Scents and Memories

Every year for quite some time now, I try out a new scent at the beginning of the year and if I like it, I make it my "annual signature scent."
I do switch perfumes every now and then but the "signature scent of the year" becomes my main go-to.
Every December, I do a major research about perfumes I want to try and choose "the one" for the year. I purchase a really big bottle of the chosen signature scent as well as mini bottles that I can keep in my purse.
Although this is not really a strict practice for me. I don't get to commit to just one at a given time but when I do, I never forget about it. Ever. 

The reason for this is because I strongly associate memories to scents. 

Revlon Charlie White reminds me so much of my high school days, The Braxtons' "Only Love" and oddly enough, our beloved Siena Hall.

Old school na Old school, literally! This scent reminds me of my Siena days.

Hugo Boss Woman reminds me of the 18th birthday of our HS friend, Danessa. Particularly our dance practices for her cotillion.

Tommy Hilfiger True Star reminds me of UP Junior Marketing Assoc's legendary parties and "glitches."

Davidoff Cool Water reminds me of grueling Debate sessions in Sir Barry's class AND Paolo during my UP days.
This scent will forever remind him of the 19-year-old Isabel. I still use this when I need some "extra-convincing" powers (don't tell him that)!

Bvlgari White reminds me of Discovery Suites and our little corner space in the office with my dear friend, LC.

Memories. Particular, vivid ones evoked by scents.

2012 is all about Marc Jacob's Daisy So Fresh. This scent is very special...

...because it will always remind me of labor pains, hospital stay and a tiny, tiny baby in my arms.

Yes, I managed to take a bath and spiff some perfume after my water broke. 

My signature scent for 2013 is...

Lanvin Eclat d'Arpege

I love it already! I wonder what this scent will remind me of. =) 

Cheers to making good memories! 

How we spent Christmas

We decided to spend three nights somewhere else so we can enjoy the lights and decorations around the Metro. =)

Nothing is more magical than seeing Christmas again through a child.
Hunter is still a baby and we went to the light show at the Ayala Triangle for ourselves but oh my, his eyes: pure magic. =)

Family time! Hunter with his cousins and Auntie.

This year is an amazing year for us. My best year yet. It's truly as if 2012 just zoomed by. 

Really though, I can't believe we are done with this year! 

And its because of this little big guy. My best Christmas present! =)

Merry Christmas! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We just got back from a mini vacation in the City. Since the house renovations were done less than two weeks before Christmas, we had little time to prepare the house for festivities. But of course, if you know me well, I can't let any occasion, Christmas for that matter pass by without a bit of sprucing up.  =)
I just wanted to share a few photos around the house.

Of course we had to put up the tree by Hunter's play room. =) Drums and Candy Canes for the little boss.

Tree between Hunter's play room and my work area.

It is our baby's first Christmas! =)

Just a few Christmas-y details around the house.

Just a few candles around. My favorite holiday scent is BBW Leaves.

Yay for family and love! Merry Christmas! ❤

This year just flew by!

And I am most thankful for this happy, smiley boy.

Kitchen and Dining Area

The house is done at last! The renovations at least are done but I'm still in the process of updating the furniture and knick knacks. I really didn't want post photos yet until its really done but I guess it is a continuous process.


Remember my peg? 

I really wanted a white kitchen with a black granite countertop and small bar table. I also wanted the kitchen to be part of the house to have a "smoother" flow with the existing lay-out.

We still have to buy the bar stools! =)

No faucet yet! =)

 

As usual, we have to work with the existing furniture. To update this set, we had it re-painted to a Wengue shade:  a black-brown color.

The old door is now replaced with a concrete wall, separating the kitchen from the dining area.

The Last Supper: the quintessential pinoy element in the dining. ;) It used to be in this garish red-wood shade. It was spray painted to Matte Gold and the frame in the same wengue shade with the new large mirror.

Mix of old and new and light all over. Achib! =D

I will be posting more photos in the coming days. I have yet to post one of my favorite updates: the new drop ceiling as well as my office area. I'm loooving my office area right now. I'm still in the process of adding some fun elements to it. Stay tuned! =)

Usual Weekends

This past weekend is an example of our usual weekends these days.

We wake up early to have breakfast somewhere. Breakfast is a big thing for us during weekends because Pao and I don't usually spend mornings and breakfasts during weekdays. 

We keep different hours and he usually wakes up early while I get up a bit later because I usually spend the nights getting work done when Hunter is sleeping.

We love Cyma! We had brunch since we had to check the construction and ran some errands.

Hunter eats everything!

Oh yum!

After having brunch, we went to prepare for a dear friend's wedding. Of course, Hunter tagged along. 

 He is so used to being brought everywhere. He is very sociable. Hunter smiles a lot thats why people usually "borrow" him from us to play with him. 

Our happy, smiley baby playing with another guest at the wedding. 

Flirty boy

Weekend nights are spent on DVD marathons or my boys playing around. Love weekends! ❤

We love going to Sunday markets and go jogging or walking somewhere at the start of the day. Last Sunday morning was spent at Centris. We were craving for a hot Ramen soup. Solb!

Sundays are for lazing around for the hubby and auditing/accounting for me. Since Hunter is preoccupied with his papa, I spend the day doing my inventories and reviews. 

We attend afternoon mass and sunday prayers. After that, we go somewhere to have dinner. Sundays are a wee bit more special. We usually go somewhere nice to have our family dinner.

Whenever we eat out, we make sure we usually go in earlier than most people so we can get a good, more private seat where there is less foot traffic so the little boy can enjoy the space. I like to think Hunter is starting to enjoy these little family dinners. ❤

Dinner at Escolta in Manila Peninsula

Hunter has his own smorgasbord: Pumpkin soup and fruits.

My little big guy nibbling on his bread.

Why I loooove weekends. =*

Something New Last Weekend...

Photo dump from last long weekend's bazaar that I joined in.

 It was a great experience for me especially for a first-timer. I was quite hesitant before to join bazaars and trade shows because I felt like it takes a lot of effort and time but since I got more people to help me out with my shop, I was able to jump on board this Christmas season! 

Glad that I did though because I learned a lot of things.

I have been toying with idea of opening a physical store but never got around seriously pursuing it because of course, it is very expensive and would take such commitment which is something incongruent to our lifestyle. I am out of the country at least four months in a year and my little business is more about MTO's and personalized jewelries.
 Joining this bazaar gave me a taste of how it is to have a store where people buy ready made accessories.

I just realized though that I have all sorts of clients as seen in the photo. I love it! =)

I had my two assistants help out man our booth most of the time since I was either running errands or attending to Hunter.
My baby cousins helped me out as well which I'm really thankful for. I'm so touched how amazing these girls were considering how they are usually very shy with strangers. I loved seeing them interact with the customers and just busy tinkering with the decors and set-up.
Growing up, I've always felt I was the one looking out after these girls and its just so nice, really nice to have been the one being taken care of for a change. =) Sniff, sniff. Thank you, girlaloos!

Speaking of which, I'm also very thankful for our families and friends who came to support us. Sadly though, I wasn't able to take photos of everyone.
Hunter was his usual smiley, flirty self entertaining everyone. He really is my Lucky charm. =)

Yay Thanks everyone! What a great experience and now we are off to our next projects and adventures! It is a Charmed Life indeed. =)