The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's tour in Canada is major eye candy indeed. I am pretty sure you have seen posts of her dresses as soon as she stepped out of the plane at day 1 so. Yes I have already taken down notes of the Duchess' ensembles for my seamstress' reference...ahihihi...

For their touchdown at Calgary airport she wore this yellow silk crepe by Jenny Packham with a full skirt. It must have been pretty tricky for her holding down her skirt back and front while the wind blew on her hair and dress. But of course, she is afterall Kate Middleton, she pulled off the trick quite nicely.

Skirts being wind blown in all directions reminds me an article I have read many many eons ago about Queen Elizabeth (the Duke's grandmama). She has some weights sewn into the hems of her skirts to avoid it from being blown open by the wind. Logically actually.

Here's looking forward to their North American tour. It's summer in that part of the world. It should be interesting...

Update everyone!

Yes, the Ebay bidding has ended and the Philip Treacy hat of Princess Beatrice was...

SOLD!

...for 81,100.01 pounds ($131, 134.00 thank you very much)!

Proceeds shall be given to the UNICEF UK and Children in Crisis charities.

A warm of applause to the princess.

Photo for the royal wedding programme was taken by Mario Testino. Isn't it just gorgeous. Yes, he is one of my inspiration since seeing his photos on fashion magazines way back 1980's. Then came the famous black and white photographs of the late Lady Diana which kinda sealed the deal for me. And now, he gives us this. Simple, elegant. Black and white.

For the official wedding photographs, Hugo Burnand held the reigns. Just like any photographer for highly sensitive affairs, news have it that there were several instructions he had to adhere to. Such as no photos with so and so with so and so. You know, the works. hehehehe. I always love it when I'm briefed before a photo assignment. Kinda gives me the 'gossipy' side of things. hahaha

Love the official wedding photographs:

I always love 'no-cheaky' no-nonsense poses. hehehe. Ok, being from this country, I would be getting some flack for wanting to get away from 'tradition' and the not-so traditional wacky poses for weddings. Hey I respect my elders too, but look at how they are appropriately placed BESIDE the newlyweds. Still respectful you know. Oh, Burnand had better made sure of that, afterall that's the Queen and Prince Philip of England now. hehehe. It is the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding. I am pretty sure, the Queen took no offense. hehehe

Proper preparations, designation and briefing of the team and wedding party made this possible in about an hour. I hope we all learn from this. hahahaha.

Ooohhh it would just go better from here on... the children were promised jellybeans. My equivalent to fastfood bribery. hahaha!

Lovely, lovely.

Picture perfect. Although my nanny/assistant would have probably heard me whisper "A little relaxation on the arms now, Duchess."

"And you can slump your back just a tad bit."

Hehehehehe

But seriously, I love the photos. Love them. Love M. Testino. Love H. Bernand. Love the Hasselblad H4D-50.

The official royal wedding photographer is Hugo Burnand who used a Hasselblad H4D50, ehem, a 50-million-pixel medium format DSLR (oh why do you kill me so?). He did the photographs during Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall's wedding in 2005. A society photographer who also got the assignment during Prince Charles' 60th birthday in 2008.

But WHO is the lady photographer in green who came out with Kate Middleton at 10:51 London time from The Goring Hotel?!

I giggled when I saw her wiggle her way between the plant and car to run around the front of the car. Why, that's ME! Hahahahaha photographers in pursuit of the money shot of very important personalities (ok, that's an understatement, I know) often find themselves in the most awkward positions, whether dressed in shirt and jeans or haltered green top, black balloon dress, fashionable black hat and green high heels.

Having been able to be trusted as 'close in' photographer by Presidents, celebrities and Governors, I had goosebumps thinking of where she was.

And then she opens the front door and SITS DOWN to take more photos. Friend? Photographer's associate? For the lad Scotland Yard detective to have given her the time and room the lady photographer in green must be all of the above.

The best seat in the house I should say!

Now that's really killing me. ahihihi.

Everyone has got his or her royal wedding story.

But hers...oh my...HERS is a completely different one indeed!

I want to see her photos! hehehe

Whoever you are, I envy you.

I most certainly salute you to have been trusted to do what you did.

What was the big give-away for the dress? I mean, aside from the sudden release of the statement who the wedding dress designer that is.

First, some with that thing on her head arrived at the Goring hotel. To have warranted such a...a...hmmm...a cover up, she could only be: the wedding dress designer! With her signature big buckled belt and ballet flats, speculations of Sarah Burton began to emerge.

I completely forgot about the all the hoopla/secrecy when I saw the bride emerge from the car. Such a sight to behold, such elegance. Simplicity at its most beautiful.

It suddenly occured to me that designers ALMOST ALWAYS stand by the church door to help fix the train of the bridal gown. And VIOLA:

(watch out for the 2:17 mark)

SARAH BURTON of Alexander McQueen!

Having followed closely who would hold the reigns at AM since May 2010 I recognized the woman behind the door.

Her stance and built was unmistakable.

It was indeed her. The world actually did both vocally and silently wished it would be McQueen. Starting out as an intern with Alexander McQueen in 1996 (later becoming his right hand), she had been rumored to be a favored candidate to replace creative director John Galiano at Dior. Interviewed back in March 2011, she denied being the royal designer (Clarence House offered no comment). She was obviously honoring the Duchess of Cambridge's wishes and the fine prints on the contract she signed. hehehe. It will indeed be an even busier year for Sarah Burton. Afterall she did make a princess of the princess.

So...what did YOU wear?

Ahihihihi...

Before you got to my blog, I am pretty sure you most probably have read 30 other fashion blogs talking about the dresses and HATS personalities wore to yesterday's royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. I know I have. Hahahaha!

So some got it, some just didn't. But hey, they got invited. And unfortunately for whose hats just didnt cut it, are now the center of every fashion blogger's "attention".

So I'm not even gonna start.

But please do spare me the fashion police treatment as I show you what I would have worn if I have gotten an invite. hehehe...

I gather it was a bit chilly. That is why the Rajo Laurel Plains & Prints Thripps long-sleeve dress in olive would have been perfect. Top it with a Philip Treacy hat, which actually would have been the first thing I shopped for considering the waitlist. Seemed almost everyone favored Philip Treacy for the occasion. I'd also get an old pair of black Christian Dior platforms.

I love the simple and elegant ceremony.

Love how there was no high pitched opera singer "giving her all".

Love how the bride did her own make up. I mean hey, if you got the talent, why not?

It's your wedding, you can have any wedding dress style you want.

That is why I love you!

Hurray for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for pulling off a very beautiful ceremony! And yes, this was a wonderful surprise:

The royal couple's first official public appearance after the announcement of the engagement happened at Anglesey, Wales. As it was revealed right after their engagement, the couple had been peacefully living in the island for some time already.

It was refreshing to see the couple do their royal duties. A first for the future bride and she did it quite well indeed.

Of course, as it is inevitable, all eyes were in what Ms Middleton wore and how she carried it.

I say, she looked dashing, prim, modern, simple and beautiful.

As avid royal watchers noticed, she did wear an old favorite coat of hers by London-based designer Katherine Hooker which she was seen wearing back in 2006. It is said to have been cut by the designer herself to fit Ms Middleton's needs.

Recycling. A very very good sign.

The future princess has always talked about how it is always very windy in Anglesey. During their appearance she handled the wind cleverly...and fashionably.

With a fastenater.

With feathers.

Certainly gives her the balance.

Lovely isn't it.

Yes, a hat would have been blown away. The feathered fastenator was just as formal, casual, so English and not at all outlandish for a future princess.

They are good to look at.

His Royal Highness gives the speech, she pours the champagne.

They are a good team.

That's a great way to start a marriage in my opinion.

After the beach wedding we needed to rush home, do some mental double checking, sleep early hugging the kids and wake up at 4am to catch a 6am flight the next day to Manila.

We hitched a ride with our friend, Eric, the man of the hour, up to windy Tagaytay!

It was Eric's wedding.

Beautiful beautiful Tagaytay was waiting for us.

Was able to take some photos of groom and bride...

Tracy!!!

with Super Mark!

Mark and my hubby

Jenn!!!

Hubby and I stayed in a quiet abode along the high way. It was pretty and clean.

I saw Starbucks Solenad in their 2011 planner and I made sure I dragged hubby and friend for breakfast there...

And here is the whole ensemble.

My own ivory gown.

My mom's own 40-ish year-old cashmere sweater an uncle sent from the U.S.

The sweater is in mint condition. All original hardware.

And yep, I used my Tiller bootie!!!

Worked like magic. Very comfortable indeed!!!

Yey!!! Hubby!!! Grand, isn't he? ahihihi...

Thank YOU Boss.

Thank YOU for the wonderful weekend.

Thank YOU for our safe trips.

Thank YOU for wonderful friends.

Thank YOU for Your blessings!

The forecasts are out!

COLORS are in!

Well, for spring anyway. Let's just pull some spring a bit earlier this year now, shall we?

Ahihihi...

Coz only I'm pretty excited about this afternoon's wedding at the beach!

The tiger print bag was a steal. Believe me, I didn't even get it at a thrift shop!

I had always been so excited to wear the (faux) pearl cocktail ring which a lovely neice gave to me for breakfast. Well, I wear it almost all the time, even during trips to the grocery. Coz I just love it!

Originally, it was just going to be the blue long dress. But it's been a week now that the wind's been blowing cooler than usual. Therefore the Egyptian shawl comes along to the party...

I honestly forgot all about these pair of heels I bought last year. For something that has been sitting quietly in the closet for half the year, it is pretty 'up to the times' looking eh?

It's a beach wedding. I hope the reception is at a cozy concrete space or Im going to be tiptoeing on those soft beach sand just so those heels dont get buried. Hehehehe...

Off we go!

I do hope to get a shot of the whole ensemble on site later.

Have a fun night everyone!!!

Completely stoked about a wedding invite at the start of 2011.

In a chilly mountain.

Love it!

It's gonna be a Breakfast at Tiffany's kinda scene, or at it's best, I could do my Angelina Jolie red carpet impersonation? ahihihihi...

"So can I wear black, since invite says 'Formal'?, I ask the bride-to-be.

"No", was her quick reply. "Invite also says no black please."

Wooosshh goes the simple black dress out of the picture.

What to do? What to do?

Chilly night, she said. It would almost always mean a shawl or pashmina. Hmmm...

off I ran upstairs and ransacked thru piles of vintage clothings I didnt dare give away. Finally I find a very old cashmere sweater I had swiped from my mother a good 25 years ago! And she had it for some 30 years from that!!! An uncle sent it from the U.S. My mom takes care of her gave stuff.

The fabric is still fluffy and can still hold its own against chilly nights!

Perfect!!!

Since black is out of the question, I opted for ivory. It would be beautiful. A simple ivory gown. I have yet to finalize the design but I've decided it is going to be a simple cut.

The shoes. Now this part is tricky. The landscape of the reception area grass. Maneuvering around in some heels of formal shoes would equal discomfort and danger in my case. And since I'd be lugging around a big enough camera (I decided it would be the D90 for the blog photos) I can't afford to slip, roll or tumble!

Yes, it's gonna be the taupe booties!

And yes, sometimes I splurge. Like, really really rarely. Very rarely. When something just very beautiful and practical comes my way.

A cute black Jimmy Choo purse should seal the ensemble perfectly.

I do hope I'd get a decent shot of everything put together during the occasion...

I am happy. Ahihihi...

Two official photos of the royal engagement had been released by the happy royal couple Prince William and bride-to-be Catherine Middleton.

It is very beautiful and touching that they have asked famed photographer Mario Testino to capture their royal blushes.

Beautiful, lovely...

Taken in the Council Chamber in the State Apartment in St. James Palace, the photos shows the royal couple's relaxed, modern and yet elegant personalities.

A clear sign of the changing times in the palace.

It is historic that they made Mario Testino a part of the engagement. No word yet as to whether he shall also be taking the official wedding photos yet.

As one can remember, Testino took the enigmatic photos of the late Princess Diana for Vanity Fair magazine back in July 1997. Known for his meticulous take on retouching photos, transcending his confidence to his subjects and encouraging them to be more experimental yet natural, Mario Testino is, in my opinion, the best choice.

And as we can see, indeed he is.

(Trivia: Ms Catherine Middleton took photography courses under Mario Testino years back)

Yes I woke up early just to catch their afternoon audience with the press at St. James to make their official statements about their engagement. The minute I got a glimpse of that dark blue glimmer on her ring finger I immediately recognized the unforgettable blue sapphire.

And there you are ladies and gentlemen, Prince William's mother's own engagement ring, the famous blue sapphire ring that weighed 18 carats surrounded by 14 small diamonds in an elegant cluster setting by Garrard Jewellers.

It is very sweet of Prince William to have given his future wife this ring. Although quite a number of nay sayers are already abuzz about the gesture but I personally am touched with the sweet history unfolding on my tv set. It is beautiful. Catherine Middleton is beautiful. (There were rumors earlier this year that Queen Elizabeth has ordered everyone in the palace to address Kate as Catherine, that was probably a give away of the upcoming engagement.)

Behold, the engagement ring...

(Some might notice that there is no photo of the late Princess Diana of Wales in this entry. I love her. She was fantastic. She ruled my world. I even cut my hair short like hers at several points in my life. However I would want this moments to be none other but the young happy couple's. It is their lives now. Their moment, their future and their love.)

Wishing them the best!!!