Second Floor Windows

What is it with balconies that makes a woman being rescued, wooed, serenaded seem so romantic?  I mean, there's been a slew of movies with this scene - Say Anything with the boom box outside her window, Pretty Woman where Richard Gere climbs up the fire escape to rescue his princess, Carrie Bradshaw and her second or maybe third floor window (God I love that window!).  All these scenes lead me back to the story of Rapunzel - trapped in her room, then gets rescued by her prince.  This got me thinking, do I need a second floor window so I can let down my hair and let my prince charming rescue me?  I think not!  The world is our second floor window.  If you think about it, none of these women that were rescued by their prince were sitting by their window on the look out.  They were all either packing, going about their business, or making life-changing decisions.



Let's not sit by the window hoping true love will just come by with a boom box or throw stones to wake us up.  I say let's live our lives the way we normally would and if no one comes by (for now) then enjoy this time with family, girl friends, and the world!  I made the mistake of letting some guy ruin my trip to Italy last year.  During my trip all I could do was think of him and daydream about him while missing out on the amazing sights Italy had to offer.  Guess what happens when I get back from my trip?  Things go awry and ends up in shambles.  So lessons learned: we feel like crap because we allow it; we miss out on things because we don't grab it while it's in front of us; and we have the power to turn things around in our lives because we are resilient human beings.

Have a great Memorial Weeked (or what's left of it)...

Island Girl Living a Nomadic Life in the US and Loving It!

I just realized that I have never lived in a city or a country for that matter, for more than 10 years.  I was born in the Philippines and at the age of 7, moved to Seattle.  I loved (and still do) everything Seattle had to offer - the great outdoor scenery, fresh seafood, and the diversity of the city.  Surprising for a 7 year old to take note of all these things, but I did.

Lake Union


After living in Seattle for four years, I moved back to Manila and lived there for about 10 years with my summer vacations spent her in the US visiting family in San Francisco and Seattle.  Now more aware of my surroundings, I absolutely love San Francisco - great food, fabulous shopping, and amazing sights.  What more could you ask for? 

My favorite spot in the city is Baker Beach.  I had my engagement photos taken here.  While the marriage didn't last, I still love the place and I take my son, Riley, whenever I can.



Photo courtesy of durandpro.com

I was also fortunate enough to spend time on the east coast.  I lived in northern Virginia for a year and also spent another year in Boston.  I truly love nature and enjoy taking long drives on the weekend.  The beauty of living in the east coast is that you drive for 3-4 hours and you're in a different state!  What's even better is that each state has its own unique attribute for you to explore. 

Here are some of my favorite places:


Aquinnah Lighthouse, Gay Head cliffs in Martha's Vineyard


New Hampshire in the winter...


New York City from the top of the Empire State Building


Ogunquit, Maine (photo courtesy of riversidemotel.com)


Stowe, Vermont - Beware of getting a sugar high from maple candy!  (photo courtesy of stowenewengland.com)


Boston, MA (photo courtesy of thomasmangan.net)


Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive. 


Washington, DC (photos courtesy of uimages.org)

Your Soulmate is a Mirror of You

I have always marveled at how couples find each other in a world with billions of people who are busy with their lives and going about their business wherever they may be.  You could call it serendipity (one of my favorite words) or happenstance or simply the world's way of using its energies to bring people together.  In our efforts to find that someone, we could be interfering with nature's way of bringing us to THE ONE. Whatever it may be, I have drawn to a conclusion that people destined to be together look alike!  Don't believe me?  Here are a few examples and tell me what you think...

Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen - Yes, it's the quintessential jock and model; but you have to admit the similarities in their angular face is uncanny.  Beautiful people are drawn to beautiful people!

John Krazinski and Emily Blunt - Not only are they both dark-haired but see the resemblance in their nose and smile?  This is a lovely picture of Emily by the way.  Loved her in The Devil Wears Prada...

Countess LuAnn de Lesseps and Jacques Azoulay - I'm sure the Countess was miserable after her divorce from the Count...but like what she says in her tag line on the Real Housewives of New York she thought she had everything; but she was just getting started.  Countess, isn't the grass greener now?

Eddie Cibrian and LeAnn Rimes - Controversial how they got together..but hey, if it's meant to be then it's meant!  Timing is everything afterall...

Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom - While off the bat you don't see the resemblance, if you take a closer and longer look, you can see that the middle part of their faces are similar.  After getting hitched only a few weeks after dating tells me this is one of those things that "you just know..."  Quite romantic actually. 

So ladies and gents, if you feel that unexplainable attraction, chemistry, and that je ne sais quoi...don't fight it; give in to it even if the situation is complicated.  Things have a strange way of working out when you least expect it.  On the other hand, if you're with someone and it just doesn't feel right, don't ignore that feeling either.  The universe has its way of making inevitable things evitable.  Happy Friday!

A Marvelous Fare at Plumed Horse

My newborn niece recently celebrated her welcome party in one of Saratoga's celebrated restaurants: Plumed Horse.  The restaurant is in the heart of downtown Saratoga and has a great atmosphere which I like to refer to as California chic.  We were treated to a festive wine reception and an amazing seven course Tasting Menu topped off with our very own piano player (my very talented nephew).  Give my family bottles of wine and a piano and we can turn any place into a piano bar!  What an enjoyable evening!  I truly enjoy spending time with family.  We have a great new addition to our "United Colors of Benetton" family.  Welcome little girl...we love you!

On the menu for the evening:

 Amuse-bouche: Pastry with Creme Fraiche and Roe

Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Tartare, Crisp Shallot, Shiso Sorbet

Black Pepper and Parmesan Souffle, Dungeness Crab and Uni Fondue

Seared Artisan Foie Gras, Cashew Meringue, Cara Cara Orange Mustard Fruit, White Port and Duck Jus

                      Local King Salmon, Braised Beef Cheek, Porcini Mushroom, Green Garlic

Colorado Bison Rib Eye, Roasted Radishes, Maitake Mushroom, Bordelaise

Coconut Creme Beignet, Mango Rum Caramel, Lime Marmalade

Strawberry Souffle, Pistachio Anglaise

Pretty in Bensoni

Pretty in Bensoni by dmariestyles featuring fine gold jewelry

Keep Calm and Carry On: McQueen's Legacy Lives On

Staff at the fashion house of Alexander McQueen must be all beaming and proud to be part of the team.  From designing the wedding gown for the wedding of the century to being feted at the 2011 Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Gala, this year has showcased the brilliance of the designer who is gone too soon.  Alexander McQueen certainly had the vision, the ingenuity, and the creative spirit that will always be loved by all.  Sarah Burton has clearly channeled what he stood for while incorporating her own brilliance in the brand's latest designs after years of working alongside McQueen.

Here are my favorite looks from the Met Gala:

Gisele Bundchen looks absolutely stunning in strapless, fire-engine red archive Alexander McQueen gown with a dramatic train. 

Sarah Jessica Parker dazzles in this high-necked Alexander McQueen gown.

Salma Hayek was astounding in a peach organza Alexander McQueen couture dress and a champagne-hued clutch.

Images courtesy of people.com

The Royal Wedding: Throwing Cynicism Out the Window

Up at 4am central time, I too caught the royal wedding fever.  How could I not?  It was all people talked about, especially the much anticipated wedding dress.  People speculated from the very beginning that it would be designed by Sarah Burton of the Alexander McQueen fashion house.  Seeing Kate emerge from the Goring Hotel in her wedding dress confirming this was truly exciting.  I'm a fan of the dress - it was tasteful and elegant with modern touches that made it very youthful.  The lasting impression of Kate's wedding dress may very well be the death of the strapless wedding gown.

Photo courtesy of Harpers Bazaar

Beyond the wedding dress, the stunning looks of the bride and groom, and the grandness of the affair, what mattered most and what people fell in love with is the evident love that existed between the couple.  I had to throw my cynicism out the window and truly enjoyed watching them declare their love for each other with the world as their witness.  William uttering "You look beautiful..." as she stood next to him at the alter; and Kate saying "I'm so happy..." as she sat in the carriage next to her prince was truly touching and inspiring.

Photo courtesy of Popsugar.com