and the busy new year would be a good excuse.
Am actually still getting the hang of a post-hibernation stage! What, after all those delightful, high in cholesterol nomnoms...it is no wonder that it takes a gazillion of weeks to burn the remaining calories.

Anyway It's another year and am joining the bandwagon {of resolution-makers}! I haven't fully given up the tradition of making one once every year despite the increasing number of cynics. Another one wouldn't hurt considering it might be the last list of resolution I'd be making if all these end of the world hullabaloo turns out to be true!

And here's mine:

love more unconditionally - as difficult as I try to snub this thought away i believe that in some degree, I am but guilty of loving "because of". This year, I want to just scratch out that "because of."
eat healthy - i can't promise to fully give up my regular caffeine fix though. Perhaps i'd drop it down to two cups a day....ok, fine one! ! !
be a more faithful yogi - {sound of serious meditation follows}
learn some tunes on the ukulele - i've been desperately wanting to play & sing the song "Somewhere over the Rainbow" Israel Kamakawiwoʻole version.
take more risks- in everything
finish all my reading backlogs - how long have i been reading the first chapters of George Orwell's 1984 book?
do illustrations again- I should really give this old love a chance
travel more - destination: the world!!!! HAHAHAHA!
keep my work station neat - further explanation would be stating the obvious^^
pick up new languages - bonjour! hola! konichiwa!
journal - cut, glue, scrap, write!

care to share your own 2012 resolutions!?!

honey, what's in the mail?

2011-12-18T16:50:00.003+09:00

Do you know what makes me weak in the knees and melts my will into

all gooey melted-like marshmallow and drives me into buying submission?

No, not those wonderful new brogues on the window nor those lovely little soft floral, lacy dresses.

You may not believe this but it is those devilishly beautiful paper goodies...so beautiful they almost

drive me bonkers! I know, how odd! But if you see yourself nodding, call me and we'll have

coffee^^

Am a big paper hoarder. Whenever i go to bookstores, I never skip the stationery

section and i could get broke in a heartbeat! It is too difficult to resist their allure. Funny

I could muster a whole lot of self-restraint when i go shopping for clothes and shoes

but never have i been that courageous when faced with these wonderful little things!

Perhaps because I have always loved snail mails! Way back when social networking was not

yet invented and the easiest way to keep in touch with old friends is through stamped letters....ooooh stamps, but i digress!

In other news, the Anastasia brow kit had finally arrived! It took like a million years before It got here .

The Confluence Group was kind enough to follow it up which made me all the more worried

considering all those stories of stuff getting lost in the mail.

But I thought, hey since its gonna be coming from the States,

maybe i should give it a few more weeks! Anyway, it's here and I can't wait to try them!

Til the next post! Hope you guys had a grand weekend!

why being consistently stubborn could sometimes be a good thing

2011-12-02T20:39:00.003+09:00

The world has always been against me...against my having bangs, that is.

H was totally opposed, my hairdresser was very much reluctant ...

and even my little son despised the idea!!!

Who could blame them when there are already existing infamous stories to back them up

I've got tons of hilarious and rather unfortunate"bangs" stories up my sleeves...

they're extremely amusing that these stories make up for wonderful ice breakers!!!

I would spare the details of my "bang" encounters but lets just say i was

more than persistent on getting the fringe despite having experienced the worst

humiliation...I have almost given up when lo and behold, it turns out all I need is a

good snipping trick.

I learned about it while watching a Korean TV series titled "Get It Beauty" hosted by Eugene.

They guested this really amazing Korean lady who could do all magical tricks

on her own hair. One of which is giving oneself the perfect bangs.

I regained my dying fringe dream and without hesitation went for the snip!!!

I assume it turned out pretty well since all the former antagonists are now converts.

Best part? my "presumed" age shot a great deal lower...haha!

see more fringe ideas at thebeautydepartment.com

Bloggers United 2011

2011-11-22T09:31:00.000+09:00

Manila’s finest fashion bloggers will leave their laptops at home once again to attend BLOGGERS UNITED BAZAAR (Part 2) on December 3, 2011 at Treston International College, Taguig, this coming holiday season.

It is the second installment of the first-ever Bloggers United: An Interactive Shopping Affair ), which was held last May. Due to insistent demand from readers and bloggers alike, Bloggers United (http://www.facebook.com/bloggersunitedph) team in partnership with the country’s largest online shopping website, Multiply Philippines (http://multiply.com/) have gathered Manila’s fashion bloggers to sell their pre-loved but very stylish closet pieces!

This event is the perfect opportunity for both bloggers and their adoring readers to mingle and personally interact with each other. Fun contests and exciting giveaways from sponsors and entertaining performances from bloggers (Walkie Talkies, Reese & Vica) themselves will definitely keep this event from being a dull one.

Some of the notable bloggers attending the event include Divine Lee, Laureen Uy, Kookie Buhain, Lissa Kahayaon, David Guison, Karl Leuterio, Patricia Prieto and Preview Magazine’s own Daryl and Andre Chang.

But because Bloggers United wishes to go beyond the geographic limitations of the archipelago and extend its reach beyond Metro Manila and so for this event, they are flying in some of Cebu’s very own fashion bloggers which include Kryz Uy, Eden Villarba, designer Yves Camingue, Gillian Uang and Mildred Zapanta and a few more.

Part of the proceeds from this event will go to the GMA Kapuso Foundation (http://www.kapusofoundation.com/) for its school building project, a small but significant step to improve the Filipino youth’s access to education.

The organizers behind BLOGGERS UNITED BAZAAR (PART 2) are Ana Gonzales (http://anagonzales.com), Melai Entuna (http://styleandsoul.blogspot.com) and Aisa Ipac (http://ipaxme.blogspot.com), a team of blogger friends encouraging camaraderie and sense of “community” among Manila’s (and eventually, the country’s) fashion blogging community through events and productions like this.

This is a one-day-only event that you shouldn’t really miss! It will be in a bigger venue with twice more the number of participating bloggers to meet! This is the perfect shopping day this Christmas because the most affordable and most fashionable clothes, accessories and footwear will be up for grabs. See you!

Bloggers United is in partnership with:

Multiply Philippines (http://multiply.com/)

GMA Kapuso Foundation (http://www.kapusofoundation.com/)

Treston International College (http://www.treston.edu.ph/)

Event is co-presented by:

Nikon (https://www.facebook.com/nikonphilippines?ref=ts&sk=app_190322544333196)

Primadonna

Accessorize (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessorize-Philippines/83267796457)

Columbia Digital (https://www.facebook.com/nikonphilippines?ref=ts&sk=app_190322544333196)

Official media partners

ETC (http://www.facebook.com/etctv)

Meg Magazine (http://www.meggurl.com/)

When in Manila (http://www.wheninmanila.com/)

Gadgets Magazine (http://www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph/)

In cooperation with:

Lorys (http://www.facebook.com/loryshaircream)

Kotex (http://www.kotex.com.ph/)

Tomato (http://www.tomato.ph/)

Nail It! (http://www.nail-it-salon.com/)

Manels (http://www.manels.com/)

Ferretti (http://ferrettishoes.com/)

Giordano (http://www.giordano.com.ph/)

Lapdance (www.lapdancebags.com)

Unionbank (https://www.facebook.com/unionbankph)

Xend Business Solutions (http://www.xend.com.ph/)

Special thanks to:

Audioline (http://www.audiolineph.com/)

Posh Nails (http://poshnails.com.ph/)

Nivea (https://www.facebook.com/NIVEAPhilippines)

SM Dept Store (http://www.smdeptstore.com/)

Online Shop Donors:

Belle York (http://www.facebook.com/SoleSisterLifestyle)

Shop Dainty (www.shopdainty.com)

Asian Vogue (http://asianvogue.multiply.com/)

F-STOP (Fashion Stop) (http://fashionstopshop.multiply.com/)

Anagon Collection (http://anagoncollection.multiply.com/)

Archive Clothing (http://archiveclothing.multiply.com/)

Extreme Finds (http://www.facebook.com/mustloveExtremeFinds)

Sparkle Shop (http://www.mysparkleshop.com/)

Flattering Tops (http://www.facebook.com/flatteringtops)

Posh Pocket Shoes (http://www.poshpocketshoesonline.com/)

Location Details:

Treston International College

University Parkway District, 32nd Street corner C-5 Road
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila Phillipines

Autumn Stroll at Yuldong Park

2011-11-19T15:24:00.067+09:00

We were blessed with a wonderful autumn weather during our three-week-visit to Korea. Though there were a couple of gloomy days, they weren't bad enough to keep us all cooped up at home. As matter of fact, not a single day had gone by without us spending it somewhere awesome. This year's autumn mornings were also not as cold compared to my previous visits...it was pretty much like cold nights in Baguio. The temperature drops as early as 2pm though so it was always wise to bring an extra thick cardi.

This one's at Yuldong Park, in the city of Bundang. It is a favorite go-to place for families and couples alike with its wide walkways and amazing lake. It is also conveniently surrounded by cafes and restos but my favorite of course is that its lined with beautiful trees made more incredible by the fall season.

Can't wait to share more of our South Korea visit. Til the next post!

It's a lot like coming home...

2011-10-19T12:26:00.005+09:00

{sonshine and I basking in the autumn air}

{sonshine and baby daddy}

{enjoying this little stream with grandma}

{having the time of his life with grandpa}

Few more days to go and we're off. Am not sure if i could afford to

post regularly while we're in Korea but hopefully i could manage

to squeeze it in. Am excited to do a lot of Autumn stroll again, especially

this time that little sonshine is big enough to appreciate all the

tiny details of our visit. For the mean time, let me share a few of our old

photos from our previous visits. Look how tiny my little sonshine was!

And the hair!!!! I used to keep it very long and people always mistake

him for a girl....i would have loved to keep his hair this way

if not for the strict hair rules in schools here in the Philippines.

We can't wait to see hubby's family whom we all missed so dearly.

And of course this trip is also very important for our son so he could

get in touch with his roots. Nothing else could give children such great
anticipation but a visit to their grandparents! They are after all called
the "grand spoilers!"

I pray we would have a safe and hassle-free flight.

Can't wait.

Happy days ahead to everyone!!!

DIY Damask Curtain Part 1

2011-10-13T10:30:00.004+09:00

Sigh!...and more sighs! And when i thought the Philippines can't get anymore

wet after two consecutive storms, here comes another one that threatens

everyone's sanity to go bonkers.

Anyway, weather aside this week's been rather crazy as i didn't realize

that I'd be actually flying next week off to some {typhoon-free} country

and be gone for about three weeks! Which does not give me enough time to

turn this seemingly endless yards of white silk to a beautiful damask curtain.

We've been living curtain-less for years because we've quite enjoyed the wonderful

view our ginormous glass wall provide (as seen here). But as of late, I sort of yearn for a little drama

and a bit of privacy at night and hence the backbreaking, neck-spraining task of stenciling this silk

with beautiful damask pattern. Why not take the easy way and just purchase you ask? Because I am cheap and a masochist!!! Let's hope i get to finish a few before the big flight

because i still have major packing to do for Autumn!

{and yes i did give meself a good fringe...blame it on Zooey Deschamel
and her uber adorable bangs!!!}

Warm days ahead everyone!

look at that cardi on the window

2011-10-05T21:50:00.000+09:00

One of that much enjoyed Manila shopping loot I had a few weeks back

was this BE-autiful cardi from Kamiseta. What made the purchase sweeter was that it was on a 50% off sale.

So instead of paying over a thousand pesos for it, i got to take it for about six hundred only.

What a steal right?!

Aqua tank top: Plains and Prints
Embroidered Denim Skirt: Thrifted
Mustard Shoes: Parisian
Pale Pink Cardi: Kamiseta

Am trying however to refrain myself from doing shopping by impulse

these days. Somehow it makes me feel guilty to spend money on something

that does not fall into the category of "basic needs" especially with all

the poor and devastated families affected by the recent consecutive typhoons that hit

these Islands! So for now, i guess i'd be enjoying shopping on sale season instead

of regular days. And it is also a ton of fun, really! Anyway, what melted my heart

into buying-submission was the crochet detail at the back...my weakness of course

when it comes to apparels!

And as promised here are some tips for getting a successful Korean wave. These

aren't actually professional advice as i am no pro on the matter so i would

just be sharing something i've learned through my experiences of trial and error.

It is always best to bring any photo of the desired style you want to have and show it to your hairstylist before actually sitting on the salon chair! (especially if you're going to a Korean salon because you're not sure if communication would be a breeze)
It is important to mention the size of the curls you wish to achieve or else you might end up with some tight, kinky curls which, lets face it are not totally that fash..unless you're really after some grandma-ish look.
Achieving the perfect Korean wavy hair is also largely dependent on the hair cut that the stylist is going to give you. Layered cut works the best!
Tell your stylist that you want the curls to start right from your ear or eye level. This way you leave the top portion of your hair as it is!
Getting Korean perm does not assure perfection on the first try which sometimes (oftentimes) leave the hair underneath, around the nape area not properly permed. Good news is most Korean salons provide free after service and would gladly fix it for you.

Hope these were helpful!

Happy Midweek!

New Hair Debut

2011-10-04T06:13:00.003+09:00

A few posts ago, I have solicited the world's opinion on some personal hair matters.

(As if the world isn't busy enough attending to more important things)

I was in a dilemma as to whether to actually chop my hair into smithereens or

keep my long locks which for many years now had been sort of my security blanket.

I wasn't that surprised when majority of the votes were strongly against the idea

of some serious chopping so that plan was immediately thrown out of the window

(which only proves that i am such a chicken!)

However, I figured i needed to do something with my locks which

for many months now had been nothing short of being oh-so-BLAH!

cute or just plain annoying!

I had my first formal perm, and with formal i mean actually doing something on my own volition,

many years back at a Korean salon here in Baguio and i was ever since a convert.

I love how the process results into nice soft waves and it gets better as it grows longer.

This time, I returned to Tony & Jackey salon, who did my previous hair.

They decided to do setting instead of digital perm since my hair is very long and

and again use medium sized curlers like the previous perm. Actually I insisted on the big ones but they

politely explained that those soft big waves would only last for about 3months so i politely heeded

(because i am spineless and gullible).

I was a bit worried the whole time though because my fave hairstylist was transferred back to their

Manila branch and the stylist assigned to me seemed like a newbie and spoke garbled English.

But the result was just love and she was such a dear and so everything was good again in my world.

I would love to share some useful tips on getting a successful Korean wavy hairstyle (if

you would hear it) but i would just save it for my next post.

Ta-ta!

Simply Adorkable

2011-09-26T15:12:00.001+09:00

Adorkable (adj) - equally adorable and dorky

I have yet to see Fox's new TV series "The New Girl" but i love it already.

Not because of the fact that it got raving reviews not to mention beating the old

fave "Glee" on the ratings but because of the lovely Zooey Deschamel.

And Zooey Deschamel only means one thing...hilarious to the nth level.

I would probably try to get a copy of each episode and watch it over and over

and probably die laughing (am speaking figuratively of course)!

Thank you by the way for all the sweetest words you guys have left on

my previous post. Truly from the bottom of my heart am thankful and touched!

Til my next post!!!

flowers for Isla...

2011-09-21T04:22:00.001+09:00

My dearest,
Two Septembers ago, you came and left us so quickly that I could barely get a full grasp of what and why things had happened the way they did. There is still a gaping hole in my heart since you left...but this is one hole that i would never want to be filled. Because this space in my heart will forever belong to you. I know that you are in a beautiful place now...perhaps running after butterflies or picking lovely little flowers in the gardens of the Heavens. God did not take you away from us but instead had taken you back and turned into one of his angels. This blog, this new endeavor is my tribute to you my little darling. And whatever hardships i may face in the future i would never ever give up. My love for you is all that i need to get through everything. Let me blow you kisses now...Momma, Pappa and Oppa all miss you so dearly.
Till we meet again my little darling.
Love,
Momma

To my little darling Isla

written September 19, 2009

I have never missed someone i had just met

and lost at the same time

till now...

I wake up in the middle of the night

Tears welling up in my heart

I miss you dancing in my womb

your heart, singing its tune

you had your father's likeness

and your adorable little fingers were like mine

a distinct nose so much like your kuya's

you were very beautiful

perfect in every way

I miss you my darling

and though we may not be together in this life

here in our hearts you'll stay...like

a Godsent light that will endearingly guide us

from here til eternity....

we love you

Isla Kim

Septmber 15, 2009 - September 16, 2009

Lookbook Love: It's all about Fall

2011-09-18T16:57:00.002+09:00

I love Autumn.

It is my favorite season of all.

And what would make this season even more amazing

is to have equally amazing Autumn pieces!

Am officially an Ulyana fan, aren't these the most adorable pieces?!

Look at all those florals and flowy skirts. I would love to sashay in these on

the wonderful autumn air.

{images}

Off topic here,

I just arrived from Manila after two excruciating days of paper works and such.

Still i suffer from muscle pain after two days of ludging around with a bagful of

my Manila-survival kit.

Intramuros, to Mckinley Hill to all over Pasay and Makati! The only perks were

I was able to meet a few of my bestest friends and i got to go crazy shopping at MOA!

Talk about big discounts ranging from 50 to 70% off!!!

So after my 2 bitter-sweet days, i bid bye bye to the hot and sweaty metro and back

to my beloved Baguio...unfortunately though, the weather is still crappy here with our

endless rains and unpredictable sun. Still, it is great to be home! Now let me rest my

aching back and blistered feet! See you later lovelies!

Beauty in Paper

2011-09-09T16:22:00.002+09:00

I love reading...like a smoker loves his cigarette. I know the comparison sounds a little odd but the smell of a good 'ol paperback just lulls me into submission and i can't help but flip til the end of the pages. I could clearly remember my first real relationship with a book when my mom came from an overseas work and brought us to the mall for shopping. My sister was all goin' gaga buying clothes and stuff and you know what i bought?....my very first copy of "A Little Princess"! I read it like a million times over until the covers gave in. I was barely six.

Ebooks are however a different story. I know this new technology has somehow solved the common concerns such as bulk reduction and it is indeed quite convenient as you could just tuck it in easily especially if you have ereader installed in your smartphone. Developers even came up with paper flip sound with such uncanny semblance with the real thing! But for some reason i couldn't seem to enjoy reading stories that way. I've had three classic {Time Machine, Pride & Prejudice and see i even forgot the other one} downloaded into my PalmReader but i couldn't get past chapter one. For some reason, and i realize it just now, those crisp, brown pages do add beauty and allure to the story itself. When i get a hold of an old book, the covers are already telling me stories, the almost torn pages and the unauthorized annotations add mystery to the story written on it. Not that there's something wrong with the new tech...but i guess i would be one of the few that have grown too attached to the traditional book that the former needs more getting used to.

How about you guys? Have you got any old habit/hobby that is just too hard to give up?

take me to the country

2011-09-04T19:57:00.003+09:00

{images}

The charm of country living is not for everyone, that's for sure especially with the advent of all things techie and the word hip has almost always been associated with city dwelling. It's not that there's something wrong with the latter, but having been raised as a kid in the great country I've learned to love its simplicity and laid back nature. And these wonderful photos by SARA MAINGOT are just so reminiscent of country beauty....from the pieces of furniture to the comfy wardrobes and all the little knickknacks are just so shabby chic. Now i feel like making me some hot coco and just sit by the fire wrapped in my favorite cashmere sweater and enjoy the early morning air.

Anyway, I know nothing much had been happening blog wise, and i blame it on this weather, on an impending overseas trip, and the tons of workload that constantly keeps me on my toes...but enough of my excuses. As I have mentioned in the past, I had been brewing something up which i hope would explain my long and frequent blog absences! But this is as much as i could say for now...it'll be wonderful i promise!

Wishing you guys had a great weekend!

An invite from Anastasia

2011-08-21T17:25:00.001+09:00

I was asked by the Confluence Group, an LA based media company to do a product review for their new partner Anastasia of Beverly Hills. The latter has long been the definitive eye and brow expert for icons such as Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Oprah as well as hip up-and-comers like Diana Agron, Selena Gomez and Kristen Cavalari.

Product review is quite new for me, so am all too nervous and excited at the same time. I can't wait to see the product that the company would send but judging from this video, am sure its gonna be an awesome one!

Check out Anastasia's site HERE.

still on the subject of hair

2011-08-17T10:44:00.003+09:00

dress courtesy of HOUSE OF ISLA

This would, arguably, my most boring post to date. You see am still in a state of utter daze as i contemplate on whether to actually chop my hair into a bob. I know. my hairstyling prob would be the last thing you guys would wanna hear about, but great blog friends do stick around despite all the nonsense, right? hello? you still there?

Never was i the kind to cower against "the scissors", as evidenced by my hair history. I have had tried it all believe me, from the 3inches of hair to the indie-slash-cult looking length, from the floss-straight ones to the wavy, curly dos. But i was no longer the capricious, hormone-blasting kid that i used to be, and there are no more annoying boyfriends to cause me to impulsively mow my hair into smithereens.

As i suffer myself with such indecision, i would leave you with my own version of the great Bard's famous soliloquy opening line:

" To cut or not to cut, that is the question"

one casual afternoon...

2011-08-12T21:12:00.000+09:00

striped tee bought online

peasant skirt by BAYO

Espera Sneakers by PUMA

Vintage Lace Neckpiece by HOUSE OF ISLA

Am glad that despite the crazy schedule, i get to have a few hours
of me time...to just sit under a shade somewhere in the garden,
enchanted by the rustle and bustle of the wind against
the trees, and to once again get lost in a book.
What else could be better to end such a busy week?

Have a blast this weekend lovelies!!

Style Inspiration: Nymph Belle

2011-08-06T16:53:00.000+09:00

{photography by vivienne mok}

Seriously, how beautiful could these photographs be?

I was literally swept off my feet!

I was contemplating on having one major haircut...like perhaps having a nice cute bob

but these photos are making it difficult for me to give up my long locks!

How else could i rock a nymph look but with a nice long ethereal-looking coif!

Hmmm, that's something to think about this weekend!

one sunshiny post!

2011-08-02T12:56:00.002+09:00

I love the rain! There's something very poetic about it that every time it pours one would just want to burst out H.W.Longfellow's "How beautiful is the rain! After the dust and the heat, In the broad and fiery street, In the narrow lane, How beautiful is the rain!" But i must admit that as much as i love the rain, i cannot say that i love it that much to actually experience it every single day.

So after many days of gloomy skies and rain showers, a taste of the sun has somewhat become a luxury. Not only were we tired of moldy walls (a common household dilemma here in Baguio), bitingly chilly mornings and seemingly eternal gloomy skies, our bodies have also been itching for the good 'ol taste of the fiery sun! And don't i just adore living in this city....it being called as such and still have the beauty and feel of the countryside makes it truly, wonderfully unique. Am afraid i turned out to be not so much of an urban chic...but i digress.

Have happy, sunshiny days ahead everyone!

cauldronful of reasons

2011-07-22T16:11:00.002+09:00

crazy weather.minor case of food poisoning. a bad case of the flu. harry potter craze. that's just about sums up what my life had been like while i was away from blogging. It was somewhat like a whirlwind of events taking place one after the other. I've missed bloghopping of course but i cannot say that i didn't enjoy being a non-techie for a while. For many weeks i didn't feel the urge to update status on facebook, edit photos for blog posts or waste away hours after hours glued on the world wide web.

However, i felt greatly touched when i got a couple of emails from lovely blog friends wondering if i was doing fine or just simply being the busy bee me that i have neglected this blog for far too many weeks already. Thank you so so much dearies...I have also missed visiting everyone's blog, really!

Anyhow, I could only stay away far too long and now am back. Back with a cauldron-full of ideas. Am currently brewing something up and my absence was hugely caused by what i'd like to call "a creative break". But am afraid i cannot divulge the full details of my recent endeavor, i don't wanna risk jinxing it. Jittery with excitement i am right now, so before i fall into the usual, excitement-induced "tongue-slip" i would share a couple of photos of my newly-REdecorated workroom. Tired of my usual clutter, i went for the Zakka-inspired and got rid of the unnecessary and the whole messy kit and caboodle.

i love these ceramic bowls!

i purchased them for a ridiculously cheap

price at one of the Chinese-owned

mini-mall in downtown Baguio.

I meant for them to hold my

vast collection of beads and buttons

but after seeing how beautiful

they were stacked up like this,

i couldn't get myself to use them anymore!

one thing i love about living in the city of Pines

is that one can never run out of beautiful pinecones!

You could pluck them out straight from pine trees

or just go looking for them fairly scattered on the ground.

I know, not everyone can actually

relate to such fetish...:)

I've been obsessing with a lot of

sewing and craft projects lately and

these Japanese mags are just heavenly.

Free sewing patterns + step by step tutorials.

The only downside is that its in Japanese language.

Not much of a concern though if you're

fluent in sewing lingo.

my new raincloud mobile graces
my workroom and still is a current favorite.
My favorite artwork bag bought many years back
at one of the many thrift stores
here in Baguio.

Have a happy day!

Refashioned Man's Shirt to a Cute Little Dress

2011-06-16T17:36:00.002+09:00

If you're refashioning a woman's piece of clothing into something else, its like you're just restyling the whole aesthetic aspect of it. But its a totally different story with men's clothes. When i decided to refashion H's Ralph Lauren denim shirt, i realized that i had to deal more with the sizes and measurement adjustment, which i kind'a hate cuz dealing with numbers is not one of my best traits....hahaha! Men's shirts have wider armholes and shoulder lengths that stretches from one antipodal point to the next. I ended up making this sleeveless dress...which i think is a little too cute for my age....lol. Perhaps this one's better off with one of my younger nieces! Off to the next project!

Have a great day everyone!

XOXO

I stopped counting at 23

2011-06-11T17:54:00.002+09:00

There are just too many wonderful things to be grateful for in life to keep complaining about the things that never happened, dreams yet to get crossed out of one's bucket list, new gadgets yet to be afforded, places yet to be travelled. If there is one thing i am grateful for as i celebrated my 32nd birthday is that i am able, for another year, enjoy living and leading this life. Thank you God for allowing me to have another year to enjoy! Other than that, thank you also for these little joys:

for a loving hubby who insists on buying me a new pair of shoes
for that wonderful lunch that truly satisfied my meat cravings
for my little sonshine's hugs and kisses
for jeepney and taxi drivers who still mistake me for a student (LOL)
for the many wonderful people i've met
for making House of Isla a success despite its infancy and my inexperience in the trade
and for family and friends who were there with me to celebrate my 32 years in this world.

* As a thank you for all these wonderful blessings, House of Isla would be having its very first SALE. Expect big price cuts and amazing giveaways...all in the month of June. Opens tonight, June11 @8pm.

XOXO

of climbing walls...

2011-05-29T13:37:00.001+09:00

vintage dress: House of Isla

J
Zafra once described writer's block as somewhat like constipation of the brain. Such metaphor is seemingly so appropriate right now for me. For many days now, this post had been saved in blogger's draft and many days I've tried to open it only to save it back. Am as dry as a prune can get! No matter how hard i try to squeeze any creative juice out of my brain, any effort just ends up in vain and am left more frustrated. Days like this makes me miss attending grad school when i used to have a mountainload of readings from semantics to Discourse analysis. But since there are no more deadlines to beat, nor intimidating literature professors, my mind started to laze the day away with mindless tv viewing and lounging. My refashion projects have also accumulated dust alongside with my sewing machine as i have neglected to finish them all up. I blame it on my spontaneity...i got too much of it to the point of being sedentary. I know am speaking in contradictions but it is possible i tell ya. Am so spontaneous in decisions of making no decisions! It doesn't make sense i know but this is as far as my brain could elucidate the thought....hahaha, pardon my inarticulation! I know i gotta do something about it...so i guess i have to pull myself out of this rut and start hitting the books again to oil away corrosion in my brain. Wish me luck my dearies!!!

Becoming Jane Lookbook

2011-05-23T00:43:00.001+09:00

"I am the woman of my generation

The soul that graces behind

the ink in my parchment

I dare walk barefooted

armed with my with and charm"

May2011 Lookbook: Becoming Jane

*by the way thank you so much for the new followers of this blog and to those who have left their comments on my previous post. You guys really made me smile. I would definitely hop up all your wonderful blogs...as soon as i get untangled from my current crazy schedule. Hope you guys had a great weekend!!!"

xoxo

just teasing...

2011-05-14T11:31:00.001+09:00

While blogger sorts out its problem and manages some last minute maintenance, which i hope would be done the soonest possible time, i would leave you with a teaser for the upcoming May catalog for House of Isla shop. As usual, new catalog entails hours of slaving away in my workroom and lesser blogging time. The latter i don't feel bad much about as it is currently a battle to surf around blogspot with its recurring errors. Nevertheless am glad that am able to do a post today and so here it is.

See you again soon my lovelies!

"It is only a novel... or, in short, only some work

in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed,

in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature,

the happiest delineation of its varieties,

the liveliest effusions of wit and humour,

are conveyed to the world in the best-chosen language"

— JANE AUSTEN (Northanger Abbey)

Wow, a feature!

2011-05-07T10:12:00.000+09:00

At some point in our lives we question ourselves if what we do is worth the while and if we have made the right decision in our choice of a career path. We want some sort of validation that our work has somehow given even the tiniest spark of inspiration to other people. Though i do not seek fame and fortune doing what i do now, it is of course still human of me to hope that somewhere out there in the universe someone appreciates what i do. Thanks to Nina of Misslikey Blog, i felt really honored and a tad special when she asked me to do an interview with her for a blog post featuring me! Truly i was surprised when i got her email and felt all jittery like a teen being asked for a date by the cutest guy in my vocabulary! Again thanks Nina!

To read more about the interview check out MISSLIKEY BLOG!!!

outtakes...

2011-05-04T13:56:00.002+09:00

It's May...and the new month means only one thing... a new collection for House of Isla shop and busier days ahead. Woodland Miss was a great success but as much as i would want to keep it the whole year round am afraid that would bore everyone to death. Besides conceptualizing and curating for the month of May got all my lazy bones working again. So lets take one last sneak peek at the April: Woodland Miss Collection for House of Isla. Here are a few of my favorite shots!

Have a great day everyone!

Easter Belle: Photography by Emily Soto

2011-04-22T09:47:00.002+09:00

{images via emilysoto.com}

People all over the world may be celebrating the Holy Week

in the way their different customs or belief dictates.

But before we get drowned in the festivities and the no-work days,

let us give thanks and prayers to the Lord

and be reminded of what these occasions really are for!

Have a happy Easter weekend my sweets!

Woodland Miss

2011-04-14T10:55:00.000+09:00

Take a brisk walk into the woods...

in your soft chiffon dresses

and beautiful crochet details.

Prance around over the crisp

fallen leaves

and once again admire

the beauty of nature

Take a stroll now,

my Woodland Miss.

check out our April Catalog at House of Isla

spell CHAOS

2011-04-10T10:58:00.001+09:00

this is how this room looks like on busy buzzy days

vintage laces and buttons, i love them, i hoard them

early morning caffeine fix and one messy worktable

It's capital M-Y space W-O-R-K-R-O-O-M!!!!

Since our overseas visit was put off for another month, i had the time to prepare for the April Catalog for House of Isla...and yes this is how my workspace looks like during this "grueling" time. How in the world do i manage to work in such a state, well i have not the slightest idea meself. I've worked pretty well in chaotic spaces since time immemorial...as a Journalism student back in the University i get burried in the midst of paper and newsreports beating deadlines....in grad school i get surrounded by hefty books on Linguistics, Language Theories Papers and Thesis. Now am swallowed up to the neck by vintage buttons and laces plus glue guns and scissors! I love my life.

Hope you guys had a great weekend!!!

*Oh, by the way House of Isla shop is currently having a makeover

so please bare with me for a few more days!!!

shop yapi

2011-04-05T08:53:00.004+09:00

My all time favorite Boho girl Gizelle of Vanilla Ice Cream blog has recently opened her online shop SHOP YAPI. For its first collection expect to see tons of beautiful casual chic style lovelies and assortment of must-have accessories perfect for any Boho girl!
Please do check out her shop at www.shopyapi.com......am sure you won't get dissappointed.

pS. my apologies for the lack of update these days...am on a self-imposed solitary confinement rushing up the April collection for the House of Isla. Ciao for now!

Another Red Head Beaty

2011-03-25T08:10:00.001+09:00

Ihave, many old posts ago been vocal about my love for red heads so much so that i actually want to be one (am seriously thinking of dyeing my hair red). And while the world (or Brits for that matter) is fussing over Emma Watson with her new Lancome endorsement and all, I'd say Bonnie Wright should have her a run for her money with this insanely beautiful photos! Yes, my dearies. This mesmerizing lady in the photo is Bonnie Wright, more popularly known as Ginny, the youngest amongst the family of redhead the Weasly of the famed Harry Potter series! At first i thought i was looking at some old Rennaisance painting only to find out that these were actually photos shot by my new shutterbug god Yuval Hen. Now i have one thing to add to "things i-wanna-do-but-most-likely-never-going-to-happen-but-i'd-wish-for-it-anyway list...that is to be shot like this by Yuval Hen himself....hahaha some pipe dream! For now i think i'd be behind the lens.

Feline Funk

2011-03-23T03:05:00.000+09:00

t's so easy to dismiss our cats lazy ways and downright boring life as nothing but natural. They are after all, cats. Wrong! Even our cutest furry pets could fall into depression otherwise known as the feline funk. Such depression includes signs like overeating, lax grooming and oversleeping (yes we are still on the subject of kitties and not a vast majority of your average homo sapiens). Soooo, without resorting to some kitty shrink, we opted to bring our little persian Rafee out for a little sun. Bringing cats outdoor is pretty much unusual as they do tend to cower at the sight of strangers. They are afterall not the frisbee-catching type as opposed to their four-legged counterpart, the dog. The boys played a bit of soccer while i served as some sort of bomb shelter as Rafee seemed to cling for dear life, nervously shaking at every single sound of each passing car.
Did the outdoor do him some good you ask? I'd say, next time am buying him one of those wind-me-up mouse instead...:)

You're 31 today and still dashing in my eyes

2011-03-16T19:05:00.003+09:00

생일 축하해 내 사랑!!!

Happy Birthday My Love!!!

31 years and 31 wonderful things i love about you

1. How you seem to get amused by your own tacky jokes.

2. Your patience despite my being crankypants at times...ok a lot of times!

3. Your devotion and loyalty. I've never seen a more loyal person in my life really.

4. The way you respect my views no matter how senseless they are sometimes.

5. For not discounting me despite my mathematical abilities or lack thereof..lol!

5. For sticking by my side through the ups and downs of life.

6. For loving me more despite my imperfections.

7. For taking the time to cook when i dont feel like it.

8. Your neat-freak ways.

9. Your OC-ness at times.

10. For being a good father to our son.

11. How you constantly ask me to wake you up when beating up a deadline, then end up sleeping through the night.

12. How you tell me oh so frankly that the food i just made tastes bad...hahaha!

13. Then lovingly praising me for the effort.

14. How you sometimes forget our anniversary then remind me the times i also did..."even?"

15. How you no longer do the cold treatment when we fight...

16. And argue like lawyers in a courtroom instead...

17. Then laugh about it!

18. How we've grown mature together....physically! Seriously we both need to hit the gym honey! I got an excuse...i bore a child...you?!?

19. For knowing which buttons to push or not when am steaming mad!

20. For the endless hugs

21. kisses in the morning.

22. For still holding my hands when we walk together.

23. And for still opening the car door.

24. Or preparing a seat.

25. For ignoring hunger when you know that i too have not eaten.

26. For telling me am beautiful.

27. And that you're blind as a bat without your glasses.

28. For understanding my constant blogging and photo editing.

29. And for never once bringing it up in an argument

30. For being my number one fan.

31. And i love you for, well for being YOU!

@one of the streets in Seoul
and @ Fridays Resto Makati

one of our prenup photos in traditional hanbok

totoy and nene...hahaha! oh youth, how fleeting you are!

Insadong, Seoul

to the beach we go!

♥♥♥

Shopping Wish List

2011-03-13T15:34:00.000+09:00

In a week or so, we'd be flying to Korea for our annual family visit. It is almost the end of winter there but am sure it would still be freezing cold. I have yet to pack weather-appropriate clothing for the whole family but i already have a clear list of my future buys when i get there. Korea has the best online shops in Asia, probably the world. Everything is all about convenience and the items are really cute. This year however, instead of going crazy buying fashion apparel I'd be purchasing more on cute little whatnots i could use in making lovely handmade goodies for the House of Isla shop. See these babies? Cute aren't they.

Are you a boho girl?

2011-03-08T17:25:00.002+09:00

{Plant the seed}

Boho girl

Free. Radical. Independent.

Her style is her own.

It's personal, existential.

Her only fear is convention.

Her only weakness, shoes.

The bump on her nose adds character,

the scar on her shoulder adds strength,

the curl in her hair adds attitude.

There is no such thing as imperfection,

just originality.

Unmovable, unshakable, unstoppable.

She's America's next top role model.

Someone both inspired and inspiring.

She embraces her spirituality,

aspires to her dreams,

lives through her passions.

She is a world changer.

She is bohemian.

She is a boho girl.

{source: BOHO MAG}

The Shop Opens...for real this time!

2011-03-01T03:17:00.002+09:00

Come and have a look!!!

These are but a few of the House of Isla's 2011 Secret Garden Collection.

Unfortunately though, these are only available for Philippine residents.

But don't worry am working on international shipping.

Please feel free to send in your comments. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Enjoy browsing around the shop and i do hope you find something to your liking.

Click each photo to see more info about the items.

House of Isla

An Apology and a Sneak Peek

2011-02-27T03:57:00.003+09:00

Of all the time to have one's internet connection to go haywire on me yet again...i hate to think that the universe is playing pranks on me, consistently testing my conviction not to mention my already frayed patience! Am sure you guys are rather disappointed or have wondered what happened to the Friday opening that i have so proudly announced (*blush blush). It is one of the few obstacles one has to face running a one-woman-show. Am so sorry for leaving you up in the air like that. So for the mean time while the the House of Isla Shop site would be up for more test runs, here's a sneak peek of a few of the first items that would be available in the shop. These babies are a hundred plus percent handmade with love.

Have a great weekend lovelies and hopefully the shop would be up and running in a few days!

xoxo

save the date...it's February 25!!!

2011-02-23T19:39:00.007+09:00

After blood, sweat and tears it's finally here!

Please mark the 25th of February on your calendars!

That's this Friday!

The House of Isla will open its doors...at long last!

Strawberry-filled Sunday

2011-02-20T22:07:00.002+09:00

We got quite a scare after a couple of short tremors were felt two days in a row here in Baguio a few days back. Of course, given the tragedy that had befallen this beautiful city in 1990 no one, i mean no one would dare take an intensity 4 earthquake ever so lightly again (hence the cancelled classes in many of the schools). There was still much talk about it for a couple of days with remnants of tragic memories touching the city's hearts so to lighten up a bit we decided to do something a little different this weekend. We headed for Strawberry Farm, a mere 20minute drive from downtown, for some strawberry-picking experience. We got a short heads up from the farm owner on the proper way of picking strawberries and we were off for a conquest! Little sonshine's friend tagged along and they had so much fun competing on who could get the biggest and prettiest strawberry of all.
It's been a while since i last visited the place (the last was i believe when i did a feature report for a local paper...a decade or so ago...have i mentioned that in my former life i was a Journalism grad...lol) and the place had so far developed in terms of convenience with their wide parking space and well-paved road. There were also vendors who sell, you've guessed it.....strawberries and in all manner possible...(i.e. strawberry ice cream, strawberry taho, strawberry candy). It was special in some way because we don't get to have this kind of experience anywhere else in the country. As i know, strawberries only grow here in the highlands since they require a certain degree of temperature to flourish.

It is always nice to find one's way back to a place close to home and see it with a new eye ....it only proves that you need not go to a far-flung place or burn a hole in your pocket just to have fun. As long as you're with the people that matters to you, everything else would just fall into place and that the littlest of things would leave a smile on your face as you drive your way home.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!!!

Serendipity

2011-02-14T11:38:00.004+09:00

If i were to tell you twice the whole story how H and I got together, you might end up more confused than the first time. In our youth we shared the same universe and yet somehow we were both disconnected. No attraction nor love at first sight sort of thing. We passed each other by the hallway and exchange formal smiles and nod. We lived in a parallel world and yet we knew nothing of each other.

And so you might wonder how and why we got here, together. Honestly neither of us know the answer. It is indeed a mystery. I guess love does happen when you least expect it, when you don't plan on falling. Then one day, you wake up with a heart full of longing and realized that what you've been looking for all this time was just right there standing right next to you!

To H, thank you for the nine wonderful years...and for the wonderful man that you are.

Happy Valentines Day!

because it is...

2011-02-07T18:38:00.002+09:00

Green is my color

2011-02-03T16:50:00.003+09:00

There's something else that graces my workspace today. After running some wifey errands, i dropped by the mini nursery just outside the mall and bought myself a couple of greens. I started with the not-so-big ones as i was afraid they might end up like the few dried out cactus...cacti i had in the house (yes i know cactus are supposed to be resilient but they seem to be so unreceptive of my loving hands *sigh), which pretty much speaks of my gardening skills or should i say lack thereof....lol!

But it's New Year so i thought i should polish up on a few skills. I do pray they would flourish and grow healthy especially my fortune plant. Anyway, everyone seems to be onto their own celebration of the Chinese New Year and since it is also Korean New Year I would be slaving away in the kitchen preparing an extra special dinner...so i guess am off now.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

새해복 많이 받으세요!

Angela + Ithyle Still and Moving Photography

2011-01-30T09:46:00.001+09:00

Need i say more!

I have always wondered who the genius was behind the Lost Things video that featured my ultimate girl crush, Alison Sudol (yup that redhead in the music video on my top sidebar). Well it turned out it wasn't a genius but...geniuses! Two very talented photographers Angela and Ithyle mesmerized me with the way they capture photographs and i could only drool over their moving pictures wishfully hoping that i could pull off something as great!

Check out the Lost Things video below (It's so Alice in Wonderland!)

Am sure you'd fall in love with it too!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

xoxo

Seven Random Things

2011-01-24T12:37:00.006+09:00

1. I love owls!!! can't get enough of 'em!

2. I've always wanted to write a novel and more ambitiously to win a Pulitzer! Although chances of accomplishing the latter is quite bleak, am still hoping i would be able to actually produce one despite my not getting past the Chapter one phase! Never mind if it's gonna be a bestseller or not...lol!
3. Am a huge diy-er and creating things gives me so much high!

4. Dandelions! Aren't they just precious.

5. Despite my lack of regular cardio..am a self-confessed walkaholic!!!

6. Am a proud tree-hugger.

7. Am afraid of heights but for some reason have always wanted to defy gravity!

Thank you to the lovely ladies, Dred and Pink Lady for the awards! I'm immensely touched by the gesture! Now it is my turn to pass the stylish blog award to:

Rachel of Little Girl, Shiny World

Cherie of Parade of Dresses

Francesca of The Present Tensed

Claire of Bow and Floral

match.box.muse

fhen of Little Miss Fhenny

Eden of Chic in the Tropics

Here are the rules:

a. Thank the person who gave you the award.

b. List down seven random things about yourself

c. Then give this application and award on to 7 other bloggers and let them know.

Happy Monday Everyone!!!

grab a little bit of sun

2011-01-20T16:25:00.005+09:00

For over a month now, this beautiful tropical country has been experiencing a series of cool days and nights.* Even the once excruciatingly hot and humid Manila is now donning cool-weather-friendly fashion! And of course, Baguio being the coolest city (if not only) in the country, has kept us freezing for weeks now. Mornings have been rather bleak and wintry as the temperature drops to as low as 9.8 degrees Celsius. So this morning when the timid sun finally decided to get out of the clouds for a change, i was more than happy to bask for a little bit. I got out of my usual thick pants and jacket and enjoyed the friendly skies!
Anyway, it's a wicked wicked weather we're having so don't forget to take lots of Vitamin C and enough ZZZZs!!! Take care everyone!

By the way, thank you for all the encouraging words you left on my previous post. You guys definitely give me the boost and confirmation i need! Kisses!

*The entire world is on the verge of severe Global Warming as proven by the effects of Climate Change being experienced in the many parts of the globe. We bloggers should do our part to save our ailing planet. Join "Plant a Tree" and make your blog carbon positive!

Braving the unknown

2011-01-13T17:10:00.006+09:00

Last year was a year of big decisions for me. Though it was, like the many years that had preceded it somewhat like a rollercoaster ride, i should say that 2010 was the "the" breakthrough year. Unlike most decisions often caused by unprecedented events which we have no control over, mine was self-inflicted of some sort. I made a firm decision to no longer pursue the career i built up for so many years and to relive an old dream.

Yesterday however, I got to reflect on it again while i was doing a couple of photoshoot for The House of Isla Boutique. My mom's words, during the past holiday started ringing in my head again. "Why do you go around wasting your talent and your degree staying here at home. Why don't you accept the jobs that are being offered to you. You're a UP grad for crying out loud. What do you plan to do with your master's degree then." I don't blame her one bit. I know she's just worried about my seemingly "bleak" future doing what am doing now and i respect and love her for being honest! And besides, anyone would have a hard time grasping such decision to leave a lucrative career in exchange of a rather risky, uncertain endeavor. My mom is a conservative, having been a career woman herself but working in an office and that whole 8-5 job do not appeal to me anymore.

It was obviously not a very easy decision considering the current state of the economy but i had to ask myself this question over and over...What am i giving up for a career? Is a demanding career worth missing out on my family? What's keeping me from braving the outside world of conformity? Life is too short to be scared all the time, isn't it? So here i am, venturing into the unknown. Hopefully the world would be ready for me.

Did i regret it one bit? Nah, not a wee bit. I won't ever trade the sight of my son losing his first tooth for the heftiest paycheck in the world!

Free 2011 Owl Calendars

2011-01-10T12:58:00.001+09:00

2010 had come and gone...so quickly i barely managed to catch up. Obviously my internet problem has been finally resolved (hence the post) and i must say that the month-long hiatus from all things techie turned out to be quite good for my heart (no unnecessary urges to change status, update posts or uneventful and futile days of web surfing). But of course after the feast comes the reckoning, i.e. work backlogs and dozens of unattended updates. I am in serious need of organizational tools or else i'd go crazy just by looking at all the piled workload.

Speaking of which, come the first month of the year, much more than the thoughts of buying that nice pair of shoes, bags or dresses we've been salivating over the past year, is the thought of getting the coolest, prettiest, most unique planners and calendars. Lucky enough My Owl Barn and Creature Comforts are sharing these beautifully-designed calendars absolutely free. You could download these beauties here and here.

By the way, thank you so much for all the heartwarming comments you've left on my last post. I may have enjoyed a leisurely life of no tempting web gnawing at my back, but I had surely missed visiting your lovely blogs and reading all your lovely posts. Can't wait to blog hop and visit! Kisses and hope you enjoy these freebies!

Beauty and the Beast

2010-12-14T15:07:00.001+09:00

You may be wondering by now as to whatever happened to my crafty countdown to Christmas. As much as i have wanted to do it all the way til the 25th, am afraid that's nearly impossible at the moment given the circumstances. You see, our internet provider had yet again managed to cause one last nuisance and for us it was the last straw. H finally decided that it was time to have it disconnected and apply for a different provider. The bad service (and i say this as an understatement) was not worth the 2000peso-bill a month. H was even teasing that i would finally have a moment of peace now that it's out of our life forever. Amen to that! Good riddance i say!

However, this would mean that i would be out of the blogging radar for a while. Well actually til after Christmas when the installation would be finally complete. For now, I'd be sharing these wonderful photos by the very same creative photographer behind the Alice in wonderland photos, Annie Leibovitz.

Since I won't be around to greet you all for the Holidays, might as well wish you all a Happy Christmas now!

Snowflake Christmas Tree Topper {It's a Crafty Countdown: 18 days to go}

2010-12-07T18:26:00.000+09:00

about

1. white felt cut into your favorite snowflake shape

2. shimmery leftover Christmas wrap cut into small pieces

3. glue the small pieces into the felt and whala! you've

got yourself a snowflake Christmas tree topper

Here are the rest of little snapshots of our home all decked up for Christmas.

Polar Express Snow Globe, free from purchase of

The Polar Express DVD,

our staple Holiday family movie

the Christmas stockings are all ready for Santa.

Hope he won't have a hard time climbing down our chimney

Christmas is truly at arms length but i have yet to do my Christmas gift list...oh well.

little art pieces { It's a Crafty Countdown: 19 days to go}

2010-12-06T18:47:00.130+09:00

Sorry for the late post today. Some wifey duties took up most of my time since morning til late afternoon. So here is the latest entry for the Crafty Countdown series. These 4.5 by 6 inches art pieces are painted using non-toxic acrylic on homemade canvass (canvass fabric glued on thick cardboard....then painted with a white primer). It was fun painting these cute characters and i can't wait to mount them on little sonshine's bedroom wall. I was so excited to photograph the batch that i neglected to finish painting the red one.

In other news, I was tagged by one of Cebu's fine bloggers Meream to do a "getting to know you" blog post.

I know this one's a bit overdue so without waiting another minute here it goes...

Why did you create your blog?

This blog is a tribute to my late baby daughter Isla (pronounced with a silent 's' and a long 'i') who passed away 14 hours after she was born. During my pregnancy with her I was somehow possessed by creative ideas and have planned to pursue a business on my own featuring my own creations and give up my career in the Academe. For the first time in a long time i was not scared to relive a dream that has been at the backburner for the longest time. Though she may have left us, she left me with the strongest desire to pursue an old dream...so here i am. This blog chronicles the things i am most passionate about such as arts, photography, crafts and the whole creative process

What kind of blogs do you follow?

I love diy blogs, fashion, crafts, photography or any blogs authored by Pinoys

Favorite makeup brand?

Revlon on lipstick, Loreal on foundation, Body Shop on skin care

Favorite clothing brand?

I love Bayo....not only because it's local brand with such inspiring backstory but also because of the quality of garments they produce. Plus, they pretty much speaks the style i adore.

Your indispensable makeup product?

Lancome Cover Mask

Your favorite color?

I am very eclectic when it comes to choices of color but i still don't find anything in neon appealing...not anytime soon at least.

Your perfume?

Depends on the time of day or rendezvous. When am feeling a bit adventurous i use my Ferragamo incanto charm, when an occasion calls for something sexy, i whisk Burberry London or Burberry Brit, when on a date with H it's Burberry Weekend (he has the Burberry Weekend for men and the smell complements each other when worn together). On regular out of town day...it's Espoir. (Now my skeletons are out...it's sick i know)

Your favorite film?

Ever After and La Vita e Bella

What country would you like to visit and why?

Tibet, just got really curious after watching Seven years in Tibet, and no not because Brad Pitt starred in it.

I was supposed to write the last question and answer it but instead i would leave this one blank and let you guys send in your questions instead

Happy start of the week!

Snow Show Boo Hoo!

2010-12-05T09:22:00.010+09:00

What sure way to get really bummed out? For one's internet connection to fail (yet again) causing all the hours of work to go kaput faster than one's dinner being flushed into the toilet...(which explains the no "crafty" post yesterday and my bloglist in ruin). It was a total bummer! I was still so upset this morning i was in no mood to do anything crafty. Pardon my early morning crankiness. Promise that the "crafty countdown" will resume its regular posting tomorrow.

Instead i would just share our rendezvous last night. One of the many events the city of Baguio prepared for the holidays was the much awaited snow show...for the first time in the history of the city everyone would witness the first snow fall. By everyone i would mean people who managed to defy the laws of Physics that no two objects can occupy the exact same space at the same time. You see, the event would take place at Upper Session Rd where six snow machines will deploy artificial chemicals which when released into the air would then turn into crystal like snow. Come 7pm, people started to get impatient and when the snow was finally released, there were obvious unsatisfied spectators cuz the snow covered only a few square meters of the road. Well i guess we tropical people are so hungry for snow that when the city officials promised one our expectations went skyrocketing. I suggest that instead of blabbing about how disappointing it was, let's just all remember the true spirit of Christmas..."It's the thought that counts!" (laughs)

Anyway, H decided to retreat back to where we parked the car in the middle of the scanty snow fall before the disgruntled people cause a stampede. It may not have been the fun night for some but no one could accuse it of not being funny. Book me on the next one!

Sweet Couple Pillows {It's a Crafty Countdown: 22 days to go}

2010-12-03T16:39:00.000+09:00

description:

Couple Pillow

dyed in natural brown using 100% natural dye

Polyester Fiberfill

100% handmade with love

*Amor Vincit Omnia -the text printed at the back

is Latin for "Love Conquers All Things"

Eons ago, i had this obsession with stenciling i practically stenciled anything i could grab a hold of in the house. If it wasn't for H's intervention i would have already turned the whole house into a giant damask wallpaper. My obsession then had fizzled and i've moved on to other crafty things (if you're a constant reader of this blog, you may have already heard how i get easily distracted by new design ideas....which somehow propelled me to do this series). One of the many stencil projects was this couple pillow intended to be a gift for our wedding anniversary (which embarrassingly is already many months overdue and was not completed until this morning).

Anyway, the creative process is rather simple and i got tons of help and inspiration from the many tutorials available on the web. The two links below however were the most useful and fail safe methods i have tried so far. I did however a couple of modifications like using plastic vellum or acetate instead of paper (Martha Stewart) and fabric paints in tube instead of Mod Podge/glue (DIY Silkscreen).

Martha Stewart Stencil Idea

DIY Silkscreen

Please do check out other lovely links below submitted by some talented bloggers!!!

See you lovelies tomorrow for more crafty ideas!

Little Monster Felt Plushie {It's a Crafty Countdown: 23 days to go}

2010-12-02T17:32:00.002+09:00

I can write of little things...

Little wonders minute joys...

They all add up to something more

The essence of all that we live for!

a part from David Roman's Poem titled Little Things

Why is it that the tiniest things could bring such joy? Perhaps it is in the humility of things that real happiness exists...it thrives in the simplicity, the mundane and the trivial.

If you have any crafty ideas you wish to share, just feel free to leave your links here. xoxo!!!

diy military jacket {It's a Crafty Countdown: 24 days to go}

2010-12-01T14:12:00.000+09:00

Old sweatshirt + gold-plated vintage button

= military jacket

how about you guys? Have you started on your own crafty countdown?

It's a Crafty Countdown, 25 days before Christmas

2010-11-30T17:44:00.008+09:00

25 days before Christmas, 25 Crafty "made-it-myself" creations! Seems like a tall order especially for the most disorganized, scatterbrained being on the face of the planet called...ME! But since this is the first Christmas for "The House of Isla Blog", I decided to give myself a heck of a challenge. I have this chronic habit of starting a project then i move on to another once i get struck by a new design idea. What happens of course is an accumulation of unfinished projects. So before i get buried in a sea of crafts-turned clutter, i decided to create a series of posts called "It's a crafty countdown" where i feature diys, crafts and mini tutorials proudly made by yours truly.

Let's kick it off with this "miniature house" for little sonshine's school project.

to see more photos of the project click here

I shouldn't be taking all the credits as i've got tons of help from H who's got mad skills in precision cutting using...well, a cutter (You see, am more of a scissor-girl)! He did most of the assembly and the measurement as i am too much of a klutz in that department. I was however in charge of the whole look, painting, choice of materials and all the teensy weensy details. Surely we were one proud parents when we saw our labor of love...hahaha(so cheesy!)

If you have some pre-holidays crafts and creations, please feel free to share them. (just do a blog post and put the link here. oh please do! please do!) It could be photographs you've taken, small knick knack you've knitted, or even a devilishly delicious cupcake you've just baked. I would love to see what you guys come up with. You could also grab the "It's a crafty countdown" logo (thank you Keren of FPTFY) above for your blogs. May the creative force be with you* (....hahaha what's up with all the cheesy, geeky lines?)

Tag you're it!

2010-11-25T18:41:00.003+09:00

Wow my first ever blog award. I wasn't expecting one since this baby is relatively new in the blogosphere (despite my blogging history since 2006 which consisted purely of Academic papers and research...in other words, the geeky boring stuff....hahaha).

Big hugs and sweet kisses to Pink Lady for giving me such honors. Now it is my turn to tag 15 lovely bloggers. Please do check them out:

FifiTrixie's Style Orbit

Free Pretty Things For You

Happy Blog Hoppin' Everyone!

When am bored...I shoot meself!

2010-11-24T10:28:00.002+09:00

color manipulation + noise

free water reflection effect done online

@Lunapic

Isn't this the longest blog hiatus ever or what! Boy, do i feel mighty good to be finally back. Deciding on a new post after too far a gap in between the last one is however a totally different story. This blog's been off for many days am still getting the hang of it again. So before we get back to our usual blogging regime, forgive this random post!

painted in photoshop CS5

+ retro action

painted in photoshop CS5 + noise

natural light, no post prod processing...just my usual unkempt hair

♥♥♥

You'd forgive my vanity overload, right?

Kisses.♥

A Room with a Smile

2010-11-13T02:28:00.003+09:00

{cute little corner}

{My fave owlie plushie, one of H's Andy Warhol portrait (a gift from me), art and deco books, seashells from one of our travels}

{remember Mei Mei? She's now got a friend named Chiro}

{Yummy Champorado: A treat for all the hard work}

I've been rather sick...down with a nasty cold to be exact. For over a week now, I have been the official virus-carrying-zombie dawdling and moping around the house. Even popping gobs of vitamin C proved to be insufficient to reanimate me. The weather has been expectedly nippy especially during these latter parts of the year signalling the onset of the much anticipated holiday that is Christmas (yey!). Unfortunately it also entails endless and loathsome sneezing enough to wipe out an entire rainforest with my tissue paper consumption. On the good side of things and despite my oh-so-sorry state I managed to start on my long overdue workspace redecoration...well technically it's not REdecoration since I just moved in to the new space which is a few square meters of our study...which also means i'd be shacking up (the use of this expression never fails to give me a twinge in my spine) with "the Hubby". Not actually a bad thing since he's out most of the day leaving the room all to meself.

Well, ok fine the photographic evidence above suggests that i have only resolved a portion, a corner of the room...at least I tried all right?!? Forgive the crankiness. It's probably the meds kicking in. Anyhoo, after less than an hour of tinkering around I decided to whip myself up a warm, delightfully delicious Champorado (a chocolate-based porridge believed to be brought by the Spanish sailors during the galleon trade). Instead of the traditional liquid milk on top, mine is the powdered version. I just love it when the milk slowly melts in my mouth.

By the way, here's a special letter i wrote especially for all of you...

Take a break and live more!

2010-11-08T02:06:00.001+09:00

Oftentimes in this journey we drown in the complexities of life.

Daunting tasks and arduous undertakings fill our cups to the brim, enough to burn us out or extinguish whatever embers are left in our hearts.

Our books are crammed with plans for the future. Yes we want to conquer it all.

Who could blame us when our youth misguided us into thinking that life is all about the tangible conquest. In the process we lose our sight, our vision, our self.

So today why don't you stop for a while and let yourself sojourn into the beauty that surrounds you,

the trivialities, the now.

Who knows you might just find exactly what you have been looking for all this time.

So go ahead and live...and never again let a day slip away!

Alice in Tralalaland!

2010-11-03T13:40:00.000+09:00

images via trendland.net

Just thought i should share...

especially to the Alice fans out there (I for one love this editorial big time)

Would you believe it's already November?

How fast time flies...

Happy start of the month lovelies.