Band-aids, Ballys, Belgian chocolate, and mochi

I swear, this post is not sponsored by Golden Spoon. It just so happened that I had a craving earlier today for something cold, sweet, and "somehow" light. What I got was a mix of Belgian chocolate yogurt with cookies and cream and mochi rice cakes as toppings.




I know. It's a weird combination, unlike my previous berry-themed dessert. What I loved about this is that I had three different textures.




Smooth and creamy, crunchy and crumbling, powdered and sticky. See?




Also had a varied mix of textures in what I wore: soft knit cotton pullover, somewhat thick cotton-polyester shirt worn as a jacket, denim, and leather. Rolled the sleeves for more structure and since the underside was a shade lighter. The band-aids I needed to safeguard the skin around my ankles while breaking in these Ballys, since I really do not like wearing even hidden socks.




I only now notice that someone else was having fun behind me (You think that's why he was fixing himself in the very first pic?).




Each to his own. This is the country's central business district. Comfort food patches stress like a band-aid.


Striped pullover, Gap; Esprit shirt and Structure belt, thrifted; skinny jeans, Two Percent; loafers, Bally

Photos by Patricia Suzara

Strawberry nights

True Grit has got to be the one of the best movies I've seen in a long time, much better than Black Swan and the stream of crappy films I have subjected myself to lately. (Though there were of course I Am Love, The Kids Are Alright, The Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Class.) This was the night I watched it with my friend Gina.




The strawberries came in threes: in a salad with meat and greens, a multi-berry smoothie, and finally this dark chocolate creme brûlée. Wore my hood several times during the night since I still wasn't feeling tip-top. (Legs still sore after going down 42 flights of stairs thanks to a fire drill.) Though coffee did fulfill its supporting role by warming me a bit.




Matched the ikat print of my tee with the geometric design of my crochet sandals. (Why is it that when I need warmth, I always neglect my feet, one of the most sensitive parts of the body in terms of nerve endings…)




Though I've never let sickness completely deprive me of fun (I assign Twister Fries as my flu placebo). Here playing with milk. Do Got Milk food stylists use Elmer's Glue? Starch? Whatever they used, it was also a night thickened with some verses courtesy of Louise Glück, whose stanzas never froth.




Unfortunately my two bags were the worse for wear. Impatient of gossip and useless chitchat, they decided to abandon me before I finished my dessert. (Usually trusty black nylon tote commiserated with a worn out canvas tote from now defunct Aeon bookstore, which Gina also ran to for her literary fix.)


Hoodie, Topaman; tee, Dries Van Noten; skinny belt, A.P.C; Two Percent jeans, sandals, and tote: all thrifted; canvas tote, giveaway

Cameo photos by Gina Sales

Color blocking, with ice cream

Transferred to a new shift at work today. So to get used to the new rhythm, I bought myself two scoops of mango gelatto from Amici's Cara Mia dessert parlor. Happy birthday to my father / Happy Kylie Minogue day for Manila / Happy should be as light and unexpected as dairy-free ice cream.


Polo shirt (which has a pocket stitched on, but inside the shirt!), Band of Outsiders; jeans, Topman; belt, Brave Beltworks; sneakers, Converse, thrifted