Where I went. 

Reason why I had been very quiet the past week. Went on a trip with a couple girlfriends, which meant endless pre-trip preparations for the household! 

Putting my backpack together (the 3 of us backpacked) was a breeze. Putting together schedules for my household was more tricky. Thus the silence the week before I left, ahihihi.

Flew to Naga City, Camarines Sur, the final destination being the Caramoan Islands. It was spectacular!!!

These photos were taken by my friend, Peachy at Caramoan. 

Will be sharing our itinerary soon. It was a wonderful trip, taxi, boat, plane rides and all. Four days of fun!

No. 6. On my wishlist. (The croc boots on previous post was no. 7, hehehe). Thank you Ann F. for this cool lunch tote by Built.

It opens up pretty good.

Hmm...coincidence with the tangerine shade logo for 2012 color of the year? hehehe

Lovin' my lunch tote! Very light and handy! Stylish too.

I have planned to put off buying this cutie of a camera bag for the longest time but alas, resistance was futile... last week.

Got the more "feminine" green colored camera bag for them party events.

The trusty camera backpack for them long photo days.

Thought I got it all covered. Until one day while I was gearing up my camera to its minimal. A D90 body with 50mm lens. No battery grip. For them days I just wanna chill but still my cam with me. Times I call "days off" or "days I just want some blog photos".

I surely didn't have those covered. Not with my ordinary shoulder bags.

So the hunt was on.

For the perfect 1-dslr 1-lens camera bag.

The 4 Million Dollar Home Camera bag from Crumpler.

Available in several different colors, including black, I opted for the brown/ orange combo. Would go with anything I'd wear. This beauty would also be perfect for events where I am NOT the official photographer.

It doesn't look like a camera bag. Waterproof! Yep, it's the one in the middle of the Million Dollar Home series of Crumpler (I got the green 6M). The bag is equipped with the usual Crumpler bag features, pockets on the sides, a meshed compartment in the interior and 2 removable compartments. Plus a velcro silencer you can just slide out if you wish for a more quiet opening and closing.

As you may notice there is no shoulder pad on the straps. I'm guessing I would not be needing one. The purpose for this bag is for days when I want to 'go light'. And hop, skip, run with my gears safely in place...

Putting my dslr with 50mm lens allowed me a spacious compartment for 2 cellphones, wallet and the usual armory of cosmetics.

For P 2850, this is indeed for keeps.

(Tested the 70-210mm for this shoot. Sharp and pretty! Look at the bokeh...nice.)

HO! HO! HO!

It's the time of the year once again when I shamelessly post my Christmas wishlist for all the strangers to see!

HA! HA! HA!

Every year I come up with the things I had been drooling over, both the needs and the wants. I mean, hey, it's Christmas...and wish-list. No need to go practical on the wishes...hehehe.

1. A Flip camcorder. No matter what the nay sayers think, I still think it's cute, handy and useful. It's HD. No matter how low they go on sale, I still couldn't find myself being able to afford it.

The brighter the color, the better. Makes finding it in the pits of my bag a breeze. I like my gadgets and cases of different colors.

Then I bump again into this. First saw it when my friend used it when he went biking. Pretty cool actually. And very very small. I figured, too industrial. I'm not really going extreme. Ok, so it was a mistake to think that. Handy, check, coolness, check. Price range...well, on the pricey side of P12,000 plus. The GoPro HD Helmet HERO. Will mount unto just about everything. Professional quality 1080p/960p/720p HD resolutions. 2.5 hours of recording on a single charge. With its removable polycarbonate housing, it is waterproof to 180'/60m and shockproof. Sure beats the occasional jerking away of the camera whenever little kiddos decide to do a cannonball into the pool... hmmm.

2. A black belt bag. For work. I usually don't favor lugging around my camera bag during event photography. I wouldn't know where to stash it safely. You just can't be too careful. So I wear a belt bag. But my last one got busted. This looks perfect. So ok, I don't really need an expensive designer belt bag. It's just the perfect shape and size. I can walk and run freely not worrying about whether my camera is still there or not. This is where I'd keep extra batteries for the flash, extra SD cards, asthma inhaler, headache medicine, a lipstick, 1 cellphone and lens wipes.

3. Wonder Woman MAC compact mirror. It came out very very limited. It would be very hard to find this even in Hong Kong. I just love it!

4. Tamron 70-200mm f2.8. Would be so cool for events. I just found out this is the more affordable brand.

It was actually a tie with the Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8. I mean, hey, it's a Nikkor. (Im a Nikon user). Just more than double the price. So ok, ok, I take it back, it's not a tie. The remarkable price difference doesn't allow it to be a tie. Hehehe... well, afterall, this is a wishlist right?
5. Lowepro Micro Trekker 200 Camera Backpack. Lightweight. Really nice look. Better for my back. What else can I say? Oh, US$ 139, that's what. Hehehe

6. Built NY Spicy Relish Lunch Tote. Isn't it a beauty? I could give this to my first grader. Would be too cool. It's a new product by Built NY. It has my ever beloved strap! US$ 29.99 ...

7. Cath Kidston Itouch case in polka dot.
8. Fitflops! With straps y'all! Love it love it! You know I'm not much of a fan of flipflops worn just about anywhere. But this!!! Oh, it is so lovely...and expensive. Ahihihi...all the benefits of Fitflops with a twist of being a little less "too casual" (than the usual thongs)

...and while we're on the subject of Fitflops... isn't this cool? I actually wouldn't mind having this pair. I can picture myself in skirt or jeans...

9. Hunter Wellington Boots. So once again, let me remind you this is a wishlist. And I have yet to catch a falling star --before Christmas. My Hunter boots. Hahahaha! The more affordable original tall Wellingtons in black. The figure is affordable at 69.99. The currency, well, a discount would be helpful: EUROS.

Rain may come in the middle of the day I can still trek my way to a jeepney or taxi. I could just even walk all the way home.

And for the books? Is the Hunter Wellies by Jimmy Choo, US$395. It's not really officially on this wishlist, I just wanted you to drool with me.

...so I'm short 1 more wish. Somehow tradition dictates you should have 10 in your wishlist.

Oh hey, of course I have one more, and not necessarily the least...

10. "...and WORLD PEACE."

It's a mesh.

No more mess.

HAHAHAHAHA

You would not believe the sleepless nights. Have you ever gone through something like when you are desperate to find something and yet it's just not in any mall? Or ebay? I knew there has got to be a way.

To put all those charges, cords, flash drives and such in one place... but definitely not a bag.

I had been using a transparent plastic pouch for the longest time. I always favor see-thru. Saves time. But gadgets got more. Reaching in for the right charger became tedious. You know what I mean? You see the tip of the right charger at the bottom of the pit, why of course, right? You'll have to take out the ones at the top. Put them all back in again. Arg! Too much arm exercise. Hahahaha, really, that tires my brain.

I need something where everything stays on top.

See through.

Clean.

Separate.

NOT bulky.

No brainer.

Tsssarrraaaaang!

Found it at National Bookstore. I didn't even notice the brand. Isn't it just perfect?

Each and every charger/cord has it's own compartment. One big zippered section for the extra cords, battery covers, card readers, flash drives and mini speakers.

You can roll it up.

You can also just plunk it into your luggage (this was the most important requirement for me).

I love just how it contours in.

Although I had to make a minor/major alteration. I sewed velcro strips to keep the gadgets in and not spill out when I carry the whole thing.

I love it!

I can see everything at one glance. Nobody has to ask me where the charger of this or that, is. I can see what's there. And in this case, I can see what's NOT:

Oh well, so who's got the universal charger for my NOKIA?

How it changed how I look at the company.

Hey Im a sucker of victory stories. And this book is more than a victory story. It's about saving a life, being born into one. Short and sweet.

Released in 2007, it's Micheal's Gill's story about being fired from a six-figure paying job with 5 kids to feed. Thrown out of his comfort zone. Something that I had been dipping one foot into the past 4 to 5 years...

I love the book!

And of course by now, Micheal Gill is Mike to me. A friend, a barista at a New York Starbucks.

The past months I had been consciously avoiding going into our favorite Starbucks store because it gets way too crowded for me. With the exception during last month's Fathers Day, we treated hubby there as early as 7pm to avoid the crowd rush. Just way too crowded. Opting for a nearby coffeeshop, for the reason of more comfortable seating and calmer environment.

Whenever Ann (my production crew boss) and I go out of town we always have our meals at Starbucks.

Yesterday, I was at my friend Tata's house by 6am. We will be riding together to our 7am call time. Right before leaving, she showed me her new book, "How Starbucks Saved My Life". I have read reviews about it. I asked if we could take it along to kill the time till showtime.

I was hooked!!!

It is beautiful, simple, very lovely story. Any Starbucks fan should get the book! Even the skeptics should get one.

I have always been a Starbucks fan...

Our kids get their Starbucks bears every season. (This photo I took of my little girl in 2008 when she got the Christmas bears).

I got this bag and tumbler in Ngong Ping, Hong Kong (it is very seldom I buy tumbler, only when I go to a new and far out store...like this one in Lantau, up on the mountains)

The bag commemorates 10 years of Starbucks in Hong kong.

My cellphone charm

My hubby favors Starbucks planner every year.

Micheal Gates Gill

Yesterday: Tata and me (with the book) during breakfast in her car, as usual, when beating an early morning call time.

After reading the book and understanding the principles behind my favorite cup of coffee, I have renewed respect for the all people behind the counter.

Yes, I shall once again be going into our fave Starbucks store. No matter how crowded it will get.

Ok, delayed spring cleaning. Guilty.

I love scarves. Friends give me scarves from everywhere ( I ask from vacationing friends and I pay of course).

I love any type. Although as you can see, I favor fringes...

With limited closet space, I needed to be creative as to where to store them. The silk ones go folded and laid flat in a box. The non-silk are rolled...

...and I use as stuffings of the more delicate (fabric) bags. Totally useful! Storage plus they keep the bag in shape.

Viola!

Cool ha?

The Heritage 1881.

Just some distance from Avenue of Stars. Love the place!!! So romantic. Yes, there were people in skimpy spring ensembles getting their photoshoots on. One couple got engaged, 3 girls were having their graduation photos taken (by themselves, they had a tripod ---lucky them) and a couple in lavish red gown and black suit had a full on photoshoot right behind us.

And the shops were amazing...

What's a poor little girl to do? hahahaha

Yes he spied an old machine gun way way up there...

This must have been a significant place during the war.

Well, hello there girlfriend..!

Remember I blogged about the Bridgette Bardot bag by Lancel? We finally met. Soft soft leather you...

Till we meet again. hahahaha