Our very own

After posting a bunch of bags of foreign descent, I believe it is hight time I feature our very own designs. Here are two designers who have gained international fashion stardom.

Rafe' Totengco's creations have been getting a lot of reviews abroad and just recently opened his store here in Manila, specifically at the new Greenbelt 5.

(Rafe is from Bacolod, studied fashion design here in the Philippines and left for New York 18 years ago, when he was 21 years old.)

Anyhooo, here are my favorites from his collection.

The Suko Thai bag and Bangkok bag, around Php12k each.Koh Samui, around Php17k. Eva Longoria had 10 of these made (in silver) for her wedding (entourage, i guess).

Tina Maristela-Ocampo's Celestina minaudiere collection have been declared by Vogue as the latest it bags. There are sold at an average of $1000 each. I have no favorites here (coz they're small) but I do appreciate the round one.Yay to Filipino ingenuity!

SATC hangover

Still happy from my SATC movie date, I have scoured cyberspace for some bag lust.

Gawd I do not (hell) understand why some people can just drop at least $1000 for a bag. (There are pieces that go up to a whopping $10,160 or Php437,000 such as the brand Valextra or the ever coveted Hermes bag which is $30,000 or Php1.3M and the Chanel Paris Biarritz pieces that skyrockets to a thundering $45,000 each or almost Php2M!)

Of course at my age and source of income (read: baon), I definitely cannot afford luxury bags but at least I am giving myself something to aspire for. So here are my fabuleux finds...

The Jana bag by Bally at our current exchange rate goes at around 56k pesoses. (leather)

Beirn Jena bag made of watersnake, goes around Php13 975. This bag (in orange) is actually in the movie.The Faro bag by Gerard Darel. Php42 785. Calf hair.

I guess it is evident that I have a thing for big bags. I just love it when I can bring everything (I think) I need with me. It's something I also got from my mom. It's just that I have bigger bags than she does. hahaha

So there, my top three favorites. Trust me, it was hard to choose.

For now, these big bags shall (partially) fuel my big dreams. Cheers!♥

* * *
Thanks to BagSnob for the photos and info.


Here's the Chanel Paris Biarritz bag that can feed a multitude. Whatchatink?

SATC

I am so loving Sex and the City the movie. I cannot miss it for the world so today, in its first day of showing, I made a date with myself to go see it. I super enjoyed myself and I recommend it to all you ladies and ladies at heart. If you love Gossip Girl's fashion, you'll love SATC's too! Well, one thing they do have in common is that they are all from New York. I will try to not spoil the movie here but forgive me for quoting Jennifer Hudson's character.

Carrie: Why did you come to New York?
Louie: To fall in love.

This movie is all about love. All sorts of love. Love for friends, for yourself, and for that special someone. It is a perfect mix of laughter, wit and that good ol' 'i'm-here-for-you-no-matter-what' drama.

Go grab yourself a ticket and fall in love with Manhattan- the fashion, the people, and the city itself.

You just might find yourself wanting a martini after.

School!

We're gonna be back in school in less than 2 weeks. I am so excited. But before all the academic stuff, I am bound to take a different school- DRIVING SCHOOL!

Well, I am not entirely sure if I'm gonna go for it but I have been bugging my mom to let me learn since second year college. This morning my mom told me to take driving lessons since I have a few more days to spare. I gladly said I'll check tomorrow since there are at least four different driving schools outside of the village. Naku, I'm so excited and afraid. Excited because there is a thrill in learning something really new. And hello, that's like a few steps away from independence? hahaha Afraid because, OMG I am so not ready for roadkill. I don't want horns honking at me every time the engine dies. And in case I get the hang of it, I will need to fight the temptation of carnapping my dad's car when I want to go out at two in the morning.

Anyhooo, nuff of this driving thrill. I am looking forward to starting school already. I miss my batchmates. I can't wait to see who my classmates are. And of course, this is our senior year which means we have to make the most out of it. I'm pretty sure before we know it, we'll be having our grad photos taken already, we'll be busy scouring for the best person to do our yearbook write-up. We'll be lining up to pay our grad fees and buy our sablay. The thought of it is killing me- in a good way, that is. It is bittersweet, they say. And just the thought of it makes me understand what bittersweet is. But to feel it, I don't know.

I am afraid to let go of my treasured friends. I am afraid to forget them- or be forgotten by them. I am excited to see the bigger world. I have no idea where I'll be. I just might end up in a corporate position or a TV show. (HAHAHAHA, crayzeeeeh) I might be on my way in building my dream house. Or whatever dream chuva ek there is. But enough of foreseeing the future. I'm gonna take things one day at a time, making sure I do not miss any special moment. Because these are the moments we'll surely enjoy recalling many years from now.

Pains

Today Mom and Joop left for Iloilo since enrollment na ni Joop and their semester will be starting on June 2.

As usual, Mom woke Jom and I to say bye bye. Everytime she does it, she cries. Back in first year, I remember how hard I cried when they left. Sophomore year, I still cried but I was ok fast. Junior year- teary teary but ok na rin. It's always like that every time they have to leave after summer and sem break. Today was nothing different. My mom showered Jom and I with tight hugs and lots of kisses. She sobbed in between 'bilins'. Her kisses were many- as if she was giving us one kiss for every single day she would not be spending with us. When she let go of me, she called my brother again for a second round of hugging. And then me again. And I realized how heartbreaking it is for a mother to leave her children. I thought I'm used to this drama but crap, I was so not ready to cry this morning. After they left, it took me quite a while to cry and recover before I finally fell asleep again. The next voice I heard was my kuya's. "Alis na ako, Lee". Mmkay, ingat.

When I finally woke up, I was okay but I knew I was alone. Dad will be back from Bicol within the week.

This evening was my second time to cry. I weep not only for myself but also for a friend. I share the pain...of being left behind. But do know, B, no matter where you go, I will always relive the memories. Trivial as it may be for others, I will never forget your contagious smile, your bubbly personality and most of all, I will not forget how you made me feel when we met the second time. It breaks my heart to see our friends hurt. But do know, that in your temporary absence, I will, in my own way, take care of F and J. I will keep them strong in this trying times. I wish you're happier now, B.