Sunday, May 19, 2013

Katy Perrying.





Hello, greetings from Dumaguete City ! :)) This was taken about two weeks ago in one of our family vacations. We've been taking advantage of every long weekend to squeeze in out-of-town trips. Luckily, every weekend of May has been a long weekend except right now. Here's what I wore on day 1, when we loitered around looking for adventure and gratifying our stomachs beyond- average.

The weather in the Philippines this summer has been downright merciless. All this heat, sweating, sticky feeling is making me look hideous with nothing but sunnies and hats to save me (As you can see). The only up-side to all this humidity is it calls for midriffs and cropped tops which I'm currently obsessed with, never mind that I have a loooong way to go as far as abs are concerned. :)) When I saw this bandeau online, I just went nuts not only because of the cut and the neckline but also the bubblegum colors that came in gradient. Very Katy Perry, don't you think? :)

For adventure-filled days like this one, these canvass sneakers are my current best friends. They were my sister's high school cheer-dance shoes. I had a eureka moment when I saw it at the shoe rack one day. They're comfortable to walk tirelessly in and so cheap you don't even need to worry about abusing them. They're easily dirty but equally easy to clean as well. Plus, they make outfits look preppy and fresh. Imagine this outfit with flats, or boots, or strappies? No, right? Not the same.

Midriff- Blinkydoodles
Shorts- Bobson
Shoes- Ninz'
Fedora Hat- Bazaar Find
Sunnies- Vaintage


The best mango crepe Ive ever had is in Gabby's Bistro! :) Brings out the fat kid in me

Early morning swim, early morning carbs again c/o Gabby's Bistro. Best cheesy bacon fries yet.

Lunch like a lady at KRI. Salmon and vietnamese spring rolls!

Breakfast at "Hoy Lugaw!" by the boulevard.. musing at the quirky seats :))

Banana and Oreos, second best dessert at Gabby's Bistro!

Siesta.

Gabby's Bistro on day1, of course. Never a trip without paying our fave diner a visit.

Serene 7am swim at Florentina Homes.

What did I tell you about our appetite when we're in Dumsville? :)) A few instagram pictures from the trip because sometimes it feels wrong to be bringing along any gadget other than your phone. A quirky outfit for a quirky place just seems appropriate. Summer is almost over! Let's make the best of the last three weeks! :) x

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Out for Brunch







I like brunch dates and brunch meetings. I like that it gives you a pleasant, high-energy start to a would-be long day. I like the thought of light, healthy meals and fruit juices to go with it. I like the idea of the sun shining through glass windows competing with the smile of the person you're with. And last but not the least, I enjoy the idea of heading out in low heels, bright fun prints, and pretty cuts.

When ALPS Cafe opened, I felt it was finally the perfect time to wear this piece that my good friend and talented young fashion designer, Jerrick, handed over for me to try out. This terno from his S|S2013 collection features a floral printed blazer with full-length sleeves, complete with a round collar panel edged with silk and interior lining. With this comes a pair of zip-up, high- waist shorts. Personally speaking, the print and palette has a very nostalgic and homy feel (even reminds me of grandmother and the dresses she used to lovingly sew for my mum and her sisters, and her good old home-cooked meals) while its silhouette is rather crisp and modern... an interesting contradiction that makes an interesting combination... just right for ALPS Cafe's soft-opening where I came both as a friend and as part of the design consultancy team. :)

Aside from haute couture, Jerrick's brand MCSCL is now branching out to ready-to-wear for that designer piece you can still wear on a non- red carpet occasion. To show you just how wearable it is, here is my take as far as casual dressing is concerned.



 Suit: MCSCL
Corset: Promod
Sheer top: Blind Clothing
Oxfords: Forever 21
Heels: Fashion Cookie


Don't forget to drop by MCSCL's facebook page and website ! :)
And to those who haven't read about the newest travel-inspired cafe in town, don't forget to read about it here
Hope everyone's having a great week so far! x












Friday, May 10, 2013

A Little Piece of Sky Cafe



In one of Guadalupe's quiet residential areas, rests a quirky new cafe that is set to capture the hearts of wanderlusts, foodies and people who wish to find comfort in light- hearted dining and lounging around in a cozy, blissful ambiance. Joining neighbors Moon Cafe and Dong Juan is ALPS Cafe or A Little Piece of Sky. ALPS Cafe is owned by the Zosa Family, a fun bunch whose communal hobby is traveling around the world, their padre de familia being a pilot. Needless to say, their restaurant built their inspiration around that. 

The travel-inspired cafe had their soft-opening last May 1, 2013. You can tell we were so excited, we came at the first hour. Haha.


Say hello to Patty, the youngest girl among the Zosas! :)
 When she asked me to be their architectural design consultant, I was super giddy especially after hearing their ideas and concept. Nothing makes a designer happier and more excited than working with trusting and open-minded clients, especially those with their own sense of creative. (Patty is a fine arts graduate in the same college I went to, we worked together as officers in our respective orgs) 

Flashback. During our first visit early last year, I dragged my then- officemates and technical gurus Buddy and Zhen along and they were happy to comply. :) When we first visited the place, it was yet a dark empty space on their ground floor, rough on the surface and enclosed with grills. They were going to develop the place (and their menu) slowly and at their own pace. Here's what the cafe now looks like.  I'm so proud to see how the Zosas pulled it off with little intervention, notice the little trinkets they were able to make and scout! :)


Currently steel-decked, we agreed on just painting the ceiling with dark-colored paint and put suspended lights to distract people from the utility lines instead of completely concealing it. For the floor finish, we agreed on polished concrete as it is low-maintenance and very charming when played right.
Since their space was pretty big and rectangular, we suggested to zone the space for variety and instill excitement on the diner's end. Ordinary seating, bar stool corner, an area for couches, and an elevated lounge where people can simply squat/ lay.
The grills were converted to glass walls, doors, windows. Where to put a door, when to make it sliding or fixed is crucial in guiding flow and circulation; putting a sliding glass door is always tempting but can easily turn an area into dead space.
The story of the elevated portion: There was an existing column too close to the wall so instead of being irritated by it, we thought of making the space a special lounging area discreetly enclosed by the column and the slight change in elevation. The sisters pushed for a special lighting feature for this area,  something reminiscent of starry lights on an airplane ceiling.


Patty in action. Cutest waitress award :P
Fully accented wall VS  Bare wall. What we originally assigned to be a freedom wall, the girls thought of leaving bare so they can project foreign films on the wall every fridays. Brilliant, right? :D We also suggested that aside from the warm suspended lights, that track lights be used at the sides to highlight the features on the wall and again, emphasize those zones.
We foresaw this area as the laptop or reading station. This all-famous hand-painted map is turning into a photo wall for Instagram purposes. Hahaha. Just like Sprockets' lomo wall :P
We had brick walls for the columns. Classic trick. Always works, but very tricky. It can be classy and rustic but can also end up looking cheap. I liked ALPS' version of it. :)

Our contribution stopped at the architectural interior and lay-out. I was so pleased to see how the little accents and their interior design and styling followed through well and just stringed the whole wanderlust concept together.
Like this display. It contributed so much to the mood. Those hat are "Daddy Zosa's".
.
The idea was a bare concrete toilet. I was surprised to see how they achieved this so well!
and how they added some Pop-Art and framed it with white against the concrete wall.
 

Now on to chow time!

I will leave the food chit chat to the food bloggers, but I got Tuna Wraps and Buddy got Creamy Carbonara. We had Sangria for our drink and a brownie cup for dessert :)

 
This photo and all others without watermark are grabbed from ALPS' facebook page
Soft-opening menu, can't wait for the full set!
 Insert photo-time in between taking care of her guests :))
Brunch-mate and fellow consultant, Buddy! :)

Cookie give-aways!
A photo with the signature ALPS map, just before we left. Congratulations, Patt! And Congratulations to the Zosa tribe! :D
The exterior and the tree we're so happy they didn't cut down. Hahaha. Can't wait to see lamps/ bulbs on this one. :>

One of the things I love most about Cebu is it is always filled with secret chows in unexpected places; secret chows that always have something charming and unique to tickle not just your sense of taste but also your imagination with. That labor day, a new destination called ALPS cafe landed on that list.

:)

Info:



ALPS Cafe is located at M. Veloso St, Guadalupe, Cebu City. Fly with them every Monday- Saturday from 4:00 PM- 9:00 PM. Be updated and like their page here! :)





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Next post: The "brunchy" look I sported that day thanks to Jerrick Macasocol!
Stay tuned! Happy weekend! :)