TOPAZ HORIZON

If I were the glass-half-empty kinda person (and to be very honest, I actually am), I'd look back at 2012 and think, "What a bad year." I had a delicate pregnancy, I had hired a bad woman to take care of Vito, I had a hard time juggling work and motherhood, and OK! magazine got killed off.

But 2012 was actually pretty fantastic. Incredible! My pregnancy got better, I dismissed the bad maid and learned such good lessons from that experience that the yayas I have now are beyond great, God sent ladies of faith to me who are now my prayer partners and friends, my second life dream—to be a newspaper columnist—came true, Vito continued to grow more amazing, and sweet darling cutie pie Iñigo was born.

My life is full. Too full, in fact. So for 2013, I'm decluttering, discarding, simplifying. And that will apply to all—stuff, processes, relationships.


Simplifying doesn't mean living on one pair of shoes. But it certainly means 30 pairs is a lot, especially if I use just 3 pairs! Same applies to my bags and clothes. I've started unloading stuff actually. Gave away around 50 dresses and a few shoes to my sister and niece. They looked great in my clothes! The rest I donated to charity. Already I feel lighter and better!

Simplifying doesn't mean it's the easier way, though. For example, I order a lot of fast food because for a busy mom like me, it's the easier option to actually cooking food. But homecooked food is healthier and cheaper and better for me and my family. So that's what I aim to do!

Simplifying means giving more time to the people and things that matter most. Something I should remember this year since job offers are coming at me left and right. I'm grateful, of course, but I wanted to spend more time with my kids! So I should carefully choose what I'll work on and to keep in mind that I wanted a life devoted to my young sons. It's really helped me make good decisions, by the way!

Simplifying also means cutting off complicated and negative people from my life. That includes Facebook. I won't say anymore but if you're on Facebook, I'm sure you understand the stress! I'm just going to quietly block, unfriend and hide.

So that's my goal this year! I feel better about 2013 already! What is it about this year that makes me so happy? Oh, I know—my husband, my kids, my friends, our good health! They're all I really need. Simple!


*image from MelindaBunyard.com

"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art—write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can.

For the house, not me!

I'm getting tired of our blue walls. I love them, make no mistake, but after 5 years of living with them, I am ready for a new color. Or a non-color like gray or white.

I was browsing through fab online magazine Lonny.com and instantly fell in love with these stark yet cozy, elegant rooms:


All that light! So amazing. It's like a photo box!

I do admit that I do love color a wee bit too much to just go black/white/gray. I have a pink Christmas tree, for heaven's sake! So I'm pretty sure I'm going to add pops of color here and there. But I do want white walls now. Or gray. Hmm. Still can't decide.

The truth is I want a non color because I take most of my photos inside the house. Me, my kids, my products. And I always have to color correct everything because everything takes on a bluish tinge: our skin, our clothes, our hair, the products! I want to look like a human being, not a Smurf haha.

What's your home makeover plan this 2013?


*photos from Lonny.com

Dearest darling readers,

Thank you for being a blessing to me and my family this year. Thank you for the good will, the love and encouragement, the prayers, and the gifts. You have truly blessed us. I send you God's blessings of love, peace, and abundance, too! Merry Christmas!

Frances and Vince and our kiddos Vito and Iñigo


*photo by Blow-Up Babies but arte-fied by me that's why it looks weird, I guess!

Okay, guys, just one photo today because I only went out twice this week. Tuesday, for a full day of photo shoots and today to watch The Hobbit with my husband. My outfit today was actually cute but we forgot to take a photo. Oh well! Anyway, I was supposed to go to two events—Benefit's anniversary party and a secret blogger dinner—this week but I suffered a bad cold and sore throat (recovering now!) so been mostly home.

Anyway, today's Topaz Fashion features my super old jumpsuit. I don't even remember where I bought this. Some little store in Robinsons Galleria.

I wore it on Tuesday. Had two photo shoots that day so I had to be as comfy as possible. Plus, I brought baby Iñigo with me so I had to be boob-accessible. I wore my jumpsuit with my snakeskin sandals from Charles & Keith. The photo shoots were for my Behind the Scenes column. It's in the fashion section of Manila Bulletin. Today featured Ana Amigo Antonio. Next week, it will be Patty Laurel-Filart, the pretty woman I'm posing with in the shot above.

I love this jumpsuit to bits! But it was bought when I didn't have my mommy flab (see pre-mommy photo of me in that jumpsuit here) so now... I dunno. Maybe I'll sell it on eBay, too. Time for a new wardrobe!!!

Happy weekend, fashionistas!


P.S. This is a good read on OOTD fashion blogs: "Has street style jumped the shark?". Are fashion blogs real style or are they all staged?