What I Learned In Home Economics

I've been quite busy today hemming tulle for a friend's wedding. It's been 10 years since I last had an interaction with a sewing machine but surprisingly, it wasn't all that hard to relearn. 

I took up Home Economics as a class in high school - actually, it was mandatory for everyone. I learned to sew by hand and also use the sewing machine a little bit. But skills that are not practiced are lost with time so I had to re-orient myself :) It's not so bad, really.
Sample of my hemming stitches...
I can probably go ahead and make pillowcases and blankets now :)

Before I Forget...

Congratulations are in order for my brother Neil who just graduation from high school. We're very proud of you!

Me and my 3 brothers. 
Proud graduate.
I am officially the shortest one in my family, my youngest brother just had a growth spurt and is now taller than me by 2 inches. I am wearing 3-inch heels in this picture :(

Litratong Pinoy: Alam Mo Ba?

Alam mo ba na si Robert Wadlow ang tinaguriang pinakamatangkad na tao sa buong mundo? Naka-abot siya ng 8' 11.1" noong namatay siya sa gulang na 22. Heto ang wax na modelo ni Robert Wadlow sa Ripley's Believe It or Not! sa Times Square...

Nasa larawan din ang aking dalawang kapatid na lalaki na itinuturing kong matangkad rin kung ihahambing ko sa sarili ko. Ako ay 5' 3" lamang subalit si Neil ay 5 ' 9" at si Jan naman ay 5' 11.5". Pero talong-tao pa rin sila ni Robert Wadlow.

Cleaning Make Up Brushes

I wash my brushes once a week, I haven't always done that. But since I've been watching make up tutorials on YouTube about a year ago, it has become a regular habit of mine. I just use regular baby shampoo to wash the brushes and then wipe the handles with a towel.

I have an ordinary plastic hanger and a couple of small rubber bands to attach the brushes to the hanger.

And finally here it is, air drying. The thickest brush will dry overnight and it takes a couple of hours for the eyeshadow brushes to dry.

How do you clean your make up brushes?

PhotoHunt: Plastic

Here's my late entry for the PhotoHunt - my favorite piece of plastic :)

I love to shop, I really do - hence the scratched up credit card, proof of all the swiping and abuse I do to it on a regular basis :) 

Footwear Fetish

Lately, it seems like I've been buying shoes faster than I can wear them. I love this pair by Steve Madden. Very retro looking, goes well with skinny jeans or office-y outfits.
Steve Madden Luxe Glass Birdcage. I needed a neutral shoe, it seems I don't have any so I got these...
BCBG Paris Disha. These shoes are really comfortable, if you want to walk a mile in my shoes I suggest you wear this one :)
Tahari Shasta. Another extremely comfortable shoe, I also love the gold toe detail...
... and the sole! I love the sole :)
And as usual, more gel insoles for my heel-wearing feet.

Litratong Pinoy: Lahat Ay Payak

Kung ano pa ang pinakasimple, yun pa ang pinakamasarap... Inihaw na isda ang payak na ulam na aming pinagsaluhan isang araw sa El Nido, Palawan. Karamihan sa probinsiyang ito ay pangingisda ang hanapbuhay kaya't napakasariwa ng aming pananghalian noong araw na iyon. 

Lalo nang masarap kainin ito ng kinakamay lamang!

PhotoHunt: Painted

This week's PhotoHunt theme is painted. I thought of sharing this whimsically painted apartment building called Hundertwasserhouse in Vienna. The Austrian artist who designed this building also has similar brightly colored structures scattered across Europe but so far, I've only been to this one.

The photo below was taken at the New York Botanical Garden. I've always admired people who could paint and draw, it's just not one of my talents. I was not sure if the artist meant for his painting to be sold or if he was just painting for himself. But I think he's doing a pretty good job...

Today's To Do List

4 more...

Snapshots From Baluarte

Are we in the lost world?

Not quite. It's just a big fake dinosaur at Baluarte.

Scary-looking reptile.

Butterfly garden.

Butterfly perched on Ella's hand.
Big cat taking a nap.
Miniature horses.
Friendly ostrich strutting her stuff.
Feeding baby goats.
Multi-colored birds. 

Bird-feeding.
They like sunflower seeds.
Greedy bird.
Whoops! Didn't catch the moment...
That was a lot of fun. And it was free :)

Scenes From Ilocos Norte

St Paul Cathedral.

Bell tower.

Horses.
Yours truly.
Kalesa.
Souvenir shops along Calle Crisologo.
Jemn and Ashley.
Wooden door.
Interesting details. 
Old world charm.
Vintage jeeps.
Native crafts.
Long stretch of white sand beach.
Windmills.
Jemn.