Hobo Hopping

Okay, okay! I know I am supposed to be really happy with what my hubby gave me. I am! I still am! But I'm only human and I want more... Of course, I don't want my bag to get worn out and need something else to alternate it with. Also, it's a bit on the flashy and dressy side so it doesn't go well with t-shirt and jeans. I need a casual, slouchy neutral colored one...

My hubby said he doesn't want to hear me talking about another bag again and told me to wait a bit before I purchase another one. But, he agrees I shouldn't use the other one too much (at least we agree on something). He said at the end of the day, it's I can do whatever I want. It's up to me if I don't mind having a dent on our bank account because of all the things I want to buy. Great! He is using the guilt trip approach. I tell you it is not working...

The contenders for my next purchase include...

BV. I know everyone has this (especially in Hong Kong) but that's because the quality of this bag is just tremendous. The leather is so soft and yummy. I am liking it in Ash or Crimson.


Another Loewe. I know it's kinda stupid to have another bag with this huge padlock but it is exactly what I am looking for. Nice leather, slouchy shape and beige. I am officially addicted to Loewe (my hubby is too, he just bought luggage from them after he saw my bag, arent' we a couple?). I think it's too much to have another ostrich though like this Asian celebrity, she wears it so perfectly though.



Givenchy. I like the nightingale but have a problem with handheld bags plus the fact that everyone has it. It's actually an impractical bag so I prefer the Sacca. There is one that just came out in faux crocodile and looks really nice. It's in black though but tell me of any woman who is complaining that she has too many black bags (no such thing!)



What a dilemma! I better work harder on my next project so I can get another bag fast. I want all...

Sticks and Stones Won't Break My Bones

Now that baby is getting bigger, stronger and more active, I am finding more scratches, bruises, bumps on all parts of her body. That's why no matter how cute she looks in shorts, I'd rather she wear leggings or capris when she's out playing or else her legs will have all these marks already.

I couldn't help but laugh when I saw this product being featured in Totsnob. It really looks silly for kids to wear helmets if not on a motorbike but it does make sense if kids are a bit on the naughty side. The other day I saw my daughter hanging on to the bunk bed in her room and tiptoeing on top of her drawers. I could have gotten a heart attack, I swear! I think I have a gymnast of a daughter...

I think I'd rather my baby looks silly in this Mickey Mouse looking helmet than her breaking her head one day. Fingers crossed!

Loewe and Behold

Yipee! Hurray! Yahoo! Applause! Clap Clap! Can you tell I am happy? That's because I went to the Loewe Press Sale and got myself a present from hubby. Can't believe it's at 95% off! That's a no brainer! Poor lil bird that was killed for it though. Oh well, at least she made me happy, so it's for a good cause.

Now, I am posing on our couch feeling ala Gisele Bundchen hehe.





PR Manager of Loewe: You should buy it. Come on it's ostrich leather!
Me: I know! My husband said I should just get it cause someone else might but it.
PR Manger of Loewe: You are lucky your husband says that.
Me: Well, he owes me a bag that's why.
PR Manager of Loewe: He owes you a bag? Aren't husbands supposed to owe their wives diamonds?
Me: Yeah, you are right!

Thank you... thank you... thank you! Can't wait til my next present hehe... (paging Trish, when is the private sale of Chopard?)

Sister Act

I have mixed feelings about my sister moving to the States. Happy that she will have more opportunities for work but sad that she would be so far away. Yes, we don't live in the same country (she is in the Philippines while I am in Hong Kong) but thanks to skype, we talk to each other everyday about how our day went, what we want to buy, among other things.

When she is in San Francisco, we can still skype but will be in different time zones (and slightly different concerns). Although we have an 11 year gap, it still feels like I am just a few years older (or maybe that is just me being in denial about my age). In fact, most of the time, she acts more mature than me, sad to say! So, I do get sound advice from her from time to time and she keeps me sane when I am feeling a bit unstable.

I just told her yesterday that I suddenly realized how important it is to have a sibling. There's someone to talk to when you're upset about Dad or someone to run to when there are things you don't really wanna tell your parents. What worried me is although my daughter has an older brother who lives in Paris, she might not have the same relationship (not because he is a half brother but because they don't live together). I am so happy he will be coming over soon and will be spending Christmas, our family is now complete.

So this brings me to my former issue about having another child. I was so sure that I never wanted to have any more children not because of the pains of giving birth and other sacrifices involved, but because I was very happy with my daughter and worried I wouldn't be able to love the second one (if there is one) the same way. Plus, it doesn't help that having a family in Hong Kong especially is really expensive. From getting an extra bedroom, baby's schooling, an additional nanny, etc. (I am just about to write a check for my daughter's playgroup sessions and although I am jumping for joy that she is accepted, I am also nodding my head thinking that's a lot of money to be paying just for my daughter to "play." During our times, there was no such thing!)

I am not yet convinced I want another baby (at least not just yet) but the thought of my sister leaving is not helping...

Good luck little sis on your new journey! I will be calling you for my daughter's new Pedipeds...

Blast from the Past

See, Baby Bjorn is not only for women, Zach Galifianakis is wearing one. If you haven't watched the Hangover, you are missing a few good laughs.



I am not sure how you'd feel about the baby locked in the car, jacking off or guys drooling over Heather Graham breastfeeding but the film is supposed to make you cry with laughter so I guess it's fine. Plus, it helps that Bradley Cooper is looking hot in this movie.



Just brought back memories of good ol' Jagermeister! I swear this drink never fails to get you messed up. I'm glad the epidural helps me forget most of the crazy stuff I did after drinking it before.

Thank God for my daughter, I am not the same person anymore!

No Woman, No Cry

I can't believe Bolt beat the world record again. Gosh, is this guy some sort of freak or what? Don't get me wrong, I think he is fantastic! How I wish my daughter can run as fast as him so she can win an Olympic medal. Hmm... maybe I should get my daughter a pair of Pumas instead of her usual Adidas. School is starting so I have to buy her new pairs of shoes soon.

Found this on Piperlime. Perfect since gray and purple is "in" for fall/winter.


Of course, I saw not the only style that I like... this one is not from Puma though but from Converse...


My friends said I should get my daughter a pair of Dr. Kong so that her feet won't be flat. Apparently their shoes create an arch for children's feet. Gosh! Isn't there a brand that does the same that's not local? Maybe Stride Rite will do it...


These sneakers are cute but I think spelling out D-I-E-S-E-L is not my thing. Maybe I should check out the Hogan one that's on sale in Elements later...


Sigh! It's tough being a mom to a daughter and not be obsessed about shoes. I should listen to Bob Marley... "No woman, no cry..."

Cheers to the Jamaicans!

Life in the Fast Lane

Don't hate me for not writing on my blog. I felt that I had too much on my plate last week that I got myself a panic/anxiety attack. I guess I was overwhelmed from traveling to Shenzen, thinking about moving to a new apartment, solving problems regarding my project, waking up in the wee hours of the morning because my daughter was teething and wondering what bag to buy next. Plus, I have a blog to maintain and Kooka to take care of. I think I officially overstretched myself.

What's great about it is:

a) hubby is more caring now and is worried about me
b) ... which means he realizes we need a vacation so we are planning our next trip
c) ... and is forced to get me a new bag ASAP
d) I have a doctor's certificate for work that also says I need a break
e) gives me all the reason to visit the spa or lie on the beach
f) the maid needs to sleep in so she can wake up when baby is crying at 4am
g) I have to stay away from alcohol

Except for the awful feeling of getting a heart attack, fainting or just going crazy, I think anxiety attacks are positive. It's my sign that I need to slow down, take it easy and stop thinking I am superwoman. Sometimes I turn into a control freak and want to do everything myself instead of delegating tasks. Not good!

Hmm, does that mean I need to hire a ghost writer for my blog for the meantime?

My requirements:

a) Must be a shopaholic,
b) Must be a mother who does not know what the hell she is doing,
c) Must be mentally deranged, daft, idiotic, erratic, flaky, kooky, loony, screwy, silly, wacky or nutty

Any takers?

What a Pussy!

When you are living in Hong Kong, you will most likely end up hating Hello Kitty. It's because everyone is crazy about it... kids, teenagers, moms, etc. I saw a whole bunch of people lining up at McDonald's for the Happy Meal that comes with the kitty. What's worse was my daughter was pointing to it when I was buying a burger and had no choice but to buy it. Well, if it makes her happy! I was so pissed when my hubby gave me a Hello Kitty pillow thinking it would make up for something he did wrong. I ended up giving it to charity.

I was going around Harbour City today trying to look for a new pair of shoes for my daughter (as usual she has grown out of her Pedipeds again after barely using them). I was hoping I could buy a nice hi-cut pair of sneakers from Zara or a good pair from Le Coq Sportif but my daughter saw a pair of Hello Kitty crocs and was holding on to it. Good thing I distracted her and she let go but now, I am thinking if I should go back and get it for her, only because I saw the smile on her face when she saw it.

Lesson learned: When it comes to things your children love, no matter how much you despise, you'll have to learn to love it... so from now on, I love Hello Kitty!

Starry, Starry Night

Tired of having nipples out, especially when going for a swim? Best for breastfeeding moms whose nipples have been stretched and chewed out by babies. Eeeks! Why not put on these cute stars underneath your bikini so hubby can go stargazing (wink)!

Soft Spot for Sofia

I was rushing from one meeting to the other in Peking Road yesterday when I couldn't help but pop by the LV Flagship store in Tsimshatsui. It looked like a marketplace! And you tell me that people are spending less nowadays? Not in Louis Vuitton's world. It's amazing how this brand has transformed from luggage/bags to a whole lifestyle.

I once succumbed to this craze and got myself a nice Damier Trevi, it came with a hefty credit card bill too! Waah! But, after I've gone loco seeing their logos all around town, I thought I'd give it up and go for something less flashy and pretentious.

Not everyone thinks like me though, having seeing the customers go crazy at the LV store. I guess there is something addicting about it. Some girls pull off the Neverfull or Speedy bag better than others, I admire those women who don't look cheap inspite of all those screaming logos.

While I was observing the customers in the store, I happened to find an LV bag that I want. Uh oh! Maybe there is some sort of magic in the store that woos you to buy LV! I looked closer and these bags are of good quality, nice leather and totally classic. And they are made by Francis Ford... no Sofia Coppola! Alas she is suddenly a designer... (like she needs to make more money and being an award-winning director/actress is not enough.)





Oh well, I love her stuff anyway! But, it doesn't take a genius to think of this one... let me grab a pen and draw my own bag. I might be famous one day...

Hip Hip Hooray!

One of my fave designers (and former boss) Cynthia Rowley is designing a new babies line for Babies R Us. Her collection is actually called Hooray! She must be making a lot of money these days creating lines for mass brands like Target and Toys R Us. Oh well, who wants to pay for expensive stuff nowadays? Especially for kids who grow out of their clothes in just two months. (A few days ago, the nanny told me that my daughter's shoes don't fit anymore. How can that happen when she only wore them thrice. Shucks!)




I just love these retail magnates and designer collaborations, perfect for the budget fashionistas like me! I can't wait for Stella Mccartney to launch her new babies line for Gap. Hmm... I wonder when Alexander McQueen will design for H&M! That will be the day...

Catwalk Calling...

Mastercard Luxury Week is coming up soon. I must admit the list of brands participating are not as exciting as last year's. Oh well, if it just means another excuse to dress up, party and mingle... then ok, I am going! Actually, it's more work for me than pleasure (yeah right)! Not only will I be scanning the latest collections of Shanghai Tang, Diana Von Furstenberg, new RTW collection of Kate Spade, sexy lingerie from La Perla and Escada, but will be eyeing the brand managers to get them to advertise in the new magazine we are launching. See, it is a bit stressful!

What I'm excited about more than the booze is tha-tha- Thakoon! Yes, he is coming to Hong Kong. This hot Thai designer is such a hit in New York. Not only is he co-starring in the September Issue with Anna Wintour but he was designer for Gap's shirt collection. I must say his designs are so fresh, fun and just fabulous! Unfortunately, I don't have tickets to his show yet. I gotta work it...





Wanna come?

You Suck!

I am completely turned off by this new breastfeeding doll that was invented by a Spanish toy company. Bebe Gloton (name of the doll) comes with a bra like halter top that has flowers for the doll to suck on. I'm not so bothered that my daughter has to wear a floral top, but totally annoyed that she has a doll latching on to her supposed breasts.

Why the hell do I have to teach my daughter about breastfeeding at a young age? There's a whole lot of things about life and growing up that I should share with her but I believe there is a right time and place for it (like when she is a mother already and she actually has milk coming out of her breasts).

Oh what toy designers come up with just to make money...

Debutante Ball

In 2 more months, my daughter is turning eighteen (18 months) which means...

1. Time for a toddler's bed- Have I told you about the night she climbed down her crib? Some say it's a sign that she should switch to a toddler's bed. That means less accidents from falling over but also means she can get up at night anytime she wants. Umm, I think I am not ready for that yet. I cannot lower her crib anymore so will wait til she's too big for the crib (at the rate she is going, that will be sometime soon since my baby is tall for her age). My friend recommended I get a princess bed for the lil one.



2. Slowly giving up formula- I read about feeding baby whole milk and tried mixing this with her formula last week. Result: constipation so I figured she is not ready yet. Or maybe it's the quality of milk I fed her. The China milk scare has made me paranoid!

3. Potty training starts-I should start buying her lil seat, but some say I can wait til she is 2 years old. This musical potty chair is cute. It doesn't look like something she should use in the toilet though (looks like she is taking a crap in the garden). Oh well, as long as it works!



4. Switch from high chair to booster seat- She is becoming too big for her high chair and getting squiggly in it, that means I have to give this up soon and get her a proper booster seat. What do you think of this one?



5. More vaccinations- Another trip to the doctor for those horrible injections. Poor baby!

6. Tantrums, tantrums, tantrums- Time out, time out, time out! Good thing, I already found a corner in our home where she can go when she is behaving badly. I need to practice this some more or else I have to call the Super Nanny!



Umm... I think that's a whole lot of changes for baby at this age. I know there's a lot more but I want time to stop! My baby is now becoming a lady... boo hoo!

Second Childhood

I apologize again for not writing on my blog for three days straight. I promised myself I would stay away from the computer as much as I can, and spend real quality time with my daughter on weekends. (Another reason is I was too freaked out when she pulled the Macbook from the table onto the floor and my hubby almost lost all his files, including his business plan. Thank God it's working still!)

Today, I actually sat down on the floor to play with my baby, went inside her apple tent, read her story books, and looked silly using different voices for her dolls and stuffed toys. I must admit after doing this for 12 hours straight, I am exhausted! It's easy to be immature, yes, but it's not a joke pretending I'm 15 months old. Thank God I am working or else I will lose my sanity if I do this everyday of my life.

I mean, I really love my daughter and enjoy playing with her and seeing her happy but it is an effort to be crawling on the floor, playing with drums and building blocks (especially after a night out with friends the night before). I am so lucky I have the nanny coming in tomorrow, plus an indoor playground downstairs where she can play with other kids so I don't have to act like one.

On the other hand, it makes me wish I was a child again. The toys sold nowadays are so interesting, I only had Barbie back then, not Baby Alive. I also did not have any dancing Elmo but watched Sesame Street on TV. Life was so much easier then, just receiving the toys as gifts from my parents, as opposed to buying them for my daughter now! My friend reminded me last night that my daughter might be my "karma," for I was such a spoiled kid before. Oh no, it's payback time! (I'm already feeling it... humidifier for baby or new pair of shoes? Of course the answer is the former, sad to say!)

It was also much easier being the one with a tantrum... "Dad, if you don't get me a pair of Giordano jeans or Nike Air, I am not going home on time." Now I am the one challenged to deal with my daughter's little tantrums (yes, she is starting young)! Thanks to friends who are also moms, I tried the "time out" approach for the first time today. Guess what, it didn't work!

Now I am not sure about what I said before, that being a parent is easier, as your child grows older. At the rate my daughter is going, I say no comment! I witnessed how she bullied other kids at the playground today (she made a 3 year old girl cry after she took the toy away from her). God forbid, I hope she is not like me (or her father for that matter) or else I will be frequenting the principal's office by the time she goes to school! I remember the times my parents had to pay a visit to the head office for my misbehavior.

Ahhh! I can already feel gray hair coming out of my head! Can I please be the child again in the family? I need a Freaky Friday moment...

Baby Couture

Pediped is out with their fall/winter collection for 2009. Guess what it's called? The couture collection! How fab! These are the perfect shoes for Christmas or New Year. I am leaning towards the Nadia style, not only is it the second name of my daughter, but it also looks divine in blood red.





Perhaps, she can wear it for her baptism in December? Maybe I can have her dress made by Katrina Goulbourn, her first couture gown. Hmm... that's an idea! I'm not sure about this Emperor look but I am sure Katrina make something interesting with some black and white embroidery.



Hmm, now I have an excuse to have a dress made for myself? Maybe I should talk to Joey Samson about it when he comes over. Now, I'm excited!

Toy Story

When the nanny told me that my daughter always took other children's toys, I thought maybe my daughter is deprived so I got her lots and lots of them that our apartment looks like a playground now. I bought her 1 or 2 toys every time we go to the mall and now I am thinking, if I keep on doing the same, I am setting myself up for a bigger problem in the future.

My brother was the same with his daughter, spoiled her so much and now whenever I see her, the first thing she asks me is, "Hi Tita! Where's my gift?" I must admit I am the same too with my aunts and uncles but there is no way I should pass this on to the next generation. If my daughter is as materialistic as I am, I am in trouble.

So, now I am trying to restrain myself from buying toys for baby. Even if in my mind, I think she needs more blocks, a new bike, a baby piano and another doll.

My friend told me that she bought her son one toy a month, unless there is something he really needs. Right, I should just spend for her playgroup or extra-curricular activities rather than some plastic toy from Vtech. Okay, I guess I'll have to buy this dancing flower/piano for her next month then...



But, this first cash register toy is so cute! I guess it's not for her age yet so this can wait. This was my favorite game of all time, "Cash or Charge?" No wonder!



I could also get my daughter her first laptop so she'll stop touching ours. Her Dad freaked out the other morning when he saw the Macbook on the floor and after she started playing with it. Good thing, it's still working now!



My nanny also said she loves the toy strollers. I want to get her a proper doll that goes with it (hers is just a rag doll). I find it cute when she tries to feed it with her own bottle. This one called Little Mommy by Fisher Price is so adorable.


Again, this vanity set is not suitable for my daughter's age but she always plays with my lipstick and blush that maybe I should get her own. Bad idea!


Uh oh! How many toys do I want for her now? If I am supposed to buy her one a month, then she has one already for January!

Tie a Yellow Ribbon

Living in Hong Kong makes me detached from what's going on in the Philippines. If not for the internet (I am not subscribed to any Filipino Channel), I wouldn't be updated with what's happening about Manila. The latest news that caught my eye (or should I say made me cry) was the passing away of former President "Cory" Aquino, who symbolized democracy for the country and strength for the Filipino woman.

For me, it was all sudden as I didn't read the news on a regular basis. In fact, I learned about her death via Twitter and international news. I didn't know she already had cancer and her life was already at stake. I still have a clear picture of her looking healthy and bright in yellow, posing with the "laban" sign. Signs that I am getting old, that was way back in the 80s! I remember bumping into her at the Manila Hotel during World Youth Day and I called out, "Cory!" as if she were an old friend (yes, I was a bit mental when I was young, still am now actually).

There was much talk about Kris Aquino's (Cory's famed daughter) last words about her mother. It was a real tearjerker! What touched me about it was her relationship with her mother. I can go on and on about a mother's love for her child but what I don't realize that this is reciprocated by the child tenfold.

I am starting to feel that as my daughter already knows how to hug and does it quite often now. She wakes up at night sometimes just to sleep beside me. Even if that means waking up at 3am and having interrupted sleep, I am quite happy for her just to be near her, especially since I am away from her most of the time.

I feel so blessed that I have a daughter and look forward to having a best friend in her one day. I am not sure how I will handle her stories about cutting class or dating two boys at a time but I am sure we'll have great times together. And like how Cory was to her daughter, I will be with her both in good times and in bad...

Just crossing my fingers she wouldn't end up anything like Kris! Oops!

Career Move

I'll be busy with presentations the whole week as we are launching a new magazine. Since most of the accounts I handle (as usual) are fashion and watch brands, I need to shop for more clothes. Believe me, in my job, I have to sell myself first before the magazine I represent (nope I am not talking about prostitution).

Great, I found another excuse why I need to shop for clothes. And since I would most probably be attending functions as well, I can get away with some dresses that are not exactly so corporate-looking. One of which is the launch of Mastercard Luxury Fashion Week and the showing of documentary, "The September Issue," with Anna Wintour. Can't wait!


Maybe I should go back to BCBG and get one of their dresses on sale...

Goes well with the Aidan MJ by MJ bag but that means I have to buy the bag too...


Umm, maybe I need a waist first before getting this...


Are you dizzy yet from the psychedelic print? Groovy baby!


Now, that's more like it, smart and stylish!

Pretty in Phillip (Lim)

My fave designer at the moment is Phillip Lim. Nope, not that I am turning Chinese after living in Hong Kong for a while now. I just love his stuff as they are quite a bit bold and sees no boundaries. His pieces are fun and adventurous but not as awkward as that of Vivienne Westwood. There is still a certain sophistication and sassiness in his stuff. Gosh, what would I do for a shopping spree of his collection.

What's great is he does not only have great clothes for women, but has quite a few stylish pieces for baby too. The kid that wears Phillip Lim, is a true-blooeded fashionista. I would love my daughter to get one of his coats, but at US$375, umm maybe I can buy it for her when she turns 18? Oh well, there's always Zara!