Earth Colors and Ikat

Someone is in Bangkok right now looking for ikat fabric in earth colors. So here is a guide on what earth colors are. Basically they are muted colors as opposed to high-intensity colors, or "muddy" instead of "clean" colors.

By the way, these are the exact opposite of what we should be wearing, being "winter" skin tone--dark hair, fair skin.

Old Teacups, an Antique Cabinet and a Fancy Party

I started collecting old teacups many years ago, bidding for them one-by-one on eBay. None of them are very expensive or precious--and I chose them for color, pattern and shape and not by brand. They're displayed in this antique display cabinet which was once the medical supplies cabinet of my husband's grandfather the doctor.

Paris on my Mind

I came across this post in House of Turquoise blog and absolutely love the interiors of this Paris home. I love the chandelier of this bedroom, the armchair, the headboard and the big windows that overlook a balcony. I have the balcony windows in my own bedroom, but they have more of a Spanish feel to it.

Starting the Year Right

Newly organized  files in my home office

It's been really quiet today and I've been able to finally sit down pay my December bills in only a few minutes.  I sorted through the bills in my inbox, worked on the papers scattered on my desk, and then filed everything away. Normally I wouldn't be so efficient, but last November, I asked a professional organizer to come over and help me wade through the chaos of my home office.

Wiener Chriskindlmarkt--The Vienna Christmas Market

A few years ago, we found ourselves in Vienna during the first week of December. Despite the freezing weather, I think this is one of the best times to visit Vienna because the streets are filled with holiday cheer. It is quite an experience specially for us who live on the other side of the globe.

Christ the Savior is Born

 Nativity scene made by G and C in 2007

Oh come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant...

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Last Baking Day

 

 

Today was our last baking day! It's been a tradition for us to bake lots of pound cakes every Christmas using an old buttercake recipe that we always enjoyed while growing up.  Come to think of it, I've actually been baking all these cakes for the past 25 Christmases! (No, I'm not that old, I just started baking at 10 years old--hehe)

The whole mass-baking production started when I was single and living at home. There was one year mom and dad were abroad until December 23 and  nothing was happening in the house in the 3 weeks leading up to Christmas.

My New Look!

I wish I could say that the "new look" referred to me, but with the Christmas holidays, no way. I should be eating this healthful delicious salad here--haricot verts with thin curls of foie gras--instead of all the poundcake that is being baked now at home (it's called "pound" cake for a reason!). Nope, the new look is an experiment on the blog!

I've been in touch with fellow bloggers who have been critiquing my blog (I know, I know, a proper blogger should be linking at this point--but I'm rushing out the door so I'll do a proper post on this later), and wanted to do some changes right away.

If you are one of my ten loyal readers, can you please tell me what you think of this lay-out? Those of you who get my posts by email, tsk tsk, you are missing so much!! I still have to design my header and all the fun design stuff. But kids have to be picked up from school, lunch with a girlfriend, Christmas shopping, workers in the house, visit the office, Barangay Xmas party tonight... I have to get off this computer ahora mismo!!!

I'll get there...hopefully in these last two weeks of 2010~