some polka dots i spotted...

I never thought embroidery hoops  could look so charming as wall decor. Do you remember the embroidery hoops from Home Ec class that kept your fabric taut while you did your needlework (Boy, my old Home Economics teacher would be proud that I remember so much about my Sewing Class! See related post here.)? Apparently, they can also decorate a room!

This one isn't as easy as putting in a polka-dotted fabric into the hoop. It involves some patchwork, but isn't it just adorable to put on the wall of a baby boy's room?

And if you don't want them on your wall, you could also use them as a bulletin board.

Interesting, right?

Photos from blondiensc and lushlee.

Today, I am loving...

Today, I am loving these unexpected pockets... On this bridal gown...

On these Katie Ermilio dresses...

Reminds me of Project Runway Season 6 Carol Hannah's cocktail dress...

I don't know about you, but I tend to feel stiff and uncomfortable in formal clothes. This pocket detail would sure lend a relaxed feel to formal wear! So today, I am loving... these unexpected pockets! 

Photos from meohmy, frommetoyou and here.

Noah says...

One Saturday morning, Noah had said "Wait" so many times and it wasn't even 10am. He asked us to "Wait" while he played with his Cars 2 clay set before eating breakfast. He asked us to "Wait" again before drinking his vitamins. So I told him he shouldn't make people wait.

His argument? "Eh why at the doctor, we always wait?"

Now what do I say to that?

Photo of this set of vintage theater chairs which I am soooo loving is from blondiensc.

de-stressing

Isn't it cool that "stressed" is "desserts" spelled backwards. So doesn't that give us license to indulge?

But seriously, the reason why desserts work to de-stress is because we let go when we go to our little candy corner. A stress management lecturer raised a glass of wine and asked his audience, "How heavy is this glass of wine?" People's answers ranged from 20 to 500 grams. But the lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." The lecturer continues to say, "And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, the burden will be incredibly heavy and impossible to carry on. So as with the glass of wine, we have to put it down for a while and rest, before holding it again. So before returning home tonight, put the burden of work down: don't carry it home. You can pick it up again tomorrow."

So til then, just revel in everything else in your life that makes you happy. And if stress is keeping you from recognizing them...

... re-read your favorite book, stop and smell the roses, and look up at the moon tonight.

Photos from i'mjustsaying and heritage.

Whimsical Wednesday!

It's the middle of the workweek once again! Take a break from typing away on your computer and go hand-write a letter...

It's a shame that with email and social networks these days, an actual handwritten letter has become romantic and whimsical and much more heartfelt and not at all a regular thing anymore.

Do you even remember the last letter you wrote or the last envelope you addressed? If you don't, it's about time you write one.

Or better yet...

And write a whole book. Though maybe it's better to type than hand-write, if it's a whole book you're writing...

Like Filipina Samantha Sotto did. She's counting down the international release of her novel Before Ever After on her new site here and is locally launching her book tonight.

Get whimsical and write something today! To reconnect with a friend you haven't seen in a while. Or to begin the plans towards turning your dream into reality. Have a whimsical Wednesday!

Photos from i'mjustsaying and Sam's blog.

Harry Potter and the Detailed Highlights

While Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is showing in every cinema, I thought it was the perfect time to remember the amazing attention to detail given to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando.

I won't talk about how you feel transported to a magical world upon entering Hogsmeade. I won't talk about the obvious sights and attractions - the tour of the Hogwarts Castle, Hagrid's hut, the Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade shops - which you can surely find via Google or on YouTube.

Because apart from the obvious sights, I particularly loved two subtle details. First, the Moaning Myrtle in the bathroom. It's really just an audio recording of Myrtle's moans, but I love that they thought to put in that little detail. So make sure to pay a visit to the washroom even if you don't really need to go. :) Second, this wizard's note-taking! He's the wizard "guarding" the door to Ollivander's Wand Shop. He basically decides how many people from the long line can go through the door for the interactive wand-selection experience. He has this moleskin-looking notebook where he logs the number of people entering the store per show. And look! Look at the heading on his notebook!

He does not flaunt his notebook at all (the only reason we noticed was because we were at the very front of the line and we were incredibly nosy observant) and yet, he takes the trouble to call us "Muggles" in it. 

Apart from everything there was to love about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I especially loved these subtle details.

Hogwarts Express photo from here. The rest of the photos are our own.

  

Today, I am loving...

I am quirky. I think it's the Aquarian in me. So I am drawn to funky prints on my rainboots. In fact, I have 3 pairs because I fell in love with 3 different playful prints (I try to justify the purchases by keeping one pair at home, one in my car and one in the office for unexpected rain)!

But for some reason, on this rainy, rainy morning, I am loving these solid Wellies. Would prefer for them to be in navy though. Nevertheless, I love their equestrian feel.

Photo from olivet. 

Noah says...

We went to Baguio for this year's summer trip. At House of Waffles in Club John Hay, Noah was on a roll...

Upon spotting the restaurant's name on the menu, he said, with the most incredulous expression on his face, "How can a waffle take care of a house?"

And while eating his blueberry waffle, "Diba you said blueberries are only in States?" I said they weren't real blueberries*. "You mean this is a toy?!"

*By 'they weren't real blueberries' I meant that they were bottled, not a freshly-picked fruit like his mango and banana.

Photo from sparklesandpretending. I know they're not waffles, but isn't it a great idea for a placecard at breakfast? For more pancake ideas, check out these ones from ocmominmanila and 101gramsofeyecandy.

shoe art

It's easy to imagine handpainted art on shoes, or shoes that are so sculpturally magnificent, you see them as art. But did you ever think your regular shoes could be worthy to be displayed on your wall - like art?

A Martha Stewart magazine did.

To some extent, even Vogue did.

(see related post on printed covers like these here)

Would you consider showcasing your shoes like that on a wall of your home? Or are you more into keeping them stored in shoe cabinets?

Or in boxes?

Personally, I'm not a fan of boxes (even though they look so much neater)

because it takes longer to get to the shoes.

But I like the idea of these extremely-close-up photos of shoes vs. the usual full-shoe photos.

Or will you reconsider hanging your shoes as art on wall molding?

Photos from deliciouslyorganized and terrierandlobster.

Today, I am loving...

Today, I am loving... the sense of humor of bar dolci. Remember the "sosyal na Bazooka" note on their Bubblegum gelato (see original post here)?

Here is the new note on their Ferrero gelato: "our worst-selling flavor! hehehe"

According to the guy at the counter, "Sinisiraan na po namen kasi sobrang lakas" [We're bad-mouthing it because it's selling too well]. And he said this in jest, without any trace of arrogance. Hahaha! I love that they can poke fun at themselves! 

I guess this place really believes one of those quotes on their wall -- "Ice cream is happiness condensed."

And yes, I've asked if they're okay with a drive-by and the girl at the register said yes!!! Bar Dolci Burgos Circle - 632-8468245 (see drive-by post here).

Photos from here and via my phonecam.

some polka dots i spotted...

Dots or no dots, I have always loved Olivia Palermo's street style.

She effortlessly does that thing that takes so much effort for me to do -- mix warm browns with cool black or gray (see related post here).

She pulls off the wide-leg-pant-look so well and wears bows without looking too girly.

She has the most fabulous coats. Seriously, if I were at the same party as her in NYC, I'd ask to take her coat at the door and ruuun! Yes, literally TAKE her coat! I love, love, love that hooded coat. The orange coat finishes off her already-fabulous outfit perfectly. I am smitten with the leather edging on that camel coat from her ASOS shoot (so Resort 2012 edging! see related post here). And am loving that long inner to that lovely cream short-sleeved coat (so Chloe! see related post here).

And finally, Olivia Palermo reminds me that you don't need to wear heels to look amazing. I love that she rocks a pair of flat sneakers, oxfords and ballerina slippers! My absolute fave are those Sergio Rossi silver brogues! Especially paired with that striped tee! So effortlessly elegant!

Photos from everythingfabtumblr, heritage, denimblog, scarfqueen and oliviapalermofashion. 

Noah says...

Inspired by a series from my muppet-giveaway-winner's blog (here), I am "series-lifting" and starting one on my 6-year-old son's quotable quotes.

Noah is a very sweet, affectionate boy. At bedtime, I always find myself in a tangled cuddle with him. While his arms and legs are wrapped around me and my arm around him, it is common for him to ask me to hug him with my other arm too. He will even pull my arm past his body so my hug is even tighter. A few months ago, while hugging me at bedtime, he said, "Mommy, I wish I could Mighty Bond myself to you so I can hug you forever."

My husband handled the Mighty Bond brand of adhesives for years so Noah knows it so well. So well, that he's used it a couple of times in the past year...

One of Noah's front teeth fell off prematurely because of an accident on a slide. He's been bungi (missing a tooth) for 2 years now and on his last trip to the dentist, he asked her when his tooth would come out. "I need 2 more birthdays to get my tooth back?!" A pause, as he goes deep in thought. "Can they use Mighty Bond and put back my other tooth?"

And just last month, when he took a bath in my bathroom after I had just taken my bath, he asked why I left hair on the floor. I told him they fell off. He replied, "Why don't you Mighty Bond your hair to your head?" 

Ah yes, Mighty Bond. The solution to all our glue-ing needs.

Photo from playtimebreak.

muppet giveaway winner!

Thank you to all those who joined my 2nd month-sary giveaway! You all know your Sesame Street muppets!

So I put all your names in Sherlock Hemlock's hat, tapped it with Mumford the Magician's wand, and drew out the lucky winner...

Congratulations Trisha! Please email me your mailing address so I can send you your giggly monkey. :)

Muppet photos from muppet.wikia and Google.

Color Obsession: Neutrals & Brights

A pop of color always goes well with neutrals. But I think there are certain neutrals that look best with particular neons...

Neutrals NAVY and NUDE (see the post that inspired this color pairings post from eyecandy here) look perfect with bright ORANGE.

Neutrals NAVY and WHITE are elegant with bright GREEN.

Neutrals KHAKI and MUSTARD are stunning with bright PINK.

Here is where I beg to disagree with Bally though...

I think neon YELLOW is best matched with neutral GRAY.

Whether or not yellow is paired with black or gray, don't you love these awesome neutral + brights pairings?

Photos of the Bally-Rina (the name cracks me up!) collection from Bally. Photo of the woman in striped heels is from FromMeToYou. Photo of the striped heel shoes I've been eyeing from Aldo. And the gray + neon photo is from 101gramsofeyecandy.

Today, I am loving...

Today, I am loving this wooden dock...

Because watching a breathtaking view in the most serene surroundings will not be calming if sitting on a dock hurts your back...

I'm not entirely sure if these are of the same wooden pier. But if they were, and it was indeed convertible, wouldn't it be just perfect?

Today, I am loving... the idea of a convertible wooden dock.

Photos from A Cup of Jo.

muppet names giveaway

Just a nostalgic note to remind you that you have...

... days left to comment/email the correct muppet names for a chance to win your own giggly monkey!

Original post on giveaway here.

Photo from here.

Whimsical Wednesday!

It's the middle of the workweek again! Time to get whimsical with this fairytale-inspired ad campaign of Hermes.

Cinderella

Aladdin

Alice in Wonderland

The Princess and the Pea

Fairytales are more real than we think. Everyone actually gets their happy-ever-after; we just fail to recognize it with all of life's distractions and frustrations - like those that the middle of the workweek brings. 

So go ahead and recognize your happily ever after.

Have a happy, whimsical Wednesday!

Photos from theessentialist and heritage.