All about "B"

Busy yet looking forward would best describe my weekends lately.

First, we finally made the Bold move of ending our "sightseeing" and closing the deal.  I'm sure our property specialist felt ecstatic to have closed his first deal ever.  I thought of him as young and fresh from college.  But how timely he was within my reach  while having dinner in Sentro a couple of weeks ago.  I will share more details of this project in a separate post soon.  This is in relation to investments and building dreams.

And like any other weekend, Bikes and at least three hours of Biking are part and parcel of J. Bond's program.  He's thinking of a 4th bike fit to conquer the slippery trek of the Mountain Province of Sagada soon, while I think of possibly opening a (2nd hand) bike shop someday.  Too much bikes, bike parts and bike-related dvds are lying all around. 

J. Bond's "calming" drink, Tsing Tao Beer.  A bottle a weekend is a must, wherever we are.  Have you tried this?  J. Bond prefers this beer over the usual San Mig Light these days.  I think there's not much of a difference.  Both are called BEER and spelled out B.E.E.R anyway =)

Meanwhile, Beads must be part of our weekend program too.  Here's a typical scene of what happens when I meet with a client.  Client goes over my works.  Bugsy runs around, climbs and jumps on the client.  I reprimand, then carry.  He squirms and escapes.  I run after, then we go through the same process. In a nutshell, I multi-task by controlling Bugsy from being excessively hyper and dealing with the client simultaneously.  I have applied a  variety of discipline techniques.  Unfortunately, not even an inch of progress have manifested yet.  At least, he doesn't bark. 

Bold, vibrant and creative are three words I would describe Happy Starchild's owner.  Her handpainted works on fashion garments (shirts and dresses) is the main reason why I regularly drop by Legazpi Park Sunday Market.  I adore and support crafts that are handmade and handpainted.

A bit of info on who Happy Starchild is.

Really excited over my handpainted Jane Austen top.

Amazed and Inspired.  I'll surely make a purchase this weekend for a dear "happy starchild"  friend who is turning 40.  The 40 roll call has officially begun by the way.  Some are in denial, yet some are looking forward.  I fear it, but I look forward at the same time.  But here's what I think of 40...not young to repeat the same crazy mistakes, yet not old to keep building dreams.  I'm sure my happy starchild friend would make 40 Beautiful.

And Before I cap this post, here is the 4th necklace that fall under By Beaded Story's Flora Collection.  Visit Facebook for more details.

Cheers!

Random Father's Day thoughts and other stuff

I thought of dad.  He had passed away  over two decades ago. But he would haunt my thoughts on naughty, guilty and S.O.S. days. 

Then, I thought of Dad2.  He is based in New Jersey, and so my thoughts wandered around a few funny photos taken a few years back.  On the 1st attempt, Dad2 had tolerated my addiction for a photo in a fancy hat. 

On our next attempt, I went solo.  I love "hat" photos.

As I write this post, I remembered Den, my brother, and daddy dearest of my niece and nephew.  He had slipped my mind, but I'm sure his thoughts over Manny Pacquiao's recent fight ain't over yet.  Mom had described him..."in mourning".  Oh my, the effect of Manny's loss.  But like what I've said, a refreshing break from the winning streak.  Looking forward to new excitements.  Lol!!!

Photo c/o Den

Thank God, J. Bond's parents are back from Australia.  We pre-celebrated Father's Day with Mochi ice-cream balls, a little bit of shopping, and sightseeing.

A new collection of Mother's Heart necklaces are coming soon. I am excited to show you my new and awesome medals.  Hopefully soon. But here is the first, Silver Mother and Child.

By Beaded Story's 3-flower glass pendant necklace is the first for this year's Flora collection. I  did some sort of  test run by  displaying two same arrangements over at Sonya's Garden a month ago.  Early on, I was  both hopeful and apprehensive on how ladies would react to such arrangement since the standard and usual norm remains to be a basic one pendant arrangement.  Yet, I went on with the idea of having some semblance of a "flower garden" worn around the neck in a sleek and stylish  way.  I guess it had worked since both arrangements were recently sold.  This arrangement will be available online soon but in limited quantities.

Speaking of Flora, my Aunt Flora enjoyed her intimate birthday celebration at Tito Chef yesterday.   Aunt Flora, who I have briefly talked about in previous posts, is my huge source of inspiration.  She has been my creative mentor and continually pushes me to work hard on my craft with heart and passion. 

A new game I play with Bugsy, picture-picture.  Obviously, I care for the photo while Bugsy would rather pull on my hair as if it were his tug toy. Our photos came out this way due to laughter, tugging and squirming.

That's about it for now.  Hope June brings you lots of happy thoughts and meaningful stuff as well.  I'm set for my Travel for Beads project in November by the way.  My ticket and hotel voucher arrived two days ago, to think departure date is yet four months away.  Really way too intense and excited!!!

My SATURDAY so far

I ain't suprised with the ongoing heavy rains right this moment.  Climate change remember.  But a breath of cool air is definitely a treat.  This morning was rather the opposite.  Horrible summer heat.  But I'm glad good weather was on our side while J. Bond and I did a quick trip to Tagaytay. 

New bead necklaces have been delivered to Sonya's Garden.  Here's J. Bond with the goods.

This year's Flora 3-pendant necklaces are currently available  only at  Sonya's Garden.  Though I have recently shared a photo of the flora collection, it may not be ordered online (yet) given the availability of each design. I have made  ONE black flora and ONE brown flora. The design involved too much knotting, which had expectedly resulted to a painful hand and arm. 

Click HERE to view a clearer photo of these Flora necklaces.

The same story goes for my stone clustered design.  Available only at Sonya's Garden and the knotting had resulted to limited availability.  One piece for each color:  Turquoise, Red, Green, Black and Brown.

The necklaces were delivered close to lunch, at a time when the store is conducive to inventory and displaying. I love having the store all to myself while the rest have their lunch at the dining area of Sonya's Garden. It gives me peaceful time to immerse then depart with my handmade necklaces (I seriously get attached to my work, especially my favorites), and of course browse around other crafts as well.  The stone necklace I wore while I did my Tagaytay rounds today speaks of attachment.  Never been posted nor displayed, though this was not the original intention.  I have learned from past experiences.  My favorites are usually the first to be sold.  So I play safe this time. 

Work at Sonya's Garden ended at two, and J. Bond requested for lunch at Bawai's Vietnamese Kitchen.  We both adore Vietnamese cuisine, so off we went.

We arrived way past lunch.  Bawai's was ours to claim. 

My two favorite colors (Red and Yellow) hung from a vine at Bawai's garden.

Here's a closer look.

The view from our table.  To Bawai and her daughter (a friend), please send my thanks to your staff  for accomodating my late notice.  They were superb!

When it comes to sharing meals, J. Bonds consumes 3/4 while the remaining 1/4 is for my consumption.  But with fresh spring rolls, rules change. 50-50.

My forever order, Bun Bo Xiao (beef on noodles).

And when I thought we were homeward bound, my shopping radar came to life.  This quaint banig stall located near Ming's Garden resulted to quite a long stopover.  Guess what I bought? 

*A note to Ka - Look into this. I can share relevant info with you. A good option for the "market".

 How about you?  How is your Saturday so far?



My Flower Garden

I went straight here right after checking-in at Acuaverde last Saturday.

It was lunch, the heat was on, and I didn't mind.  Tita Cyn who knows me so well with regards to heat matters should read this.  She'll be shocked.  In most cases, I stay away from heat, especially summer heat.  I breath, live and stay sane within the confines of an airconditioned room.  Explains my adoration for the mountains. Here's another photo taken on the exact same spot but pointing to a different angle.

Besides the breathtaking seascape, I was rather more focused on the color of the bougainvillea against a scenic backdrop.  It had brought my thoughts back home where I had left my work in progress Flora collection.  But now, I'm done with a few pieces. 

Here they are.

White Heart

Blue Heart

In 3s black

In 3s Brown

More to come.



Happy Weekend

Before heading off far south over the weekend...to bask...to submerge...to stay away from beads and knots for a short while...to play with Bugsy on sand...and to finally celebrate six, I must give in to my urge of sharing this first with you.  Can't resist.  A proof of my weak skills in giving surprises.  I share too much ahead of time.

Blooming soon...FLORA 2012.

Hope you and I will be on the same boat...a happy weekend on the beach! 



4-day Long Weekend

Not By Beaded Story's work.  Credit goes to http://www.pollysbeads.com.au/.
 I borrowed the photo for its Christmas concept. 

Just in a blink, the "ber" months have arrived.  How time zooms fast! And there is no such thing as waiting any longer, I have officially begun my shopping spree for the holidays.  True!  My mode is to start real early when malls are still F-R-E-E from that stressful rush.  Besides,  I'm off to a busy Christmas with the "B-s" of my life -- beads and bazaars. So, the thrilling task of shopping must be out of my way by the time the rush picks up.

With that, J. Bond says I have transformed myself into a horrible recluse beading monster once again.  My social life heavily revolves around beads and my neverending telenovelas.  Of course, there is still the Pharmacy which I oversee less these days.  I'm in peace and very grateful of my team now.  The storm we went through months ago is over and done.  Though I now bead with extra care and with an elbow brace, there is no denying of the triple time production I am currently going through.  I am excited with the many opportunities my bead creations have recently faced despite my seasonal bead mood swings -- overseas recognition, online orders, multiple bazaar invites, and new consignment opportunities aside from Sonya's Garden.

I included Sonya's Garden in my to do list over the four-day long weekend.  It has been more than two months since my last visit, and there is already an urgent need to deliver new stocks. Since other important matters popped out of the blue, everything else, including Sonya's Garden, took a backseat.

First, J. Bond craved for Arabic food after his long nap looking like this. Lol!

While J. Bond napped, I hoped for a good photo of myself and my Blue Moon flora necklace.  Difficult!

I asked J. Bond's help to take that good shot, but he deliberately continued on with his pretense of being in deep slumber despite my multiple nudges.  Yet, a totally different scenario happened when I said, "LET'S GO!!!".  I found myself here next...an Arabic restaurant found along El Grande Avenue, BF Homes, Paranaque named Mahran Snack Inn and Restaurant.  My first time, and I am now totally hooked on Arabic food.

Then, I panicked after having eaten too much.  I belly danced with the twins.  My latest exercise video craze.

 Next stop, Church of Antipolo for Lola's (grandmother) mass service.

The Church  of Antipolo seemingly looks smaller than it used to be.  Maybe that? Or perhaps, I grew, became older, thus resulting to a shrunken visual perspective.  But it felt good to be back here.  A flashback of my childhood Christmases in Antipolo.

My long weekend's highlight, a 101 introduction to the world of Angry Birds by my 3-year old nephew and my 1-year old niece. 

The toddlers were excellent in playing Angry Birds.    They knew by heart, even with eyes closed, the ins and outs of playing the game, and much more operating the computer.  Marvelous!  And this has left me with a reflective mood with regards to my side of the computer spectrum. I still refuse communicating with Mother via skype.  I'm not cut for it, not to mention how clueless I was on simply how to operate.  But my nephew and niece just knew their way around.   Oh DUH! 

At the end of the day, I still prefer the ole reliable telephone. 

How about you? What did you do on your four-day long weekend?