Circles & Point/Photo Hunt

Circles used as design element in fashion accessories. 

Through the years, I have noticed that circles are often used by designers 

to create a point of emphasis and interest to hold a viewer's attention.

A combination of colors, complemented with other shapes, 

a circle is a great focal point in fashion jewelry.

Necklaces have been a part of women's outfit for centuries.   

Necklaces can be light and trendy to heavy and elaborate.

It compliments a woman's outfit, enhances the total look.

Taken at Avatar's showroom in Cebu

Linking to Sandy's Saturday PhotoHunt and Gattina's Keyhole Pictures

Ho-Ho-Ho [Ruby Tuesday]

Underneath all the bulging bundles is a beating Christmas heart...

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

Blue Christmas [Blue Monday]

 Christmas, children, is not a date.  It is a state of mind.

~ Mary Ellen Chase

Linking to Blue Monday

Orange Tuesday: Home decor

@ mirandablue

A matching display of jars and charger made of inlaid sea shells, and laminated in clear resin. Handcrafted from a company based in Bacolod City.

Join us at Orange Tuesday

Blue Monday: Raffia bag

@ mirandablue

Can't help but reminisce of summer while looking out the window on this rainy afternoon.   If it's still summer in your part of the world, I'm sure you'd love to add zest to your summer getup with this raffia purse. Woven raffia was decorated with dyed coco and wooden beads.

Join us at Blue Monday

Thursday Brownies: Light up my life

@ mirandablue

As any interior designer would tell you, nothing complements a room like lighting.  The brown tones of this capiz chandelier evoke a mood, engage the senses, and create an ambiance.  And it's proudly Philippine-made.

Join us at Thursday Brownies

Blue Monday: Bangles

@ mirandablue

It's impossible not to be enthralled with these bold bangles.  These will add a colorful splash to your everyday garb.

My contribution to Blue Monday

Blue Monday: Summer's over

@ mirandablue

The endless rain is making me blue.  Summer is definitely over.  Flip flops are water-resistant but I'm not sure about the shell purse. I need to reorganize my closet soon...something I'm not looking forward to.

My first post for Blue Monday

Fascinating Balanghai [Watery & Outdoor Wednesday]

@ mirandablue

I stumbled upon these wooden boats while taking a stroll at the Harbor Square along Manila Bay on Saturday night.  At first, I thought they were ordinary boats until I read "Diwata ng Lahi" etched on the side of the boat.  I got excited when I realized the three boats are the Balanghais [also called Balangay or Butuan boat]. These boats are replicas of the balanghai, a prehistoric boat that plied in the archipelago and around Southeast Asia centuries ago.

The first balanghai, Diwata ng Lahi (Spirit of the Race) was constructed in 2009.  Two other balanghais were subsequently built---Masawa Hong Butuan (Radiance of Butuan) and Sama Tawi-Tawi (People of Tawi-Tawi), all using ancient construction methods.  The shell is made of Dungon, the wood used by ancient Filipino boat builders, while the planks are connected with pegs (or dowels)---no nail was used on these boats.  And to make the balanghai water-tight, the builders used natural resin from mangrove trees.

The Voyage of the Balangay started in Manila on September 1, 2009 and was completed on December 13, 2010, covering more than 14,000 kilometers in 14 months.  The balanghais sailed around most of the Philippines and Southeast Asia ...(read article here) with 40 crew members.

Nine balanghais have been excavated in the 1970's by pot-hunters (those who excavate ceramic antiques without legal permits) in the areas of Butuan City in the northern coast of Mindanao.  The oldest boat found was carbon-dated at 320 AD or 1,690 years old, said to be the first water vessel excavated in Southeast Asia.

@ mirandablue

This is linked to Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

Colorful [Makulay]

@ mirandablue

Ito ang makulay at kakaibang interior ng lumang Cafe Juanita, isang restaurant sa Pasig.  Lumipat na kasi ang Cafe Juanita pero malapit lang naman ang nilipatan sa dating lugar.  Isa ito sa mga paborito kong restaurants---masarap ang pagkain, abot-kaya ang presyo at kakaiba ang ambiance dito.  Mas maaliwalas ang bagong Cafe Juanita at nandon pa rin ang kakaibang interior design.  Pero nakaka-miss ang intimate at kitschy charm ng lumang Cafe Juanita.

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

@ mirandablue

This is the colorful and unusual interior of the old Cafe Juanita, a restaurant in Pasig.  Cafe Juanita had transferred to a new address just across its old location.  This is one of my favorite restaurants---they serve delicious food at affordable prices, and I love the ambiance here.    The new Cafe Juanita is more spacious and the eccentric interiors that has become its signature are still there.  But I miss the intimate and kitschy charm of the old Cafe Juanita.

For Thursday Two Questions - you are invited to answer and join:

1)  What is the color of your toenails?
2)  What's the last event you dressed up for?

Slim Santas [Ruby Tuesday & My World]

@ mirandablue

I don't know what happened to Santa but I've never seen him this thin before.  A result of recession, perhaps?  Or Santa took his no-carbs diet too seriously?  I envy Santa's waist line!

Elves or whatchamacallit---these whimsical creatures would definitely add cheer to the holiday decor.  All these were designed by Weenee Lagdameo of Accent Pieces.

@ mirandablue

Posted for Ruby Tuesday and My World-Tuesday

Vessel [Sisidlan]

Marami ang pwedeng interpretasyon sa sisidlan o lalagyan.  

@ mirandablue

Mapanuklas ang mga Pinoy sa mga makabagong ideya, manipulasyon, pananaliksik sa mga bagong hugis at pamamaraan gamit ang ating mga katutubong materyales.  Hindi man katutubong materyal, ang balat ng ahas ay hindi tradisyonal na ginagamit na sisidlan.  Kung dati, mga bags at sapatos lang ang pinag-gagamitan nito, ngayon pati furniture, home decor at fashion accessories ay gumagamit na rin ng balat ng ahas. Tingnan mo itong mga modernong hugis ng sisidlan na minolde sa fiber glass, nakalamina ang tininang balat ng sea snake at stainless steel ang rim.  Hindi endangered ang sea snake kaya pinapayagan ito ng gobyerno.

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

Filipino craftsmen are innovative in coming up with fresh ideas in the manipulation of indigenous materials, and the exploration of new forms and techniques.  Snake skin, although not indigenous, is not a traditional material for vessels.  This material used to be exclusively used for bags and shoes, and now being applied to furniture, home decor and fashion accessories.  Check out these contemporary shapes of vessels (or vas) molded from fiber glass and laminated with dyed sea snake skin and stainless steel rim.  The government allows use of this material because sea snakes are not endangered.

Here's another interpretation of vessel.

 Vessels in Manila Bay                                       @ mirandablue

For Thursday two Questions - you are invited to answer these questions and join.

1.  What are your favorite vessels in your home?

2.  Why is an average person afraid of snakes?

Frame [Kwadro]

@ mirandablue                                                                                         Craftmill showroom

Literal na kwadro ang lahok ko.  Kwadro ng mga kwadro?  Isang malaking salamin na naka-kwadro sa iba't-ibang kwadro ng litrato.  Magulo 'no?:p  Pero frame galore, di ba?  Kung adik ka sa litrato, ito dapat ang salamin mo sa bahay.  Ang mga kwadro ng litrato naman ay gawa sa sari-saring hinabing hibla ng abaca.

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

My entry is literally a frame--or framed frames?  This is a floor mirror framed with various photo frames.  If you're into photo framing, this mirror is perfect for you.  The photo frames are made from  hand-loomed dyed abaca fiber.

For Thursday 2 Questions:


1.  What is your favorite framed photograph?
2.  What do you see when you look in your vanity mirror?

Husay/skill [Litratong Pinoy]

Kagagaling ko lang ng Cebu at nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na ipakita ang husay at galing ng Pinoy sa aking katrabahong dayuhan. Di lang maabilidad ang Pinoy, mahusay tayo sa paglikha ng magagandang obra. Ang nasa itaas ay mesang may WOW-factor---gawa sa inlaid multi-layered shells at stainless steel top. Show-stopper, di ba? Isa lang ang pabrikang ito sa mga gumagawa para sa mga sikat at mamahaling fashion houses sa ibang bansa katulad ng Armani-Casa, Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo, Ralph Lauren, Fendi, Lane Crawford at iba pa.

Magaling ang kamay ng Pinoy, malikhain, pulido ang gawa. Ang dalawang manong ay iilan lang sa mga taga-ukit ng magagarang muebles na ini-export sa Middle East, America, Europe at Asia.

Sa kantahan, di rin tayo papatalo syempre. May Pinoy ba na hindi marunong kumanta? Mahuhusay kumanta at tumugtog ng gitara ang mga taga-Cebu. Pero si manong, iba ang talent---hinarana kami sa pamamagitan ng 28-string harp habang kumakain sa SuTuKil. Lalo kaming ginanahan sa pagkain!

Ang ibig sabihin pala ng SuTuKil, sa mga di pa nakakain dito, ay tatlong paraan sa pagluto ng seafoods---SUgba (grilled), TUla (prepared with soup), KILaw (raw fish/shells, seaweed salad).

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

Broken [Photo Hunt]

Who said that crushed windshields and glass are useless and belong to the junk pile? Naturally, we want to get rid of those sharp and dangerous fragments. But before throwing away a broken glass, think of the tons of glass bottles and jars buried into our landfills each day. Recycling glass is an excellent way to reduce waste, save construction costs and help the environment.

I know somebody who transforms broken pieces of tempered glass into beautiful functional home accessories. A hobby that turned into a business. These candle holders are hand-crafted from broken windshields---these pieces are colorful and rough; they're perfectly imperfect, and there in lies the charm.

Posted for Photo-Hunt

Manipis [thin] - Litratong Pinoy

Kasali sa mga transparent fabrics na kinabibilangan ng chiffon, gasa at linen, ang organza ay manipis na telang gawa sa rayon o polyester, o hinabi sa sutla. Medyo malutong ito sa kamay at kadalasan ay ginagamit sa mga magarbong evening wear, lining ng damit, damit pambata at ito nga, burdadong mantel. Organza din ang paborito kong kurtina sa bahay---may frilly touch at magaan ang tela, (read: madaling labahan) at nakakalusot pa ang hangin. Kung type mo naman ang romantic effect, maglagay ng organza netting o kurtina sa iyong 4-poster bed para feeling Cleopatra ka. At kung may nakatago kang organza scarf, pwede mo rin ikulambo sa maliwanag na lampshade para lumikha ng intimate ambiance.

A member of the transparent family of fabrics that includes chiffon, gauze and handkerchief linen, organza is a light, sheer, stiff fabric made of either man-made yarns like rayon or polyester, or of silk. It has a crisp feel and typically used to make fancy evening wear, as a clothing lining, children's dresses and yes, embroidered tablecloth. Organza is my favorite choice of curtains at home, too---it adds a frilly touch to my windows. I also like the lightness of the material, it's easy to wash; and because it's sheer, outside breezes can pass through organza curtains. If you'd like to infuse a sense of romance and luxury to your bedroom, add organza curtains around your 4-poster bed, or netting over it. Organza scarves can also be draped over lampshades to diffuse light and create an intimate ambiance.

Posted for Litratong Pinoy