A Flowery Tuesday

Allow me to shower your Tuesday with carnations, roses and lots of leaves and fillers! I hope you love flowers as much as I do.   Come with me as I go around my house and let's spot some of the arrangements I've made.  

I SPY...

a tall vase of Iris leaves with some aster on the table by the lanai... 

two slim vases on the dining table, side by side with my egg shell spathe...

a coffee table holding a short vase of roses and carnations...

a vase of tall roses with a spray of greens sitting on the Tibetan cabinet...

carnations by the kitchen window sill...

more carnations on the powder room counter...

and did I say i love carnations?  perfect for my daughter's study desk...

my table got to have flowers too...not just one but two vases!

and my most favorite...

a gift from Raphael which he handcrafted using cup cake liner and a pipe cleaner.  

The sweetest boy!  

And if you're wondering where I got all these flowers.  Well...I am lucky to have a loving husband who did not mind to take a trip with me to Dangwa flower market.  It's  where most of the florists source their flowers.  It's the best place to go to get a good deal, they sell local and imported flowers at a wholesale price. 


And just when I was wrapping up this post, I got a surprise gift from my sister Nikola.  Look what she sent me.. a lovely piece of bangle!  It's made of resin with a vintage floral fabric inside.  Yay...more flowers!  Loving it!!   

I wish you can also have a flowery Tuesday like me!  

A Good Weekend

How was your weekend?  Mine was really good.  Do you remember my post last Wednesday?  I posted about recycling and the competition that my sister was contending for.  Well...good news everyone!  My sister's group Tanzessories won!  Yay!!! Their group represented De LaSalle University and won first place at the awarding of the National Capital Region (NCR) Young Entrepreneurs.  They topped among the other nine colleges who participated in the competition.  We are so happy and proud of you Nik!  That makes up for a very good weekend, don't you think?  

Nikola with Raphael...fresh from the awarding!

Nikola's personal Tanzessories favorites!

http://40andbeyondbyirene.blogspot.com/2010/09/its-cool-to-recycle.html

Do you Rue?

If you are like me who can never get enough magazines, you will be happy to hear (if you haven't at this time!) that e-magazine RUE premiered 3 days ago.  Check out this newly- launched online magazine compiled by some of the most amazing design bloggers.  Such a delight to read!  For bloggers out there, you will be pleasantly surprised to know that one of the bloggers you may be following is featured in the maiden issue or maybe even part of the magazine team! The magazine is soo packed, I have not finished browsing, but I saw familiar faces from Decor 8 and Habitually Chic.  So I will not keep you anymore...check your copy here now!  Enjoy!

It's Cool To Recycle!

In our home, we seriously practice the 3 Rs... Recycle, Reuse and Reduce.  We keep several bins and  sort out recyclables from bio degradable.  We use recycled paper when printing.  To reduce usage of plastic bags, we use big, sack bags for grocery shopping.  Daily coffee ground is used as fertilizer.  And all other containers, materials, etc. go to Raphael's craft box.  His imagination is boundless and even pistachio shells are creatively used for his crafts.  Yes, he is the Artsy-Fartsy King of Recycle in our home!  As a family, we take these baby steps in promoting the 3 Rs, in the hope that in our own small way, we are able to do our share in taking care of Mother Nature.

My only sister, Nikola has taken a step further.  Together with four other friends they took up the challenge to come up with a fresh, innovative and profitable business.  But the remarkable thing is they chose to creatively transform the humble bottle caps into something fashionable.  Today, dear readers, I proudly share with you...

This is the business that Nikola together with her friends put up for their Business class in school.  The name is derived from the word 'tanzan,' which is the Filipino term for bottle cap, plus 'ssories,' short for accessories.  Now how cool is that?!  Here's a glimpse of some of their products.  

Cool pendants!  You can choose from their gazillion designs or customize your own!  They can even put your own photo. Each piece comes with a colored chain of your choice.

Rings galore!  So hip!  Love the chunkiness!  More new pieces coming soon...key chains, cell phone charms, magnets, brooches and a lot more!

My daughter Bianca's favorites!  

Audrey Hepburn on a bottle cap, isn't that just soo HIP??

Some of the bottlecaps they use from soda, beer, energy drink, etc.  Whether local or imported, every bottle cap becomes fab!

In one of their bazaars...Pat, Mianne, Derrick, Abby and my cute little sister  Nikola.

The movers of TANZESSORIES..all junior students of De LaSalle University, taking up BS Entrepreneurship.  Way to go guys!  I'm so proud of you!  Incidentally, they will be representing their school this Saturday  at the National Capital Region Competition of Young Entrepreneurs!  Win or lose, you are already champions in your own right!  You are going to make a niche in the Filipino business world!  Good luck!!!

If you think this is cool and would like to get "TANZESSORIZED", contact my dear sister. (This is not a paid advertisement... just too cool not to share!) :-)

Nikola Aurora Vega

ENTcycler, DLSU

0916-6763407 * entcyclers.dlsu@yahoo.com

facebook.com/tanzessories

Monday Craving

I always have a hard time starting a blog on Mondays, and today is no exception.  I thought of my "Notes to Self" and realized I have one that thing that has not been ticked for the longest time.  Here's what I'm craving for...

More PLANTS in the house.  Right now, I only have a few indoor plants, which are actually gifts.  The truth is our garden is still much work in progress, so is the indoor landscape.  Here is a couple of plants that I have...

This sturdy looking plant is from my loving mother-in-law.  She gave me two pots of this plant, and so far it has produced two babies already which we have put in a separate pot.

This plant I believe is a good luck plant from Ferdie's colleague at work.  Every so often, it bears berry-like red flowers...really lovely!

This is the plant that I want!  I did a little research and found out it's called Ficus Lyrata or Fiddle Leaf Fig.  Nice, isn't it?  This calls for a trip to Manila Seedling!!!  Here I come!

Photos from here

How about you, what are you craving for this Monday?

Hooray for Life at Home

A trip to Singapore will not be complete without a visit to Ikea!  A week ago, Ferdie and I had the chance to quickly drop by Ikea and got some Ikea essentials and a couple of things for our Angel Bianca.  I say essentials because I promised I will not shop for anything that I don't need!  It was so tempting.  But I did it... I was a good girl!

Ikea at Alexandra  *  Kids' favorite cookie crisps  *  I missed you daim cake!

1  Tea towels -- this new fabric will definitely add color to my kitchen!
2  Tealights, big and small -- can't have enough of these votives.
3  Paper napkins and muffin liners -- don't you just love the prints?
4 & 5 -- Mirror and alarm clock for Bianca's room

2011 Catalogue:  Hooray for life at home!  

Got to have the newest catalogue.  My oldest collection of the catalogue dates back to 1999!  I have seen how this catalogue became smaller and shorter every year!

While my taste in design and decor have evolved over the years, my love and need for Ikea has remained constant all these years.  Ikea stuff is just so practical and affordable!  Although there are distributors now in Manila, shopping inside the Ikea store is still a different experience altogether, not to forget the comfort food we have learned to love in their cafe.  After Muji, I hope Ikea will be next!  Is that a wishful thinking?  I really think Manila is ready for Ikea!  Don't you think?

While we are on the topic of Ikea, come visit Ikea Family Live.  It's an inspiring website that showcases real people, real families in their real Ikea homes.  I'm sure you will love it!  Check it now and get tons of ideas and inspirations! Hooray for Saturday!  And as the 2011 Ikea catalogue says...Hooray for Life at Home!

The BUG caught me

I'm down with sore throat, runny nose and dry cough. Argh!! I hate it.  But as my hubby says, it's nature's way of calming me down, reminding me to slow down, talk gently  and be kind (read as no nagging! haha!!).  He's actually enjoying every minute of my silence!   It's the fourth day since I lost my voice, and thank God, it's getting better now.  So for the meantime, it's all whispers and if I try to speak louder, you might be frightened with my gruff, husky voice!  

This morning, over breakfast, I thought of using my black, ceramic tea set from Bali.  It sure made a difference.  The pretty little thing makes tea drinking a more delightful experience and I'd like to think I'm feeling better now!

So whenever you're feeling sick, make sure you continue to surround yourself with your favorite, pretty little things...it will surely lift up your spirits and put a smile on your face.  It's almost weekend again!  Yay!!  Enjoy your Thursday!

Tea set from Jenggala Keramic Bali

A Blissful 911

The reason for our short Singapore getaway last weekend was to attend the wedding of our very good friend Jasmin.  Last Saturday, 911, Ferdie and I, together with 48 other guests (yes, it is so heart warming to be part of this intimate celebration!) boarded the Nymphaea to witness the union of Jasmin and Carlos.  From now on, I will remember 911 in a whole different meaning... a sublime day of intimacy, love, family and friendship.  I just have to share some photos to you, my dear readers, so you too can feel the love...

Of course, you need a boarding pass to go to a wedding cruise!

Photo op while waiting to get transported to the boat...

Ferdie and I with the beautiful couple, Jasmin and Carlos.

Good friends of the bride, Jopa and Christine

In the boat...

All-smiles before the ceremony

Carlos, nervously reviewing his speech...

The Ceremony...short but sweet!

More snapshots...

And they lived happily ever after...

This is one celebration I will always remember.

Jasmin, my very dear friend is like my younger sister

I've witnessed how she fell in love, fell out of love, and now...

I only wish her to be forever in love with Carlos!

 I am still feeling the thrill and excitement up to this moment...

I wish to hold on to it as long as I can...

May we all feel like newly-weds everyday!

Have a blissful Tuesday!

Home Sweet Home

It's nice to be back home!  And what can be a sweeter welcome surprise than freshly cut flowers from the garden?  Yaya Bel never fails to surprise us with her personal touches every time we come home from a trip.  It could be freshly baked goodies, fresh linens; this time it's flowers around the house.  She is my other angel at home!

More about our short Singapore get away later...

A bunch of plumeria (frangipani) stands proud side by side my bone collection on top of the Tibetan cabinet.

I wish you have angels too that do wonders to your home and spread love to your family!  Have a good week ahead!

Mama Moment

I'm feeling kind of sad this Thursday, knowing that I will not be with my two angels  for the next three days.  Hubby and I will be attending the wedding of a very good friend, who is based in Singapore.  So kids will be on their own with yaya Bel and Nikola who will spend the weekend with them.  I'm missing them already, but it seems like they will have a fun, long weekend with their aunt and visits from Lolo and Lola.  Raphael's thinking already of the DVDs that they will watch!  The bright side of the trip though, is a short getaway with hubby!  It would be fun to see again our friends in Singapore!  Yay! It's couple time!

My reminders on the glass board in the kitchen.

Green and Turquoise

As a newbie in blogging, there are times when ideas just keep popping on my head and countless inspirations are drafted one after the other to be shared to my readers.  But there are also times when I just stare at my computer screen, and can't seem to decide on what to blog about.   Times like this, I would turn to magazines, books and blogs to be  inspired and get in the zone of blogging.  One of my favorite is PDB (Pepper Design Blog).  Morgan of PDB has captured the interest of women like me who loves decorating, entertaining, organizing, plus bits of crafting!  She is just a year old in blogging, and yet her blogspace looks very professional!  Please visit her, I'm sure you will be a fan too!

Morgan has kindly agreed for me to share with you some of her posts.  Right now, I'm into doing my home office, and I'm loving the color green (and turquoise!).  Look at these nice images from PDB! 

  

Images above from PDB

I am not a big fan of country homes, but I would not mind staying in these beautiful cottage, themed in green and turquoise!

 

 

Photo credits here.

Go here for more images of this eco-friendly cottage make over.  Happy Wednesday!

I would love to hear your thoughts!