Weekly / 09.24.2017

The last time I did this was two years ago. I've spent the past two weeks reacquainting myself with things I've sort of forgotten about. Went to a watercolor workshop, popped open a book, scribbled on a notepad, and met up with friends.

Music Monday

Haven't heard this song in a while but it played at the end of episode 7 from the first season of Grace and Frankie so I looked it up on Spotify right away.

Tasty Tuesday

I don't have a photo of it but I'm obsessed with Pi Breakfast and Pies' Chocolate Chip Cookie. Y'all know I'm picky about my cookies because, well, mine are pretty bomb. LOL! They're just the right size bursting with chocolatey goodness (you always get a mouthful of choc in each bite, amazing!).

Wishful Wednesday

A post shared by Macy Alcaraz (@macysfields) on Sep 13, 2017 at 5:53pm PDT

Lots of things, really. But mostly for the next few weeks to roll by without a hitch. Can't wait for Scorpio season!

Thoughtful Thursday

A reminder from almost two years ago. Because you just gotta keep at it. To borrow some very wise words from The Handmaid's Tale, "Nolite te Bastardes Carborundorum, bitches."

Fashion Friday

A post shared by Ines de la Fressange (@inesdelafressangeofficial) on Sep 6, 2017 at 3:15am PDT

Window shopped last Friday and spotted a cute ruffled chambray top from my fave Uniqlo collab. Of course I shall wait for it to go on sale first before I snag myself a piece.

* weekly-themed post adapted from That's Chic

Current faves

1 The comfiest heeled mules from Carmelletes · 2 Big Brow Pencil in Lingering from MAC · 3 The Wes from Sunnies Specs · 4 Glam Squad liquid matte lipstick in Naked Peach by Denise Go-Ochoa from Happy Skin

Faves ATM

Free weekends mean lazing around till noon on a Saturday, doodling and falling deep into the blackhole that is Instagram.

Here are a few of my current faves: Creamellow lippie from Innisfree which I got through online shopping portal Althea; L'Oreal's Pure Fire is still one of my favorite red-orange lippies—and so affordable, too; Radioactive Mushrooms in the Forest's natural fragrances are bomb. My picks? Toshi, Promise Ring, and Moonbathing; Bought this bottle of Beach Born sea salt spray because I was walking around aimlessly waiting for my friends for an hour. Glad I got it though because it's amazing!; My Carrie City tote can fit EVERYTHING; These espradilles from F21 are a late summer buy but who cares? We live in a tropical country—it's summer all year!

Favorites: June 2015

I know they always say to spend on experience and not material things, but you have to admit, sometimes there's really nothing like treating yourself to that one thing you've had on your shopping list for months! Ha.

The last time I bought a bag was when I splurged on a customized tote from Bags by Rubber Tree (they're the best!). It's been almost a year and I hadn't changed my bag since. When I saw my friend Erin with her vegan leather bucket bag from Posh Every Day, I knew I had to get myself one, too. I ended up getting two, hahaha. One medium in camel and a mini in black. As for the Seychelles pair, I've been wanting my own Holdin' My Breath flats ever since I saw them. Never really fit a pair, because they were a bit pricey. But after holdin' (hehe) off for so long, I finally just decided to splurge on a pair as a reward to myself. ;P No regrets because these are the comfiest pair of sandals I own now. Seriously!

Ever since I first heard "World Spins Madly On" on an episode of Grey's Anatomy, I've been a fan of the duo. Didn't know until they released their latest album that Deb was diagnosed with cancer in late 2013. After beating the big C, they recorded Sirens, which is now one of my favorite records of theirs.

What are your favorites this month? (:

Think Of This Song As A Promise

Music Monday

{ From a year ago: YouTube Presents Jason Mraz Live from NYC }

The best thing about seeing him live is his unbelievably good adlibbing (is this even a word, sorry haha). I'm seeing him again in May and I cannot wait!

Tasty Tuesday

{ Banana Pecan Pancake, Breakfast at Antonio's }

Still thinking about this fluffy stack of pancakes from a shoot two weeks ago. Wish I could go back for them and a cup of hot cocoa with a giant marshmallow on top.

Wishful Wednesday

{ Saturday morning mess }

I haven't been making anything lately, but yesterday, after a tiring and stressful week, I just had to do something crafty. Haven't used the nib I got from Alessa's workshop a couple of weeks ago because I don't have a desk in my room. But I made do with my bedroom floor. Waited for the ink to dry before painting over it with watercolor. Planning to buy a frame to put this in to give to my best friend. Her daughter just turned 3 months on her 30th birthday. (: The words are from one of my favorite John Mayer songs.

Thoughtful Thursday

Source: 25.media.tumblr.com via Macy on Pinterest

Fashion Friday

Source: whowhatwear.com via Who What Wear on Pinterest

* weekly-themed post adapted from That's Chic

Songs I Like: Sondre Lerche's "Words & Music"

You're a poem when you're on your own
I'll try not to get in your way
But of all the poems I have known,
baby, you give me something to say

And Do You Still Think About Me?

Music Monday


Tasty Tuesday

Wishful Wednesday
I wish this article would write itself. s: Also, those cupcakes are not going to bake themselves. Haha! Lazy Sunday is lazyyy.

Thoughtful Thursday

Source: refinery29.com via Macy on Pinterest

Fashion Friday

{ Wild Fox SS 2013, a tribute to Amy Heckerling }

* weekly-themed post adapted from That's Chic

Songs I Like: Up Dharma Down's "Thinker"

I've been listening to Up Dharma Down's Capacities for a couple of days now. This is my favorite. (:

You Are My Favorite

One thing I missed about blogging circa 2000 ("I'm oooold... I'm like the crypt keeper!")? Surveys! I used to religiously answer Friday Five and loved answering all those year-end surveys.

This is the first time I'm reading about the Liebster Blog Award, but I'm thrilled to have been nominated by Richelle. Why? Because apparently liebster means favorite in German. Now from what everyone has been posting, I'm supposed to choose my favorite blogs that have a relatively small following (as in not The Sartorialist level siguro?) and have them answer 11 questions.

Here are the questions from Richelle:

01 Which fic­tional char­ac­ter you would like to date, and why?
A from Every Day! I just recently read it and fell in love. Obviously, it would be tough dating him, but I'll make it work somehow. Haha!

02 What is your top pet peeve?
People who brush their teeth in a public bathroom. I know you want your breath to smell fresh all day, every day, but people wash their hands, where you are depositing your tinga! s: Pop a breath mint and brush your teeth at home. Please.

03 If you could live any­where else in the world, where would it be, and why?
Paris? I don't know. I've always been fascinated about the language, the food, the style. I've never been so I don't know if I'd actually like it, but it seems like it would be a good place to live in. (:

04 What did you have for lunch? Was it good?
Adobo flakes + adobo rice from the newly-opened Adobo Connection near the office. SOOO good! I can probably have it every day, haha! (Note: I actually answered this last Tuesday and only had time to finish the post and publish it today at 8 in the morning.)

05 What can­celled tv show(s) would you want to bring back and why?
So manyyy. Wonderfalls and Pushing Daisies. I watched Wonderfalls years after it aired, but loved it all the same. From the same creator, I got too sad when Pushing Daisies could no longer be revived. Sadface. Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars.  Two of my favorite series! Still hoping for that Veronica Mars movie. Hello, buntis na si Kristen Bell!

06 What is your favorite mode of trans­porta­tion?
Car! Although when I went to Singapore early this year, I did enjoy commuting. Haha! If we had a better system, I probably wouldn't mind taking the train to work.

07 What songs would make it to your “I’m stuck on an island with one mix tape/cd” (Yes, I know I’m old) playlist?
It would definitely have these 3 songs in there somewhere: "Every Day Is A Holiday (With You)" by Esthero, "Sleep All Day" by Jason Mraz, and "Comfortable" by John Mayer.

08 If you HAD to join a real­ity TV show (local or for­eign) which one would it be?
Master Chef or Top Chef. Haha, feeling!

09 What did you want to be when you grew up? Are you what you planned to be when you were 9 years old?
I always answered, "doctor," to that question. Up until I found out I had to handle a corpse in med school, I really did want to become one. Then it eventually changed into a writer. I suppose I'm sort of a writer? But not exactly the kind I thought I would be.

10 Who is the crush (past or present) you are most embar­rassed about?
I'm never embarrassed about any of my crushes, no matter how ridiculous!

11 I had a pretty good 2012. How was yours?
Surprisingly, this year has been pretty awesome. My motto was "eat well, travel often" apparently. Made it to three new places this year and I have a perpetual food baby from all the eating I've been doing. I'm hoping all the good vibes of 2012 will extend to next year!

 
So it's my turn to pick my Liebster 11: Mikko, Kaich, Stephie, Marla, Em, Patty, Nikki, Cecile, Tisha, Meanne, Noelle

No pressure if you don't want to participate, but here are my questions:

01 What was the best thing about today?
02 What's your ultimate favorite food to pig out on?
03 Name a song that you will never ever get tired of.
04 What's the best book you've read this month?
05 What are the first three websites you visit once you open your browser?
06 Tell me about your current favorite TV show.
07 What's one thing you'll never travel without?
08 Who's your style inspiration?
09 Top 3 items in your closet?
10 What's your all-time favorite movie?
11 What's one place you think people should visit at least once in their life?

This was super fun to do! I missed answering surveys and having a "blogging community." Haha!

Songs I Like: "My Favourite Book" by Stars

When news broke that Stars was coming  to Manila, I was thrilled! When the band asked for their fans from Asia to email them their names + where they're from, I totally emailed them, thinking maybe that would be one chance to get them to come here. It was more than a year ago, and obviously they haven't gone to the Philippines since then. But if it's true, see you in February! (:

October 30

Here we are. ♥

Meet the Women of the Future

I love anything that's set in the '60s. I sometimes kind of wish I was born then. I love the clothes, the hair, the makeup. Which is why it was no surprise that I instantly fell in love with the new show Pan Am.

It sort of reminds me of Mad Men, but with a bit of espionage on the side. I love that they're always in some new place in every episode. My favorite character is Colette. My heart broke for her in last week's episode—especially that scene when she was trying to make her way up the stairs.

I've never had dreams of becoming a flight attendant, but if I were living in the '60s, I probably would have!

{ photos courtesy of ABC }

Chocoholics Anonymous

Actually, I admit it and embrace my chocoholic-ness wholeheartedly. I'm no chocolate snob. It doesn't matter if it costs P15 or as much as P1,500. If it's good chocolate, I'll eat it and love it just the same.

My love affair with chocolate started at a very young age. I remember Christmas in Marikina when I was a kid. My kuya and I would have our stockings filled with all kinds of chocolate and candy. I remember those blocks of chocolate wrapped in gold paper—some had pinipig, some had nuts. There were also chocolate coins, which tasted so good.

I graduated to Mr. Goodbar, Krackel, Barnone (the best chocolate bar EVER, bar none—DUH), Alpine White, KitKat, and Ferrero Rocher.

Of course, I also had local favorites like Serg's (RIP, sniff), Goya, and Choki Choki (which I used to have in my mouth 24/7, not kidding).

My most recent finds: Goya Chunky (I like the white one with cashews best), KitKat Orange, and M&M Pretzels (if any of you are coming from abroad, please bring me home a giant bag of this. I will pay you, of course!).


When I was at Yummy Eats a couple of months ago, I came across Risa Fine Bespoke Chocolates. We tried their truffles and my favorites were the ones with orange and Cerveza Negra. Since my friend Koko is friends with the owners, I was able to order through her a Cuadro in Tiramissyou. A block costs P280.

What's in it? It's white chocolate with a creamy center and is covered in cocoa powder just like tiramisu. I would have liked a stronger coffee flavor (I'm not sure there even is?), but I liked it enough to order twice. I can only have one piece at a time and I think it's perfect with a cup of coffee.


I'm not yet sure what I want to try next, but I'm thinking of trying the other flavors of Cuadro. The one with almonds looks really good!

What about you? What are your chocolate obsessions right now?

Songs I Like: Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi "I See the Light"

I'm a big fan of Disney and their movies' OSTs. I used to have Aladdin's OST memorized from Side A to Side B (Come closer, closer... Not that close!), which I think is the best Disney sound track ever. I remember playing the tapes on my Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and Aladdin sound tracks thin.

My brother told me about a song from Disney's Tangled sung by Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) and Flynn (Zachary Levi). I immediately Googled it to hear the song.

It's no surprise that I love it because the man who's behind the song is the exact same guy who did the scores for Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid—Alan Menken! And it doesn't hurt that Zachary Levi's voice sounds like a true Prince Charming's. ♥

Chocolate Kiss and College

Chocolate Kiss was my happy food in college. I remember trooping there every Thursday (or was it Tuesday?) with Kaich, Patty, and Jeifan. Switching between adobo and chicken kiev and salpicao.

We decided to meet up today for late lunch. I was looking forward to my favorite Kahlua Butter Cake and refillable iced tea. They had already ordered when I got there. I was trying to remember what I always ordered. Kaich said it was Salisbury Steak so I ordered that. "Sorry, Ma'am. Wala na po eh." Then, we figured no, it was Chicken Kiev. "Sorry, Ma'am. Wala na po eh." I really wanted rice. So one more try, "Beef Salpicao na lang." "Sorry, Ma'am. Wala na po eh." HAAAA? The waiter suggested pasta but I was dead set on getting kanin. So I chose an unfamiliar meal (meaning I've never tried it before): Fish Fillet with Pesto Salsa and Paprika Rice.

Then this blob was presented to me. It didn't look appetizing to me but it did smell yummy. I was apprehensive about the salsa because sometimes salsa=wansoy, which I'm not a fan of. But I ended up finishing the entire plate save for maybe two tablespoons of the paprika rice. And then of course, I had to order dessert. Patty already sent me a message ahead of time that Kahlua Butter Cake was available so yay!


I actually told the cake, "I've missed you." I don't know why I love this cake so much. I especially savor the two-part icing going on. Fudge + butter cream, be still my frosting-loving heart.

Here we are trying to channel our college selves. Well, technically, Ry and Kaich are still in school, just on break. Patty and I have no excuse. And Jeifan is being her grown-up self at Philippine Fashion Week. Haha! We missed you, Naf!

Can't wait to see you again on my birthday weekend! (:

The Chocolate Kiss Cafe
UP Diliman, QC and
91 Roces Avenue

LUX

Behind-the-scenes picture from Life UnExpected S01E12
(photo courtesy of The CW)

I love cheesy dramas. One of my ultimate favorite series is Gilmore Girls. I was sad when it got canceled and Stars Hollow was never to be seen again. (Note to self: buy an original box set!) When Mimi told me about this show that was being marketed as Gilmore Girls meets Juno, I thought, hey why not give it a chance?

Some people thought the pilot was boring but I loved it! It sort of reminded me of Party of Five. It was a drama alright but not One Tree Hill-heavy kind of drama (hahaha, sorry OTH fans). I instantly fell in love with Lux and her blonde waves and knitted beanie, with Cate (from Roswell) and her radio partner and guy Ryan (from Dawson's Creek), with Baze who kind of grows on you after a couple of episodes. Still on the fence whether I'm Team Jones or Team Bug, though. d:

I wish one of the local channels would pick up this show. I love the warm, fuzzy feeling I get after watching it.

Top 10 John Mayer Songs, Go!

In about a month's time, John Mayer is going to play a show here in Manila. And 4 studio albums, 3 live albums, and 2 EPs later, I suddenly started listening to all the songs I have of his in my iTunes library.

I realize that I like a lot of his old stuff especially the live versions (remember Audiogalaxy?). Love the little snippets of his spiels onstage and the covers that he does before breaking into "No Such Thing" or "Love Song For No One."

Here's an attempt to short list my favorites to 10. In no particular order:

1. "Neon"
   The very first song I heard. My brother made me listen to it. A trail of ruby red and diamond white is still one of my favorite lines from a song. It sounds so pretty.
   
2. "Daughters"
   I've always loved this song (as I am an only daughter) but it took on a different meaning for me when I lost my mom two years ago. I think if I hear this live, I might lose it. O: (Also, it's probably the only song I really like on Heavier Things.)
   
3. "Comfortable"
   I think what I like about his songs is how they can be so personal, almost like they were written for you. I remember hearing this song for the first time thinking I would love for someone to say these things to me.
   
4. "Why Did You Mess With Forever"
   I have one more thing to ask,
   Was it worth the price you paid
   For my never coming back?
   Why did you mess with forever?
   
5. "City Love"
   And I can't remember life
   Before her name
   
6. "Love Song For No One"
   Who doesn't like this song? Theme song of all the single people waiting in the world for their other half. Hurry up and get here.
   
7. "Sucker"
   And there could be no other way
   'Cause you're so, you're so lame
   Your tired words are all, they're all the same
   If I would walk, I'd surely walk away
   If I wasn't such a sucker for you
   
8. "Stop This Train"
   Listened to this song a lot the year I turned 25. I was feeling depressed and unaccomplished and I actually convinced myself that I was only good at being young. I have since realized that I don't need to pressure myself because we all grow up at our own pace.
   
9. "Friends, Lovers, Or Nothing"
   I may have made a lot of mistakes in relationships, but I don't regret any of them. If I learned anything though, it's to never settle. Because anything other than yes is no, anything other than stay is go, anything less than "I love you" is lying.
   
10. "Back To You"
    I love it when he sings I'm swimming in a sea of faces trying to find my way to you but it's no use in a crowded room where everyone wants you.

What's your Top 10? (:

The Breakfast Club

What is your favorite meal of the day?

I personally love breakfast. I can eat breakfast three times a day if I could. My ultimate favorite kind of breakfast would be anything that involves garlic rice, some eggs, and a plateful of bacon fried to crisp perfection drizzled with pancake syrup.

But just recently, I've been addicted to PB and Nutella toast. Sometimes I put half and half just like in the picture and some days I also like swirling them together before popping it in the oven. I am wiping my drool as I type this. Haha!

I saw a recipe for Nutella bread pudding (you cut up a Nutella sandwich, place it in a pan with eggs and milk and bake it the oven for a bit) and I've been meaning to try it. Maybe one of these days I will and I'll let you know how it goes. d:

To my favorite boy in the world

My number one fan. My willing taste tester. My personal cheerleader. My instant happy pill. He takes me to the office every morning, even on weekends that I need to go to work. He sits with me when I'm having breakfast, and will pour my water for me. He makes the best silly faces and has the heartiest laugh.

I no longer remember how it is to have full-length conversation with him ever since that day in August, the year of 1998. I don't know when I'll be able to cheer him on during a game of golf. I miss pre-wheelchair dad, but I love him all the more now. There is something about having an unspoken language between you and a person dear to you. How I know what his gestures and facial expressions mean. Or how I know that Saturday nights are lacking when I'm not beside him on a pew in Church. Or how I know that something as simple as brushing his teeth makes me feel important.

These days, I like to ask him if he misses mom. And his eyes turn glassy. He never cries, but I know he misses her like crazy. But he says that she comes to him at night at his bedside and I know that she'll always reassure him.

I have the best parents in the world. Happy Father's Day, Daddy. I love you!

Flavor of the Week

(oh no)
I don't think much about you anymore.
(oh no)
You're not on every whisper.
(oh no)
I don't think much about you,
But if you're not lurking behind every curtain,

I'm wondering whose house are you haunting tonight?
Whose name you hiss, whose clinching fists?
Whose house are you haunting tonight?

Previously: Up dharma Down's Oo, Justin Timberlake's My Love and LoveStoned among others