Me Time August 14, 2009

A week ago today, on a Friday, I treated myself to some ME time. Of course, I get to have a lot of alone time when working, especially since research and writing is basically a solitary profession. I also love my home and my bedroom, and I spend a lot of time during the evenings tinkering on anything I fancy- from a new novel to an old charm bracelet that needs a bit of polish. For anyone, these little things take up enough solitary time, devoted primarily to the fancies of the self.

But I realized, it has been quite a long time, years maybe, since I gave myself some alone time out of the house. I was constantly with friends, the boyfriend, and family every time I would sample a new resto or cafe, when I’m out hunting for sales and bargains at malls and flea markets, or during my trips out of the city. Lately, I was always out with a bunch of people: grade school friends, bubbly girlfriends, my noisy family, etcetera, etcetera. The busy-ness of late has left me with very few indulgences, especially those which I get to do alone. I am a social creature, and I do crave the company of good friends almost all the time, but there are times when I just want to get away from everything and to witness life through my own lens.

Suddenly I found myself missing the slow days and chilly nights in Malaybalay, where I would read for hours in a quiet cafe or order my usual beef teriyaki dinner at some roadside restaurant during 8 o’clock evenings. I suddenly missed the heady, giddy thoughts of meeting that special someone at the bus stop after a few hours, and get to walk the silent streets at night while holding hands.Those have been the sweetest of times.

Pushing those romantic memories aside though, what I missed the most was my independence and anonymity. In that small provincial city, I knew only a few people. It was kind of lonely yes, but those were the most indulgent times of my life. And now that I’m back for more than a year in the city where I grew up in, I found myself missing being alone, if only for a while.

So. It was last Friday when I ventured out of the house at past 3 in the afternoon, and settled  into some neat cafe downtown, bringing along two books, one a short story compilation and the other, a cheesy, schmaltzy romantic novel. I ordered a tall glass of blended lemon iced tea and linguine pesto with lots of olive oil. I ate without hurry, read my books slowly, and paused every now and then to look at the busy streets outside the cafe glass walls. I also allowed myself  a few thoughts and daydreams every now and then, and to smile occasionally at the people who would walk in and out of the cafe.

It was already dusk when my phone rang. It was Carla, asking for directions. She was heading to my dentist’s clinic, where she had a late afternoon appointment. After answering her call, I left the cafe, walked a bit,  and did some shopping at the nearest mall. Then my phone rang again. I told Carla I was at the mall, and would she like to join me? She was happy to; my brother who is her boyfriend had some exclusive all-boys party to attend to. So we spent the rest of the hours hunting for bargains, eating fastfood, and chatting.

That ME time really did me good, and although my good friend soon joined me after a few hours, it did not really matter. There are still so many late afternoons to look forward to. Whenever I feel the sudden need to just be by myself, I can always pack with me some new books, get holed up in a fragrant cafe, and pretend for a while that I’m visiting some far off city where I don’t know anyone.

Shopaholic Santa December 14, 2008

My feet are killing me. I have just spent an entire Sunday scouring the malls for Christmas gifts. And the tragic thing is, I’m not even done yet! I have found stuffs for the picky brother, three friends, and five god-children, but I still have to pick something for Mom and for sister dear, for the boyfriend, and for most of my hilarious friends.

Plus, I’m still debating whether to bake cupcakes or cookies to fill my Christmas take-home pouches with. Perhaps I should try Nigella’s Chocolate Pistachio Fudge. Hhmmmm. Now, where is that recipe?

Then there is the pasta and dessert I need to prepare for the dinner on Christmas Eve, which is actually Plan A. Plan B is opting for catered food, arranging them on a Christmas-y plate, and snoring the entire time before dinner. Haha, fat chance.

I’m giving myself a shopping deadline by next weekend, which is only three days away from Christmas Eve. Oh, well. Remind me to chug down a few bottles of energy drink, so I’ll breeze by the actual holidays looking all calm, poised, and unruffled.

Click on the Link! December 11, 2008

Bag Shopping Fashion Tips for Every Working Girl

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With the right kind of bag, any working girl is sure to look both smart and fashionable. This article offers helpful tips in finding the right bags for the right occasions, whether for office conferences or for parties.

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http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1265442/bag_shopping_fashion_tips_for_every.html

Wish I Owned an Entire Bookstore October 25, 2008

I was at the mall today and finally bought Jane Austen’s Persuasion and Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight. Bookstores are always like sanctuaries to me, and I could lose myself for hours pacing aisle after aisle after aisle of books. There was a sale nook at National Bookstore, but I decided to scrimp on another day. I should have known; after all, I always find it difficult to leave a bookstore empty handed once I’m already inside.

I should not be surprised why most of my book purchases are done on impulse. When I enter a boutique, I can resist buying a new top, a handbag (well, some days), or a pair of shoes. However, every time I venture inside a bookstore, I always find it almost sacrilegious not to buy a book. Everything looks glossy and gleaming and beckoning. This, or the fact that I really am an impulse buyer by nature, and to curb my shopping guilt afterwards, I make it an unconscious point to visit bookstores instead. I mean how can you feel guilty when you have bought something which actually feeds your mind and not your inane vanity?

While I was at the mall earlier, I visited again the kiosk which sells the earrings I have coveted for like, months, and there they were, all pretty and distant. I had to restrain myself of course, seeing that I already shopped at the bookstore, quite unplanned.

Anyway, as I have always wanted to indulge myself in another Austen, I finally bought Persuasion. As for the Meyer book, I have no expectations of it but am counting on the fact that it is a bestseller and that there’s a movie coming to theaters sometime next month. Plus, I have always loved Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, so I’m hoping I’ll love Meyer’s fiction just as much.

As much as I have vowed not to buy any new book unless I finish reading Eco’s Island of the Day Before, I just keep breaking my promise. If I follow my vow religiously, I think an entire year will pass before I read another fiction. I have no idea why but this Eco book is like sleeping pills to me. Seriously.

I think I’ll read Twilight first. Hopefully I’ll be done by the time the movie hits the cinemas. And if I do like the book, nothing will keep me from buying the rest of the three books of the entire saga. Even if it means putting off buying the lovely earrings for a while.

So-called lessons from Sex and the City June 29, 2008

So, I finally saw the movie every fashionista has been raving about. The famed TV series where handbags, stilettos, and froufrou skirts share the same spotlight as its leading actresses. The fiery, unadulterated show of obsession over bejeweled Manolo Blahniks and monogram-crammed Louis Vuittons.

Well, you get the picture. I was not expecting to get blown away, just entertained. The good news is, I got what I wanted — entertainment in the most colorful, glittery, and paltry sense.

Surprisingly, I did get a few half-serious lessons from the movie,and (drum roll…) here they are:

1. For girls, never, never get too carried away when you’re planning your wedding. Otherwise, you’ll risk getting jilted at the altar.

2. When you’re married, and your husband cheats on you, ask yourself, “Are we having enough sex?”

3. 40 is the new 30. Marriage-wise.

4. Never accept a marriage proposal that’s thrown at you casually. The guy may just be half-serious.

5. Love your girlfriends. There’s nothing like great buddies and Saturday night margaritas.

6. Work is not everything. Get a life. Love your Hubby.

7. Sushi is supposed to be eaten by chopsticks or by hand. Not to be scattered over your naked body, while you’re lying on the dinner table. On Valentine’s day.

8. Communicate with your man. Don’t over-assume.

9. It’s perfectly fine to wear high heels at home.

10. Wearing too much color is okay. As long as you can afford Blahniks and Vuittons.

11. Apparently, sticking bird feathers through your wedding veil brings bad luck. Ask Carrie Bradshaw.

12. Don’t force your guy to write love letters. Or poetry. Or personalized wedding vows. It’s too much pressure for him, poor thing.

13. It’s decent to get married in front of a judge. Especially when you’re over forty and the guy has had two before you. Reasonable, too.

14. Go easy on packaged puddings. You might poop in your pants. Ooops…

Well, at least the movie was an eye candy from beginning to end. The dresses were enviable, the bags were fabulous, and the shoes were killer. And oh, it preaches the proverbial lesson that love can come at any age– and that it needs sex and lots of drama for sheer survival.

If there’s something that the movie dwells on other than fashion, its the L thing. L-O-V-E. Bradshaw’s book title. A key chain. A computer password. Love letters from poets of another century. Break-ups and make-ups. Typical chick flick.

Now that I think about it, I still like The Devil Wears Prada much better. Now that’s fashion eye candy with a lot more punch.

When Christian “So Fierce” Siriano Won May 22, 2008

So fierce. If I could be anything right now, I’d love to be a fashion designer. Admittedly, I never really cared for fashion designers before. I mean, who could afford the clothes they make, except millionaire celebrities and carrot-nibbling fashion models? For a long time, I believed fashion designing was just child’s play, nothing more. Designers could very well afford the expensive fabrics that they spin into masterpieces, plus they are backed up by wealthy A-lister’s who are more than willing to pay $100,000 for any of their simplest creations. It’s a fairyland. They dictate fashion, play with silk, ruffles, and sequins, sip champagne, and rub elbows with heiresses and royalty. Fashion designers don’t really work, they seem to be enjoying themselves too much.

Or so I thought. To borrow Siriano’s favorite word, the fashion industry is fierce. In fact, there is so much work, emotion, planning, and execution that goes into every seamlessly designed evening dress, or even just a simple cashmere jacket. These clothing designers are artists, only that they need to couple their inspirations with manual work: they get pricked with needles all the time, sleep late, deal with frustrating models, and get booed by critics. Well, they do live the glamorous life, but perhaps I am not in the position to sourgrape.

I always knew Christian would win on Project Runway Season 4. The judges kept calling him a genius, and he’s not even 22 yet. If I had half his talent, I would probably be halfway across the world right now. If I had a fourth of his talent, I would probably still be in my own workshop, but rather expectant of worldwide fame. Tragically however, I don’t have even the most diminutive fraction of his genius. It’s true, Christian Siriano is a prodigy. The fashion world is about to welcome a real talent.

The guy is fierce.

Cheap Vintage Finds January 31, 2008

A girl’s gotta have such trinkets inside her treasure box