Apartment Therapy

Like many, I am an Apartment Therapy addict! They just have an honest, down to earth way of sharing information. Jon writes for them too, which makes it even better. Last night while reading my Dec issue of Blueprint, I noticed that they got a big mention on the Editor's page. Wow, I thought. This is definitely a sign of AMAZING things to come!!

Recent posts I've been loving...

The post about Eco-decorating via NYTimes is brilliant. All those fabulous event planners just hit the nail on the head on a completely new level. Sounds like they're sill trying to work out a few issues like waste, on a good note, it's just a sign that the eco lifestyle is becoming just that, stylish! I'm determined to make it an eco holiday this year :)

I am also thankful for the recycling magazines post. Finally, someone is addressing this issue! I had so many magazines that they made up half my belongings when I moved. There will be less guilt in this world.

in the philippines

what a long few weeks its been. this trip to the philippines was definitely one of my favorites. mainly because of the good mix of family, rest, and even a little bit of business. here are some of my favorite snaps. first we visit my grandma's house from the 50's...fish, a staple for any meal. this was for breakfast...jeepney ride to my uncle's farm...orchids from my uncle's farm to bring to my grandparents' graves...we are there Nov. 1 for all souls day where the party is at the cemetary...what surrounded us through a hike in the coconut tree forest...plane ride to Bohol in the south of the Philippines. a view of Mt. Mayon volcano known to have the most perfect cone...

these are called the chocolate hills because in the summer, the green dries out to brown and they look like chocolate mounds...

white sand beaches of Bohol Beach Club. this was the restful part of our trip, relaxing in the water, having spiked mango shakes, and getting a massage on the beach!some of parts of the beach were just made up of bits of coral...

Balay Celina

My aunt's rest house, now named Balay Celina, in the little town of Liliw, province of Laguna, Philippines is heaven. Designed by a local architect, its open floorplan and over all theme is Bali inspired. Most importantly, it is built to house mom's huge family (there are 12 brothers and sisters) which at times can bring together over 40 people on a given weekend. This is an overview of the main house...The front where we we usually hang out while waiting for our rides. This is a detail of the small pool and hand carved wood door...
This is where we all usually gather, for meals and just hanging out telling old stories. It amazing when it rains because it is covered and with a tropical climate, it is warm enough to continue whatever we are doing...
Over view of the space, even the chairs were hand carved...The guest rooms are open and sleep more of us on the floor when needed. There are also several sitting nooks to carry out the Bali theme...There is always fresh fruit, these are little bananas and lanzones. I always fall in love with the graphic tiles that feel ancient and modern at the same time...
The part that houses the kitchen...Flowers that grow in the back of the property and their buddah...
The cabana and the pool where you can take a morning swim sometimes in the rain! One Easter we hid all the eggs in this open area, crazy...
A view inside the cabana, a simple, but enormous structure which can house even 50 people on floor cushioned beds. Everything except the 2 bathrooms are made of the the bamboo and dried grass that forms the roofs. Windows are usually open at night which makes you feel like you're sleeping outdoors. The last night I was there, the sky was pitch black with thousands of stars...

The Liliw Church and a view of a rice field and Mount Banahaw where my mom's family has an amazing farm...

The ice cold river that runs down from the mountain. I have fond memories of when all of us would walk down to the river for lunch and swimming. Man on horse with a machete...
5 peso (maybe about 10 cents) per person tricycle rides which can seriously fit two behind the driver and three in the little side car. One of the many roosters that will crow at 5 a.m...

the food

clearly I took hundreds possibly thousands of photos over a 2 week period. i always do. can't help it. so many pretty things! many of them of course being the mouthwatering food... this is the buko (coconut) lychee shake. AMAZING....seafood lunch - green mango with salty fish, lapu lapu fish with black beans, squid, huge shrimp caught that morning, shaped rice and the beautiful mango shake...fresh buko juice straight from the shell...pinakbit, one of my favorite dishes made of eggplant, a few other veggies, bits of pork, and bagoong (salt fish)...

the always fascinated by rambutan fruit ~ red with all the soft prickly things all over it. my uncle has trees on his farm. he waited to pick these when we got there for lunch...

suman is sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf. you unravel and drizzle with sweet carmel sauce...

Batangas

I know I've been posting a lot today. Hopefully making up for the last month I've been away! Last one for today... my aunt's other house (she and my uncle are semi-retired and enjoy building houses), this one by the beach in Batangas, Philippines.  Wood is the theme at this rest house, all sorts of wood made by several craftsmen in the area. It's a wonderful rest home again big enough to accomodate the entire family. The sunsets are serene and the beach down below is like being on vacation all over again...kitchen and the first balcony...
indoor/outdoor shower and the dark wood staircase...craftsmanship in every detail of the house...always amazed that we all get a bed!playing scrabble by sunset...

infinity pool and path to a beach nearby...