TOPAZ HORIZON

Got the silliest message over at this blog's Facebook page. A reader observed that I only have one smile. Haha! Yes, I do! I'm so Zoolander!

Actually, my orthodontist taught me how to smile when she removed my braces. I used to smile really widely but she told me I shouldn't do that because a) it makes me look toothy, b) it distorts my features, and c) I'll get wrinkles.

But I do have other looks. I was looking for them (haha affected!) and came upon these wacky shots from staff photo shoots of long ago:

Sorry for the pixelated shots. I didn't do a good job resizing them! Elaine has clearer images (click here and here). And then I realized that today is exactly the first anniversary of our last photo shoot together.

Aww. This was such a bittersweet photo shoot. It was OK! magazine's final staff shoot. We had lots of fun. We knew we did a fantastic job, we were all moving on to new lives, and yet we were also in the throes of good-bye. I think we all cried buckets of tears. I know I did.

But life goes on. We've all moved on. Managing editor Lana is with Kristn.com, beauty editor Elaine is with Good Housekeeping, red carpet columnist Jay writes for Kristn and also has his fingers in a lot of pies, features editor Joanna used to be with Kristn but is now a freelance writer, editorial assistant Sandra is with Cosmo.ph, fashion editor Kabbie is now with Stylebible, publishing assistant Mary Love is studying in the U.S., publisher Franny is working in Singapore, and art director Red is now the art director of Hola! Philippines. Oh, and there's me! I'm a freelance writer, editor, newspaper columnist and a blogger. Life is good!

So I take heart in this. One year ago today, behind the smiles, all of those people in those pictures were sad and worried. But life had surprises for us. We're in such good places today! Maybe for some of us, I dare say we're even in a much better place.

So if you're in a tough situation, take heart in tomorrow. It does get better!

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My friends (and I guess my readers, too!) know that I love coloring my hair red. I've colored it every hue except green and platinum, but red is my color. I've been red blond, red pink, red brown since 2009. But now, I'm red. Just red. A wild exciting red! Almost like I'm an anime character!
For color, I only trust Louis Phillip Kee. That's him supervising my marination. Louis is the best colorist in the country. I'm serious. If you're going for serious color change, go to Louis. He's been coloring my hair since 2006. Yes, this is a relationship! So when I dropped by the spankin' brand new Louis Phillip Kee Premier Salon at the Grand Midori at Legaspi Village two weeks ago, I was given the royal treatment. I love being friends with hairstylists!

Chilled white wine.

Scrumptious club sandwich. Seriously, this was the best club sandwich I've ever had in my life!

Hello, world! Transformation underway!

While my hair was steeped in the red dye, I waited in my comfy chair, read some magazines, got an amazing back massage and had my nails done. But before all that, I took my camera and went around the chic salon.

Up the winding staircase, you'll find the VIP rooms.

The LPK Premier Salons attract celebrities and VIP clients so expect to get the A-list treatment here. I always feel so special in this salon. Like when I visit other salons (for a blowdry, for example), I always wonder, "Where's my coffee? My tea? My international and current magazines? My massage? My free WiFi?" Hehe, so spoiled! That's all the fault of the LPK Premier Salon! You'll feel so pampered!

Upstairs. The mirrors are perfect. No distortion. You'll always look good!

Love the chrome and chandelier. So sleek!

A cozy corner for relaxing foot spa treatments.

After my color, Louis cut my hair. Vince and I wanted to keep it long. So did Louis. Louis was there when I went short for years and years. Having fine, thin hair, I never grew my hair long but Louis encouraged me to grow it and he has taken care of my hair so well that I am finally sporting long healthy locks for the first time in my life!

Louis performing his famous precision style cutting.

He's inspecting the color.

It's pretty wild!

But I LOVE it! I'm so fabulous!!!

That's Louis with one of the owners, Roseann Ko. She's so stylish and so nice! (Ok, I'm looking a little pudgy there. Don't look below the neck hehe.)
Louis and Roseann gave me gifts, too! A really good blowdryer and a big box of Kerastase and Wella goodies! Thank you so much!

I'm featuring Louis and his creative team of stylists in my Manila Bulletin column soon. You'll learn more about them, the craft and the salons on my column. This story on my blog is just my happy experience. If you want to experience the A-list treatment, too, book a whole day of pampering now!


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My love affair with Souq Organics started with this little bottle:

I super love this! The condition of my face improved so much!

So now I also use these:

This is my second bar. The first one lasted for months!

Because it's argan oil again and it's also organic.

This is actually my hubby's foot lotion because he runs thrice a week.

These are some of the best beauty products I've ever tried and, believe me, I've tried a lot! So isn't this such fabulous news?

Tamang-tama dahil mauubos na ang Moroccan Argan Oil ko!

The branch I know is the one on Katipunan Road, White Plains, but you can also find Souq Organics products at Landmark Trinoma and Landmark Makati; PCX at Power Plant, ATC, Robinsons Ermita, Festival Mall, and Greenbelt 3 and 4; Mercury Drug at Glorietta 3; Lucky Chinatown Mall Annex; and at NUMA Infantcare.

You can also shop conveniently at their website. Happy shopping!

Loved the book. Loved the movie. Loved this promotional prank vid, too! Kinareer grabe!

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Someone asked me about my 36th birthday picture. I always have a portrait of me taken around my birthday. So I know what I look like every year, you know! But for my 36th year, I didn't have a photo taken. I had my portrait painted.

Exactly this day last year, I met with artist Soleil Ignacio. (I love her name, which means "sun" and "to ignite.") That's us meeting at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at Power Plant. I'm thinner back then! I can't believe I was thinner 5 months after giving birth than now, a year and 5 months after giving birth! I want those arms back!

(I want to also point out the mommy in the background. I just love the look of love and delight she gives her son.)

Anyway, I asked Soleil to paint me. After three months, here's what she created:

I like it. I look too young, though. I don't look 36 haha. But I believe that that's what Soleil captured. Everyone thinks I'm younger than my age. It's not because I mega take care of myself. It's really because I love life! Kids, that's the secret to looking young—just be happy! And stay out of the sun. The sun is the single, biggest, most harmful thing to skin. So, beach lovers and outdoor sports people, sunscreen is your most important beauty product. Even if you aren't an outdoorsy person, you should still put on sunscreen!

Back to my painting. I haven't had it framed. I should. But I don't know where to put it so I've been putting it up all over the house, just to see where it will fit.

Hallway?

Bedroom?

So far, I haven't found a home for it. Maybe when I have my own home office. One day, one day!

I'm turning 37 a month from now and I haven't decided if I'll have a professional photo shoot done again. Hair, makeup, pro photographer. Sounds like a lot of work now!


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