pattylaurel

For all the Instagram Addicts

2013-05-25T17:16:00.000+08:00

My Current Skin Care Regimen

2013-05-25T10:51:00.000+08:00

I've been receiving a surprisingly laaaaarge number of emails asking for SKIN CARE tips. I've blogged about skin care numerous times already but just to give into your requests, I've decided to write about it again :) I do understand how stressful it must be to have problematic skin, it can cause so much discomfort, a lack of confidence and a host of insecurities! I feel you sistah!!! Guys think it's something so shallow to stress over---but it's something VERY serious and I'm glad you have reached out to me for help! So let me try my very best to help :) :) At the end of the day though, it all boils down to HYGIENE and HAPPINESS! Products are simply there to "aid" you, but it really is as simple as keeping things calm and clean--inside and out. ANG CHEESY!!!

Before you follow my skin care steps, you have to remember that WE ARE DIFFERENT---we have different genetic backgrounds, diets, sleep patterns, hygienic practices, etc. It's not as simple as going to the mall and purchasing these items and hoping that your skin will miraculously change too.

What works for Catherine Zeta Jones might not work for me but it might work for you. I struggled for many years too and it took a lot of hits and misses. You have to do your own research, read the labels, and test the products. These things work for ME now (who knows it might change in a year or two) because of my current lifestyle, age and skin type. I just wanted to give you guys a heads up, it's important for me to be accountable to you guys as my friends and readers. Anyway here are some skin related things I wanted to be transparent about, if you fit the same profile, then you MIGHT have a better chance of making this skin care regimen of mine work.

1. I am a happy loser. I don't do drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol. At most, I'll have a sip of wine for social events, but that's it.

2. I have limited sun exposure. I'm hardly outdoors except when I'm traveling or shooting on location.

3. I have sensitive skin---combination to dry. I've had a history of eczema and my skin reacts to harsh chemicals, abrupt change in weather/climate, and even some pollens/plants! My skin was IN PAIN when I was in NYC, it was so dry and uneasy! I'm made for the Philippines! Hehehe!

4. Though I appreciate all your comments about my skin I want you to know that I still break out--my skin is NOT perfect. I find that when I'm stressed, dehydrated, or about to get my period--that's when I get one nasty zit! Hehehe :)

5. I rarely put THICK makeup. As much as I love the way I look with makeup, having a thick pile of makeup on every single day can cause premature aging and acne. So if I don't have to slather on products for work, I try to keep my face bare as much as I can.

Also be very careful with makeup, there are a LOT of healthy makeup brands that are smarter alternatives for your skin. If you need to put makeup on everyday, make sure you use brands with less harmful chemicals and check that your brushes are clean before applying makeup as this can cause acne! If you're having your makeup done, request for the makeup artist to clean the brushes first before using it on you! It's possible for the germs & bacteria to transfer from one face to another through brushes and sponges! Eeeekkk.

5. I'm annoyingly and obsessively clean with my body. I always take multiple showers in a day. It's not very healthy (over showering can strip you off your body's natural oils) but it's an addiction that I'm dealing with.

STEP ONE:
For regular make up free days, I squeeze about a coin sized amount and massage all over my face. Then I take it off with a gentle facial tissue. Take note, I do not use water because this is no-rinse formula. Avene is available in Mercury Drug. For days when I have a shoot/hosting gig and I have a ton of makeup on my face, I use Shu Uemera's cleansing oil first before this step.

STEP TWO: I apply this toner on a clean cotton ball and spread it all over my face. I let it dry for two minutes. This is a very gentle toner, you don't even feel it sting! It just feels like water!

STEP THREE: I apply a drop of Argan Oil on my face and neck. One drop is more than enough! It's a bit pricey for a bottle but since you just need a drop or two a day, this bottle will be with you for months! This is available in Beauty Bar.

STEP FOUR: If my skin is feeling extra dry, I apply moisturizer throughout the day just to make sure it's getting nourished. For those with oily skin, I recommend trying the gel formula and only applying a little at a time.

STEP FIVE: This is something I just started to do..it's something I should've done years ago. SUNSCREEN! I don't have wrinkles yet and I'm always indoors but just to be proactive, I've been applying sunscreen on my face every morning. To make it more effective, you should re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours. This Face Cover is available in VMV Hypoallergenics and is suitable for sensitive skin.

This is my regimen for both morning and evening. Cleanse&Moisturize religiously and you'll be fine! I do hope these products help you as much as they have helped me! You also have to keep yourself hydrated, get a lot of sleep and eat healthy!!! HAYYYY, the eating healthy part is something I AM STRUGGLING with---but we will get there together! :) And remember, you are BEAUTIFUL regardless of your skin color, skin type, pimple or no pimple!!! Don't aspire to have perfect and flawless skin---aspire to be HEALTHY in general and let your skin be a reflection of your physical, emotional and spiritual well being.

Sneaker Wedges

2013-05-25T09:34:00.002+08:00

It seems that EVERYBODY who's a SOMEBODY has sneaker wedges on! Of course I wanted to be a SOMEBODY too so I got me a pair of sneaker wedges from ALDO just to be part of the cool kids! Hehehe! Not only does it add a bit of height (alleluia for petite girls), they are surprisingly comfortable plus they make you look so cool in an instant!!!! Reposting my NY pic :)

And here are my girlfriends Beyonce, Kate and Miranda

---bonafide addicts of sneaker wedges too!

via newyorkgirlstyle

Now, here are my top picks from ALDO!

But HOW do you wear your ALDO Sneaker Wedges??? Let's take our cue from these celebrity style icons. First of all, it's all in the PANTS! Choose pants that hug you tight from your calves down to your ankles, this allows your sneaker wedges to sort of peekaboo properly. Number two tip--Don't limit yourself to "sporty" looks when it comes to dressing up with your sneaker wedges. You could wear something very chic and sophisticated ala Jessica Biel or cool&casual ala Jessica Alba. Work with contrasting styles but make sure you practice proper symmetry :) Third tip, HAVE FUN with them!!! It's a welcome break from your killer stilettos--they give you the height without the blisters!

Bonifacio High Street. Powerplant Mall. SM North Edsa. Trinoma. Shangrila Edsa.

Greenbelt 5. Robinsons Galleria. SM City Cebu. Abreeza Davao. Alabang Town Center.

Marquee Pampanga. Mall of Asia. Megamall.

The Eternal Honeymooners

2013-05-23T18:24:00.000+08:00

The Parentals in El Nido.

Happy Birthday Anne!

2013-05-22T23:24:00.004+08:00

Happy Birthday to one of my dearest girlfriends, Anne! Patrick and I love you so much :) :) May you continue to bless others with your kindness and thoughtfulness!

Happy Half A Year

2013-05-22T08:53:00.003+08:00

We've been married for half a year!!! HALF A YEAR!!! Palakpakan naman diyan!!:) Patrick had to leave for Coron this morning for a shoot so I'm sulking all by myself in bed---I guess we will have to celebrate when he gets back on Friday. In the meantime, I guess I will just whip out a box of Kleenex and watch our wedding video again---this one's a different version, lovingly edited and shot by our wonderful MAYAD family!:) :)

Official Wedding Video of "The Pats" : God's Perfect Gift from Mayad Studios on Vimeo.

Hey Jow

2013-05-21T21:21:00.002+08:00

Thank you so much Joanna Ballesteros of HeyJow for sending these lovely charms and trinkets :) :) She even customized a travel inspired charm bracelet just for me!!! How sweet!!!

I'm giving away necklaces from HEY JOW!

1. Click the LIKE and TWEET buttons below this post.

2. Click LIKE on the HEY JOW Facebook Page.

3. Tell us which necklace/bracelet/accessory you love the most. Post your answer on the HEY JOW Facebook Wall. Don't forget to add the hashtag #pattylaurelblog to qualify as an entry.

Example: "HeyJow, I'm obsessed with this charm bracelet! I hope it brings me lots of good luck in life and love! #pattylaurelblog"

A max of 3 entries per person only. Contest ends on May 31. HeyJow will notify the winners directly via Facebook on June 1.

The Beautiful Life of Zach Sobiech

2013-05-21T05:50:00.003+08:00

This is a long video but I do hope you will carve out time to watch it. It will change your life. :) Thank you Lord for allowing me to watch this---and thank you Lord for Zach and his family!

Up in the Air with Eva Air

2013-05-20T07:29:00.001+08:00

As much as I LOVE to travel, the sitting on your bum for hours is not exactly my most favorite part. I dread long haul flights, it's just something I physically and mentally have to psych myself for. Thankfully, more and more top of the line airlines have included Manila on their flight map, giving us the luxury of choice. We can now choose an airline that flies to our preferred destination (with minimal layovers!), works with our budget, and offers comfort&good service too!

When I was younger, I just booked cheap flights--because they were cheap. As simple as that. But after traveling for many years I learned that it doesn't end with the price---a good deal is only a good deal if you're getting GREAT service at a LOW price. If you're getting LOW service for the LOW price you paid then that doesn't seem to be worth the brag. These days COMFORT is a crucial criterion in choosing airlines ---so a perfect match for me would be a comfortable flight at an affordable price. BINGO!

For our NY trip, I did a lot of research online and narrowed it down to a few options. Eva Air won this round because of their Evergreen Deluxe/Elite class. It's actually a class in between Business and Economy, giving you luxury that's more affordable for the budget-savvy but discerning traveler. It's obviously a bit more pricey than what you'd pay for coach, but for an 18 hour flight it's something worth considering especially if you want to be well rested during your trip.

According to their site, "This fourth class of service included the luxury seating, personal entertainment screens and individual controls usually associated with business class, but was available at a cost a little above that of economy class. High-quality passenger comfort and attentive in-flight service give you amenities typically found only in business class on other airlines. Our Evergreen Deluxe cabins meet domestic business-class standards, offer spacious seating with rows positioned 38 inches apart, and give you your own individual seat-back video system with a selection of movies for your in-flight entertainment. You can even adjust your screen to the optimum viewing angle and operate the system with digital controls built-in to the front of your armrest."

Chillin' with my EVA girlfriends! Hihihihi :)

To book your Evergreen Deluxe/Elite Class seats, simply log on to www.evaair.com or contact your friendly travel agent to inquire about Eva Air's latest promotions. Their interactive site allows you to book and pay for your tickets at the comfort of your own home! With just a few clicks, you can select your preferred flight schedules, check in online to avoid the long lines in NAIA, and you can even pre-order your meals (for Business Class). Plus you can also get free real time flight status updates via SMS! I was able to book our flights and pay for our taxes/service fees within minutes---no stress at all! I'd like to extend my deepest thanks to the lovely ladies of EVA AIR: Nenita Chan, Nancie Ng, and Andrea Carlos for making this all possible!

To hear more about our actual flight experience, just click on this video below.

EvaAir from Thirtysixomedia on Vimeo.

Marc by Marc Jacobs

2013-05-18T08:31:00.000+08:00

I love everything about the SPRING 2013 collection of Marc by Marc Jacobs!!!! This line feels like a mix of different influences---Japanese POP star meets African Safari meets Organic Goddess chic! It feels modern but earthy at the same time, I can't seem to put my finger on it..but it works! The layering of different pieces, the mismatched yet still coordinated prints, the fun color palette, the turbans, and of course THE SCARVES!!!!!! I love how Marc Jacobs went scarf crazy for this collection.

And of course..how could we not talk about these bags?!?!? Aren't they insanely cute! This is how we should all approach fashion--with a "I'm wearing something FUN today" attitude.

via glamour

The reason why I'm blogging about the latest Spring collection is because------>>The Marc Jacobs fan girl in me just died!!! Yesterday an extra special package arrived, they sent me the ACTUAL runway clothes to simply play dress up with. THE. ACTUAL. RUNWAY. CLOTHES. EEEEEPPP!!! *insert shriek here* I cannot stress further how this is such a BIG DEAL. Just being able to wear them, even just for a day, gave me a happy tingling feeling all over. So indulge me as I post some pics of my mini fashion show! I decided to work with the Marc by Marc Jacob pieces into my daily wardrobe---to make it still very stylish but a bit toned down for everyday use :)

PS: I'm sorry for not putting any make up on---but I did put some lipstick so that should count as makeup, right???:) I asked my husband to snap these pictures for me and I was just giggling the whole time, I guess I need a fashion blogging tutorial ASAP!Hahaha!:)

This is such a sweet&dainty metallic polka dot skirt! It's perfect for corporate fashionistas!

It cuts just above the knee which makes it conservative but still very flirty.

This scarf is to die for!!!! I went absolute bonkers when I saw it on the runway photos and couldn't wait to put it on! It's such a versatile scarf that can be worn in multiple ways.

This dress is perfect for Manila weather, it's lightweight fabric makes it extra breathable!

This is the perfect movie date sweater! Perfect for cuddling with your sweetie :) Oh and the sunnies are from Les Moda.

Loving these SPRING looks??? Rush to Marc by Marc Jacobs in Greenbelt 5 now!!:)

Crescent Lake and Hurricane Ridge

2013-05-18T06:19:00.001+08:00

Photos by my mother-in-law :) Thanks Oma for these happy snow pics!

Seattle Filarts

2013-05-17T04:19:00.001+08:00

We've been back for two days now but I'm still suffering from a bit of jet lag. I've been wide awake since 330AM! I have an early call time for work in a few hours, so I guess I should use this dead time to post more photos. From New York, we made a pit stop in Seattle to visit Patrick's brother Paul, his wife Michelle and their kids Paolo, Mateo and Bella. His mom was also visiting at the time so it was a very happy reunion for all of us. In just 4 days, we managed to squeeze in a lot of eating, sightseeing, and advenchooooor thanks to Mic's jampacked itinerary! Check out our pics below :)

Fish and Chips at Spud

Heavenly Salted Caramel Ice Cream at Molly Moon

Seafood Fiesta at Crab Pot

Cheering for the Seattle Sounders..they won 4-0 by the way!!!

Church at Mars Hill

Happy Chaos at the Pike Place Market

Hurrican Ridge and Crescent Lake

Thanks again to the Seattle Filarts for making my first trip to Seattle very memorable!!

Love you guys!

Best Starts with Dad

2013-05-15T09:45:00.000+08:00

When I was just starting to date Patrick, one of the first few things we talked about was his love for his nieces and nephews. He gushed about them non-stop and I was immediately convinced that this fella was really destined to be a good father. Although we don't have children of our own yet, we've been very blessed to have lots of kids to fuss over! The children of our siblings and best friends fill us with so much joy and it's nice to see Patrick making them lambing as "practice" for the future :) Duma-daddy moves!!!

Jorem and Sky Catilo

I've always admired my friends who are young dads taking on the unconventional role of being hands-on fathers. There's a new wave of fathers who have been debunking old stereotypes of fathers just being financial providers and not really physically and emotionally attaching themselves to their kids. Dads are now more involved in the rearing of their children, pitching in and working hand in hand with their wives to provide a loving and safe environment for their kids to grow up in. From teaching their kids to tie their shoelaces, finish a puzzle, or ride their bikes, Dads are now more focused on the little things that actually matter. Gone are the days of dads just leaving all the "home and family matters" to mothers, now it's really a team effort for both the dad and mom. It's a progressive way of thinking but something I definitely support!

Though my own dad is very old-school and generally a conservative kind of guy, I'd like to think he was way ahead of his daddy counterparts when it came to his parenting approach. During our formative years, both of my parents were working. My mom was running her own preschool and my dad was a lawyer. They both had thriving careers yet they managed to stay very hands on with the both of us, distributing the responsibilities of child rearing equally. So I'm banking on Patrick to be an active and ever present dad too just like my dad and his dad too!

Since young dads are more and more active participants in the lives of their offspring, this adds more pressure on their part as they try to manage their careers, marriage, and parenting all at once. It can really take a toll on them physically and emotionally and cause them to burn out too!

This is a sponsored post.

Speaking of empowering young dads, it's so refreshing to hear about Mead Johnson Nutrition's efforts to celebrate dads who have dedicated their lives to providing the best starts for their kids. Mead Johnson Nutrition, makers of Enfakid A+ and Lactum 3+6+, recognizes all fathers for wanting to give nothing but the best for their children as they launch the BEST STARTS WITH DAD Campaign on Facebook. This special online campaign can get you a chance to win a MacBook Air, iPhone 5, and Ipad Mini just by honoring the DADS in your families! All you have to do is share your father and child photo this May 14-June 11 at http://bit.ly/BestStartswithDad. You can even get a FREE photo shoot for your kids with their dad (follow www.facebook.com/bookofbeststarts for details) and use it as an entry. Visit the Shangri-La Plaza Atrium on May 18-19 and get that Best Start father and child moment captured on camera! Check out this heartwarming video from Mead Johnson that features real dads (not actors) and their message of hopes and wishes to their children.

New York Photo Diary: Day 6&7

2013-05-14T23:54:00.004+08:00

On our sixth day, we met up with my Ninang Marie, Lissi, and Gin for some Shake Shack in Madison. Their hamburgers were insanely good--it's really hard to compare it to any local burger joint in Manila. I had the cheeseburger with the fried portobello mushroom and it was a party in my mouth! On a normal day it takes about 40minutes to an hour to line up for a burger, pero grabe sobrang sulit!!!

Subway Kids.

Grand Central Terminal

PETER LUGER. Hayyyy. My kinakapatid Anco treated us to a fancy dinner and wooow, it was really a hallelujah meal for me and Patrick! This is going to be a BOLD statement but this is THE BEST STEAK I'VE EVER TASTED in my entire 30 years of existence. And I've had great steak--in Manila and even in Europe--but maaaaan, Peter Luger deserves my slow clap. Their no frills approach allows their meat to shine on their own. Nakakaiyak sa sobrang sarap!!! After dinner, I just told myself "Damnit, I really can't become a vegetarian--ever." Hahaha!

A quick brunch at Chelsea Market.

Dropped by Anthropologie and drooled over their products--but left the store empty handed.

Sheer Will Power. I was able to stick to my self-mandated no shopping rule!

I was soooo proud of myself!

The famous Magnolia Bakery on Bleecker Street.

MY FAVORITE NY MUSEUM: Moma!!!!

Trying to be artsy with my iPhone.

Last meal in the city: HALAL GUYS! Hooray for cheap street food!!!

Flight 001 New York

2013-05-14T07:27:00.003+08:00

On our last full day in the city, we decided to visit the FLIGHT 001 headquarters in New York. As you all know, I've become a BIG fan of their Manila store--so I was extra giddy about this meeting. It was great chatting with the very friendly and vivacious Brad John (one of the cofounders) and the rest of his creative team. He was kind enough to show us their new products and as a bonus, he also gave us a little tour around the office as well. We were so lucky to get a sneak peek of all the behind the scenes action :)

Of course, as expected, I was drooling over all the little travel trinkets in the store but what I'm really psyched about is their new SPACEPAK luggage line which sort of integrates the Spacepak technology into an actual suitcase! We don't have this in Manila yet--but I have a feeling our friends at Primer Group will be bringing this in soon! Fingers crossed :) :) For more information about the Flight001 products, visit www.flight001.com or swing by the Flight 001 stores in Bonifacio High Street and Shangrila. Thanks again to Cathy Que and Flight001 Manila for arranging this meeting!

Would you like to visit the Flight001 Headquarters in the Big Apple too???? You could win a TRIP TO NEW YORK!!!! Just visit any FLIGHT 001 store or click on their Facebook page for more details. Promo ends on May 31, 2013! So hurry and get your travel essentials now for a chance to win :) Good luck!!!

New York Photo Diary: Day 5

2013-05-14T06:42:00.002+08:00

If you only had a day to spend in NY, I say spend it in Central Park!!! It is hands down the most pleasant and peaceful place in the Big Apple. This vast open space is definitely a welcome break from all the downtown chaos :) Trees&Flowers > Concrete Jungle! Ang sarap magmuni-muni and holding hands in this park! Hehehe :)

The iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

Brooklyn, Baby. Uhuh, Uhuh.

Banking through Facebook

2013-05-08T19:48:00.000+08:00

I hate, hate, hate lining up to pay my bills in the bank. If you follow me on Twitter, you'll notice that the top 3 things I rant about would be 1)Lining up to pay bills 2)Cutting my sugar intake 3)The break-up of the greatest on screen/off screen love team: Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling---I am just too much of a fan of The Notebook. I CAN'T MOVE ON. I just can't. They were MFEO!!!

You know you're a grown up when you have bills to pay and when those bills have your name emblazoned on the envelope. Walang takas, it's yours and you have to face the music. I've been paying my OWN bills for over a decade now and though it's empowering to know that you're able to financially sustain yourself---it's such a sad, sad, sad moment for your wallet every nth day of the month. We all have money issues. Even rich people have money issues--only their issue is "Where should I spend my money next? I just bought a limo, a yacht, and Justin Bieber's grandparents!" Hassle naman. #richpeopleproblems

I had a little wake up call when i was asked to review the new Facebook app of BPI. I'm still studying how to go about it and it seems pretty straightforward and user friendly. On your FB search bar, simply key in BPI and you'll see the BPI Bankers Online App. Click on it to verify your account and within seconds you'll be directed to the app.

You'll be greeted by a group of friendly online bankers--each with a different personality profile. There's Eunice the Gadget Junkie, Brian the Bowler, Sherrie the Fab Foodie and other equally fun bankers to chat with. Whether you're a financial analyst or a blogger who hates Math (ahem, ahem)---it's nice to have these approachable online experts to help you with your banking concerns.

I realized that although Patrick and I are relatively prudent and are able to live within our means...it's still quite irresponsible to just "coast along". To be a good steward of your income, I see now that it's important to manage your finances properly and research on how to make your money grow. This is something I'm obviously clueless about so please don't write me an email, guys. Well, if you really do have some questions about your money matters---then maybe it would be a good idea to review the BPI Facebook App as well.

"With the app now on Facebook, Filipinos are not limited by either banking hours or having to physically visit a branch. Users can go online to ask and get tips on wise money management, growing their wealth, responsible borrowing and other financial concerns. BPI bankers will then carefully respond to each query to ensure that users will receive only the best advice and solutions for their individual situations. The app also features a connection to BPI’s helpdesk to answer customer service needs." Just log on to https://apps.facebook.com/bpibankersonline/.
This post is sponsored by BPI.

New York Photo Diary: Day 3&4

2013-05-07T20:25:00.005+08:00

SMORGASBURG is LOVE!!!!! Smorgasburg is a Flea/Food Market in Williamsburg. It was the perfect way to spend a lazy Saturday morning with my hubby.

My favorite hotdog joint: Crif Dogs! Alessa brought me here 5 years ago so I vowed to bring Pat here to enjoy the Good Morning Dog. We met up with our Pinoy friends in NY, Bettina, Sophia and Fidel.

For dessert, we walked to the nearby Churros place, La Churreria!

Hot Chocolate for the WIN!!!

For brunch the next day, we made our way to Greenwich Street for a Michelin starred meal at The Spotted Pig. As the New Yorker claims, "the Spotted Pig is a place where normal people go to feel like celebrities and celebrities go to feel like normal people". TRUE! We ordered the Dutch Baby with House Smoked Bacon and the famous Chargrilled Burger with Roquefort Cheese & Shoestring Fries! Both were insanely good and worthy of all the buzz!

At noon, we dropped by Irving Place to catch Hillsong NYC!

Cereal Milk Soft Serve and Birthday Truffles at Momofuku Milk.

After the Knicks game, we took our bags from Chelsea to our 2nd flat in Brooklyn. Don't you just love our Anthropologie/Apartment Therapy inspired studio?:)

New York Photo Diary: Day 1&2

2013-05-04T22:03:00.000+08:00

Here's our "home" in NY: Our cozy flat in Chelsea. It's in such a beautiful tree-lined street, right smack in the center of the art gallery district of Manhattan :) We booked this brownstone apartment via Roomorama.

Our apartment is just a few blocks away from my favorite Whole Foods Market.

Our very first lunch in the city: Rocket Pig, just a few steps away from our apartment.

For Patrick's birthday we trekked to SOHO for the FAMOUS Cuban Corn from Cafe Habana. The.Best.COOOOOORNNNNNN ever!!! :) :) Actual tears rolled down my face! Even their Quesadilla de Pollo was insanely good, perhaps the best tasting I've ever had. I vow to come back before we leave the city.

For a sweet tooth fix after lunch, we dropped by the Doughnut Plant at 23rd street. Yummm!!!

We met up with our Manila friends BJ, Nikki and King. Our NY tour guides brought us to Chelsea Market. It's an enclosed food court with lots of great little restaurants and food shops. They also had an Anthropologie store inside---but I had to look away!!! I promised myself to make this a foodie trip so I'm trying to abstain from shopping, hehehe. Ang hiraaaaaap. It has been a true test of self-control!

We got our hands dirty and had jumbo lobsters for merienda! Sarap!

And more sweets at Fat Witch Bakery--known for their ooey gooey brownies!

After Chelsea Market, we walked to The Highline. "The High Line is a public park built on an historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. It is owned by the City of New York, and maintained and operated by Friends of the High Line." You can visit their website for more details.

We decided to do some fashion blogger poses in NYC---

Patrick's leaf afro won BEST PICTURE of the Day! Hehehe!

Our token Times Square couple shot.

Wicked was absolutely WICKED!!! Perhaps, the BEST musical I've ever seen!!!

Packing with Flight 001

2013-05-03T20:10:00.000+08:00

Greetings from New York!!! I'm happily blogging from the Big Apple and I miss you all!:) You've probably seen me tweeting incessantly about my packing escapades a few days ago---it's something I really set aside a big chunk of my time to do. I hate overpacking and carrying so many unnecessary things while in transit so it's important for me to pack smart for a trip..both for short and long vacations. Let's just say packing for a trip is both stressful and therapeutic for me as a travel bug. I'm sure most of you can relate!:)

So today, allow me to share my new traveler's mecca---FLIGHT 001!!!:) I discovered their Bonifacio High Street store a few months ago while malling with my husband. The store caught my attention because it looked like an actual flight cabin in the middle of the mall! I really appreciate establishments with quirky and ingenius interiors so Patrick and I decided to take a look out of curiosity. We were greeted by the store clerks dressed as flight attendants "Welcome aboard!" and I found it really cute and cool at the same time!

Within a few seconds I was going absolutely bonkers---they had all the items for OC travel aficionados. Things that you never thought existed, things you always wish you had, things that made your little travel conundrums magically disappear in a "poof". Smart, innovative, travel friendly items! AND I must add "stylish" too, they come in modern styles and colors--suitable for the trendy jetsetter.

They carry a lot of well known travel brands--my favorites would be ACE , WORLD TRAVELER, and HERSCHEL lines. They have everything from luggage, passport cases, toiletry kits, ipad&laptops, travel pillows, adapters, bottles& containers, and of course their best sellers are their smart storage keepers called SPACEPAKS! These are my favorites!!!!!! They keep your things neat, tidy, and in place. My maleta had several space pak systems inside---it felt like a little village with little homes for my things. There's just this happy fuzzy feeling knowing that you know where each thing belongs and that they're in their proper place. Not only do they keep things organized, it saves you a LOT of space! I packed my 2 weeks worth of clothes in just one space pak and it occupied just 1/4 of my luggage! Amazing :)

In a few days, I will be visiting the New York headquarters of Flight 001 so I'm really psyched about that! I will be blogging about this soon. In the meantime, check out this quick video featuring items I got from Flight 001 :) Wishing you all a great summer of fun, adventure and happy packing!!! For more details, you can visit their website here.

Special thanks to FLIGHT 001 and Primer Group!

FLIGHT 001 is located in Bonifacio High Street and Shangrila Edsa Mall.

Hyatt Manila Staycation

2013-04-29T22:31:00.002+08:00

I love the whole STAYCATION idea and I find more and more Manilenos are getting into this fad of vacationing in-town. Although, I'll always be a fan of out of town trips---for those who don't have the luxury to take a long leave from work, a staycation in the metro could be the next best thing!

As soon as we got the staycation invitation from HYATT MANILA, we scrambled looking for a free weekend! After being thoroughly impressed during our The Fireplace dinner, I was really sooooo excited to actually check in for the weekend!:) Between Me&Patrick and Cecil&Jonsy (all 4 of us with different jobs and work scheds), it was really hard for us to pin a date. Thankfully, a weekend in April opened up for Patrick so we went ahead and booked the date. We also planned this staycation to fall just a few days before leaving for our NY trip so we could spend time with our nieces, Audrey and Natalie! I'm sure being apart for two weeks from these two cuties will make Patrick feel so homesick :(

Patrick and I were billeted at the 10th floor in a spacious suite---so spacious in fact, I think it's even bigger than our apartment! Hahaha! I kid, I kid! Best of all, it was just a few steps away from the Regency Club lounge! Guests who book for this special suite get complimentary buffet breakfast for 2 AND get to enjoy the FREE cocktail hour from 6-8PM!!!! Whatta treat!!!:) I went gaga over the cheese and desserts (as usual!).

To cap off our Hyatt experience, Cecil and I were treated to a luxurious massage and Moor Mud body wrap by Pevonia Botanica at the Club Oasis Spa. When it comes to spa-ing, I always look for the Pevonia brand so I'm glad Hyatt is also one of their spa partners.

It was a fun GIRL BONDING session for me and Cecil. Patrick joined Jonsy in babysitting the girls, but I have a feeling tinulugan lang sila ng asawa ko! I guess he still needs more practice :) Hehehe!

Aside from being my sister-in-law, it's no secret that Cecil is one of my best friends. Aside from seeing each other almost every week--we're always on WhatsApp almost everyday chatting up a storm about everything and anything. HAY, WOMEN. We never seem to run out of things to talk about, huh?:) We were talking and talking during our treatment, I even caught the masahista laughing sheepishly at my jokes! Hehehe :)

The next morning, we woke up early to maximize the BIG, BIG, BIG buffet breakfast at Market Cafe. They had quite a spread! They had everything from waffles, pancakes, bacon, omelettes to tapa, tocino, daing and even a whole area dedicated to Chinese food. And they even had ice cold YAKULT!!! All you can drink Yakult!!! All lactobacilli shirota strain you can take!:) :)

After breakfast the plan was for us to change into our swimwear and meet the others at the pool. Patrick and I, the lazy sloths, decided to take a nap and before we knew it our alarm was ringing for lunch!!! Eeeeeep!!! Kain tulog--kain ulit?!?! Don't worry, Cecil will be blogging about their family pool escapades so stay tuned for that. :) They're obviously the more active Filarts. Put me in a luxury hotel suite with plush pillows , switch on the AC, and BOOOM it's over!!! "Patty! Orlando Bloom, Brad Pitt, and Ryan Gosling are just across the street! Let's gooooo!!!!" But, But, But the pillows---they need meeee...they're just sooooo fluffffyyyy!!! Showering, Sleeping, Eating---these are my three favorite things. So if I'm able to do these 3 in a five star hotel like Hyatt, then that would make me one happy camper. FYI, my fourth favorite activity would be interpretative dancing, I just like how the message flows through my bodehhhh!Hehehe!

For lunch, the rest of my in laws joined us at Hyatt. It was full blown Filart family invasion at the LiLi Restaurant at the 5th floor. They booked the Bai Ling room for us to enjoy the order-all-you can Chinese buffet. No wonder LiLi has become such a big hit! It's the perfect restaurant for family get togethers, reunions, and birthday parties. Our assigned waiter James was very helpful, he gave me recommendations and assisted me in ordering the right amount of food for our group. All our dishes were freshly cooked upon ordering---and since it was a buffet (with one fixed price per head) we ordered and ordered to our hearts delight!!!! SARAP!

We'd like to say thank you, thank you, thank you to the whole HYATT MANILA

family for arranging this wonderful staycation for us!!!! Hooray for family weekenders!:)

Two Crazy Monkeys

2013-04-28T23:50:00.003+08:00

We loved our Hyatt suite THIS much!!! More staycation photos in the next post :) Weeeee!

Whatta Funny Little Girl

2013-04-28T21:45:00.005+08:00

My 2 year old niece, Audrey. Bow.

Rapoo

2013-04-27T10:22:00.002+08:00

My husband has a new addition to his video editing suite. Thanks again so much Rapoo for sending this sleek keyboard and mouse set. Best of all, they're both wireless! The keyboard is unbelievably slim at only 5.6mm thick. It has a reliable 2.4GHz wireless connection with up to 10m working range. According to the website, "With Rapoo's latest energy saving technology and power switch, can use your keyboard for up to 24 months and the mouse for 18 months without power interruption."

Beautiful Inside and Out

2013-04-24T09:14:00.003+08:00

After months of exchanging emails, I finally met Alena, the lovely bride who won the bid for my wedding gown. It put me at ease knowing that my pre-loved gown is now in good hands! Alena is a sweetheart with the kindest spirit and I was so blessed by her wedding story. On behalf of the community in Davao Oriental, I'd like to say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to Alena and her fiance for this big sacrifice. I'm positive that the Lord will bless your marriage because you've been such a blessing to others :) And to all the other brides who emailed me for this dress, I just wanted to thank each and every one of you for having such generous hearts! Maswerte ang mga lalaking mapapangasawa ninyo! Maraming Salamat!:)