Congratulations Catherine C. of Iloilo! You won the Daphne Linens raffle.

Thank you everyone! We got almost 600 entries including readers from Egypt, Russia, Australia, and many other countries.

Until the next raffle….

My state of mind is mush. Just to give you an idea of what goes on in a day for me, yesterday I did this — I did design and admin stuff for furniture, I met an old friend who will work with me on a video project, then I did jewellery stuff, then I had my hair blown out, and I rushed to a photoshoot. I don’t think I’ve ever been this busy. Hands-on busy.

Lately I’ve been committing stupid social crimes – like forgetting about a party I helped plan (Christmas with the Air Force brats). I was already in my sleepwear when I remembered. Still, I made it. Once, I double-booked and had to make it to both events. Dreadful. Then last Saturday, the unthinkable happened. I thought I was being good by preparing myself to go early but we ended up in the wrong hotel… at the other side of town! It was my friend Tito Villanueva’s 50th birthday party.

We went to the wrong hotel! This is the lobby of the Hyatt.

Where the hotel’s front desk desperately tried to find Tito ‘s birthday dinner party for me. We were very hungry at this point too. For some reason, I had the restaurant Lili in the  back of my mind. Never mind that Tito sent beautiful paper invites. Silly me.

Click “More…” to see how this turned out.

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The Red Plaid Card

Friends, check out this Assumption College Family Council project – the “RED PLAID CARD”, an Assumption privilege card which will be honored in popular dining, beauty, health care, retail, entertainment, travel establishments and so much more.

For just Php 500, and with a one year validity period (February 1, 2012 – February 28, 2013), card holders are treated to loads of perks, freebies and discount deals from hundreds of establishments. Please check their Facebook page for the growing list of partner establishments.

By getting your own personalized RED PLAID CARDS, not only will you enjoy great and exciting privileges, but you will also be helping our numerous beneficiaries since proceeds from this project will support the Hain Feeding Program of the Jubilee Preschool Learning Center in Boni, Mandaluyong, an Assumption mission school. Part of the proceeds will also go to support the varsity teams and student council projects.

For more info, check out the AC BED Facebook Page or call the Family Council office at 817-7891 or 813-6291.

Can I say that K&Company‘s current collection is LOVE? (But don’t I always say that?). They’re all about lace right now. And this particular one is my favourite. I got it in black and white. The cut is just perfect. Wore it out to dinner at Antonio’s with my friends and also to the Mamma Mia gala with my daughters.

This is the new generation of cotton knits after last season’s colour-blocking did so well. I hear that up to now, people are still looking for my Taj Mahal dress. It has been reissued in new forms and colour combinations. These are my current favourites.

I love that I don’t have to think about clothes too much. I call this no-fuss dressing. It’s like a formula, a uniform.

This season, K&Company will be releasing prints and paisleys. I’m looking forward to that.

And in keeping with my whole no-fuss philosophy, I’m still loving my Soft Set perm from Studio Fix. It has been more than three months. The curls have subsided a bit, leaving perfectly imperfect little waves. It gives me an excuse to have messy hair. Those sunnies were a gift from my husband a couple of years ago. They’re by A.P.C.

This was my hair two nights ago. I just had a treatment then (nothing fancy. just the equivalent of a “hot oil”). If you plan to get Soft Set with Alex Carbonell at Studio Fix, just make sure you tell them what exactly you want — strong curls or light waves. And remember that though this hair is pretty much wash and wear, you have to apply curl enhancing product after every wash. Alex will recommend the product. Also go in for a treatment every couple of weeks (I just do it once a month) to combat dryness. They’ll explain it all to you. Studio Fix is in Greenbelt 5, 0927-576-7698.

My good friend Ingrid is responsible for introducing me to shopping online (for major goods, whatever major means). Thru her site, The Bag Hag, I get easily tempted to buy her yummy recommendations.

I spent part of today trying to find inspiration in Pinterest. But I ended up in Shopbob and found these goodies. The good thing about Shopbop is that you can opt to have all duties and taxes paid for when you check out. Just choose Shopbop Global. So when they deliver to the Philippines, the courier can’t hassle you to pay for “tax”. Just tell them it’s pre-paid.

Miguel Ases Peridot Quartz Crystal Earring I love, love, love this setting – 14k gold-fill dangle earrings featuring miyuki beads and Swarovski crystals at the faceted peridot teardrop. * 1.5″ (4 cm) long, including French hook. * Made in the USA. – Green/Gold

Miguel Ases Pearl Tassel Earrings with Pyrite Quartz  This reminds me of my ruby tassel earrings from India. These dangle earrings feature freshwater pearl fringe and pyrite quartz accent beads. Sterling silver post. * 3.5″ (9 cm) long. * Made in the USA. – Pearl

Fallon Jewelry Small Adored ID Cuff I just love the word “adored”. I think every person should be adored. This malleable, 14k rose gold-plated cuff features ‘adored’ script. * 2.5″ (6.5 cm) diameter. * Made in the USA. – Rose Gold

Never cared about Alexander Wang Simona Fox High Heel Sandals until I saw it on Manrepeller last month. These mirrored-leather sandals feature fox fur at the vamp. Buckled strap at ankle and a detachable flap overlay at heel cap. Covered heel and leather sole. * Heel: 4.25″ (110 mm). * Leather: Calfskin with fox fur trim. * Made in Italy. * This item cannot be gift-boxed or shipped outside the USA. It is now 50% off at Shopbop.