Brunch at Home

I went to Dapitan Arcade yesterday and bought a set of colorful dinner ware.

The black tea pot goes on top of the cup to form something fun and practical while 

the autumn leaf-shaped soup bowl contrasts with the olive drab/sap green plate.

Someplace Charming

 The Porch

Dining and Living Area

  Fitting Room
Receiving Room

 The Balcony

And one lazy cat.

Today, I went somewhere in Pasay City where old charming houses hid behind deceiving rusty gates and dust covered walls. One of the great things with my internship with SPACE is that I get to visit amazing places not easily discovered.

Finally wore the loafers my dad bought me last month. I wore Matinee loafers from Aerosoles and yes, they're comfy :)
 

Swimming Water

Holy Thursday and the Spanish Inquisition

I'm currently getting hooked on this.

 

Feathers Flare

 

Taking Pictures

Nicole Whisenhunt and Vanda Fondunaeva at Enderun

Since my first year in college, I've been regularly visiting stores like Firma in Greenbelt 3 and the more recently opened AC+632 in Greenbelt 5. The items in those stores never fail to enthrall me, making me feel like Holly Golightly looking through Tiffany's window display. Nicole Whisenhunt is one of the jewelry designers featured inside Firma. She's a young designer who broke into the jewelry world a couple of years ago with her precious stone-embellished chain necklaces. Last night, she, together with Vanda Fondunaeva launched their new bridal inspired designs at Enderun. 

{Outside the event area, we sat down beside velvet cut upholstered chairs}

{Warmly lit bar with tall post in beveled mirror panels}

 {Left: Model Right: Vanda Fondunaeva}

Nicole's new pieces are bold statements. During the event, I can't help but look at the pieces worn by the models. Hairpieces, bib necklaces, belts and brooches, these things call for attention. They're not for wallflowers like me.

 {A futile shot of one of the hairpieces}

 {Bib necklace by Nicole Whisenhunt}

They say that each piece takes around 100 hours to make. Beaded, embroidered and hand-sewn semi-precious stones and crystals into velvet and satin fabrics, they make intricate pieces. A simple dress? Anyone wearing this will be anything but plain.

 {A close up of the beautiful "bride" passing by wearing Vanda's bridal gown design which complimented Nicole's diamond-like bib necklace }

 {With half of the entourage. Yes, actress Heart Evangelista and socialites modeled Nicole's pieces}

 {Clothing line by Vanda Fondunaeva, Accessories by Nicole Whisenhunt}

 {Vanda stands beside her model.}

 {The whole entourage with the designers}

 {Me, Nicole Whisenhunt, Shari Quimbo}

Nicole was so gracious to have let us take a picture with her.
Nicole offers made-to-order services for her bib necklaces. You can choose from a 12-piece collection and may opt to modify these ready designs. For those who want to get pieces of Nicole's new collection, you may head on over to Firma located at Greenbelt 3.

Oh, by the way, I had fun at the event not just because of the fashion show but also
because of the freebies they gave after!

{Freebies from the show}

Shari told me to take a picture of my first freebies while I'm on the job.

{The Nicole Whisenhunt giveaway was a notebook, which
I think, I will never use since it has very smooth and glossy
paper that I will never want to write on}

{I got a pink scarf from Vanda which I've thought of
wearing as a belt for upcoming occasions this summer}

{I fell in love with the floral fruity scent of Lalique Perfume's Amethyst. It has this floral fruity scent doesn't overpower the soft, powdery base it has. Plus, it's bottled in a seductive violet hue!}

Juan Sajid Imao

 

Juan Sajid Imao

His name may sound familiar to those in the art industry. His father in Abdulmari Asia Imao, National Artist for Sculpture. Juan Sajid Imao followed his father's footsteps. He started sculpting when he was still in grade school, fashioning insects out of ball pen covers. 

Years after, he graduated with a Fine Arts Degree in Sculpture from the University of the Philippines (Diliman) and became a prominent figure in the art industry.

Now, if I ever get to meet Juan Sajid Imao, (or 'Sajid' as people in the art circle call him), I'll ask him:

"How did you fashion insects out of ball pen covers?"

Start small. Dream big. Then the world will follow!

Image from: http://www.mbfoundation.org.ph/prog_MADE2007.html

Manila Now

Date: March 3-7, 2010
Venue: SMX Convention Center
Held Coinciding with:
HOTEL SHOW PHILIPPINES
NEW ESSENTIALISM
(In celebration of th 45th Anniversary of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers)
Total Square Meters of Exhibition Space:
Over 14,000 square meters

MANILA NOW 2010 plays an invaluable role in allowing local exporters to showcase their products to the international market. Now on its 14th year, it is deemed as one of the most sought-after international furniture events for foreign buyers. it has also become one of the key must-see events in the ASEAN furniture circuit.

This year, MANILA NOW is expected to surpass its previous performance with a wider and more diverse exhibit. It will be held in conjunction with two other shows - the Hotel Show and the Philippine Institute for Interior Designers' (PIID) New Essentialism. These shows will expand the profile of the show to include buyers from the hospitality and design industry. More than 10,000 buyers are expected to be present at the event, translating to higher sales, a stronger industry, and a stronger local economy.

{from the Manila Now 2010 Press Kit}