Art and Chocolate: From New York to Manila

It has been months since we've first tried the Theo and Philo chocolates from echo store.  The moment we tried the sea salt and green mango we knew we've hit a pasalubong winner! Originally, we were supposed to fly to NY this February for the NY bar, but since I got my eligibility late, we had to move it.  Anyway, just when I was trolling the web, or more specifically fashion blogs, I came across Mast Chocolates! So what better trip than to bring in and bring home chocolates -- or in this case, chocolate wrapped in art!

Theo and Philo Chocolates
All the flavors are amazing! Nice full bodied chocolate. Our favorite will always be the Green Mango and Salt!
(image from www.teammanilalifestyle.com)

Who wouldn't fall in love with the packaging? Yes, I die too!
This little chocolate shop in Brooklyn has been getting a lot of attention online, its just beautiful!
That dried cranberry is shouting my name with its brickred houndstooth packaging!
(photo from www.garancedore.fr) 

These chocolates will give you one battle of wills -- between looking at the wrapper and munching the goodies inside!

Hey Sole Sister!

photo from Philly.com

Red is the color of war as YSL and Louboutin renews their trademark war, and Elle Woods is not coming to the rescue.  After the injunction filed by Louboutin was rejected by the NY Court a motion for reconsideration (as expected) was filed and a new round of oral arguments slated.

The question is, does it really make a difference.  On Louboutin's side, I must say if I were the brand owner and has been using the "red sole" my trademark I would view YSL's move (although I recall they used blue for their Tribute before, and of course McQueen used pink) as something that could dilute my brand.  But the question is still whether or not my "wounded feelings" may be remedied by a trademark infringement case is another.  Maybe it's just a case of damnum absque injuria.


For the consumers i.e. the food starved-skipping-off-eating-for-my-next-shoe-crowd, would you want a single color palette associated with one brand? So red for Christian, Blue for Yves, maybe black and white for Coco, and Pink for McQueen? It seems a bit ridiculous, but in terms of arranging your collection of black pumps by brand, according to their sole color, then I suppose it makes sense...but I guess that's not what the Lanham Act, or the Paris Convention, had in mind when they were drafting the rules for trademark and what may or may not be registered.

Two-Year Crush for CNY!

I fell in love in 2010. And as the (Chinese) year 2011 draws to a close, I find myself looking back at the stud, or studs, that took my breath away...

Valentino Studded Kitten heels from Fall 2010 (Euro 539 at Mytheresa.com)
Photo grabbed from Mytheresa

Normally, I don't fell for kitten heels, but this gorgeous piece just took my breath away! I just hope its still there when I can finally afford it! *sigh*

Fillable PDF

Today's post is something a little geeky.  Anyway, the reason for this was that I encountered a number of forms at the office in .doc format. In a perfect world where everything remains formatted no matter what you type in there, this is good, but in the real world where formats and (letterheads) actually become a jumble of l_e_t_t_er_____and symbols it is much better, and cleaner, if one can just do a fillable pdf.  After a brief research online I managed to find a way to do it in OpenOffice.

The link for this was from this forum.

Tried it and it works perfect! There might need to be some trial and error on making sure the size of the text box works well, but that's the only challenge. Also, I edited the (resultant) .pdf file through the opensource document viewer app and it works just as great.

For non-Open Office users, this link gives instruction using Windows and Adobe designer. Adobe designer, I think, is a proprietary program, hence you might need to pay for it.

Till next!

Workwear and Playing Dressup

Online shopping has been both my curse and blessing the past few months.  As physical shopping, there is also such a thing as online window shopping.  As I think of some inspirations for what to wear for the new job, I have looked backed on my (huge and growing) collection of eye candy stuff I saw online...here's some:

Vivienne Westwood's Anglomania.
Perfect draping, the lines are bold while at the same time office appropriate, not to mention still a relative classic.

Victoria Beckham Shift dress.
There's something about a shift dress in monochromatic colors and luxe material that says business and well, gaudiness. 

Etro Safari dress
This dress is so multifunctional...it can be made office appropriate with a tailored blazer and weekend / lounge friendly with a bright colored scarf (maybe those Versace x H&M?). The luxe satin material of this safari dress sets it apart from, well, all things safari?

From Jason Wu
This tweed and leather lined dress has the lady likeness reminiscent of Coco and the toughness of leather -- sort of Chanel meets Alexander Wang...

Lanvin
This lanvin set will get you from bundy clock to guest list! The fact that they're separates (unlike those deceptive twofer dresses) adds to the multifunctionality.

Just sharing some inspiration folks...no copyright infringement intended.  All signs, trademarks etc. are property of their respective owners. :)

Theme 2012: Places

Because 2012's theme is places, literally and figuratively, here's a lineup of places for 2012

First Stop:

photo courtesy of travelup.co.uk
Spent NYE here, it was fun but a bit tame for New Year

For the next few months:

from nycdwellers.com
Straight to the Big Apple! Concrete Jungle where dreams are made of! Broadway, SATC, gossip girl.
I can't wait to go to New York!

From travelpluto.com
The dam that rules dam all!
For a pitstop. 

From Malagainformation.com
It isn't Barcelona or Ibiza but Malaga is a MUST stop after the pressure of the NY bar.
Ferdi's parents lives here too, so a vacation/visit is in order. 

from goldcoast.asia
Hopefully things go well and we get to visit my sister for Christmas 2012

from Wikipedia
Will end the New Year with a bang. Louder this time...here we go Sydney!

So many things to do so many places to go, but truth is, it can be more fun in the Philippines. A short trip on a long weekend, anyone?

Coron. Palawan
Been there, done that but I would definitely want to go back.
I want to bring Ferdi this time, and share Coron and its magnificience

Place: underwater, where else but at Portulano
Hopefully this will be the year I get to dive and get a license...for so many things. :)

Oh 2012, I'm so excited! 

More Fun in the Philippines

It was a busy 2011, and the year past by in a whirl. I posted, in my facebook, that 2012's theme shall be places. But before going anywhere else let me share with you the fun travels I've had in my home country, where sites are fun, and (sometimes) scenarios funnier.

Here's my take on the Department of Tourism's #ItsMoreFuninthePhilippines campaign.

As the water recedes from Panglao beachfront, the children goes out to play, and maybe catch some seashells .

The Humps. These natural hills are made of coral, not your typical hill, and turns brown during the summer, hence it's name "Chocolate Hills".

The thinking island. If this island could talk (or think) what would it say, how does it feel to be constantly marveled with the magnificience around it.  Taken at Camiguin, an island literally borne of fire, where one can enjoy the grandiosity of Mt. Hibok Hibok while getting a tan at white island -- a sand bar in the middle of the sea.

At White Island in Camiguin.

Yesterdays Tragedy...At Coron, Palawan where World War II wrecks have become the home for schools of fish and other marine life, and a constant tourist draw. 

Calamianes Islands. After enduring the short ascent up Mt. Tapias, tapias in Filipino means cut, this view of Calamianes Islands will great you -- breathtaking!

Pit stop. We made a quick, and precise stop on our way to Kayangan lake where this view - which  is  identified with Coron - and it was the best stop ever!

One of Many. During our four-day stay in Coron we always have lunch out, included in the tour package, where the boat man and tour guide sets a buffet lunch in different islands -- all white sand, view always unbelievable beautiful. Photo taken at Banul Beach, Coron.

If walls could talk...I hope they don't coz these limestone walls will surely roar. To say they are towering is an understatement.
Entrance to Kayangan Lake at Coron, Palawan.

Group Shots. Everyone knows Filipinos love to take photos, and with ready smiles and that ubiquitous peace sign, they'll gladly  (and with take two!) pose with you.

Say goodbye to LA Walk. Line dancing at Sinulog is only for the Fierce.
Sinulog 2010, Cebu, Philippines

100 Islands, (Almost) 100 Bancas.
Hundred Islands, Alaminos City, Pangasinan

Off the beaten track. Lake Sebu is Situated in North Cotabato in Mindanao. Do not let the news about the insurgency in Mindanao faze you, going to Lake Sebu from General Santos is easy and worry free.

One of the seven waterfalls in Lake Sebu

Suspended. Took this photo while hanging about 100 feet at Lake Sebu's zipline -- the longest and (i'd say) most picturesque zipline in the country.

It is bluer than blue!
Mt. Pinatubo, Pampanga, Philippines

At Kiltepan. Sunrise.
Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

Kiltepan Rice Terraces. Early Morning.
Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

Which way to go? It doesn't matter.
Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

These limestone formations took millions of years. You have to see it in your lifetime.
Sumaguing Cave, Sagada.

Go on. Go green!
Sagada Rice Terraces.

Wear your SPF. Literally.
Sinulog Festival.
Cebu, Philippines

Come, visit my Philippines. It's more fun...