Finally Stopping To Smell The Roses

And then it finally happened.

My friend Michelle and I have been conversing (at times debating) on which 'Sideline' business we should partake in.

Food? Good. Steady.

Fashion? Good, too. But nah, maybe not for now.

*Now accepting orders! :)

Flowers? Hmm. Could be, could be. After all, we both are admittedly meticulously O.C. and we certainly appreciate good aesthetics. (And not to mention that I just adore both Flowers and Colors.) Having these traits would be perfect if we were to pursue a career as florists. (Ha!)

So when her niece was about to celebrate her 1st Birthday and Michelle asked me to team up with her to arrange the floral centerpieces, I right then and there said Yes. Didn't think twice about it.

And of course, crammers that we are, we started the creative thinking process a couple days before and did everything-- shopping, costing, arranging- the night before the party.

It was EXHAUSTING. But I couldn't explain it. Somehow, standing for 15 hours straight, the missed meals, and sleep deprivation didn't discourage me (and my singing, much to their dismay? I hope not haha.) at all. I honestly enjoyed arranging those flowers: matching the colors, making sure the flowers didn't clash, and that the arrangement is proportioned.

I left Michelle's house at 1 in the morning, got home, showered, hopped into bed at around 3 and when I closed my eyes to finally get some R & R, I kid you not, I literally could still see flowers everywhere. And-- as much as I would like to come up with a different closing sentence from the post previous to this, I can't think of anything more accurate- that made me smile. :)


*I apologize for the poor quality of the photo (as well as the backdrop!) as I was in a rush to get my beauty sleep.

**The Color Motif was Pink-Purple-Green. We were asked to make the flowers compact and low in height. We added the Butterflies, which we attached to wires, to make it more playful.

***For queries, requests, orders (within Metro Manila, Philippines only please), kindly E-Mail us at prettyrandomthings@yahoo.com. We would be happy to arrange your floral centerpieces for your next event. :)

LANVIN Spring-Summer '08

The collection that would inspire even more collections.

Premiered last October 2007.

No other fashion label has ever given me this much goosebumps.

Lanvin's Spring-Summer line is truly breathtaking; the artistry, the colors, the fabric choices, the fluidity of the garments, and the overall Parisian feel.



I remember on first day of fashion school our teacher asked us to look for one fashion designer or a fashion label that would serve to be the foundation, the inspiration of what kind of fashion designers we would come to be.
"Choose one, read up on it, and study the designs. Learn as much as you can about the designer/label," he said. That was almost two years ago.

I think I finally found mine.



Mr. Alber Elbaz, thank you.

Little Pink Ballerina

Sketch dated 01/18/07.
I just discovered Adobe Photoshop and was excitedly experimenting when I made this rough doodle. Naturally, having a fascination with ballet, I chose ballet shoes as my subject. I wasn't finished with it yet but I kinda like how it turned out quite unpolished.

Anyone else out there who's interested in watching ballet?

I've been inviting friends for years now to watch one with me but I think they would rather watch paint dry. Haha. Is ballet really that unappealing???

I guess my love for ballet started when I donned my first ever pretty little pink tutus (although I hated the tulle 'coz it was itchy) while I was in Kindergarten. Aww, I can still remember the smell of our ballet studio. I miss it. We had this big presentation at the Meralco Theater and I can still picture the audience as I danced from the second line of little ballerinas onstage. We practiced real hard for that performance but I'll let you in on a little secret. I cheated with my pirouettes. Shhh.

Sadly, I was a ballerina only for 2 years, though I never stopped liking it. I try to collect photos, prints, displays of ballerinas and try to watch all the dance movies out there. Centerstage is my favorite ballet movie so far.

Here's a video that is also a favorite of mine from another movie called The Company:

Well, no one in my family really likes ballet. None of my friends do, too.

I have tried asking them but what I usually get is laughter, followed by "Are you serious?", and then followed by some more laughter.

I don't care, I still think ballet is inarguably cooler than Backstreet Boys, noh! (Hi Tif! :D Haha.)

Although some would be real sweet enough to volunteer to accompany me (even if it's pretty obvious they want nothing to do with it. Haha.), I'd politely decline since I don't really want to hassle them.

If I do get desperate, though, I might just go watch ballet alone.

***There are shows lined up at the Aliw Theater (of Star City, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City) these coming months.

(1) Halo-Halo 2

August 24-26, 31, September 1-2, 2007

(2) Swan Lake

September 28-30, October 5-7, 2007
(3) Pinnochio

December 7-9, 14-16, 2007

(4) Le Corsaire
February 15-17, 22-24, 2008

For inquiries, please call Ballet Manila at 525.5967 or 400.0292. You may also buy tickets at A Different Bookstore outlets.
And if you're planning to watch, please call/message me! Unless you're some psycho stranger who just happened to click on my blog.

Sketch dated 08/31/01

“A sketch has charm because of its truth- - not because it is unfinished.”

- Charles Hawthorne

This is one of the few sketches I did back in highschool. (My apologies for the cheesy signature. Haha.)

Lead is my favorite art medium because I enjoy shading, both with stumps and with my fingers. It's so low maintenance and even though it can look bland at times, you can still play with the texture and increase the depth of your sketch to make it more dramatic.

But the best thing about lead is not having to worry about making mistakes.
All you need is a sheet of paper, a pencil, and your trusty eraser, and you're set! :D