(My very first pair of Havaianas 6 years ago. The limited edition Brazil's fauna and flora)

So mommies... how was your weekend?

We got really really lazy at the Shang...

Yep, Shangri-la's Mactan Resorts and Spa. This year was extra special. My mother came along for chill out weekend. Great timing as it was Mother's Day last Sunday and what could be more special?

Mother's Day is always a big production in our household. The night before, the kids would be whispering excitedly about any secret plans they have been working on the past week. Every year they do that. And it is just great!

Our 3rd beach resort rendezvous for this summer**

We always go early morning. We may not be able to check into our rooms yet (check in time is after lunch in most hotels) but we leave our luggage with the concierge and frolic around the resort until they do call us for our room. 

The mandatory photo op by the lobby hahahaha. Even their staff are apparently trained how to take good angles for Facebook postings. hahaha... I don't kid. ahihihi

My mom, daughters, hubby and me.

They didn't know exactly where we were going. I really tried to pack secretly but somehow they spotted our big blue bag with the swimsuits and all summer stuff.

My, how the kids have grown. Comparing this photo with that one I took last year on the same exact spot makes my heart flutter with joy.

Golf is always a must. Just before swimming.

Dinner.

We only stayed overnight but for all of us it seemed like a year! hahaha... just so many things to do in the resort. So many things to see. Such gracious staffs. We actually didn't want to leave. Ahihi... thank you Shangrila for making our stay a great experience. Until next time!

(More photos and posts on my other blog.)

**if you read back on my posts for this summer's resort visits, you will find this one only the 2nd, not the 3rd as I have mentioned. This is the 3rd, the previous post is the 2nd. Much apologies as I cannot yet divulge or post the 1st which happened last month. Soon my dear friends. Watch out soon for a pleasant surprise...

I got the Christmas holiday day (long and wavy), the spring hair (short) and introducing my summer hair (really short). ahihihi...

It's just way too hot this summer I needed a change. 

Let me share with you how it went at the salon:

Korean stylist: "You have beautiful face (ehem, I, thank you). You are fashionable your dress. I dont             understand why you don't have nice hair"

(Luckily, I did not take offense. Indeed my hair was just not up to par)

He went on..."I give you perfect haircut for your head and face. I make you 20 years old today."

Hahahaha! One cool dude I should say. And I'm glad I trusted him. I love how the Koreans and Singaporeans do short hair. It may not be a wash and wear kinda of style (I don't have that shiny straight hair) but it doesn't take that much of a fuss to make either. It the help of a conditioner, it gets fluffy by itself. 

See you around friends!

If the 33 C degrees temperature this part of the world has been having any indication...it is officially summer. Yes, we have the tendency to skip the season that is spring and jump right into the hot hot summer.

For yesterday's lunch with the trusty photographer friends (none brought along a dslr) I decided to debut the summer look. As you may have noticed, I chopped off another 2 inches from my already short hair. Im loving it!!!

A cool see thru gypsy inspired blouse I got from a flea market tops the look.

My friends give me make up. Most recent gift was a navy blue and frosted blue eye shadows from Doctor Ann/photographer. Oh my dear make up artist/designer friend Sidney Gonzales I hope you will be proud of me, how I have learned from you. The make up look I can do in 7 minutes. Yes, a swoosh swoosh of light foundation with a big round brush does the trick for my skin.

(Well, let me just leave you a cheesy spaced out photo of me. Ahihihi it was a hot morning, I have a big foam on top which we were drying out which acted as a diffuser...)

Blue eyeshadow by Elf, brown eyeshadow by Estee Lauder, foundation and loose powder both by Maybelline, black eyeliner and brown eyeliner both by MAC, lipglass by Forever 21 and lipstick by Clinique.

Have a fun and safe summer y'all!!!

Athough summer never actually ends in this part of the globe, it had already been announced to be officially the rainy season...

The start of another school year.

Does not necessarily mean we could stop wearing our summer dresses really...

I have taken the whole household on a more relaxed and slow pace since Friday so as to let the kids be ready for the first day of classes tomorrow.

Today I have decided to unofficially "end" summer vacation in black and silver...

A have a few pairs of Flojos. Never really cared for them the first time they hit the stores. Yet another brand of flipflops (translation slippers) which I will use only at the beach and house.

But how can I resist when spied these pair by the window... sparkly. That did it for me.

And they're not rubber! Finally...

It's my "gotta go get something from the supermarket right now" slip ons. Ok, so still slippers type. Just sparkly...hehehe

I hope everyone had the greatest summer!

Thank You Boss!

More shots from our photography club chillout weekend at Bogo.

(Above photo of me and friend, Seth, taken by Icky Salazar)

At the Hillside stopover. Me, crouching with the green camera bag. (All photos hereon were taken by Frederick Ygnacio)

Me

Another window shot of the ladies.

Allow me to cut thru the Hong Kong series I have started.

FOR THIS!!!

What more can be said?

The Rajo Laurel once again teams up with Plains & Prints for its spring/summer 2011 collection!

March 11, 2011 we all march to the shops to us some serious colors!!!

Don't you just love?

Perfect-ness.

"Who ordered the juice mama?"
Hehehehe
Last weekend, Joel took us to none other the Mactan Shangrila (Cebu)!
It was a total surprise for the kids as we never told them where we were headed to. Although Alyssa has spied me packing the swim suits and cloths so she kinda figured out we were off to a resort and staying there. She kept saying, "I wish it was at the resort with the cowabangga slide and water guns." hehehe
Mactan Shangrila.
Perfect.
I was amazed when we got there. They have done some major renovations I could see.
I love the lobby!!! Spacious, grand, breezy (so ok, it was hot and humid, hehe). Luxury as far as your eyes can see.
It was beautiful than ever!!! We were staying at the Ocean Wing. Beautiful!!!







Yes, Charity the toy dog came along.

Alyssa absolutely love the mini golf course!!!

And they have these cool cabanas facing the ocean. Absolutely serene...

Yes, of course, my trusty tote had to be there too.

Welcome! Welcome indeed!!! Bananas and mangoes are my girls' fave fruits. They ate everything up.


We love them fluffy pillows and cool sheets. Thank goodness for big pillows!!!

The sings of a carefree weekend ahead. I didnt bother anyone to put away their slippers. hehehe

That's me and Ava, relaxing at our suite before we went back out to swim. This opens to a balcony.
And the couch, it turns into one big bed!!!

While Alyssa favored greeting the sunset by the pool with Joel, Ava and I frolicked around the beach for some salty easy breeze...
Pamie came to join us for dinner. Yey!!! Free wifi at the lobby!!!
I know, I promised in my Facebook to stash away the gadgets and just enjoy the resort...
we were just taking a peek at our emails for anything important... Riiiiiiggggghhhhttt.

It was one of those hot summer nights.
And what more! There was a traditional Hindu wedding going on at the hotel so we kinda had some peek at them entourage.
Beautiful traditional dresses! Beautiful people indeed!!! I love it!!!
It would have been very special to be able to witness their ceremony and Im sure they wouldnt have allowed me. hehehe

Well hello! Good morning my Sunshine and Twinkles!!!

Now this is the cowabangga slide Alyssa was so excited about! Short but cool!!!

Now what better way to see the sun rise early in the morning than lounging at the beach...
Isnt't it glorious?


One of the many attractions in the resort is FISH FEEDING!!! Can you say FISH FRENZY?
It is the coolest for all them big and small fishes to circle around you when you them bread.
Can you see the fishes forming a circle around Joel and Alyssa?

My girls' very fist time to go kayaking! Mine too actually. Went around the sanctuary and enjoyed the clear ocean water.
We could see the corals below.
Note to self: I still do have that much needed upper body strength and coordination.
Hehehehe (sheepish grin)


Ooooopppssss! Houston, we have a problem.
I can't seem to get up and out of the kayak! HAHAHAHAHA

BREAKFAST!!! YES!!! YES!!!
Buffet at Tides. One of their many restaurants. I was in HEAVEN!!!
Delicious danish! Fresh juices! COLD COFFEE anyone?
The kids eat for free of course.

Can you tell that I love cheese? My plate ladies and gentlemen!!!


Cantaloupe. Can you get any more heavenly...I love the nuts!!!
We would have chosen to sit inside just coz it was airconditioned but we couldn't find any vacant table.
But Im glad we had our breakfast outside. Just like being in Vienna...HAHAHAHA!

The kids got 2-hour playtime at the enormous Adventure Zone. They had a blast!!!
And while they did...I hid myself in our room, with shades drawn. And just to give an idea of how blissfully quiet and dark it was I turned the tv on and took a pic. Then I turned it off and dozed out to dreamland. HAHAHAHA





Since Hong Kong, the kids are more aware now of maps and the phrase, "You are here."
The resort has one of the largest and most luxurious spa in Asia, named just rightfully, CHI. But we didn't have time to check it out. Joel did go to the gym for some fat burning session.


Us at the Ocean Wing.
Last summer fling? Well, school started for both girls today.
But hey, this is Cebu. Summer never stops in this part of the world.
Hehehehehe!


Thank YOU Boss.
Thank YOU for taking care of our family.
Thank YOU for the greatest summer ever.
Thank YOU for making it most unforgettable for my daughters.
(and us. hehehe)