Being a true blue Southerner, i could say that the thriving Filinvest City in Alabang is probably one of our favorite go-to escape when we needed to shop, eat fancy or perhaps stay the night away to spoil ourselves with the most needed rest and relaxation. Weeks before my birthday my husband's asking what's my plan. And i said, all i ever wanted for my birthday was to REST and to shop (a little) for the holidays for the kids and our family as well. I was looking at my bucket list and was contemplating if we should to go back to Crimson Hotel which is my favorite, or perhaps try other hotels on the list, until i came across Somerset which was the newest in the area. So, there we agreed to book a room for my birthday.

With the unbridled congestion of the metro and the widespread contamination of our surroundings these days, i would sometimes pray for the abundance of old-fashioned things like fresh air, sunshine and farm lots. Why not? Perhaps, its the most luxurious boon that i can give to myself so i could breath obliviously. Well, talking about fresh air, on one of my occasional explorations, I've discovered a ranch house turned cafe somewhere in the sleepy town of Taal, Batangas where lush greenery and a breath of fresh air was very ordinary. 

‘Tis the season to shop ‘til you drop and be jolly! Isn’t it? I hope you all have completed your gifts or at least half way done ticking it down one by one. For those who hadn’t completed it yet and still adding one at a time, fret not, 'coz the holiday season isn’t over yet until new year! Hahaha!

Have you noticed that fashion trends are repetitive? Looking back at photos of my mom in the 60's and 70's, I've seen quite a number of wide leg pants that she used to wear during her youth days. Not the flared jeans or bell bottom pants but those loose, flowing and stylish pants that are just so pretty like maxi skirts. Palazzo pants are head-turner these days and they are just gorgeous!